Skip To Main Content
Joshua Swanagon on Muck Rack

Joshua Swanagon

Verified
United States
As seen in: Athlon Outdoors, Knives Illustrated, KnifeCenter, Shooting Times, The Armory Life, GATDAILY Guns Ammo Tactical, Hook and Barrel, Skillset Magazine
Covers:  Firearms, Knives, Gear, Wilderness Survival, Urban Survival, Self-Defense, Martial Arts, Second Amendment, Current Events

Get in touch with Joshua

Contact Joshua, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack

Actions

Share this page

Joshua Swanagon’s Biography

Read Full Bio →

I have been involved in martial arts and self-defense for decades. I have 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.

Likewise, I also have firearms experience as a former long-time NRA Certified Firearms Instructor (until COVID) and held MCOLES certification in firearms. I now shoot for the love of shooting and writing ab…

Joshua Swanagon’s Journalist Portfolio

See all →
Review: Meprolight MPO PRO-F - The Armory Life

Review: Meprolight MPO PRO-F - The Armory Life

Disclosure: The Meprolight MPO PRO-F was provided to the author by Meprolight for the purpose of this review.…

View article →
An Homage to the Past: Our Picks of the Best Traditional Pocket Knives

An Homage to the Past: Our Picks of the Best Traditional Pocket Knives

Check out our picks of the best traditional pocket knives and put a piece of Americana in your pocket. Soon y…

View article →
Prepare for the Wild Places with Our Machete Buying Guide

Prepare for the Wild Places with Our Machete Buying Guide

Although there are shorter variants, machetes typically have blades ranging from 12–26 inches. New users shou…

View article →
Bear & Son Hunting Knives Reviewed: A Stag Party

Bear & Son Hunting Knives Reviewed: A Stag Party

Three Bear & Son hunting knives bring classic deer-camp styling to hands-on testing with leather, meat, and f…

View article →
What are OTF Knives? And Which Ones Are Worth Buying?

What are OTF Knives? And Which Ones Are Worth Buying?

Automatic knives have a long history, dating back to the mid-to-late 1700s, and began as folding spike bayone…

View article →
Beretta APX A1 Ported Review: Recoil Tamed - Shooting Times

Beretta APX A1 Ported Review: Recoil Tamed - Shooting Times

Read our hands-on Beretta APX A1 Ported review. We test the 7-port slide, recoil mitigation, ergonomics, and …

View article →

Articles

Prepare for the Wild Places with Our Machete Buying Guide

|
By Joshua Swanagon Verified
| KnifeCenter
Categories: Best I have had the distinct privilege of backpacking the Amazon Jungle with my good friend Joe Flowers of Bushcraft Global. Although I have backpacked the Colorado Rockies and Northern Michigan, the Amazon was a very different experience. One that I hope to do again someday. One of the most interesting things I noticed in the small town we flew into is that every store has a machete section. And I do mean every store. Grocery stores. Clothing stores. Every. Store.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

An Homage to the Past: Our Picks of the Best Traditional Pocket Knives

|
By Joshua Swanagon Verified
| KnifeCenter
Categories: Best Grandpa. Tell me ‘bout the good old days. There is something nostalgic about traditional pocket knives. Like the old-timers who carried them, a good classic folding knife comes with its own campfire story. It doesn’t matter what your taste in knives is; if you are a knife enthusiast, you likely still have a soft spot for traditional pocket knives. Check out our picks of the best and put a piece of Americana in your pocket.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Bear & Son Hunting Knives Reviewed: A Stag Party

|
By Joshua Swanagon Verified
| Hook and Barrel
Can you feel it? That special something that every hunting season brings with it? Excitement builds, and everyone starts sharing the trail cam footage of the monster buck near their blind. What a time to be alive. It is also a time when hunters start checking their gear to make sure they are ready to bring in the big one. But once it’s down, you have to process it. As you evaluate your knife situation, let me tell you about a few hunting knives from Bear & Son. I have always advocated skill over gear.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?
See all 4 articles

Interview

See all →

What was your first job as a journalist?

Writing for Survival Quarterly Magazine.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes. I have used word processors as well. Long live the computer.

How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?

I like to clearly understand the assignment, including angle, story guidelines, and expectations, from the start.