Bivy sacks go by several different names. Sometimes they’re referred to as a sleeping bivy and other times they’re known as bivy shelters. Regardless of what a person calls them, however, these bags are designed is to protect a person when they most need it the most. It’s a tent/sleeping bag combination that can be the difference between making it out of a survival situation or falling prey to hypothermia. It’s also a good choice for campers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts looking for a minimalistic solution to sleeping in the great outdoors. We’ve decided to investigate them so that we can help our readers find the best bivy sacks available for them.

Quick Summary of the Best Bivy Sacks

• Best Overall: Tact Bivvy Emergency Sleeping Bag 2.0 (Amazon) – Review
• Best Value: Go Time Gear Emergency Thermal Bivvy (Amazon) – Review
• Best Affordable: Mezonn Survival Bivy Sack Set (Amazon) – Review

Best Overall: Tact Bivvy Emergency Sleeping Bag 2.0

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This bivvy sack is designed to be the one tool that a person can depend on in an emergency. Not only does it comes with a compact thermal bivy sack cover, but it also comes with a survival whistle, para-tinder, and a stuff sack. This is everything a person needs for an emergency, which is why so many people are not only keeping one of these in their home survival kits and bug out bags but also for keeping in the trunk of their car. After all, no one knows when they’re going to break down along the side of a road during a snowstorm. People who have this bag in their car will be better able to survive an emergency than a person who doesn’t have one.

Let’s examine this bivy sack kit and see what makes it tick, shall we? This kit features a lightweight sleeping bag that weighs under 5-ounces and is made out of a thin reflective polyester film. This material is capable of reflecting up to 90% of the person’s body heat back to them while they’re in it, which can be a lifesaver in an emergency. The one thing that we noticed about this sleeping back was that while it was very warm, as well as windproof and waterproof, it didn’t breathe very well. In fact, it didn’t breathe at all, which means that the person sleeping inside of it may begin to sweat inside of it if it’s not very cold.

Another thing that we liked about this bag was that it compresses down very well into its nylon stuff sack, so it’s compact and easy to take anywhere. Because its sack is made out of durable nylon, it won’t rip or tear when it’s packed with other gear. That makes it easy to place in a BOB, emergency kit or even to pack into a suitcase for traveling.

What we liked about it

• It’s a quality product.
• It’s easy to use in an emergency.

Best Value: Go Time Gear Emergency Thermal Bivvy

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Just so we’re clear to all of our readers, bivy sacks aren’t meant to be used as regular sleeping bags. No, they are instead designed for consumers who want a simple and effective emergency option. They are tools that are put into vehicle emergency kits, placed in a bug out bags, or are kept around for an emergency situation. They are designed to keep the consumer warm when there’s no source of heat and they’re being threatened by the elements. As such, they are probably one of the most important survival tools a person could own, one that is more important than a first-aid kit or an emergency cell phone charger.

And this sleeping bag kit does it’s just as an emergency tool very well. It’s a bivy sack that can be used as a sleeping bag, an emergency blanket or can even be used as an impromptu survival shelter. It’s manufactured using 26mm polyethylene that helps to reflect up to 90% of the person’s own body heat back to them. This will help them conserve more of their body heat and protect them against hypothermia. Another important feature found on this sleeping bag is that it has seam-sealed edges. These edges help to keep wind, snow, and rain out of them while the user is sleeping in them.

Another thing that we liked about this sleeping bag was that the exterior of it was a bright orange, which makes it extremely visible to rescue teams or first-responders. And this bag has a paracord drawstring that holds it shut and in an emergency could be used as survival cabling for securing it as a shelter. At the end of this drawstring is a 120-decibel survival whistle, too. This whistle can be used to get the attention of emergency responders if need be. And probably best of all, this kit only weighs 4.1-ounces, so it can be packed into almost anything and is easy for the consumer to carry with them. Now there’s no reason not to be prepared.

What we liked about it

• Keeps a person warm in an emergency.
• It is a bright orange color so it’s easier for rescue teams to see.

Best Affordable: Mezonn Survival Bivy Sack Set

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Honestly, when we first reviewed this bivy sack we weren’t initially impressed with it. We thought that the carrying pouch wasn’t very durable and we had serious doubts as to whether it would hold up to constant use. However, having said that, we do have to say that we were impressed with the rest of the kit. It comes with a whistle that can be used in an actual emergency, and it has a carabiner that allows it to be attached to the bag of a backpack, saddlebag or even a purse. And because it only weighs around 4.8-ounces and the pouch is only 8.2-inches, this bivy sack set should be easy to stow into just about any bag.

Once the sleeping bag is unrolled and taken out, the consumer will find out that it’s approximately 80.7-inches. That’s 6-feet 7-inches long, which is long enough for most people to use, or can even be used by two adults at the same time when necessary. Although the sleeping bag was a little bit thinner than we thought it would be, we have to say that it did a good job of reflecting the consumer’s heat back to them. This sleeping bag will reflect up to 90% of the person’s body heat back towards them, which is enough to help them survive a very cold winter night if necessary.

Weighing all of its pros and cons, we feel that this is one of the best budget bivy sacks we’ve reviewed. It’s not the same quality as some of the premium sacks, but it does do its job well and costs approximately 50% less than these other ones. That makes it a good choice for consumers who want a bivy sack for emergency use but don’t want to spend too much money on it.

What we liked about it

• This bivy sack is inexpensive.
• It’s lightweight and provides good warmth.

A Guide To Buying Bivy Sacks

Having just gone through some of the bivy sacks that we feel are the best, we think it’s time to do a deeper dive on the subject. That’s because we wanted to not only tell our readers how useful these are, and list the ones that we feel are the best, but we also wanted to make sure that our readers know what to look for when shopping for them. Therefore, we’ve decided to write this guide; a guide that should illuminate this subject quite well for everyone who takes the time to read it.

The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Bivy Sacks

Before we start informing our readers how to purchase the best bivy sack for them, we thought that it might be appropriate to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of these products. Let’s start with the advantages first. The main advantage of these sacks is that they’re very portable and are easy to slip into a backpack, handbag, or into an emergency kit. Most of them weigh around 4-5 ounces and are only a few inches in size when they’re packed. This makes them suitable for campers, climbers, or anyone else who is out in the elements and might need an emergency shelter. And these are great for that purpose. In an emergency, these sacks can certainly save a person’s life.

Now, that we’ve spoken about the advantages of bivy sacks, we’re afraid that we have to now turn our attention to their disadvantages. As great as these sacks are, they’re not perfect, and they’re not intended to be a replacement for a real tent and sleeping bag. That’s because they don’t have the same insulating properties as a regular sleeping bag, and because they’re made out of polyethylene, the user’s body heat can cause condensation to form inside of them while they’re being used. This makes them poorly suited for humid or tropical environments. Fortunately, these bags are mostly used by people who need protection in cold weather, so that shouldn’t be much of an issue at all.

How To Purchase The Best Bivy Sacks

Okay, this is most likely the part that most consumers who have been reading this article have waited for, so let’s not waste any more time and just jump right into the thick of it. The following are some of the things that the consumer is going to want to consider before they purchase their new bivy sack.

Make Sure It’s An Appropriate Size

The first thing that the consumer should think about when choosing a bivy sack is its size. The person wants to make sure that the sleeping back is large enough for their needs, but that it folds up into a size small enough to be easily packed away for future use. Generally speaking, these sleeping bags should at least be 78+ inches long and at least 35+ inches wide for it to be useful. And when the bivy is properly packed, it should be only a few inches in size. Some consumers might want to consider the weight of the bivy sack, but that’s not usually necessary because most of them weigh under 6-ounces anyway.

Make Sure The Bivy Sack Is Weather Proof

Notice how we said that the bivy sack should be weather-proof and not just waterproof. That’s because almost every single bivy sack sold is waterproof, but not many of them are weatherproof. What we mean is that bivy sacks are usually made out of nylon and/or polyethylene, so they naturally prevent water from soaking through them. However, not all of them are weather-proof, meaning that snow, wind, and rain can get through the openings in the bag. Therefore, the consumer should make sure that it has pretaped seams, so water and wind can’t work themselves into it.

Some Final Things To Think About

The above items are just the basics of what the person needs to consider when buying a new bivy sack, but there are probably still a few more decisions the consumer is going to want to make to ensure they’re happy with their purchase. The following bullet points are some of the other things that consumers might want to think about before considering a bivy sack to be the best one for their personal needs and expectations.

Folding saws are the one tool that many people don’t think too much about—at least, not until they need one. This is unfortunate since these tools are really good for a variety of jobs around the home and yard. The best ones can be used for pruning trees, cutting drywall and even cutting through bones so hunters can process their game. That makes them a great tool for not only keeping in the home’s toolbox, but also good for hunters placing in their packs, or campers putting placing in their hiking packs. All of which is why we’ve decided to learn all we could about them, and what we’ve discovered we listed below for the benefit of all of our readers.

Quick Summary of the Best Folding Saws

• Best Overall: Bahco Laplander 7.5-Inch Folding Saw (Amazon) – Review
• Best For Home Pruning: Corona Razor Tooth 10-Inch Curved Pruning Saw (Amazon) – Review
• Best Value: COHER Folding Pruning Saw (Amazon) – Review
• Best Affordable: Tarvol Folding 7-Inch Compact Saw (Amazon) – Review

Best Overall: Bahco Laplander 7.5-Inch Folding Saw

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Anyone searching for the best folding saw might want to take a quick look at this one from Bahco. It’s a 7.5-inch general purpose saw that can be used equally well for cutting plastic and bone as it does cutting tree limbs. It’s capable of cutting so well because it’s designed with XT toothing that features seven teeth per inch and has been specially coated to resist friction. The coating that’s on its blade also helps it to resist corrosion, so the consumer doesn’t have to worry about it rusting over time. That makes this saw perfect for not only homeowners who want to keep limbs under control, but anyone who needs access to a portable saw such as campers, hikers or wildlife enthusiasts.

