Having grown up backpacking the Colorado Rockies, Joshua Swanagon has understood the importance of a good knife since childhood. This led to a lifelong passion for edged tools and weapons. Over the years, he has carried knives in the wild places all over the United States and the Amazon Jungle.
An avid outdoorsman, his favorite patterns are the Kephart and Nessmuk for their rich history and functionality in bushcrafting. However, his tastes are very eclectic, and he has met very few knives that he didn’t like. Joshua is also a knife designer with knives produced by TOPS Knives and more on the way.
This has led to a long career of testing and reviewing knives for a variety of publications, ultimately leading to his time as print Editor of Knives Illustrated Magazine from 2016 through 2019. He also started Knife & Gear Society before landing a role as Senior Digital Editor with Athlon Outdoors.
Joshua has also been involved with martial arts and self-defense for decades. He has over 20 years of extensive training in Hakkoryu JuJutsu, Daitoryu Aiki JuJutsu, Mugai Ryu Iaido, Ving Tsun Kung Fu, minor studies in FMA (Filipino Martial Arts), MCOLES certification in PPCT, and combatives practices. As a self-defense instructor, he holds a practical, no-nonsense approach to self-defense and combatives, forgoing myth and theory and placing a focus on situational awareness and conflict avoidance.
Joshua also has experience with firearms as a former long-time NRA Certified Firearms Instructor (until COVID) and held MCOLES certification in firearms. He now shoots for the love of shooting and writing about it.
He uses his knowledge and experience as an Editor in the firearm, knife, and defensive spaces to deliver the best content available.
Dig in:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-swanagon
https://www.instagram.com/jswanagon01