12 Must-Have Survival Tools
What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when it comes to a crisis situation? For many, knowing they’re well-equipped with the right survival tools is being prepped.
Being out there isn’t just about admiring nature’s splendor; it’s about being prepared for its unpredictable moments. Ever found yourself in a pinch, wishing you had that multifunctional knife or a reliable firestarter? Well, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just someone planning their first hike, the right tools can make all the difference between a tale of triumph and a story of struggle. Ready to gear up and ensure the crisis story has a happy ending?
Let’s get prepping.
Many people face natural disasters every year and find themselves in dire straits when it comes to surviving without the taken-for-granted comforts. I wondered what are the best survival tools to make their lives a little easier for them.
So What Are Some of the Best Survival Tools?
Keeping and having on hand these simple tools to help ease unexpected hardships is Proper Prepping 101.
- Knife
- Ax
- Bow saw
- Crosscut saw
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Butane lighter
- Hatchet
- Wire saw
- Camp shovel
- Honing stone
- Para cord
Survival tools can be broken down into two basic categories: those used at home and portable tools used when bugging out. It would help if you prepared both types as you don’t know what you will face until the time comes.
Obtaining A Survival Tool Mode Psychology
Living in survival mode is quite different than everyday life. I’ve read about many people who thought they were prepared for a catastrophe, even though they hadn’t done anything to survive.
Usually, these are highly capable people who are used to doing many things for themselves. Many have extensive workshops where they fix whatever their family needs.
Yet that doesn’t make them ready to survive. Most of those workshops have the wrong types of tools to survive. Besides, what good will a bunch of power tools do if there is no electricity to operate them?
The best survival tools it takes to survive in a crisis are much different than the tools we use regularly.
Survival Tool Details
- A Good Knife. The knife is the universal tool; it can be used for everything from food capture and preparation to shelter building and maintenance. To be a good survival knife, it should be a full-tang, fixed blade. A long blade looks flashy but isn’t really necessary as it can be hard to work with. A knife that is four to five inches long is plenty.
- An Ax. If you lose power, there’s a good chance you’ll need to cut firewood to heat your home. An ax or maul will make it possible to split the logs you cut so that they will burn well.
- A Bow Saw. A chainsaw is commonly used for cutting logs. But if gasoline isn’t available, that isn’t going to do much good. While a bow saw is much slower for cutting tree branches and logs, it will work as long as you have energy in your body.
- A Crosscut Saw. Many types of disasters can cause damage to our homes. Being able to make repairs can be the difference between being able to stay in your home and having to leave. Once again, this is another area where power tools dominate, but before all those nice power saws came along, the crosscut saw was the way to cut lumber.
- A Shovel. A shovel will allow you to break up the ground to plant seeds for a garden or dig a hole to be used as a latrine. Both of those can be very important if normal services are down.
- A Wheelbarrow. This universal hand cart can haul water from the local pond or maintain a garden. When there’s no gas for the car, you’ll still need water and other supplies, and that wheelbarrow could be a lifesaver.
- A Butane Lighter. We don’t normally think of a cigarette lighter as a tool, but it will be useful in survival mode. Lighters are much better than matches for starting fires simply because they stay lit and won’t be as affected by bad weather. Keep it close to your body outdoors so the wind doesn’t blow it out and waste your fuel.
- A Hatchet. Your ax is for cutting wood at home, whereas a hatchet is best for your bug-out bag. While it won’t cut wood as well as a full-sized ax, it’s a lot easier to carry and is definitely better than not having one. Your hatchet should also be useful as a hammer for driving tent pegs.
- A Wire Saw. That bow saw is a bit big to fit in your backpack. If you have to bug out, having a wire saw will give you something to use for cutting tree branches to make a shelter. Buy the three-wire kind; if one strand breaks, you’ll still have a saw.
- A Camp Shovel. Another portable version of your home tool. You might have to dig a hole in the woods for a fire pit, put a trench around your tent to drain water, or dig a latrine to bury waste. While a folding camp shovel isn’t as good as full-size, it’s much better than using your knife or bare hands.
- A Honing Stone. That knife you’ve got, which you can use both at home and in the woods, isn’t going to be very useful if it doesn’t have a sharp edge on it. Always keep a honing stone and some oil to keep your blade in top form.
Paracord This is the most versatile rope you may find. Parachute cord (also paracord or 550 cord when referring to type-III paracord) is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes. This cord is now used as a general-purpose utility cord. This versatile cord was used by astronauts during the 82nd Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.The braided sheath is usually made up of 32 interwoven strands, giving it a relatively smooth texture. The all-nylon construction makes paracord somewhat elastic.
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Survival Tools For Vehicle
Having some survival tools and supplies in your vehicle is a good idea because you will never know when car problems or weather will cause you to be stranded on the side of the road.
What would you do if you were caught miles from home with the kids in the car, and it’s freezing out there?
Some sites suggest up to 50 plus different items, but I won’t recommend carrying a trailer full of survival gear behind your car. Rather here is a short list of things that I feel are most necessary:
- Small first-aid kit.
- Water bottle.
- Flashlight/headlamp.
- Lighter and fire starters.
- Space blanket/bivy sack.
- Whistle.
- Signal mirror.Survival Tools To Make
Hurricane Survival Tools
Being from South Florida, I could not avoid mentioning the essentials everyone in a mother nature danger zone should have. All the time. Not at the last minute when it comes to bugging out precautions.
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- At least a 3-day water supply; one gallon per person per day.
- At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, cans, bags of rice, etc., and easy-to-prepare. You may not have power.
- Flashlight with working batteries.
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
- More working extra batteries.
- The always-needed first aid kit. And not a cheap glove compartment size one.
Survival Tool Knowledge
Good tools and the knowledge of how to use them can mean the difference between life, comfort, and maybe even serious health issues and death. There are two keys to success:
First, buy quality tools. This isn’t the place to get cheap because poorly made tools will break at the worst possible times.
Second, know how to use what you have to full effect. Even if you buy the best ax on the market, if you don’t know how to split a log with it, you’re going to be cold out there in the wild. And maybe the possibility of cutting off your foot.
Practice with your tools until you are comfortable with them. Then, when you have to use them, you’ll be ready to solve problems quickly and with much less stress.
Gearing Up for Greatness: Tools That Turn Challenges into Adventures
In the unpredictable dance with nature, it’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving.
You learned to level up your wilderness game as you journey with us. Your immediate task?
Inventory your current toolkit. Scrutinize. What’s missing? What’s outdated?
Equip yourself because the wild awaits, and you’re its next master. Remember, not just tools but the wisdom to use them defines a true survivor. Don’t just stand at the edge of adventure—dive headfirst, backed by the best in survival gear.
Ready for the transformation? Gear up, step out, and let nature witness your prowess. Adventure’s calling, and you’re more than ready to answer.