The second thing worth mentioning is this saw’s handle. Its handle is designed to be durable and hold up to regular use, but it’s also designed to be ergonomic. That allows the consumer to use this saw for extensive projects without them worry about it excessively fatiguing their hand. And because it has a good grip, it’s also less likely to slip out of the user’s hand. The last thing we’d like to cover is its safety lock, which locks it when it’s closed and also locks it when it’s in the open position. All of these features allow this saw to be used for a variety of different jobs and make it easy to carry and use.

What we liked about it

• Has a sharp 7.5-inch blade.
• Its blade is rust-resistant.

Best For Home Pruning: Corona Razor Tooth 10-Inch Curved Pruning Saw

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Consumers who are looking to keep ground-level branches trimmed might want to examine this folding saw a little bit closer. This saw is designed with razor-sharp teeth that can be used to push or pull cut through limbs that are approximately 6-inches in diameter or less. It’s capable of doing this thanks to its 10-inch curved blade—a blade that’s equipped with razor-sharp 3-sided teeth that does a great job of cutting through wood. Its blade is designed to give the consumer years of faithful service, as long as they make sure that it’s properly cared for. And we suggest that this saw isn’t put away wet because its flaw is that its blade isn’t rust-proof, and it will rust if put away wet or left out in the weather.

Because of this saw’s triple-ground teeth, it’s capable of cutting through appropriately-sized branches twice as fast as conventional folding saws. This allows the homeowner to get through their work quickly and efficiently. It’s this triple-ground blade that is also the reason why so many people decide to use it for professional landscaping use. Another thing worth mentioning about this product is that it has a handle that’s easy to hold onto and gives the user the grip they need for tough trimming jobs. Its handle is not only oversized for a better grip but it’s also equipped with a non-slip surface that makes sawing a lot easier to do. And all of these are reasons why we like this saw and think it’s one of the best available.

What we liked about it

• It has amazing cutting power.
• It’s designed to be durable.

Best Value: COHER Folding Pruning Saw

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As we’ve done with the previous two saws, let’s talk about this saw’s blade. This model has a 6.7-inch blade that features triple-cut razor-sharp teeth and is designed to handle some really tough limb trimming jobs. This blade opens quite easily and can be locked into one of two different angled positions, so the consumer can get the precise cut they’re looking for. And since the blade locks into position, this helps to minimize the injury risk that might occur with lesser quality saws. Another thing that we liked about this saw is that it also locks into the closed position and the teeth also tuck into the handle for safety.

What impressed us the most about this saw was its handle, however. It had an ergonomic design that’s easy to hold and is designed to give the user the grip they need to keep the saw from flying out of their hand. And as a bonus, this folding saw also comes with a plastic scabbard that the saw can be stored in when it’s not being used. All of these features make this a good choice for anyone looking for a saw. Although we did have a few problems with keeping the saw sharp after tough jobs, we found that this was otherwise a quality saw that provided good value to most consumers.

What we liked about it

• It is a reasonably priced pruning saw.
• It feels very durable.

Best Affordable: Tarvol Folding 7-Inch Compact Saw

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Consumers who are looking to save a little bit of cash but still need a folding saw that can handle small jobs might want to think about this model. The main benefit of purchasing this saw is its low cost, and as such, it’s not a saw that’s designed for heavy work. That means that we wouldn’t recommend that consumers use this for thicker limbs. It’s a saw with 1.2mm thick blade that’s straight and is equipped with seven teeth per inch. Its blade is also corrosion-resistant, so consumers can use it without having to worry about it rusting when they put it away in storage.

Even though this saw claims to be able to cut through wood, bones, and drywall, we would limit the jobs it’s used for because it isn’t the strongest saw available. Having said that, it is still a good saw for keeping in a toolbox or for outdoor enthusiasts to take with them. It also might be a good backup saw for survivalists to pack in their EDC bags or their bug out bags. As long as the consumer doesn’t expect too much out of this saw, the consumer will probably be satisfied with its performance. It’s not the best folding saw, but it does have its uses.

What we liked about it

• This folding saw is extremely inexpensive.
• It’s suitable for small jobs.

A Simple Guide To Folding Saws

We’ve heard people say that all folding saws are the same, so they’re just going to pick up the first one they find. Although that might be an exceptionally quick way to select a saw, it isn’t the best way to pick a saw, and more than likely, it will just result in the consumer buying a sub-par saw. A saw that will break at the slightest resistance or will only keep its sharpness for a couple of weeks before its blade needs to be replaced.

We know better than to think that all saws are the same, and that’s why we’ve decided to go ahead and write this guide on the subject. In this guide, the consumer will learn about all of the features that can be found on folding saws and how selecting the right combination of features will result in the consumer buying the best folding saw possible. So without wasting another second of time, let’s just jump into the subject.

Step One: Take Into Account Blade Length

One of the first things that consumers are going to want to think about when choosing the best folding saw for their needs is the length of the blade. This is important because it has a direct bearing on the performance of the saw, as well as how hard the user is going to work to use that saw. A longer blade means that the user is going to use fewer strokes to cut the same limb as a shorter blade. Unfortunately, the longer the blade, the more difficult it becomes to use. That’s because the longer the blade, the heavier it is and consequently, the less portable the saw is. A longer blade is also more likely to break than a shorter blade, so that should be kept in size. So, that begs the question: what blade length is the right for most consumers? The answer to that question isn’t difficult, as we think that most people would be happy with a blade between 6.5-inches and 10-inches. Anything longer or shorter than that range makes the folding saw difficult to use.

Step Two: Think About Blade Quality

The next thing that the consumer is going to want to think about is the quality of the blade. The blade should be made out of high-quality metals and should be thick enough not to bend. The best folding saws will also have a corrosion-resistant coating on them that will prevent the blade from rusting in between pruning jobs. If the consumer does decide to go for a cheaper saw, a so-called disposable model, then they will want to make sure that its blade can be replaced. Actually, now that we think about it, the ability to replace the blade would be helpful for any folding saw to have, so try to buy one of those if they’re available. Remember, replacing a saw blade is often cheaper than having to buy a new folding saw.

The number and variety of teeth are also important when choosing a folding saw. For cutting dry limbs quickly, a saw with shorter teeth are usually the best. For greener limbs, try to use a saw with longer teeth because that’s more suited for the job. It’s also a good idea to make sure that there are at least 7 teeth per inch, often presented in saw descriptions as 7 TPI. Some blades are equipped with specially designed teeth that allow them to not only be pushed through the wood but also pulled through the wood on the downswing. This is generally preferable over a blade that can be used in only one direction because it will result in the job getting down quicker.

Step Three: Consider The Handle

The handle is also an extremely important part of the saw to consider. The best folding saws have larger handles that are easy-to-grip and are shaped in a way that doesn’t fatigue the hands prematurely. The blade should be well attached to this handle and it should have a durable locking mechanism that won’t break when it’s opened a few times. It’s also a good idea that the blade folds down into the handle in a way that ensures that its teeth aren’t exposed while it’s being stored. That will make it safer and easier to store and transport the saw when it’s not in use. And finally, the handle should be made out of a durable material that won’t break prematurely.

During the Middle Ages, archers would spend years learning how to properly shoot their longbows. That’s because it can be difficult to stabilize a bow to make an accurate shot. It not only requires upper body strength but also fine motor control. Fortunately, archers no longer have to spend so much time stabilizing their bows if they use a bow stabilizer. A stabilizer for a bow is a weighted rod that prevents large movements while the archer is aiming the bow. It’s a piece of equipment that makes the bow easier to use and makes for a more accurate shot. That’s why we’ve concluded that we wanted to do a review of some of the best bow stabilizers that can currently be purchased.

Quick Summary of the Best Bow Stabilizers

• Best Overall: Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Stabilizer (Amazon) – Review
• Also Recommended: NAP Black Apache Stabilizer (Amazon) – Review
• Also Consider: SAS Archery Aluminum Stabilizer (Amazon) – Review

Best Overall: Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Stabilizer

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Even though this bow stabilizer might seem like overkill to some people, for us it was the perfect solution for our bow stabilization needs. When the hunter is out in the woods and is looking to get the best shot off possible, they want a stabilizer that’s capable of making that happen and this one is the one that’s best suited for that purpose. It uses a Sims Internal Harmonic Dampener and a Sims De-Resonator that also helps to minimize the vibrations that occur through the riser and onto the stabilizer when an arrow has been released. And because this stabilizer consists of three 1-ounce weights, the consumer has plenty of customization options available to them when they use it.

This stabilizer comes in one of several different colors. The consumer can choose black, Mossy Oak Camo, Realtree Camo, or pink. Although most of these color variations were fine, we didn’t think that the camo designs were well done and they seemed to be kind of faded. It’s not a big deal to use, but we can certainly appreciate that it might be a big deal to some people, which is why we’re mentioning it. Of course, the black bow stabilizer looks quite good and is worth checking out, so if the consumer is concerned about it, then they can simply choose a black stabilizer for their bow.

Everything considered we feel that this product is one of the best bow stabilizers available. It looks like it’s made according to exacting specifications, isn’t too heavy that it can’t be taken easily out into the field, and it should provide the user with years of service. However, the best thing about this product is that it does what it’s designed to do–which is to stabilize the bow. With this equipped, our shots were easier to line up and were more accurate. Anyone who is looking to achieve similar results might want to also give this product a try.

What we liked about it

• Stabilizes bow perfectly.
• It is easy to remove from the bow.

Also Recommended: NAP Black Apache Stabilizer

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When it comes to products that not only stabilize a bow but also silences it, the consumer has quite a few options available to them. There are stabilizers in a variety of sizes, shapes, and configurations that promise to give the archer not only the stability they need but also silences it quite well. And one of the products that seem to be full of promises is this one from Apache. It’s a product that we liked the look of, so we decided to give it a try and see if it kept all of the promises that it made. What we’ve discovered is that it kept most of its promises quite well, although there were some things that we would’ve wished it had done better.

