The Gear List: Hatchets, knives, and other awesome gear you’d want as a contestant on ‘Alone’

Price: $40 with couponrnSeller: AmazonrnrnDoes this count as 12 items or one? Good thing you and I aren’t limited, so it doesn’t matter. This Mossy Oak survival set includes some of the basics you’d need to enjoy a night at a campsite or a jump into a remote wilderness (minus the parachute). rnrnFor starters, there’s a lightweight hatchet that would be great for gathering firewood or building a shelter. It also has three sizes of hex wrenches built into the head, although I’m not sure how practical they are. The kit includes two knives: a small utility knife for daily duties and a machete-style blade to slash through underbrush and saw through logs. A sharpening stone is included to keep them working at their best. All three use paracord handles that can be removed to provide extra cordage. An additional 50-foot section of paracord and five carabiners should be enough to get you through most outdoor adventures. Of course, no survival kit would be complete without a fire-starter like this one’s flint stick. Finally, there’s an adjustable flashlight to keep you in the action after the sun goes down.rnrnRemember that a tool only works if you know how to use it. If you do add this kit to your gear list, remember to practice with everything––especially the fire-starter––to maintain proficiency. There are loads of survival tools out there, but it’s nice to have the convenience of picking up a few items at once from a brand you already know. A discounted price is even better.

Price: $47 with couponrnSeller: AmazonrnrnNo survivalist should take on the outdoors without a good knife. In fact, we at Task & Purpose have something of a Micheal Scott philosophy on knives: Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything without a knife, for any reason, no matter what, no matter where, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you have been, ever.rnrnWe’re always looking for bargains on quality gear and this discounted Civivi knife fits the bill. It’s a great way to get a durable, sharp blade without breaking the bank. Features like the scaled grip, smooth opening mechanism, and compact size make this a fantastic candidate for your next EDC. Army vet Dennis White put one to the test recently and found that it’s not just a good value, it’s also a good knife––period.rnrnKeep in mind that this is a pocket-sized knife, with a sub-three-inch blade and handle that won’t exactly fill up your palm. It’s a solid EDC option, but I wouldn’t want it to be my only knife in the field. Keep it to performing daily tasks and stabbing MREs, and you’ll be just fine.

Price: $83.64rnSeller: AmazonrnrnI’m not going to suggest that you would ever need to radio for help; that’s unthinkable. But maybe one of your less-badass buddies will need to get in touch with you at some point. For that, it helps to have more reliable comms than the usual tertiary comms plan of sending a messenger.rnrnI was pumped to see Motorola two-way radios on sale because I’ve used them in military and civilian life with plenty of success. The T600 Talkabout strikes a nice balance between casual weekend use and professional-grade equipment. The rugged housing is waterproof and tough enough for real-world bumps and scrapes. You’ll get access to 22 channels and 121 privacy codes––not encryption, but better than nothing. This radio will also receive NOAA alerts so you can stay on top of bad weather before it strikes.rnrnThe T600 Talkabout’s maximum range is listed as 35 miles. That’s measured mountain-to-valley, assuming an open line of sight with no interference. In the real world, expect that range to be quite a bit less most of the time. Still, for less than $100, can you complain?rn