Thinking about ‘Hawks and other bird-watching activities…

Recently, here at the Bunker we’ve been re-examining our gear.

Admittedly, a part of the reason is that we’re embarking on a series of posts aimed at helping our readers define and then obtain a piece of kit that we find absolutely essential to survival in these trying times. Yes, I’m talking about great, affordable, custom  blades.

We’re going to shatter the myth that you have to be related to Richard Branson or Bill Gates to be able to afford a blade that didn’t come from a sweatshop located in China or Pakistan.

We’re working with a talented knifemaker to demonstrate that you don’t have to sell your kid or a kidney to obtain a great blade that will last you your lifetime. Along the way, we’re going to teach you what to look for, how to communicate and how to carry that knife into the darkness… and then own it.

Sometimes the difference between success and failure, life and death… is a good blade.

But wait, there’s MORE!

When I was a kid, we played “Cowboys and Indians”.

Even then, I always wanted to be the “Indian” because they understood war. They didn’t dress up and march in straight lines. They hid behind trees and rocks and put arrows in your ass…

They didn’t carry rifles (at least MY version didn’t). They carried weapons of war that they handcrafted themselves out of stone, sticks and sinew.

Then, if you pissed them off… they’d put an arrow in your butt and then they’d whack your hair off, just like the French taught them.

If someone would have uttered the words; “Tactical Tomahawk” in those days, we’d have laughed our asses off.

Like I was saying, as a part of the “edged weapon/tool” thought process, we’ve been thinking  about ALL of our edged weapons. Most of us include a small hatchet or Tactical Tomahawk in our gear. Most of our BOBs (Bug Out Bags) have a ‘Hawk hanging off a strap.

Now, companies like SOG have made them fashionable and those ‘hawks are finding their way onto our rucks. I still laugh about the “tactical” part of their description, but even I carry one, nonetheless. I admit it, I’ve carried one into the darkness, as well. War is a treacherous mistress and sometimes you need a blade that bites deeply.

(No, this isn’t my personal Tomahawk. I’m currently carrying a SOG or an off-brand “Zombie Killer” when I’m not carrying a traditional hatchet or a “trucker’s buddy”.  I WISH this was my Hawk. Truth be told, I’m not even sure who she belongs to. If I did… well… let’s just say that the owner and I would be having a long discussion about “ownership”! 🙂  This beauty is a pound and a half or so of elegantly simple, straight to the point, serious rib splitting.)

THIS is a “Trucker’s Buddy”. It’s basically a tool made for the trucking industry but I’ll tell you now that I know a TON of homesteaders and outdoorsmen who carry her;

This hardcore all-purpose tool lets you hack, pry, pull or pound anything into total submission. It features a curved axe, wrench, hammer, nail puller, tire chain hook, pry bar and lever all connected to a non-conducting fiberglass handle with a shock absorbing power grip. I keep mine in the truck (where else?) and I’ve used her many, many times. It’s a handy tool that delivers peace-of-mind and pretty good results. It’s an emergency tool, nothing more, nothing less. You can find them all over the  web for about $80, leather sheath included.

They come in all shapes and sizes. We tend to stay away from the “zombie killer” themed ‘Hawks and find ourselves leaning toward ‘Hawks that can go from truck (for field work like fencing and clearing) to real “field work” hunting and spending time in the outdoors.

But there are those who think a ‘Hawk non-essential. Frankly, we think that kind of thinking is a bit limiting. Aside from uses that vary from chopping down small saplings and trees to creating piles  of kindling, ‘Hawks have other uses that aren’t lost on us. A ‘Hawk in the right hands can be a  pretty formidable weapon.

The following is a Hollywood depiction of  “hand to hand” battle and it’s graphic, but serves to display just how handy  a ‘Hawk can be. In fact, because it’s so graphic, we’re  going to provide the link and you can click to it to see what we’re talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kBKeCR4xiU