The first thing worth mentioning is that this product is available in a couple of different colors and sizes. Consumers can choose either a black or camo 5-inch model or an 8-inch model. For some people, the 8-inch model might be too big, but we felt that it was perfect for our purposes, so that’s the one we selected. We realized that it came with a removable 3-inch long carbon fiber accessory bar that was 2-ounces and helped the bow keep its balance. We also felt that the construction of this bow stabilizer was quite good, and it should last for quite a long time if it’s properly cared for.

The next thing that we realized was that while this bow stabilizer did a good overall job of keeping the bow stable, it wasn’t the best one we’ve tried. It just wasn’t front-loaded enough for our particular needs, but we still feel that it did an adequate job. Another thing that we noticed is that it didn’t completely silence the bow. It silenced it a bit, but there was still that distinctive sound when we released an arrow from the vibration of the unit. If we had to give this bow stabilizer a grade, we’d probably say that it earned a solid C+ or B-. It’s still a good bow stabilizer for the money, but it doesn’t quite deliver on all of its promises.

What we liked about it

• It seems like a well-built stabilizer.
• It does silence the bow a bit.

Also Consider: SAS Archery Aluminum Stabilizer

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Of all of the bow stabilizers we’ve reviewed, it appears to be one of the heaviest ones we’ve tested. It’s approximately 8-inches long and it only weighs just over 6-ounces. This means that it does do a great job of stabilizing the bow, but it might be too heavy for some people, especially if they intend on a long day of hunting. It’s also probably not a good choice for consumers who only need a small amount of counterweight to properly balance the bow. What we did like, however, was that this bow stabilizer was made out of aluminum and it appears to be well made.

Another thing that impressed up about this stabilizer was that it also looked good as well. It had a classic black look and style that complemented the look of just about any bow it was placed upon. And because it has a universal design, it can be placed upon just about any modern bow the user has. All of this adds up to a high-performance stabilizer that works well for short hunts or for hunting from a tree stand. This product also provides a bit of noise dampening, although it didn’t do as good of a job in this category as we thought that it would. What does all of this mean when tallied together? It means that it’s not the best one available, but it will provide most hunters with the performance they need to get a drop on their next buck.

What we liked about it

• It seems to be very well made.
• Silences the shot a little bit.

The Archer’s Guide To Bow Stabilizers

Now that we’ve gone through some of the best bow stabilizers available—models that we feel will benefit the archer the most—we’ve decided to continue this discussion by talking about doing a more in-depth dive into this piece of equipment. Having said that, let’s talk about the benefits of bow stabilizers before we move on to what to look for in the best stabilizers.

The Benefits Of Using A Bow Stabilizer

Since not everyone who is reading this article might be familiar with the benefits of using a bow stabilizer, we thought that we’d add this section to this guide so everyone is completely familiar with the usefulness of these stabilizers.

They Improve Stability & Accuracy

As their name suggests, the main purpose of a bow stabilizer is to stabilize the hunter’s bow. They do this by adding forward weight to the bow, so the front of the bow doesn’t tilt up when it’s drawn back. The heavier the weight of the stabilizer, the more stable it is, although too heavy of weight might prematurely fatigue the hunter during long hunts. These stabilizers also increase the accuracy of the shots because they reduce the micro-movements that can occur while pulling back the bowstring. And as any hunter knows, even the smallest twitch can destroy the accuracy of the shot–especially for shots 60+ yards away.

Bow Stabilizers Help Reduce Noise

Another benefit that the hunter can receive from using a bow stabilizer is a reduction in noise. The best bow stabilizers reduce noise as they absorb vibration. This prevents the game from getting hearing the string being pulled back and being alerted to the hunter’s presence.

Bow Stabilizer Absorb Excess Vibration

Because bow stabilizers absorb excess vibration, they help to prevent the user’s hands from becoming sore and will also reduce the recoil of the shot. This might not seem like much, but over time, it can make a huge difference.

Choosing The Best Bow Stabilizer

The next thing that we’d like to talk about in this guide is the features that the bowhunter should look for when they’re purchasing a new bow stabilizer. By keeping the following features in mind, the bowhunter will be able to choose the perfect stabilizer for their needs and one that’s going to suit their needs.

Choose The Right Size

The first thing that bowhunters should think about is the length of the stabilizer. The length of the stabilizer has a direct correlation to its performance. The longer the stabilizer, the more stability the stabilizer imparts on the bow. For most game hunters, a 5-inch to 8-inch stabilizer is more than suitable for hunting game at a distance of 20 to 50 yards. However, if the hunter needs to hunt in the 40 to 50-yard range, then they’re probably going to want to choose a stabilizer that’s in the 8-inch to 12-inch range. And if the archer needs distance, for sport target shooting for instance, then they might want to get a stabilizer in the 12-inch to 30-inch range.

Consider The Stabilizer’s Construction

The next thing the consumer might want to think about is what the stabilizer is made out of. The best stabilizers feature aluminum construction that holds up well to frequent use. Of course, not all stabilizers are made from aluminum and there are other quality options available such as carbon fiber.

Other Options To Consider

There are a few other options to consider when choosing your next bow stabilizer. We’ve included a few of them below so all of our readers can decide if they should factor them into their final purchasing decision. With that being said, let’s go ahead and list these features below.

One Last Thing…

The decision to choose a bow stabilizer is a personal one and we acknowledge that not everyone is going to want or need a stabilizer for their bow. And that’s alright. This guide was written for those archers and bowhunters who wanted to improve their shot and get better results from their bow. We hope that this guide has served those readers well and have given them the options they need to make the best decision. As we’ve discovered from our review of these devices, bow stabilizers might seem like simple devices, but they do make a huge impact on the user. We’ve found our bow to be more stable, to be quieter and to be easier to use thanks to our bow stabilizer. We certainly hope that our readers achieve comparable results.

Being able to reuse the brass expended after a day of shooting can be a great way for the gun owner to save money and avoid excessive waste. They can gather all of their spent rounds and then reload them for later use. Unfortunately, because case lengthening can occur after firing or when resizing the shells, many times it’s going to need to be trimmed. To handle that job, the consumer is going to want to buy the best case trimmer available. We’ve done quite a bit of research on this subject, and we feel that we have found the best ones available. Anyone who wants to check them out only has to continue reading, and we’ll introduce them to these awesome trimmers.

Quick Summary of the Best Case Trimmers

• Best Overall: Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Trimmer (Amazon) – Review
• Also Recommended: Lyman Universal Trimmer (Amazon) – Review
• Also Consider: Hornady Cam-Lock Trimmer (Amazon) – Review

Best Overall: Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Trimmer

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When a gun owner needs to trim and prep their brass to the desired case length and do it with absolute precision, then they’re going to want to buy the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series. This case trimmer is designed to provide the user with the precision and speed they need to get the job done.

This product uses an adjustable collet system that’s been designed and perfected to handle shouldered cases that range in caliber from 0.17 Remington to the 0.460 Weatherby. This model also has a storage box that’s been built right into its design. This allows extra tools to be easily stored and retrieved for the trimming process.

What comes with this case trimmer? It comes with 6 shoulder bushing, 3 collets, a chamfer tool, a deburring tool, and pocket cleaning tools. This model can not only trim thanks to its three output shafts but can also chamfer, deburr, and pocket-clean casings as well. And because this system is made out of steel and aluminum, it’s designed to last for years and to hold up to heavy use. It also features HSS cutters that are extra hard, and are designed to stay sharp through hundreds, if not thousands, of different round trimmings. These cutters make this case trimmer highly effective and a pleasure to use.

One of the things that impressed us was how easy this unit was to use. Once the user has precisely set the cut length, then they can get perfect results every single time without fail. And unlike other motorized systems, this one not only does an amazing job of cutting brass, but it does it without making a lot of noise. It’s also a machine that feels extremely sturdy, so we have no fear that it’s going to fail before its time. All in all, we believe that this is one of the best case trimmers around and one that consumers are going to be happy with, despite it’s higher cost.

What we liked about it

• It doesn’t make a lot of noise.
• It’s cutters last through thousands of rounds.

Also Recommended: Lyman Universal Trimmer

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Lyman is a company that knows that consumers want a case trimmer that’s not only reliable but also affordable. Although there are certainly trimmers that are better than this one, this one has the advantage of being affordable enough for just about anyone to own. Sure, this product isn’t motorized, so the user is going to have to use a bit of elbow grease, but it does effectively do its job. Besides, if the consumer does decide to turn this trimmer into an automatic one, all they have to do is purchase an optional power adapter that’s sold separately. We don’t feel like this is a necessity, however, because in our opinion it works well as a manual trimmer itself.

One thing that we would like to say about this trimmer is that it’s one of the most versatile trimmers we’d have the pleasure of using. It’s capable of accommodating shells that range in caliber from 0.17 to 0.458. And it does this without the consumer having to spend extra money on shell holders or case collets. This system comes with 9 trimmer pilots that can be used for trimming some of the most popular pistol and rifle calibers. This includes 9mm, 35-caliber, 44-caliber, and 45-caliber guns, as well as 22-cal, 24-caliber, 27 and 30-caliber rifles. This trimmer also has coarse and fine adjustments up to 1/1000th of an inch.

Another thing that we feel is worth mentioning is that this product is manufactured in the United States, so consumers can be assured that it’s a high-quality product that’s going to provide them with years of use. Of course, if the consumer thinks that the manual nature of this trimmer is a little too slow or tedious for their needs, they can purchase the optional power drill attachment. With that optional attachment, the consumer can do a lot more trimming. However, with that being said, we don’t feel that is necessary, and that this product works well on its own as a manual unit.

What we liked about it

• It’s reasonably priced.
• It does a good job of trimming shells.

