Your survival "tool kit"?

Preparation, Preparedness & Prevention Fieldcraft & Survival
1

I am in the process of buying and trying out different setups for woodcraft/survival/SHTF foot travel and have been doing research on what different people use/recommend.

It seems to be small variations on several different “themes” for a lack of a better word.

Theme 1: Sharp light knife, saw

Usually a Mora and a folding or Saber cut style saw

Theme 2: Sharp light knife, Machete

Mora or SAK with a Machete/chopping knife

Theme 3: Heavy “do all” knife

BK2 or ESEE 6 or other “sharpened prybar” design:D

Theme 4: Medium knife and axe/hatchet

Bushcrafter type knife and an GB small forest axe

I really don’t know how I want to do it so I have been collecting a little bit of everything to test it out for myself.

I have found that I personally don’t really like big, heavy knives (Ontario Ranger Afghan).

I like the machete okay. I trimmed back the edges of a 1.5 acre lot with a 22" Ontario and it worked good on softwoods like maple but it wasn’t so good on hickory/dead cedar. Doing so “crafty” work up close wasn’t much fun at all. The 22" blade is just too long. I am going to get either an Ontario 18" or a Condor El Salvador and try that next.

I have used an axe all my life and I am comfortable with them. I got an Estwing Campers Axe and while it is okay, I don’t really like it. Hard to choke up on it and the balance is weird to me. I just got a Wetterlings Small Wildlife axe in today that I am going to try out. I much prefer it’s balance even with a slightly shorter handle.

I also recently got in a Mora Companion, an ESEE-4 an Izula and a Pocket Chainsaw to test out.

I really like the light weight and the handle and feel of the Companion. I like sturdy feeling of the ESEE but it seems like the handle needs to be wider and more rounded.

I still need to get a Silky/Bahco folding saw and I am thinking about getting an ESEE-6 to try out as well.

As to the “themes” I am leaning more towards the Multitool or SAK, Medium knife/Axe combo at this time but I want to test more before I decide. I like the fact there is some overlap between the tools and I am pretty comfortable with a 4-5" knife and I have nearly 30 years experience with an axe. My machete experience is fairly recent other than playing with some when I was younger and really long heavy knives have so far proven awkward for me.

So what do you use?

2

I have been thinking about adding one of these to my gear bag:

http://www.woodmanspal.com/

I have hefted one and know may old timers who have carried them. They are not cheap because they are not cheaply made. Feels like a heavy duty piece of kit to me that would have a multitude of uses out in the boonies.

3

I actually have one of those too. :smiley:

It was the first thing I got when I started fooling around with this several years ago to cut trails on some property I have.

It is very useful for close stuff and the handle is really nice and comfortable, but the reach really short and the weight just isn’t forward enough for me to get a good swing with it.

I actually keep mine in the tool bag of my ATV. It works really well for trimming off saplings at or below the surface of the ground so you don’t risk puncturing your tires. The blunt tip lets you hit the ground with it and you don’t damage the blade. The reverse curl is pretty useful for catching greenbriars and pulling them down/cutting them.

I have the military model with the guard on it instead of the one you pictured. Get the one you have pictured, I don’t really like guard although the leather washer handle is very nice and comfortable. I think if it had a much longer handle on it, like a brush axe, it would be more useful to me. (I think they actually make one like that)

I like mine but it is too heavy and somewhat limited in its capabilities for it’s weight, especially carrying it on foot. That was why I bought the 22" Ontario Machete. So that I could have more reach. But it is a little too heavy on the weight forward bias and it tires me too quick. I am on to the 18" model next. :rolleyes::smiley:

4

I too hate a 22" machete. 18" is the way to go. The U.S. issue Ontario is definitely the best I’ve found. The only gripe u have with them is the stupid ass square shaped handle scales. I will replace them with more rounded scales made with a more grippable material. You could also hit the stock scales with a knifemakers belt sander, and round them over yourself.

