Shovels

Shovels are incredibly useful tools when you need to dig, but in a survival situation when you don’t have all the comforts of home, they can be used for much more. The type of shovel most of us are accustomed to using at home will likely be too big and too cumbersome for use in a survival situation. This is where folding shovels come into play. Folding shovels all the same functionality as a standard shovel but are more compact and weigh less, making them more portable.

In a survival situation shovels may be used for digging a toilet, burying valuables or weapons, digging pitfall traps, prying, hammering, tree felling, and even as a weapon in a pinch.

A military style folding shovel is a mere 5¾” when folded and slips into a durable carrying sheath to keep it from dirtying or damaging other gear. This type of shovel is perfect for carrying in a pack or car kit. A slightly larger shovel like the Coghlan’s Mini Shovel (13”) is better suited to situations where you won’t need to pack it around but may be better suited to certain tasks than a smaller trowel type shovel.

Saws

Saws are invaluable little tools due to their very small size and multiple uses. Saws perform a very specific task that is difficult to achieve with another tool. There are two main types of saw suitable for survival applications due to their portability and range of uses.

A folding saw, also referred to as a Sierra saw, features a straight blade that folds into a handle for portability and safety. This type of saw can be used for everything from building a shelter to building a fire. The superior durability of a folding saw is one of the main benefits. In comparison with the survival saw, a folding saw is bigger and heavier. Some folding saws are capable of cutting through metal, concrete, and other super tough materials.

Survival saws (also called pocket chainsaws, wire saws, rope saws, and flexible saws) are tiny multifunctional tools. They can be used as a manual chainsaw for cutting through larger pieces of wood or can be affixed to a sapling branch to fashion a bow saw. These tiny saws will also cut through bone, plastic, some soft metals, and rubber Many survival saws can also be used as a snare trap. They are extremely small and lightweight and are therefore an easy add to any emergency kit or bug out bag.

Axes

An axe is another great survival tool. Whether you choose a rescue style tactical axe that can be used for chopping, picking, and personal defense or a hatchet style pack axe known for its compact size and durability or a take apart camp axe that offers versatility and a space-saving design, an axe is an indispensable tool in any survival situation. From felling trees to chopping wood to prying, digging, hammering and even defending yourself and your family axes are a smart investment for any survival supply.

Utility Cord

Utility cord is a must-have survival kit item. Utility cord has too many uses to list. Compressing and securing gear, pitching your tent and tying guy lines, hauling supplies, marking territory, pulling your gun up into a tree stand… the list goes on and on. Utility cord is an example of a great tool that you can feel confident investing in because it has so many uses both at home during the day-to-day and in the event of an emergency, disaster, or survival situation. Braided nylon utility cord is available in our Pioneer Living online survival shop.