Also Consider: Hornady Cam-Lock Trimmer

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Most people who purchase this case trimmer do so because of its low price, but we feel that it’s more than its price tag and is actually a decent trimmer. It’s designed to restore fired cases to their original length and do so regardless of the thickness of the cartridge’s rim. This model is equipped with a lever lock, a micro-adjust cutter that allows for 0.001-inch adjustments, and it’s made with a large diameter cutting head that’s made of steel and is designed for trimming cases up to .50 cal shells. This product also comes with 7 popular pilot sizes that include .22 caliber, 6mm, 270 cal, 39 cal, 38 cal, 45 cal, and 7mm sizes.

Unfortunately, we do have to say that this case trimmer isn’t without its flaws. One of the things we didn’t like was that it can only be used with Hornady shell holders and pilots. It also doesn’t come with a cam-lock trimmer cutter, a power trimmer adapter, or a deburring tool. All of those things have to be purchased separately and can end up contributing significantly to the cost of the unit.

All of this means that the consumer might end up purchasing this case trimmer to save a bit of money, but after buying all of the additional or optional components, they’ll probably end up spending as much as they would for any other trimmer.

Another thing that we weren’t fond of was that the setup learning curve was a bit high and once the consumer had changed adjustments, it can be difficult to get back to the original adjustment precisely. After a little bit of practice with this unit, we had fewer problems, but it is worth mentioning. Overall, we feel that this is a decent case trimmer that does a good job if the consumer is willing to spend a little bit of extra money and take a little bit of extra time using it.

What we liked about it

• It’s a quality trimmer that does a great job.
• It doesn’t cost very much.

A Gun Owner’s Guide To Case Trimmers

Since choosing the best case trimmer and/or using that trimmer effectively isn’t something that everyone knows how to do, we’ve decided to write a guide on this subject. We hope that this guide will illuminate this subject for many consumers and help them not only choose a model that suits them but also helps them use it to the best of their ability.

The Consumer Should Ask Themselves Some Important Questions

As they begin their search for the best case trimmer, the consumer should know just exactly what they’re looking for. And to do that, they need to ask themselves some important and hard-hitting questions. Below is a small selection of some of the questions the consumer should be willing to ask themselves. If they can provide answers to the following questions, then they’ll be one step closer to finding a case trimmer that suits their needs.

How To Use The Case Trimmer

After the consumer has decided on a case trimmer, they are then going to want to put that trimmer to good use. Although every trimmer is different from every other trimmer, most of them have a similar operation method, so we can outline the basic procedure below. As is the case with any piece of equipment, however, it’s important to use the case trimmer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step One: Setup Pilots & Collets

The first step to using the case trimmer is to set it up. And the first part of setting it up is to select the right pilot and the right collet for case trimming. The pilot is inserted into the cutter-shaft, and then the collet is placed into the collet screw. When that’s been done, place the case into the trimmer and move on to step two.

Step Two: Adjust For Length

The pilot then needs to be moved into the neck of the case, and the crank handle should push the bottom of the case against the base of the collet. Once the cases’ base is firmly in place, the consumer should then tighten the collet. After that’s been done, the consumer should ensure the cutter’s teeth come into contact with the neck of the case. After that, the stop collar’s coarse adjustment screw should then be tightened.

Step Three: Make A Trial Cut & Then Adjust The Stop Collar

The next step is to make sure that the case length is accurate. One way to do that is to do a trial cut and then compare that cut to the measurements required. Once it’s been determined that the case length is indeed correct, the consumer can then worry about making the fine adjustment they need to make to set up the stop collar. This can be done by turning the stop collar fine adjustment screw clockwise to increase case length or counter-clockwise to decrease case length. When the stop collar has been finely adjusted, it needs to be locked into place using the adjustment lock screw. A final test cut should be performed by the consumer to ensure that it stops at the proper case length. If it doesn’t, then the consumer might need to readjust their setup. Now the cases can be trimmed.

Some Final Tips

Before we leave our readers to their case trimming endeavors, we’ve decided to leave them with a few final tips that will help them get the most out of their case trimmers. By keeping the following tips in mind, the consumer can ensure that their case trimming is performed perfectly—regardless of whether their case trimmer is a premium model or a budget one.

Penlights might not be flashlights that people think a lot about, but maybe they should be. After all, these lights are portable, so they can be used anywhere from the home to the car, and they produce a powerful light that can illuminate even the darkest of spaces. And because they’re small enough to be slipped into a backpack, bug out bag or even a pocket, they can be taken virtually anywhere. That’s why every household should have at least one of them in their homes. To show just how powerful and convenient these flashlights are, and to help our readers buy the best penlights, we’ve decided to do this article. Hopefully, all of our readers will find it illuminating—if you’ll excuse the pun.

Quick Summary of the Best Penlights

• Best Overall: Weltool M6 Diagnostic Medical Penlight (Amazon) – Review
• Also Recommended: Gear Light LED Pocket Flashlight (Amazon) – Review
• Also Consider: Streamlight Stylus-Pro LED Penlight (Amazon) – Review

Best Overall: Weltool M6 Diagnostic Medical Penlight

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One of the best penlights we’ve ever seen is this one from Weltool. This model, called the M6, is a penlight that’s designed to be used for inspecting a person’s throat during medical exams but is, in fact, good for a variety of other purposes. This light features a warm white LED that delivers a 3,000K color temperature and an 85% color-rendering index. What does all of that mean? That means that this light equals the brightness and power of some of the best incandescent flashlights available. It produces a beam of light that’s devoid of that dark spot in the middle and is also glare-free.

Another thing we liked quite a bit about this penlight is that it’s quite small and easy to carry with us. It’s only 5.24-inches in size and weighs just 0.8-ounces. That makes it the ideal size for placing into medical bags, first aid kits, bug out bags, or throwing it into a glove box. It can even be placed into a notebook or a shirt pocket thanks to its steel clip. However, as convenient as its steel clip is to keep the light around, its clip is this penlight’s weak spot. That’s because it tends to slip off of the light, and because of its small size, it ends up getting lost. Not a big deal overall, but still worth mentioning.

It’s also worth mentioning that the light is designed to be waterproof, and it has a waterproof rating of IP65. It’s also equipped with reverse polarity protection, so consumers can rest assured that this light is going to hold up quite well. The last thing that we’d like to discuss is the flashlight’s body. It’s made out of an anodized 6061 aluminum that’s usually used for aerospace applications but has been re-purposed for making this exceptional light. It’s a light that can take jostling around in a pocket or bag quite well, and should provide the consumer with years of use.

What we liked about it

• This light is well built.
• It provides a nice bright light.

Also Recommended: Gear Light LED Pocket Flashlight

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Even though we imagine that this penlight might slip under the radar of some consumers, we wanted to bring it back into the proverbial light so that all of our readers can see what a quality flashlight looks like. This model is just the right size for it to be both portable and practical, but still powerful enough to deliver the light the user needs. It’s equipped with a simple tail switch that can be used to turn it on or off, is made to be small and portable, and is powered by two AAA batteries. Each package comes with two Gearlight S100 pocket flashlights and with a user’s manual as well.

This penlight is made out of a durable aluminum body that’s made to hold up quite well to a variety of conditions. It can handle being accidentally dropped, being used in dusty or dirty environments, and is resistant to water. It’s also equipped with a handy removable belt clip that allows it to be placed into a notebook or attached to a shirt pocket. The best thing about this penlight, however, isn’t just its portability and its durability, but it’s also the fact that it produces a powerful beam of light. Although the beam width isn’t adjustable, it is strong enough for this flashlight to be used for just about any job where the dark has to be replaced with light.

Regardless of whether the consumer wants to use this light for doing inspections around the home, for reading menus or strictly for emergency use, this penlight is ready to do its job day-in and day-out. We imagine that quite a few people are going to want to keep one of these lights in their glovebox and another one in an emergency preparedness kit. All things considered, we feel that these penlights are an exceptional product that doesn’t cost a whole lot of money but comes in handy in an emergency.

What we liked about it

• Made with a durable aluminum body.
• Delivers a very bright light.

Also Consider: Streamlight Stylus-Pro LED Penlight

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Although this isn’t the cheapest or the most durable penlight we’ve seen, we do feel that it’s one of the best. Some people might look at these little flashlights and simply consider them to be novelty products that are available in a variety of different colors, but we look at them a little differently. We feel that these lights work extremely well, produce a good amount of light and should hold up quite well to frequent use. Even though the tail switch can be somewhat difficult to operate under some situations, once a person gets the hang of using this flashlight it really shouldn’t be a big problem.

Now, let’s talk about how these penlights are constructed and what features they have so all of our readers know what’s good about them. The first thing we’d like to mention is the size and build of these flashlights. They are approximately 5.3-inches in size, weigh only about 1.64-ounces, and are made out of anodized aluminum. This aluminum is special because it’s a machined metal that’s usually used in aircraft construction, so it’s designed to hold up under stress. These flashlights are also water-resistant up to IPX4, which allows the flashlight to be used in heavy rain, but doesn’t provide it with much protection if it were to be completely submerged in water.

The most important thing about this flashlight, however, is the powerful beam it delivers. This penlight’s LED light produces a whopping 100 lumens or 950 candelas of light that can be used for approximately 8-hours before it needs its batteries to be changed. And speaking of batteries, this penlight uses two AAA batteries that are easy to change when needed. And finally, before we go, we’d like to state that this flashlight is also drop-resistant up to 2-meters, so consumers can use it without worrying about whether they’re going to break it or not.

What we liked about it

• It’s an impact-resistant light.
• It produces a good quality light.

A Guide To Buying The Best Penlights

Although it would be quite easy for most people to just buy one of the penlights that we’ve listed, we know that some people might want to find a flashlight on their own, so we’ve decided to write this guide. This guide should give all of our readers the information they need to make a good choice when shopping for the best penlight.

Think About The Penlight’s Construction

The first thing that consumers might want to think about before purchasing a new penlight is the metal they use to make the flashlight. Although cheaper penlights use a low-quality rolled steel in their design, the better-made models use anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum is one of the materials used in the aerospace industry, so it’s known for its strength and durability. That makes it the natural choice for any penlight.

