John Roy: Dawson Knives’ latest advancements and the future of survival tools

06/10/2025 / By Kevin Hughes

John Roy of Dawson Knives and the Health Ranger Mike Adams discussed their collaboration on high-performance, American-made knives and machetes, featuring advanced materials like Magnacut steel and SpaceX-sourced carbon fiber.
Dawson Knives’ products such as the Escape from LA model are designed for extreme conditions (urban survival, bushcraft, self-defense) with corrosion resistance, pry-bar functionality and aerospace-grade materials.
Customers and Roy himself report exceptional edge retention and versatility, with uses ranging from batoning wood to spear fishing. The Resonance model doubled as a survival system during backpacking trips.
A tactical tomahawk (balanced for throwing/breaching) was launched, alongside a rugged North American machete with modular sheath attachments for wilderness and urban survival.
Dawson Knives emphasizes U.S. manufacturing, from raw materials to training artisans, and expands beyond knives into swords (e.g., katanas) with a focus on life-saving reliability.

The Health Ranger Mike Adams sat down with John Roy of Dawson Knives on the “Health Ranger Report” to discuss their latest innovations in high-performance, American-made survival tools.

Dawson Knives, a family-owned business with over 50 years of craftsmanship, has built a reputation for producing some of the toughest blades on the market. Their collaboration with Adams has resulted in a line of knives designed for survival, self-defense and extreme durability — tools that customers describe as “buy it once, last a lifetime” investments.

One standout model is the Escape from LA, a Magnacut alloy knife co-designed by Roy and Adams. Featuring a pry bar front end and a corrosion-resistant build, this knife was engineered for urban survival scenarios — breaking through barriers, cutting barbed wire and even functioning as an emergency tool during power grid failures. (Related: Dawson Knives, Health Ranger announce collaboration on new machete design and improvements to existing line of survival knives.)

Roy shared an exciting update: a limited-edition Escape from LA with carbon fiber handles sourced from SpaceX manufacturing scraps. The second-generation Dawson knifemaker explained that instead of paying to dispose of excess material, they have repurposed it and are now putting American-made aerospace-grade carbon fiber on their knives.

Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users reporting exceptional edge retention even under brutal conditions. One owner used the knife to baton wood, hit knots and even pull nails – without chipping or significant wear. Another turned it into a spear for fishing, showcasing its versatility.

Roy himself field-tested the Resonance model during a backpacking trip, using it to start fires, split wood and construct shelters. He said the edge of the Resonance held up perfectly and it is not just a knife but a survival system.

A legacy of U.S. craftsmanship: New products and designs on the table

One of the most anticipated releases is Dawson’s tactical tomahawk, engineered for both breaching and survival applications. Unlike traditional designs, Roy’s version incorporates physics-based modifications to reduce vibration and improve impact resistance. An ex-Navy SEAL tested the tomahawk by throwing it through plywood and two-by-fours — demonstrating its devastating power.

Roy, who oversees the day-to-day operations of Dawson Knives, mentioned that they have balanced their tomahawk for throwing, but it is also built for door breaching, wood splitting and combat.

“It’s a multitool in so many ways. And the balance is absolutely amazing,” Adams commented. “And I can tell this thing is going to last a lifetime,”

Looking ahead, Roy teased a new North American-style machete designed for rugged wilderness and urban survival. Unlike thinner South American models, this blade will be optimized for hardwoods, fencing and even “zombie apocalypse” scenarios as Adams joked. The machete will feature modular sheath attachments for fire starters, paracord and emergency supplies — making it a true all-in-one survival tool.

“It’ll be able to handle your camp chores and will have ability to get through fencing. It’s going to have some of the features of the Escape from LA knife incorporated into this,” Roy described the machete.

“The weight and balance are going to be impeccable. So, when you put it in your hand it’s just going to flow really well. It’s something that is really going to push the boundaries of what we have been doing at Dawson Knives.”

Beyond knives, Dawson Knives has deep roots in sword-making, specializing in high-end Japanese-style katanas and tactical blades. Roy emphasized their commitment to U.S. manufacturing, sourcing raw materials domestically and training the next generation of craftsmen.

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Watch the full interview between John Roy of Dawson Knives and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.