At Zulu Nine, we are convinced the Spec Plus Spax from Ontario Knife Company was inspired by the “crash axes” placed on many military aircraft of cold war. Not a wimpy toy or survival gimmick, the Spax is stamped from a solid chunk of quarter inch (6mm) thick 1095 epoxy coated carbon tool steel.

The unusual shape lends well to use as a hand axe for chopping, whether it be for emergency shelter construction or hacking through structure to complete a life saving rescue. Opposite the “axe” blade is a “pick/pry bar”, obviously ideal for prying loose some sort of structure.

The Spax’s “axe” blade steel is hard enough and sharp enough to be used like a knife. You can also choke up on the “axe head”, by placing your fingers through the unusally shaped center hole to gain more control when using the Spax as a knife or as a skinning tool in a wilderness survival situation.

The weird shaped hole punched dead center in the axe head is a curiosity to be sure, but upon close examination you will notice that the hole is the profile of a natural gas valve and a fire hydrant valve! Great for urban disasters!

Brilliant!

For ultimate comfort while whacking and hacking, the designers at Ontario made the handle out of a medium hard polymer. This handle has a nice palm swell, and boasts integral guards to prevent slipping should one’s hand become wet and/or fatigued.

Of coarse a lanyard hole is included.

The Spax deserves to be in every rescue teams gear box or bag.