Growing up my dad told me several times, “Don’t ever sell your tools. As long as you’ve got tools, you can make money.”
Turns out that advice fits well in the prepper world as well. Don’t go into an SHTF scenario without tools. As long as you’ve got tools, you can keep a roof over your head, and food on your table. You’ll be able to scavenge resources and take care of yourself.
Prepper Equipment We’re NOT Going To Discuss
For the purposes of this conversation, we aren’t going to discuss clothing, tools for working in your survival garden, food preservation, first aid kits, or water purification. I understand that each of these has its own set of tools, but for the purposes of this conversation, we’re excluding them. Each activity can have its own specific list of tools. This list is more of a general-purpose list.
So which prepper tools are we going to discuss?…
We’re going to talk about prepper tools designed to let you do work; build things, repair things, and scavenge supplies. What follows is a list of manual tools every prepper should own so that they can repair and maintain their bug-out vehicle, repair their home, or scavenge resources.
60″ Pry Bar a.k.a. a Pinch Point Bar
I’ve had the interesting experience of watching the S.W.A.T. Team enter my neighbor’s house. The house had security bars but they didn’t slow the police for any more than a couple of seconds and they didn’t make a sound when they were pried open.
This versatile tool is super useful to open doors, pry open crates, and even lift heavy objects. In an SHTF situation, this thing is a great survival tool. It can be used to gain access to locked buildings or free trapped people in emergency situations. Pry bars are incredibly durable which makes them a great investment. Whether you’re in a natural disaster or dealing with a societal collapse, a 5-foot-long pry bar can be the key to your survival.
Bolt Cutters
Bolt cutters are a must-have tool for any urban survival situation. They can be used to cut through locks, chains, and fences, to scavenge needed resources. They’re also good for cutting barbed wire, cables, and sheet metal, making them great for building improvised tools and shelters.
When you’re selecting bolt cutters, choose a sturdy and durable pair that can handle heavy use. Look for bolt cutters with high-quality cutting blades and a comfortable grip because the material you’ll be cutting is a bit thick and requires significant effort to cut. You might want to have a small set and a large set for different situations.
When you’re scavenging for food, the ability to cut through locks and barriers may be the difference between life and death. Bolt cutters make the shortlist of prepper tools for people working on their emergency preparedness.
A Good Multi-Tool
A good multi-tool serves multiple needs, making it incredibly useful in survival situations. The various blades and attachments can be used for cutting, sawing, opening cans, and much more.
In a survival scenario, multi-tools can be used to build shelter, start a fire, and even provide first aid. Their compact size makes them easy to carry wherever you go, whether in your bug-out bag or in your tool belt.
When selecting a multi-tool, think about its functionality, durability, and ease of use. Look for one that’s made from high-quality metal and has a variety of different tools and attachments. A good multi-tool can be a real lifesaver in an SHTF situation, making it an important tool for any prepper’s toolkit.
Bicycle Pump
If SHTF really does happen, you’re going to need a quiet source of pressurized air. While a bicycle pump isn’t great for car tires it can be used on small garden equipment and bicycles so you can transport chopped wood, scavenged food, and water.
A bicycle pump isn’t only for inflating tires. You may need to scavenge water from a vacated home. By adding a couple of fittings, you can use it to add a little pressure to irrigation systems and the water pipes of a home to help collect the water from these pipes. A little odd? Yes, but a bicycle pump belongs in your prepper tools.
Hosebib Key
A Hose Bib Key may seem like a small and insignificant tool, but if SHTF happens, you’ll be thankful this one is in your prepper tools.
This tool will let you tap water sources at commercial buildings that may be locked up. In a survival scenario, having access to clean water is a priority, and a hose bib key will let you draw water from outdoor spigots. They’re small, lightweight tools that are easy to carry and can be added to any prepper’s toolkit.
A Large Full-tang Knife (and sheath)
A large full tang knife can serve a variety of purposes, from chopping wood and preparing food to self-defense. The full tang design means the blade steel runs the full length of the handle, making it much more durable and reliable than other knives.
In a survival situation, a good fixed-blade knife can be used to build a temporary shelter or fashion other weapons. It can also be used to hunt and prepare game. Its size and strength make it a durable tool that can handle tough jobs in harsh environments.
Having a good knife in your prepper tools can give you the peace of mind that you’re prepared for any situation. It’s an investment in your survival, and its usefulness can’t be overstated. Invest in a high-quality full-tang knife that can withstand heavy use and abuse.