If anyone knows of a better machete out there, by all means, im always interested.

5

My personal opinion is that, if you’re carrying two cutting tools (which I recommend), then a good “double-toothed” (not sure if that’s what you call it) saw is the absolute way to go if you plan to cut down any significant amount of limbs, trees, ect. It will do the job faster with less output by you. It is also typically lighter and more compact than a hatchet or machete.

The second tool should be a good, full-tang, 3/16" thick (minimum) knife with a blade in the 4.5"-6" range. I prefer carbon steel blades too btw. This can be used instead of the saw (ie. batoning/chopping) in case the saw goes down, but will also perform the smaller, more delicate tasks such as skinning small game.

6

My current primary [Midwest]tools are:

  • Estwing Hatchet w/550-Cord Handle Wrap
  • Becker BK-2 Campanion Knife
  • Leatherman Wave
  • Mora Clipper or Bushcraft

EDIT: When I go light, I have a 21" bow saw blade that weighs nothing, to take the place of the hatchet. Making a bow saw is pretty simple and makes a great fast-cutting tool.

After field dressing a couple deer this year with the Mora, it stays in the pack no matter what.

7

I didn’t mention it since it seemed like he was sticking to two tools, but the third tool would be a Leatherman Wave as well. :smiley: Should always have a MT with you!

And my fourth tool would be my fixed blade self defense knife…just because it’s small, light, and wouldn’t cost me anything to pack with me. Plus I like the idea of having something readily accessible for defense…although I still need to get that HPG Kit Bag…

8

My old Leatherman Wave is a fixed item in my kit. I have found it useful for too many things to not have it with me.

I live in the southeast US and we have a pretty good mix of hardwoods/soft woods and it honestly doesn’t get cold enough down here MOST of the year to really need a large amount of wood in a survival situation.

But having spent most of my life playing in the woods and usually carrying an axe doing it. We used to build forts and bridges and what are now termed “debris” shelters for fun when we were smaller. Oak doesn’t make a long lasting bridge, cedar will last for a decade or more. :slight_smile: We usually carried scout folding knives and axes with us.

I have used saws quite a bit for tree trimming chores. Usually a pole saw with 6’-18’ extensions. It is quite useful and easier to be selective with the saw than it was the axe but I never thought about carrying one into the woods. We didn’t have any folding saws.

I was really interested to see what others use and why they chose what they did.

I will ultimately wind up buying a little bit of everything and trying it out but it is good to see/learn from what others have found didn’t work for them in a similar biosphere.

9

I am thinking the Ontario 18" with the injection molded handle and just cut off the guard or I think there is a .125 Condor model that comes with an injection molded handle.

I don’t really like the handle on the 22" Ontario I have either. It gives me blisters if I use it for long without gloves.

10

Look hard at Tramontina and Imacasa before the Condor at Machete Specialists. I have a 14" Tramontina, which fits nicely in a regular joe backpack. If I bought another 14" it would be the bolo style for a little more forward weight when chopping. I have a condor also, but don’t think it’s any better than a Tramontina. The Ontario is shit, even if you think it’s cool or that you want the saw back model. Buy one from South America, where they actually use them for daily life. The only bad thing about these might be the handles, which can be removed or reshaped fairly easily.

11

One of my go to is Ontario short bolo machete I’ve been using and carrying around for over 20 years all over the world and a Coldsteel SRK. I have a bow saw and ax or hatchet both jeeps. I carry quality lock blade, stockman pocket knife and a leatherman or SOG one.

12

That is pretty much my standard tool set as well:

  • Buck Vanguard 4", thinking of upgrading this year to a Bark River Bravo, though the Vanguard has served well (originally $35)

  • folding pruning saw: mainly for cutting limbs or small trees for firewood or cutting samplings to make a shelter. These come in a variety of sizes and I have a small 4" saw and larger 8" saw.