Keep In Mind The Penlight’s Battery Usage

The next thing that consumers might want to consider is how hard the penlight is on batteries. Some of the best penlights available are the ones that can go anywhere from 6 to 8-hours on a few AAA batteries. Although some penlights can last even longer than that, we feel that 6-8 hours is pretty standard for most of the premium flashlights available.

Think About The Penlight’s Beam Quality

It’s also extremely important for the consumer to think about how the brightness of the light being projected by the penlight. The intensity of the penlight is rated in lumens, with most penlights casting a light that’s anywhere from 50 to 180-lumens, although there are models that are even brighter than that. To give our readers an idea of just how bright that is, we have listed some common types of lights and how many lumens of light they give off.

Lumens of Standard Lights:

Considering The Penlight’s Water Resistance

Another important thing to think about is whether it’s waterproof or water-resistant. If you’re unfamiliar with the difference between the two categorizations, then think about the following. Water-proof flashlights can resist are not affected by water whatsoever, while water-resistant models can resist water but some amount of water can still damage it.

How can you determine if a penlight is water-proof or water-resistant? The best way to determine whether it’s water-proof or resistant is to look at its IPX score. The IPX score lets the consumer know just how much water a particular device can take without being damaged. Using the following IPX scores will enable consumers to buy the best penlight for their needs.

Common IPX Ratings:

It’s pretty easy to see that IPX0 penlights have no water-resistance at all, penlights conforming to the IPX1 through IPX6 standards are water-resistant to various degrees, and penlights that meet the IPX7 or IPX8 standards are waterproof.

Consider The Penlight’s Size & Weight

The next thing worth giving some serious thought to is how big and heavy the penlight is. Anything longer than 6-inches is not a penlight but is a flashlight, so consumers are going to want to think about what size would be easiest for them to carry. We like the penlights that are anywhere from 4.5 to 5.5-inches in size and weigh under an ounce. We feel that those types of penlights have the best combination of portability and power.

Some Final Considerations To Keep In Mind

As this guide comes to its logical conclusion, we would like to spend a few moments talking about some of the other features that consumers might want to consider before they purchase their next penlight. Even though not all consumers will need their penlights to have all of the following features, it is a good list that will help consumers keep in mind some of the features they might like their penlight to contain.

Despite its image as being part of movie folklore the tomahawk is still alive and kicking and a popular choice with many campers and hikers alike. Even around the garden, it can prove to be a useful tool and there is more to a quality tomahawk than the blade.

It’s safe to say they have evolved as you will find when you look at our list of the best Tomahawks available. Whether you’re looking for one to make chopping wood or kindling a little easier or to hack your way through a bush, the Tomahawk is a lightweight yet sturdy ax that is easy to swing with accuracy. The following list is a list of quality Tomawhwaks.

Quick Summary of the Best Tomahawks

• Editor’s Choice: SOG Tomahawk Throwing Axe (Amazon) – Review
• Best For Power: Smith & Wesson Extraction and Evasion SW671 15.9in Full Tang Tomahawk (Amazon) – Review
• Most Versatile: SOG Outdoor Survival Hatchet and Tactical Tomahawk (Amazon) – Review
• Best Wooden: CRKT Woods Chogan Tomahawk Axe (Amazon) – Review
• Best Value: Gerber Downrange Tomahawk (Amazon) – Review
• Best Design: Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife (Amazon) – Review

Editor’s Choice: SOG Tomahawk Throwing Axe

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This tomahawk looks impressive and is a popular throwing ax. Built for a fast swing, the hatchet blade is made from 420 stainless steel and is known for being incredibly sharp. It weighs just 19 ounces making it lightweight enough to take on a hike and use it to chop the nights firewood with ease. For safety, it snaps into the nylon ballistic sheath and includes a belt loop for 1.5-inch belts making it portable.

There is a piercing spike on the opposite end of the blade and a glass-reinforced nylon handle that has plenty of grooves to ensure you maintain a strong grip thanks to the textured finish. At 12.5 inches long it doesn’t take up a lot of room but feels strong enough to withstand a lot of use.

What we liked about it

• Anti-slip handle
• Lightweight
• Sharp 420 stainless steel blade
• Works as both a throwing ax and a practical tomahawk

Best For Power: Smith & Wesson Extraction and Evasion SW671 15.9in Full Tang Tomahawk

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Although Smith & Wesson might be a name that goes hand in hand with firearms, they sure know how to make a Tomahawk. This is one of the heavier on our list but also one of the most durable thanks to its 1070 Carbon Steel blade that measures 3.9 inches long and sturdy handle that provides plenty of grip.

The handle slabs have finger grooves to make sure the ax doesn’t slip as you swing and since safety is key, they have included a polyester sheath that keeps it secure. A lot of people like the sturdiness of it and the overall length is 15.9 inches so you’re getting a bit of a unit. This explains the 2 lbs 11 oz of the axe that provides plenty of power when you need to make light work of a large pile of wood for chopping as well as a pick side for good measure.

What we liked about it

• 3.9-inch blade made from 1070 carbon steel
• Finger grooves in the handle slabs
• Full tang

Most Versatile: SOG Outdoor Survival Hatchet and Tactical Tomahawk

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Another SOG and another well thought out tomahawk to consider. This product has the benefit of having multiple uses and it even includes a ferrocerium fire starter rod that stores away into the base of the handle. The ballistic nylon sheath comes with a belt loop for easy transportation and safety to cover the black stainless steel blade.

Only the best tomahawks can offer such versatility and this tactical product can be used for camping trips as well as emergencies thanks to the chequered hammer edge and claw spike that can help to cut wires – no wonder SOG make tools and gear for the military. At 19.5 ounces it is light enough to strap to your bag which is perfect and you won’t want to leave for a camping trip without it.

What we liked about it

• Includes a ferrocium fire starter
• Lightweight and strong
• Includes hammer edge and claw spike

Best Wooden: CRKT Woods Chogan Tomahawk Axe

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Sometimes the stripped-back tools look the best. This is as close to a traditional tomahawk as this list gets so it is one for the purists. However, this is a practical tool to have thanks to the 1055 carbon steel blade. Although it doesn’t offer you the multiple uses and gadgets like some of the other products you’ll see, the hammer side is more useful than most features and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The handle is thick and feels good in your grasp, not to mention the Tennessee hickory looks great. At 2 lbs and 19 inches long it is convenient enough to take on a long trek before setting up camp and the razor-sharp 3″ blade will ensure you’re not spending the next hour chopping wood.

What we liked about it

• Strong 1055 carbon steel blade
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Made from durable materials

Best Value: Gerber Downrange Tomahawk

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It looks rugged and in the 420HC high carbon steel body you can be sure it has the durability to maintain its shape even after years of abuse. To make sure you keep your grip, the handle has scales and can be used as an ax, pry bar, and a hammerhead thanks to its 3 in 1 design.

There are clever features all over this tomahawk including the grooves on the inside of the ax head that makes it easy to carry. It has the strength to split through wood or hammer through hinges with ease. The sheath is practical and the sheath can be attached to your pack or body armor making it easy to carry.

What we liked about it

• 3 in 1 design as it can also be used as a pry bar or hammer
• Quality materials and lots of grip

Best Design: Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife

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The smooth curves of this quality tomahawk draw you in and upon closer inspection, you get a sense of how useful it is. The 1055 stainless steel blade is black coated and sword-grade ensuring it is razor-sharp and makes light work of tough woods. The 2 3/4 inch blade isn’t the biggest but that is part of the appeal and it is also easy to sharpen. It has a compact design but one thing that will be a hit or a miss is the handle-wraps. T

hey don’t slip but can feel a little odd at first so allow yourself a transition period as you break this tomahawk in. The sheath attached to your belt and keeps the blade safe and the base of the handle is strong enough to use to break glass in an emergency.

What we liked about it

• Tough 1055 stainless steel blade
• Looks great
• Sheath attaches to your belt

Tomahawk Guide

Whether you want something handy to chop some kindling on a cold night or a handy tool that can be taken on a camping trip without weighing you down, a tomahawk looks great as has the functionality to make it a useful tool to own. Even if you want to practice a bit of ax throwing there are some excellent products.

The best tomahawks should be able to withstand some rough treatment and still work to a high standard for years. This is only possible when you know what to expect and to make sure you get your hands on a versatile and razor-sharp tomahawk, we have created the following guide.

What To Look For In A Tomahawk

Quality Blade

This is all down to the metal used to ensure you can chop down a door or blast your way through some drywall in an emergency, a tomahawk is only as good as its blade. Usually, it will be in the form of stainless steel or carbon steel which keeps its edge better when forced through harder materials and woods.

Grippy Handle

There are all sorts of tomahawks handles out there, some of them rely on the grooves and curve of the handle whilst others make sure theirs has a grippy feel to it. The material can be made from glass-reinforced nylon or varnished wood as long as it is known for being anti-slip and stable in your hand.

Warranty

This might not come as standard with a lot of brands but some companies stand by the quality of their tools. A tomahawk is going to be put through some vigorous tasks but should still offer plenty of years of use. However, if you have a faulty product then a warranty will come in handy.

Additional Features

Long gone are the days of a tomahawk being a small ax. Now, they are as versatile as a swiss army knife and offer the user a range of functions. Some come with a pry bar at the base whilst another common feature is a hammer. However, some tomahawks come with a ferrocerium fire starter rod that tucks into the handle so there are plenty of great features you can choose from.

Protective Sheath

Above all else, you should find a tomahawk that provides sufficient safety. This will be down to the sheath. When wearing it on your belt to the side of your camping bag, make sure the sheath doesn’t slip if you start to move a little faster. The better products will feature a safety clasp or a button that fixes the sheath over the blade and keeps it in place.

Head Shape

You rarely find a tomahawk with a dual blade head but they are well suited to throwing. Choosing a head shape should be something you suit to your intended use as anyone who requires something for splitting wood as well as cutting, will find a precision end opposite the blade is a good option. Alternatively, a hammer on the other end is one of the most useful head shapes.

