Top 10 tools that you don't want to be without

Let's define "tools" simply: those 'things' that can keep you alive.

This thread is about the ten that you would take if you could only have ten.

I'll start. In no particular order (at least here).
I reserve the right to change my mind later

• Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet with some mineral oil to protect it
  
• ESEE Izula or 3 (general duty, just cutting stuff)
  
• Helle Fossekallen or a Mora of equivalent quality, full tang (bushcraft)
  
• Ruger LC9s & Ranch Rifle in .223/5.56 NATO w/ ammo (shooting things)
  
• Eberlestock Halftrack (carrying things)
  
• Emberlit Ti w/ ferro rod (setting cjit on fire)
  
• DMT portable diamond stone, course/fine (sharpen that cjit)
  
• rain gear plus Kifaru Woobie (see what I did there?)
  
• Warbonnet Blackbird hammock w/ top and bottom insulation (3 in 1!)
• <rolls the dice> Surly ECR or a kayak/canoe hybrid to carry it all

Edit: I added this in a downstream post:

Maybe we should change the name of this thread to "top survival tools for a minimal kit", and leave the number more variable. Here's why. There are a lot of smaller items that ride in my kit every single day -- even in the city -- that I don't really consider "tools", yet I can see some do. If I leave home, those go with me in a small pack or fanny pack. Besides, technically, I violated "ten" in my OP; I specified "ten" mainly to indicate some small number, less than one would carry in a full sized pickup.

 

Double tap .. deleted .

 

It would depend on the situation. If we are talking survival, there are things I would go with while if we are talking long term living in the wild, non-survival, some things would change.

An example would be if it were survival then a hatchet would suffice because survival implies that someone is looking for me and will take me out of there. If long term living, then I would want an axe and a good saw so that I could process wood more efficiently and build a good structure. Survival would only entail a good tarp.

Living also would indicate that I was pretty much staying put and thus would not need to carry everything on my back. Survival might mean travel to get to a better location where I could be found easier.

Some other items would pretty much be universal like a pot to cook in and a stainless steel bottle for carrying water. I will have to think about the other stuff. But regardless, I like the canoe. I much prefer a canoe.

 

Yes, survival tools in wilderness.

I don't mean to imply that these would necessarily be the only ones if you have the option. These are just the top ten, the ones you really value, and would work hardest to make sure you have them and keep them safe from loss, theft etc.

There are no right or wrong answers. Everyone has different ideas. I'm always just curious about people's strategies, where we overlap, where we differ. I've learned a lot over the years from such threads. My kit has changed a lot as a result.

 

some on that list would suit me. Generally, you need to provide for food, water, comfort and security. Not all are met with that list.

 

Mine's pretty similar. If you're talking about planning for standard woods outing, and being prepared for general emergencies:

Esee 3 or BK16
Large ALICE pack
Poncho with liner (I'm still debating the Kifaru woobie)
2 space blankets
Esee zippo and firesteel
1st Aid kit
Tramontina machete
2 road flares
50 feet of paracord
Glock 23 and/or FAL

 

Maybe we should change the name of this thread to "top survival tools for a minimal kit", and leave the number more variable. Here's why. There are a lot of smaller items that ride in my kit every single day -- even in the city -- that I don't really consider "tools", yet I can see some do. If I leave home, those go with me in a small pack or fanny pack.

Besides, technically, I violated "ten" in my OP; I specified "ten" mainly to indicate some small number, less than one would carry in a full sized pickup.

For example, my canteen for water goes everywhere I do. I have several yards of cordage, usually paracord or bankline or both. I don't consider food a "tool", but I stuff I carry with me. And if I run out, I can make snares or shoot something.

The one thing I left off my list that needs to be there for sure is my little cooking pot. I should also add some kind of water filter, either my Pur or a filter straw, but the latter rides in my EDC.

Comfort for me is covered by the hammock -- a backpacking hammock. Security by the guns, unless I'm missing your meaning.

 

That's for you to decide.

 

I will go general instead of specific.

Pack
Saw - like a Silky Big Boy or a folding or takedown bow saw
Small axe - like a small forest axe
Three knives - two smaller, preferably scandi like the Fossekellen, one larger like an ESEE 5 or 6
Two tarps - 10' x 10' and 5' x 8'
Sleeping bag
Minimum 200 feet of paracord
Stainless steel water bottle for carrying water but could be used to boil water
Cook pot like a Mors pot
Multitool - many options with this
Fishing kit
Fire kit - PJCBs, flint and ESEE Firesteel, large ferro rod, storm matches, tin for making char, solar fire starter for the easy days
FAK

 

^ We're on a roll here.^

I'll add one more tool,
just to bump it up a notch.

 

Toilet paper
Baby Wipes (with melon scent)
Mors Pot
Knife (don't have a favorite yet)
Jack Daniels
Bacon
Some kind of Axe
Some kind of saw
Firesteel
Some kind of sharpening stone/ strop

 

Melon. Now, that's classy.

 

^ Indeed.

 

That's what I mean, right there. ^