Simplicity affords adventure, as the more we reduce complexity, the greater the opportunity for discovery. This is true of most things in our lives, but it is even more significant with the gear we use. Any opportunity to reduce, combine, consolidate, or simplify will typically reward us with more time to enjoy the moment. It starts by determining what is essential.
Several months ago, I was approached by one of the Combar team members. Udi pinged me on LinkedIn from Israel, and shared the details of his new adventurer’s tool, and it sounded too good to be true: ax, hammer, spade, knife, combined into one smartly designed package (it is a Red Dot Design winner). It was intentionally designed for both adventurers and elite military teams and meets numerous US Military design and durability standards. As a package, it also commands a notable price tag of $600, which seems expensive (it is), but seeing the product in person helps define the value, particularly once all the accessories come to life.
The storage case is a thing of simplicity and durability, protecting the Combar (certainly), but also protecting anything the Combar might bang up against in a drawer or bag.
The holster was originally designed for field work and military personnel. It works as designed, but I preferred to keep the Combar in its case until needed. There is also a vehicle mount in the works, which is even better.
There is both a spade integrated for trenching and an ax for splitting and light felling. It’s great for camp work with firewood or when nature calls.
The handle can accommodate several tools or a small storage box. I configured the Combar with a knife and a saw. It would be easy to swap out for a metal cutting blade too (for field repair work on the vehicle). The end cap release is difficult to open with a gloved hand due to the small purchase on the release.
The price of the unit starts to make sense once the quality of the machining, engineering, design, and materials are considered. The knife is a drop-point unit with an incorporated sheath. The knife is full tang and incorporates a textured grip and thumb grooves.
The titanium spade can be moved into several positions and is extremely rigid. The locking mechanism also has a small purchase for gloved fingers.
The ax works as designed for splitting and chopping, and is balanced on the other side with a hammer for driving tent pegs, etc.
Overall, the Combar is a unique and thoughtfully designed all-in-one. It is an expensive tool, and I only fully understood the value after inspecting it in person and using it in the field. The materials are premium and it comes with a 25-year warranty. I have found it useful enough to take a permanent place in my vehicle, performing overlanding duties in spade. aclim8.com
Manufacturer video (queue dramatic ensemble)
