I previewed the Peacemaker in a recent gear column, but we’re going to take a closer look at it here, especially its use as an entry or egress tool. The Peacemaker was designed by Justin Gingrich of American Tomahawk Company and Ranger Knives fame. Justin took his industry experience coupled with extensive military experience to come up with a well-designed, hard use tool for 5.11.

The CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk

The CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk was designed for 5.11 Tactical by Special Forces and Ranger veteran Justin Gingrich of Gingrich Tactical Innovations.

The Peacemaker is made from a quarter-inch thick slab of SCM435 chrome–moly alloy steel. It’s coated with a black electro finish and fitted with a set of kangaroo tan FRN scales. A 4-inch axe blade sits opposite a pick head rear spike. It’s a very sturdy design that feels like it can take extreme amounts of abuse. While it’s well suited to field work, it would be equally at home in an urban environment ripping into wrecked cars, smashing and clearing glass, or breaking and prying door handles.

The Peacemaker is built of quarter-inch SCM 435 Steel

The Peacemaker is built of quarter-inch SCM 435 Steel with a black electro coat finish for durability and corrosion resistance. It is fitted with removable FRN scales that are durable and comfortable.

I used my Peacemaker around the house to bust up pallets—chopping, breaking, and prying them apart—to get a feel for its capabilities, and it didn’t disappoint. The nylon scales are pretty comfortable and worked well with and without gloves. With its protective sheath and four-position belt/MOLLE clip and retention strap, it would either strap to your bugout bag or be stuffed inside it with no issues.

The 5.11 Peacemaker comes with a well-designed nylon sheath

The 5.11 Peacemaker comes with a well-designed nylon sheath for carry on your pack or in your bugout bag.

SPECS

5.11 Tactical CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk

  • 14-inch blade for chopping, digging
  • Spike for splitting wood, breaking hard materials
  • Removable scales for option to wrap paracord
  • SCM 435 Steel with black electro coat finish
  • 0.25-inch thick, full tang construction
  • Nylon sheath
  • Fiberglass reinforced nylon scales

Head length: 6.5 inches
Overall length: 14 inches
MSRP: $140
511tactical.com

Editor’s Note:

A version of this article first appeared in the June/July2022 print issue of Knives Illustrated.