Axe, Hatchet, and Splitting Maul
Axes, hatchets, and splitting mauls might be the most useful prepper tools. You’ll need an axe to chop wood and fell large trees. The hatchet is perfect for smaller jobs like splitting kindling.
The splitting maul is designed for splitting logs into firewood, making it an essential tool for anyone looking to stay warm in a survival situation.
These three tools have a backup function in self-defense and can be used to fend off attackers or animals. Their versatility and reliability make them must-have items in any prepper’s toolkit.
Manual Grinding Wheel
A manual grinding wheel will be needed to sharpen blades on other prepper tools without relying on electricity. You might not have electricity in an SHTF scenario making non-power tools like this very valuable.
The grinding wheel can sharpen a wide range of blades, including knives, axes, and even scythe blades. It can be used to shape metal or sharpen gardening tools, making it a versatile addition to a prepper’s toolkit. Their small size makes them easy to store.
Manual Hand Drill (and spare drill bits)
A manual hand drill is a simple and reliable tool that can be used to drill holes in wood, plastic, and metal. A hand-powered drill can be used anywhere, without electricity.
Drill bits are easily lost or damaged, so having extras on hand is a good idea when you can’t drive to a hardware store and pick up a new set. It’s also a good idea to have a variety of drill bit sizes so you can drill whatever holes you need for a project.
It’s hard to say what you may need to build or repair after things go south so having the ability to drill a few holes will help considerably. A manual hand drill is a lightweight and portable tool that can be carried with you wherever you go, making it ideal for survival situations.
Pruning Saw
A pruning saw is used to trim trees, bushes, and other vegetation to keep it under control. In a survival situation that lasts more than a season, you’ll want this tool…
The saw’s long, curved blade allows for easy and precise cuts through thick branches and shrubs, making it a versatile tool for any prepper’s toolkit. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal in bug-out situations. A pruning saw gives preppers a tool to clear their path, gather firewood, or build shelter.
Wood Hand Saw
A wood hand saw is an essential tool for any prepper working on maintenance or projects in a survival situation. These saws are designed to cut wood quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for tasks like cutting branches, logs, and stock lumber. Whether you’re building a fire, constructing a shelter, building solar devices, or to fashion weapons or hunting tools a wood saw will make the job much easier.
In addition to its functionality, a wood hand saw is also a lightweight and portable tool that’s easy to carry in a bug-out situation. You don’t need any special skills to use one, making it a versatile tool for anyone in a survival situation.
Hack Saw (and spare blades)
A hack saw and spare blades can be essential tools for preppers.
In an SHTF situation, you might need to cut through metal or other tough materials, and a hack will make this task much easier. The blades can also be easily replaced. The blade life is more limited than a wood saw and they can’t be resharpened so you’re going to want to stock up on spare blades before the hardware store gets raided.
A hack saw can be used for a variety of other cutting tasks, from sawing through PVC pipe to cutting through branches or other small trees. They’re compact and lightweight, so they’re easy to carry in a survival kit or bug-out bag, which puts the hacksaw on your short list of survival tools.
Standard Mechanics Tool Set
A basic mechanics tool set is a cornerstone item when we’re talking prepper tools. A set typically includes a variety of hand tools like ratchets, wrenches, sockets, pliers, and screwdrivers. You’re going to need the ability to repair or maintain other tools, equipment, and your bug-out vehicle. It could be the difference between success and failure.
A mechanics tool set is useful for improvising and creating new tools or devices that may be necessary in a survival situation. For example, a Prepper may need to fashion a new device to help with shelter construction or to repair a vehicle or other equipment. With a mechanics tool set, you’ll have the necessary tools to create or build these items.
Overall, a basic mechanics tool set is one of the most important items for any Prepper. It allows you to repair and maintain your equipment and other tools. Once you’ve got the basic set and you know how to use it, then you can start expanding and adding other tools to it.
Wheel Barrow (and/or Garden Cart)
A Prepper needs a wheelbarrow or garden cart to transport heavy loads, like firewood or supplies, over uneven terrain. If you’re out scavenging water, at 8 lbs/gallon, it’ll get real heavy real fast dragging back to the house without an easier way to haul it.
In an emergency situation, you may not have a vehicle or fuel. A manual means of transport will be your backup. A sturdy wheelbarrow or garden cart can be used to move debris or soil when clearing land for gardening or building. Additionally, they can help you move tools and materials to the work area. A durable, reliable wheelbarrow or garden cart is important to every prepper when it comes to conserving energy and limiting back injuries.