Weight

The ideal weight for a tomahawk can be difficult to gauge. The heavier it is the easier it will be to force it through tough wood and other hard materials but this makes it less portable. If you are looking for a tomahawk that you will mostly be using at home then the heavier the better, otherwise choose wisely or you’ll be lugging a tonne of bricks on a 3-mile hike.

Durability

A lot of what makes a tomahawk durable is on the materials used, but also the construction. A lot of products will be a single piece construction where the body and the head will be made from a single piece of steel. In terms of safety, this is one of the best tomahawks as the head can’t fly off the body.

A sheath will go a long way towards protecting the blade from the elements, especially when you are using it camping.

Different Types of Tomahawks

Although many of them claim to be versatile and well-suited to different tasks, some Tomawhawks are built to be used for a certain purpose. Here are some of the most common types of tomahawks.

Tactical – These tomahawks feature in our list of the best because they have multiple uses that go beyond chopping wood. They help to keep you prepared in an emergency or to make tough jobs easier so getting through a bit of drywall or throwing although this isn’t what it is designed for.

Throwing – The art of throwing a tomahawk as a hobby or in competition has become a popular pastime. They might be too light to use for other tasks as they are light and made for revolutions and accuracy rather than force.

Breaching – These are used in DIY tasks as they often have more than a couple of uses and are known for their durability. As the name suggests they are used to get through tough surfaces and materials and because of the butt of the handle is often a pry bar or other tool, they tend to be heavier.

Short handle Vs Long Handle Tomahawks

Short handle tomahawks are easier to swing and better for longer periods of use as most people will find they don’t fatigue so quickly. If you are looking for a portable tomahawk to take camping then this is your better option. Although you’re not going to use a short handle tomahawk to bring down a tree they are still capable of being used on most of the same tasks as a long-handled product.

However, if you need a heavy-duty tomahawk that you can use with both hands then a long handle is ideal. They can also be used single-handed but weigh more so you can get more force behind each wield. In an emergency, they are very useful although you may start to tire faster when using them.

Spyderco knives are some of the most reputable you are going to find and are popular around the world. From their base in Colorado, they make every type of blade imaginable but a lot of people look to their tactical range for options as they know the knife isn’t going to let them down when they need it most.

The problem is, they make so many good knives that it can be hard to decide which is best for you. With something for everyone, we have selected what we believe are the best Spyderco knives available. Each one has its signature quality and durability among other traits so read on as we take a close look.

Quick Summary of the Best Spyderco Knives

• Editor’s Choice: Spyderco Tenacious 7.77 (Amazon) – Review
• Best Folding: Spyderco para Military 2 Signature 8.24 (Amazon) – Review
• Best Gift: Spyderco Bug Folding Knife (Amazon) – Review
• Best Serrated: Spyderco Tenacious 7.77 (Amazon) – Review
• Best Value: Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight 8.78 (Amazon) – Review
• Best For Camping: Spyderco Police Model Folding Knife (Amazon) – Review

Editor’s Choice: Spyderco Tenacious 7.77

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You don’t have to be an expert on Spyderco knives to know that the Tenacious 7.77″ is a beauty. It has more than good looks going for it though as the 3.39″ stainless steel blade makes obvious. It is coated with a non-reflective coating so it is great for making sure you don’t disturb an animal on a hunt and features their G-10 handle which is bulky, strong, and ergonomically milled to make sure you can use it for long periods without it causing fatigue.

There is a 4-way pocket clip to make sure it stays in place as you move and has the quality that is hard to find at the price. With a plain edge grind, it is great for applying steady pressure and easy to sharpen.

What we liked about it

• Great value for a quality knife
• G-10 handle feels grippy and doesn’t cause fatigue
• Non-reflecting coating
• 3.39″ stainless steel blade is strong and reliable

Best Folding: Spyderco para Military 2 Signature 8.24

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If you’re looking for a folding hunting knife then you have come to the right brand. Spyderco’s para Military 2 is well known for its pocket-friendly shape and slick black design. There is a long blade tip to help you cut in a hurry and the grippy G-10 handle has been narrowed at the end to ensure it is easy to hold.

When you are looking for a folding knife it has to have a reliable lock and the technology behind this product is impressive. There is a compressed lock to keep it in place and a metal clip to make it easy to tuck into your pocket or trouser. The blade stays sharp for ages and is made from quality steel so, for a dependable tactical knife that you can use in a multitude of situations, this is up there with the best.

What we liked about it

• Reliable lock
• Sharp blade stays sharp for a long time
• Grippy ergonomic handle makes it easy to hold and cut

Best Gift: Spyderco Bug Folding Knife

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A brilliant compact folding knife that has the build quality you expect from a Spyderco knife even for its minute size. The 1 1/4″ blade is made from stainless steel and does not need a locking mechanism – just a bit of reliable pressure to cut.

This is what a lot of people might call a perfect gift for a knife enthusiast of a Spyderco collector but it also has its uses as a fully functional knife. It is the smallest Spyderco knife available and features a blade ground and fits onto a keychain with ease thanks to the convenient hole on the blade. It folds, it cuts, it’s tiny and reliable.

What we liked about it

• Great gift and can be engraved
• Made from stainless steel
• Features the trademark Spyderco hole

Best Serrated: Spyderco Tenacious 7.77

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Another Tenacious blade from Spyderco here but with a combination edge serration making it one of the best hunting knives for multiple uses. As with their other Tenacious knives, it features the stainless steel blade that is sturdy and reliable and features a non-reflective coating. The plain edge of the 3.39″ blade allows you to make clean cuts so ropes and the likes are easy to get through.

Any soft material or surface can be easy to get through thanks to the serrated section to make it one of the more versatile Spyderco knives. When folded it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your pocket and is around the 3″ mark. Of course, there is the trademark Spyderco oversized hole on the blade and a reliable locking feature that keeps everything in place when in use.

What we liked about it

• Serrated and plain edge in one knife
• Folds down to a compact size
• Grippy handle

Best Value: Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight 8.78

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If it’s good enough for the military then it’s good enough for casual use and even those who hunt regularly or like to take a quality knife when camping can benefit from owning a Spyderco knife like the Enduro 4. The vibrant orange handle makes it easy to pick out on a forest floor and features a strong back lock mechanism. A mix between a flat ground knife and a folding knife that opens with the use of one hand.

The handle features two way texturing to make sure you maintain your grip when using both a forward and backward motion. Expect a strong blade as standard that can feather wood and cut through the thick rope with ease, and of course, it’s easy to deploy thanks to that oversized hole.

What we liked about it

• Good for heavier cuts
• Impressive blade centering
• Easy to find if dropped
• Grippy handle

Best For Camping: Spyderco Police Model Folding Knife

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Often referred to as a classic this is one of those iconic knives that you know you have seen somewhere before. Developed decades ago for use by the Police, it features an incredibly strong stainless steel handle that has plenty of room for engraving.

The steel itself is made with 12.5% chromium to make it resistant to corrosion. With a plain edge blade it is smooth and incredibly sharp making it capable if clean cuts in fewer strokes. This is one of the best Spyderco knives for showing off as it has a striking appearance via its satin finish but is also fully functional making it great for taking hunting or camping or putting to any use.

What we liked about it

• One of the most popular Spydero knife designs
• Strong stainless steel handle

Spyderco Knife Guide

For an iconic knife, Spyderco is one of the first names on many people’s lips. They make some of the strongest, robust, and best-looking products in the niche so it is no wonder that people want to get their hands on one. Although they make great collector’s items their practical use is hard to better so if you are a hunting enthusiast or need a reliable knife for camping, they have some great options.

The problem is, it can be hard to know the ins and outs of Spyderco knives which is why we have created the following buyer’s guide so you can get the right one for you.

What To Look For In A Spyderco Knife

The Trademark Hole

It doesn’t matter what type of blade you are looking for, they should also feature the trademark oversized hole that has become synonymous with Spyderco knives. It helps the user to open a folding blade and makes for a comfortable cut but above all else, it the product you are looking at doesn’t have it, you’re looking at a fake.

Blade Type

This will be down to your personal preference so consider what you are looking to use the Spyderco knife for. A serrated edge is good for cutting bread around the campfire and a plain edge is better for clean, precise cuts. Alternatively, you can get a combination edge that has both a serrated section and a plain edge to give you the best of both.

The Classics

There are the modern blades or the recent editions that are reliable and give you a way of owning a Spyderco blade at a good price but there are also classic designs. These can be more desirable for some people and include the likes of the Spyderco Police Model that has that instant eye-catching appeal.

Handle Color

With any Spyderco product, you’re going to get quality in all its parts but the handle is your chance to make a purchase that is unique to your taste. A lot of the time, Spyderco knives feature handles that are available in a range of colors but it can be wise to choose the right one for your needs.

There are camo style handles that are great for hunting or those with vibrant colors that make it easier to spot in low-light conditions or if you drop the knife on a forest floor.

Blade Length

You need to make sure the knife you buy is up to the task you intend to use it on. A larger blade makes the knife more versatile and can be used for more tasks although you will have to compromise when it comes to portability and weight. If you are going for a long hunting trip then a Spyderco knife with a large blade such as the Endura 4 that gives you a little more than some of the other foldable designs thanks to the 3.80″ blade.

Value

This is something that you should expect from any Spyderco knife. The fact is, all their products are made to high-standards which is why they are so desirable. You don’t have to spend a lot to own a blade from one of the best knife brands around so consider your budget and look for the best knife for your needs.

Why Should I Buy A Spyderco Knife?

It is one of those purchases that a lot of people find easy to justify. The build quality, iconic design, and reputable brand name go a long way towards making this a great purchase.

