Designed by firefighters and built in the U.S., the Survival Axe Elite (formerly the Lil Trucker) includes multiple tools for many occasions. It’s the quintessential gadget for campers, contractors, RV-lovers, and good old fashioned zombie hunters. Some of the features include a replaceable folding saw, a glass breaker, a can opener, a hatchet blade, a hex wrench, a strap cutter, a hammer, a nail puller, and even more.

Here are the special features and functions:

• Fully re-sharpenable Hatchet Blade
• Hammer
• Pry Bar/Wedge
• Sharpened Hook
• Nail Puller/Wire Twist
• 10-size Hex Wrench
• Spanner (for hose couplings)
• Gas Shut-Off
• Folding 6-inch Sawzall Blade (replaceable)
• Can Opener
• Bottle Opener
• Glass Breaker/Punch
• Strap and String Cutter (replaceable)
• Glass-Filled Nylon Handle

Disclosure: Innovation Factory contacted me with an offer to try their newly introduced Survival Axe Elite (formerly known as the Lil Trucker). It was provided at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review after trying the item. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

The Survival Axe Elite has quite the functionality.

What Did I Think?

The Survival Axe Elite is quite the useful tool to take along on your camping trip, or keep in your RV. Hammer in tent stakes. Cut fishing line. Chop fire wood. Open a can of beans, or a bottle cap. I’m likely to keep it stowed in the back of my Subaru.

However, I’m not likely to take it with me hiking. While the manufacturer has done everything they can to make the Survival Axe Elite as lightweight as possible, it also has to be sturdy. And with that comes heft. The tool weighs in right around three pounds, a bit much to stow in my pack.

Really, the only feature I would be likely to use on the trail is the hatchet… to remove blowdown. For that I can carry a much lighter pruning saw. Nothing against the hatchet, it works fine. Just a bit too heavy. But it needs to be in order to be effective.

I think this is a great idea and a useful tool. Just think practically, and take it with you where it’s most useful.

How to Get One

Survival Axe Elite comes in two colors: black/gold and army green, and retails for US$89. You can purchase the tool from Innovation Factory with or without a sheath for the hatchet blade, an extra US$25. The product is also available at Amazon.

The Survival Axe Elite comes with a Lifetime Warranty, and with free shipping over $75 in the continental U.S.

Disclosure: Innovation Factory contacted me with an offer to try their newly introduced Survival Axe Elite (formerly known as the Lil Trucker). It was provided at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review after trying the item. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

We all love a good carabiner. We use them to clip our keys, our camera, our water bottle, or a myriad of other products to our backpacks, to shelves, to fences, to belt loops or to whatever we need at the moment. You want your carabiner to be strong, lightweight and maybe have some other functionality like a bottle opener.

The Firebiner is all that, plus it has the ability to make fire easily with patent-pending EverSpark technology. It has a titanium coated stainless steel body: construction rated for a minimum of 50 pounds of gear (not for climbing or hanging anything with a beating heart). And, don’t forget the small utility blade. Outdoor Element even designed in a screwdriver tip.

Here are some of the special features:

• Very strong stainless steel construction with a minimum 50 lbs capacity
• Extremely durable titanium coating
• Lightweight, only 1 oz
• Stainless steel safety blade to easily cut paracord, fishing line, string and much more
• Bottle opener for refreshment time
• Patent-pending spark wheel with EverSpark technology to help start fires easily
• Replaceable ferro rod, comes with 2 extra rods
• Hang slots to connect keys or anything else with an appropriate ring or clasp
• Strong, thin, stainless steel gate that stays closed but is easy to open when needed
• Flat head screwdriver tip
• Meets TSA requirements for airline travel
• 4 colors: Black, Silver, MTB & Blue

Disclosure: Outdoor Element contacted me with an offer to try one of their prototype Firebiners. It was provided at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review after trying the item. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

The Firebiner Survival Carabiner by Outdoor Element

What Did I Think?

The Firebiner is very easy to use. In fact, the most difficult thing about it may be getting it off the merchandising backer card. It is clipped on there tight. Seriously though, the screwdriver is strategically placed on the corner for ease of use. The bottle opener and utility blade are located in the same nook of the Firebiner opposite the gate.

Multiple hang slots enable you to attach the Firebiner to a key chain or a hook on your backpack. The Everspark fire wheel seems to live up to its name. I used it two dozen times back to back, and it created a big spark each and every time. The safety gate is also quite easy to open so you can attach the Firebiner wherever you would like, then it is hinged so it automatically pops back closed, a nice touch.

I did struggle some replacing the ferro rod for the spark wheel. It comes with a teeny tiny screwdriver to open the spring-loaded compartment that holds the rod. Getting the spring back in there and tightening the compartment screw definitely takes some practice. I might have said a cuss word or two.

Please make sure you don’t try to use the Firebiner as a real carabiner for climbing or supporting your weight. While it is rated up to 50 pounds, the Firebiner is designed to be a camping utility tool, not a climbing carabiner.

I think this is a great idea and a useful tool. The Firebiner has already found a place clipped to my backpack.

How to Get One

The Firebiner comes in four colors: black, silver, blue, and MTB (a multi-color). Until June 2017 you will need to pledge to the Firebiner Kickstarter campaign to obtain one. Or, you can pre-order from the Outdoor Element website.

Beginning in late May-early June, the production Firebiner will be available for retail sale with a MSRP of US$14.99 from multiple outlets. I will update this post to include those outlets at that time.

Disclosure: Outdoor Element contacted me with an offer to try one of their prototype Firebiners. It was provided at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review after trying the item. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.