  • Wave multitool (which also has a small saw)

I may carry other specialty tools at various times, but these three would be my most used and never-leave-home-without-them set.

13

Plato, I’m interested in what makes you say the Ontario 18" machete w/sawtooth spine is “shit”??? Just wondering what your reasoning is? My main gripe with most machetes, is they are either too long (over 18" sucks IMO), or they are way too flemsy. Handle scales usually suck on most machetes as well, but that’s easily fixed most of the time.
What I like with the 18" Ontario, is its rigidity, while still maintaining a thin enough blade. Interested in your thoughts please…

14

My cutting tool inventory is an Estwing Camper’s Axe and a 21 inch Sven folding saw. Of course I’ve got a moderate fixed blade knife and a Leatherman Wave as well, but for larger cutting jobs like clearing a road of a downed tree (like last week!) the larger tools just do a better, more efficient job.

I’ve also got a Tomahawk and a Gerber folding saw if I have to go even lighter, but the larger ax and saw is my preference.

I’d prefer an 18 inch buck saw with metal and wood blades but haven’t made one yet. Some day perhaps.

15

Good quality Bolt cutters.

Chain link fence and most padlocks are defeated.

16

In a survival situation, you need to think long and hard about any energy expenditure/risk you may take. Think what you may realistically have to cut.

Here is a solution to the problem:

Knives - If you look at history, it is quite common to carry three knives - a small utility knife (Swiss Army, Multi-tool, patch knife), a medium work knife, a large fighting/utility knife.

A machete or hatchet would be worth putting in your kit. Mountain men swore by the hatchet. Many cultures swear by the machete. The Woodsman’s Pal would also be a good bet.

For real wood cutting, a bow saw is almost mandatory. The bow saw is very light weight, and arguably more effective an useful than an axe. Blades are light weight and you can keep different blades to handle modern materials.

Consider a set of bolt cutters to manage other modern materials like locks, chains, barbed wire, fences, and rebar.

17

My current tool kit looks like this.
esee izula, esee 4, cold steel frontier hawk, bahco folding saw, leatherman (I think its the wave)

I also have but will never use again a becker bk-2 and I found it to be garbage for use as anything other than a wedge with a handle. And I simply don’t have to many uses for a wedge in the woods. And it has never seen even from the factory a good hair shaving edge. I think it is just to thick to be a good knife. And a becker/esee necker knife. Was warped from the factory and did not inspire confidence. Other than that a good knife. I have also used the gerber lmf 2. It was an ok knife, but couldn’t make use other the serrations, had not real need for a glass breaker, and found the sheath to be far more of a pain that it was worth (was made to be capable of jumping) from a plane, and the knife was very heavy in the grip (due to the glass breaker pommel)

18

I think ripsaw is the term you’re looking for.:smiley:

19

I’ve used the Ontario machete & thought it was barely adequate. I have 2 older Cold Steel kukris, a 12" & a 15", and they both kick ass as a medium/heavy chopper. They have been discontinued in the US made Carbon V alloy version but are still avaliable as imports in other steels, but I have 0 experience with the newer ones. The sheaths leave something to be desired but have held up well for years, they just don’t look & feel too trustworthy to me.

Cold Steel SRK’s in Carbon V have been excellent for me, also.

Gerber Multiplier’s, I have several & have few complaints. The wire cutters on some models are less than perfect, but my expectations of a multitool are that they will do a job, but not as well as a dedicated tool, and the Gerber’s have done that for the most part.

Gerber folding saws (don’t remember the model I have/have had 3 of them) cut well when new but do not hold up to prolonged use. The blade to handle junction is the weak point on them, with the newer imported ones being inferior to older US made ones. My newer one(s) have thinner blades more prone to bending & have proven even weaker at the blade to handle junction. I’ve been wanting to upgrade to a Silky folding saw.

20

Sounds about as useful as my ESEE 5.