Spyderco is known for its excellent customer service and will re-sharpen blades for you and include a lifetime warranty (just check the ins and outs because not all parts are included). If all the above isn’t enough to convince you that if you are looking for a quality knife, Spyderco is one of the first places to look, then how about the fact that when you pull a Spyderco knife out on a hunt or camping trip, it will be instantly recognizable to those in the know.

Spyderco Knife Warranty

Although they are reasonably priced, a lot of people like to make sure their new knife comes with a decent warranty that gives them at least a year or two that protects their purchase.

One of the best things about Spyderco as a company is that they offer a lifetime warranty with their knives. It’s easy to love a company that gives its customers such a good deal-sweetener but especially since their products are already known for their quality.

The lifetime warranty doesn’t cover everything but anything along the lines of a defect will ensure you get a replacement of a fixed knife in return.

Unfortunately, an altered knife or a broken clip isn’t going to be covered under the warranty

What Is The Best Spyderco Knife?

A lot of people love the classics whilst Endura 4 also gets a lot of love but for us, we believe the Tenacious is the best Spyderco knife around because it gives you the perfect blend of value and quality.

Anyone looking for an entry point to buying their first Spyderco knife will find it a great option and will be pleased by the non-reflective coating over the 3.39″ blade made from stainless steel. With a bulky G-10 handle that is grippy and doesn’t cause your hand to fatigue, there is a lot to like about it.

To top it off you can pick up a Spyderco Tenacious in a variety of handle colors and blade edge types.

Does Spyderco Sharpen Their Knives for You?

Although it isn’t a free service, the $5 charge is pretty reasonable considering it is done by the people who make the knife. Because of their commitment to providing blades that have a long life span, this is something they are known for.

Check their website for all the latest contact details and instructions on how to get the sharpened blade returned. Before long you’ll be reunited with your sharp blade that cuts like it is new so it is ready to be put to task on whatever you have planned next.

Consumers have a ton of options available to them when choosing a new knife, but probably the most fascinating one is the kukri. Although not a lot of people are familiar with these types of knives, we feel that they are one of the most useful tools anyone can own. It’s a knife that excels in chopping, allowing the user to clear out unwanted vegetation—much like a machete. In Nepal, where the design of the blade originated, these knives are the most used multipurpose tools. They’re used for everything from chopping wood to skinning wild game or opening cans. That’s why when we came across them, we just had to find the best kukri knives for our readers. And I do believe that we succeeded in our goal.

Quick Summary of the Best Kukris

• Best Overall: Condor Tool & Knives 10-Inch Kukri (Amazon) – Review
• Best Value: GK & Co. Kukri House Knife (Amazon) – Review
• Best Affordable: SOG SOGFari 12-Inch Kukri Machete (Amazon) – Review

Best Overall: Condor Tool & Knives 10-Inch Kukri

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All a person has to do is look at a kukri knife, and they’ll probably be able to quickly figure out where these knives originally came from. They originally started in Nepal, India, and were adapted from farming sickles. They were widely used by military forces in the area, and many people began using them as a multipurpose knife for slaughtering cattle, skinning wild game, chopping wood or vegetation, or even opening up tin cans. It’s their utility that has allowed them to be used by survivalists, campers, and outdoorsmen of all types. Even though at first glance these knives appear like they would be difficult to wield, the reality is quite the opposite. These knives are usually well balanced and work well.

Take this knife, for instance. It has a nice 10-inch blade that’s razor-sharp, perfectly balanced, and has a blasted satin finish on the blade. It’s made from 8mm high-carbon steel, and it’s equipped with a beautiful hardwood handle. Just by holding and looking at this knife, the person can ascertain easily that it’s designed to hold up to regular hard work. This knife has a full-tang, so the blade extends through the handle, and the handle is riveted directly to it. This makes the knife extremely strong and prevents the unfortunate situation of the blade snapping off at the handle.

The next thing we’d like to talk about is this knife’s leather black sheath. This sheath looks very nice and is designed to snap onto a person’s belt. This sheath fits the knife perfectly, but we did find that the sheath was hard to balance with the knife in it. That’s probably because of the shape of the kukri, but it was still difficult to control at times. With that being said, however, we don’t feel this greatly diminishes the value of this knife. We still think it’s the best kukri we’ve seen and it isn’t unreasonably priced. And regardless of whether it’s used for display or actual use, the consumer is sure to enjoy it.

What we liked about it

• This is a high-quality kukri knife.
• Blade works very well chopping.

Best Value: GK & Co. Kukri House Knife

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Anyone who’s been looking for a genuine kukri doesn’t need to look any further than one. It’s handmade by real Gurkha knife makers in Nepal and then imported into the U.S and other countries around the world. Although these knives aren’t designed to be display models meant for hanging on the wall or a sword stand, they are great work-knives that can be easily used for chopping and clearing vegetation. It’s a knife that’s designed to be used every single day of the year and to hold up to this use year after year. In other words, it’s a workhorse of a knife that’s big, heavy, and ready to get any job done.

What features make these knives so good for work? Well, these knives have more than a few features worth mentioning. These knives have 11-inch blades that are made from high-grade carbon steel and have a thickness of about 10mm at their spine. This knife features a full-tang blade so that it extends through the handle and is riveted to it. And speaking of the handle, it’s made out of a dark rosewood that makes the knife look nice—even if it’s not showroom quality. Also included with this kukri are two small utility knives: a Chakmak knife and a Karda knife.

Also included with this quality kukri is a sheath. This sheath is designed to fit the kukri perfectly and is made out of quality water buffalo leather. Unfortunately, this sheath didn’t meet our quality expectations. Although it does look nice, it just doesn’t feel very durable and that makes us wonder if it’s going to last as long as the blade. After all, the blade is designed to last for years with proper care, but I’m not so sure if the sheath is going to last that long. However, with that being put out there, we’d like to end this review by saying that this knife is a good value kukri for anyone looking for a quality work knife.

What we liked about it

• It’s a good value knife.
• It’s a heavy blade that works well.

Best Affordable: SOG SOGFari 12-Inch Kukri Machete

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As we begin our review of this kukri machete from SOG, known as the SOGFari, is a knife that’s primarily on our list because of its price. It’s one of the few well-made kukri knives in its price category, which is significantly less expensive than traditional kukri machetes. Not everyone wants to spend $50-$100 on a new knife, some people simply want a good knife that gets the job done and didn’t cost a fortune. And for that purpose, this knife does its job well. However, just because this knife isn’t as beautiful or expensive as other knives, doesn’t mean that it isn’t well made. On the contrary, we found them to be very well made.

These knives have an overall length of 18-inches, with 12-inches of that being blade and 6-inches being the handle. The blade is made of high-carbon steel that’s equipped with a saw-back for sawing wood and has a sharp blade edge. Although this knife didn’t come as sharp as we thought it would be, we were able to sharpen it up and notice that it held an edge well. This kukri’s handle is made out of Kraton rubber, so it’s easy to hold and won’t slip out of the user’s grasp while they’re using it. Overall, this knife weighs approximately 15-ounces, and it feels extremely well balanced.

This knife also comes with a nylon sheath that fits the blade well and is designed to keep the blade safe. Although most sheaths have problems keeping balanced when the kukri is in them, and they’re on a belt, we found that this sheath balanced better than most. All things considered, we feel that this was a great inexpensive kukri that we feel a lot of people are going to appreciate. It might not win awards for how it looks, and it does need to be sharpened before it’s used for the first time, but if the consumer keeps those things in mind, we think they’ll be happy with this knife.

What we liked about it

• It’s a very inexpensive knife.
• It’s heavy, durable and well-balanced.

A Guide To Genuine Kukri Knives

Buying a good kukri knife isn’t always an easy thing to do. There are dozens of different manufacturers cranking out these knives, and believe us when we tell you this, not all of them have their eye on quality. Therefore, we felt it was our obligation—no, our duty—to give our readers not only a rundown of the best kukri available but also give them a guide that will help them choose the one that’s suitable for them. This is that guide and we sincerely hope that it provides all of our readers with the information they need to buy a great kukri.

Step One: Consider The Blade’s Composition

The first thing the consumer is going to want to think about is what the blade of the kukri is made from. There are a lot of different materials used to make these knives, so the consumer shouldn’t assume that they’re all the same. For the most part, kukri knives are either manufactured with a carbon steel blade or with a stainless steel blade. What’s the difference between the two? Well, carbon steel is considered to be the best material for a knife, and as such, knives made with carbon steel are usually more expensive. Carbon steel offers the highest amount of sharpness because it holds an edge so well, but it tends to be a high-maintenance blade.

What we mean is that the consumer needs to make sure that they properly take care of it. If they don’t, then it’s likely to rust. Stainless steel blades are not prone to rust, and they’re cheaper, but they tend not to keep an edge as well as carbon steel. Having said of all that, it’s up to the consumer which one they want and they should base it on what they’re using the knife for. If the consumer is working in wet or saltwater conditions, then they might opt for a stainless steel knife over a carbon steel one. It all just depends on the environment, and the job the knife is going to be expected to do.

Step Two: Choose Blade Shape & Size

The next thing the consumer is going to want to think about is the blade shape. Yes, we know that many people think that all kukri knives are the same, but that’s just not true. There are a variety of different kukri blade shapes. There are drop point, clip point, spear point, tanto, dagger point, and even sheep’s foot blades. Some of these knives are good for hunting, some for gardening, and some for digging and/or chopping. Most hunters are probably going to go with a drop-point kukri, while someone who is into outdoor survival or bushcraft is probably going to want to go with a machete-style kukri. The size of the blade is important as well. Since kukri can range in size anywhere from 10 to 20-inches, consumers have a lot of options when it comes to these knives. Once again, what the knife is going to be used for will inform the consumer as to what shape and size blade they’re going to need.

Step Three: Choose Full-Tang Blades

When the consumer is considering a knife, they should only choose the ones that are full-tang. Full-tang knives have their blades travel the entire length of the knife, and the handle is riveted onto this blade using alley or some other type of rivet. These knives are stronger and will hold up better than knives that don’t have a full-tang. Knives that only have half-tang, are likely to break where the blade is attached to the handle, so they should be avoided altogether. Full-tang is always the way to go, especially for a work knife such as the kukri.

Step Four: Consider Handle & Sheath

The handle is the next part of the knife that the consumer is going to want to consider. Some of the best kukri knives are equipped with wood or rubber handles, but certainly, other types of materials are used as well. Just be sure when choosing a handle that it’s well made and provides the grip needed for it to be safely wielded.

The sheath is equally as important. Without a proper sheath, the user would have to carry the kukri around with them. A sheath keeps the blade protected and makes sure it’s close at hand. Make sure that the sheath is made from quality material such as leather or nylon and has decent straps for attaching it to a belt.

Whether your fingers get cold easily or not, conditions require the use of reliable hand-warmers. A lot of people use them on those cold winter nights but any survivalist or hiker will swear by them in an emergency.

So, it doesn’t matter how well your blood circulates there is always a good reason to carry hand warmers when you’re out in the snow or walking the dog in winter. To help you to stay warm when gloves just don’t give you enough warmth, we have created a list of the best hand warmers available. There are some that usual unusual techniques but all of them are safe and do a great job of providing some great warmth, and fast.

Quick Summary of the Best Hand Warmers

• Editor’s Choice: HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Handwarmer (40 Pairs) (Amazon) – Review
• Best Refill Hand Warmer: Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers (Amazon) – Review
• Best Rechargeable Hand Warmer: Human Creations EnergyFlux G3 Rechargeable Hand Warmer (Amazon) – Review
• Best Variety: HotHands Toe, Hand, & Body Warmer Variety Pack (Amazon) – Review
• Also Consider (Best Rechargeable) : Fourheart Hand Warmers,5200mAh Portable Pocket Mini Power Bank (Amazon) – Review

Editor’s Choice: HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Handwarmer (40 Pairs)

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These are the best hand warmers in terms of convenience and value and in the 40 pairs you’re going to find a lot of uses for them. Not only are they easy to pack into a camping bag for a weekend away but they completely safe and give off a heat that takes around 15-30 minutes to reach maximum temperature. When you feel the heat is decreasing you only need to give it a shake in the air to activate it once again.

They are single-use but won’t harm the environment so are fine to throw into your regular trash. What is most impressive is that they last a long time giving you up to 10 hours at a time. This is more than enough to use to warm your hands when fishing, dry those wet socks and boots, or whatever else you need to use them for.

What we liked about it

• Great value in the 40 pairs
• Last up to 10 hours at a time
• Easy to use
• Compact

Best Refill Hand Warmer: Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers

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Let’s face it, Zippo knows heat inside out and in this refillable hand warmer that is available in different designs, they can help to keep you toasty time and again. The fill cup is wide enough so spills are less likely so when it comes to refueling you can do so in confidence.

The thin design allows it to fit into pretty much any pocket to warm your hands and when lit (you’ll need a flame to get it going) it provides a gentle warmth that isn’t overbearing. With the tank full it will provide around 11 hours of heat which is hard to beat. There are a few downsides such as the smell of lighter fluid that can sometimes occur but once you get used to it you’ll find it is one of the most reliable hand warmers available.

What we liked about it

• Warmth lasts for 11 hours
• Thin design is convenient
• Reliable heat

Best Rechargeable Hand Warmer: Human Creations EnergyFlux G3 Rechargeable Hand Warmer

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Human Creations hand warmers have a reputation of being some of the most reliable and the EnergyFlux G3 is one of their most popular models. It has been designed to rest comfortably in your palm and takes around 4 hours to fully charge. When it is ready to go it can be used as a power bank via the USB port or for the two heat settings including either 107 F or 117 F.

There is a 1-year guarantee included but it feels robust enough to give you the confidence that you won’t need to return it. On the low heat setting, you get 4 hours of heat and on the high setting, you have around 3 hours of constant warmth to enjoy. This isn’t the longest heat going but you only need to stick it on charge to use it again.

What we liked about it

• Two adjustable settings
• Up to 4 hours of heat
• Can be used as a power bank

Best Variety: HotHands Toe, Hand, & Body Warmer Variety Pack

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When you need a bit of warmth for more than your hands, this variety pack from HotHands has proven to be an effective solution. Disposable and completely safe although they are best kept away from the skin the pack features different size warmers so you can warm up more than your hands when the time comes.

They take 15 – 30 minutes to heat and can be thrown in the trash when you are finished as they are not harsh on the environment. The pack gives you around 214 hours of heat combined and has a shelf life of 3-4 years. To activate, you simply shake the packet after removing the outer packaging and can choose from hand warmers, toe warmers, and body and hand warmers.

What we liked about it

• Variety pack gives you plenty of options
• Around 214 hours of combined heat
• Easy to use

Also Consider (Best Rechargeable) : Fourheart Hand Warmers,5200mAh Portable Pocket Mini Power Bank

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If you’re looking for a reasonably priced electric hand warmer then this is one of the best. It is easy to recharge via the USB port and takes 2-3 hours but this also means it can also double up as a power bank should you need some extra charge for your phone. T

here are plenty of safety features that prevent it from overcharging, overheating, and prevents short circuits. What is most impressive is that it warms within 1-3 seconds and comes with 3 adjustable heat settings – so choose between 107 F, 118 F, and 131 F. At the press of a button, it will provide a stable heat and warms both sides of the device and is shockproof thanks to the durable outer. The battery lasts between 4 – 8 hours depending on what setting you use.

What we liked about it

• Only takes 2-3 hours to charge
• 3 heat settings
• Can be used as a power bank

Hand Warmers Guide

Great for any situation whether you are creating a survival kit at home or want to take a trip outside in the colder months, hand warmers are those ideal, easy to use gadgets that can stop you from getting numb fingers.

Where a pair of gloves just isn’t enough, a quality hand warmer can make a massive difference and there are plenty of techniques that different companies use to create instant warmth. Some of them are better than others and to identify a reputable brand you need to know what a good product should be capable of. This is why we clear everything up in the following guide.

What To Look For In Hand Warmers

Ease of Use

There is little point in buying hand warmers that require so much human interaction to operate that they leave your hands getting colder and colder. The best products are easy to use and take little prior knowledge or interaction. Some might feature a simple click activation to get the chemical reaction going whilst others are a little more complicated.

Compact Size

Some of the electric hand warmers are too bulky to fit inside a glove. This is fine as a coat pocket usually has more than enough space to accommodate them. Still, if you are going on a long hike or camping trip you don’t want it to weigh you down and it must be easily stored so look for a product that isn’t the size of a brick.

Runtime

A hand warmer is only going to be worth buying if it gives you a decent run time and keeps you warm for more than a few minutes. The best hand warmers are those that can stay warm for several hours and anything that ranges between 5 – 10 hours is seen as a good amount of time by most. This gives you the chance to use them throughout the night when camping or for the duration of a cold walk.

Some decent products heat fast and conveniently but don’t last much longer than 2 -3 hours and whilst they are limited in what they can be used for, they are good for walking the dog or a cold walk to the shop.

Heat Output

You don’t need a hand warmer that is warm enough to fry an egg but if it can generate enough to warm your hands to the point where you have to put on gloves just to hold them then you’re onto a good thing.

The benefit of electric hand warmers is that they often have adjustable settings so you can tailor the heat and reduce it when your hands start to warm.

Durability

This isn’t as much of a problem with disposable hand warmers because if they don’t work then you can just grab another. For reusable hand warmers, you will want something that lasts. This means they have to be made from durable materials, give off reliable heat and not be impacted by the cold conditions to the point where they stop working.

Some electric hand warmers can be impacted by the cold and moisture so look for a product that provides some protection from the elements.

Different Types of Hand Warmers

If you’ve used one type of hand warmer before you might believe it is the only one available but there are a few that have proven popular and effective. The most common are as follows:

Disposable

These tend to be the cheapest of the different types which means you can buy them in bulk and get good value. They are lighter than reusable hand warmers which makes them great for packing at the bottom of your bag when camping. For some people, they don’t warm up fast enough and they don’t maintain high levels of heat for as long.

Using a chemical reaction that oxidizes iron powder they are easy to use but can take up to 20 minutes to reach a good amount of heat. A lot of people will forgive this because some brands can fit inside a glove with ease.

Electric

These are a good option for anyone who lives in a colder climate as they can be used time and again. A lot of the time they can be charged via USB and whilst this usually takes several hours, they are convenient if you have charged them the night before. You usually get a decent amount of heat from them and most are compact enough to go in your pocket.

Sometimes, electric hand warmers can be a little temperamental and can break when they come into contact with moisture but if you find a quality product it can last you years.

Catalytic

A catalytic hand warmer requires some human interaction to get it going which can be a little challenging when your hands are numb. However, they run off lighter fluid making them cheap to operate, just remember to keep a source of flame handy to get them going. They are reliable once they are running but the maintenance can put some people off.

Different Uses of a Hand Warmer

Although the name hand warmer suggests that they have only one use but a lot of people find some clever ways to get the most out of a hand warmer including the following:

Drying wet socks and boots – When you’re walking through streams or trekking in the rain you might set up camp but need a quick way of ensuring you can put them back on the next day. Handwarmers make a great way of warming them up until they dry.

Warming A Sleeping Bag – Even if you have bought a well-insulated bag the night can be colder than expected. Using a hand warmer or two to make things nice and toasty can make the night more bearable.

Warming Food and Drink – Sat around a dying campfire and in need of a little warmth for your meal or coffee? A handwarmer can provide a solution to putting your warm drink on a cold ground.

Emergency Body Heat – Anyone who has fallen into a freezing stream or is starting to suffer from hyperthermia will need immediate warming and attention. Hand warmers can offer a quick solution to warm different parts of the body as you wait for the emergency services.

Give Some New Life To Your Batteries – Sometimes a battery might stop working because of the cold and all they need is a little warming to squeeze some extra life out of them.