If you were stranded in the wilderness and could only have one tool, what would you choose, and why?
The Chinese Military Shovel, the Swiss Army knife of shovels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b60OZhrTB6o
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M$15 Answers
i own the Woodman's Pal Model 481 Classic
16 ½ “overall length
6” ash hardwood handle that’s made to fit the user’s hand snugly
1/8” thick x 10 1/2“ high carbon steel blade hardened to Rockwell C47 giving it strength for cutting, keeping its edge and also flexibility in cold weather.
a must gave for any outdoorsman.
there is also the Woodman’s Pal Long Reach
Lighter weight tool provides for the added control and blade speed needed for slashing through leafy, springy vegetation.
22” overall length
11” Ash hardwood handle. Provides increased leverage to maintain the traditional chopping power of heavier models
1/16” thickness x 11” long high carbon steel blade hardened to Rockwell C47 giving it strength for cutting, keeping its edge and also flexibility in cold weather.
Provides the furthest reach of any Woodman’s Pal ® tool and is used for jobs where workers can remain at a distance from the actual cutting actions. The unique sickle hook slices through stubborn vines and briars and removes unwanted sprout growth at ground level.
Weight: 15 oz
http://www.woodmanspal.com/
http://www.woodmanspal.com/sc_images/file/field-and-stream.pdf
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M$
Reasons:
1. To boil water to make it drinkable
2. Cooking fish, wild game, plants, etc
3. Provide heat
4. Quickly make brush fire, creating smoke to be seen above from rescue parties
5. Keep animals away
A single butane lighter has the capacity of lighting at minimun 1000 fires, or a fire a day for almost 3 years(1000/365=2.7 years)
Other weapons can be made from what is around you if need be, but if all you have is a knife, how are you going to start fire? In the winter, rain, cold, etc......a fire is an absolute survival necessity.
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M$
If such a "tool" doesn't qualify, then I would have to say a mechanism for water capture or water purification.
And if that water purification tool happened to have a sharp edge for crafting a spear out of a piece of wood, all the better!
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M$
So what I'm thinking about as I try to decide what tool I'd want are the ten essentials of backcountry gear, which are really more like ten categories than ten items. Categories include insulation (warmth), illumination, hydration, nutrition, navigation, first aid, fire-starting, shelter and sun protection. I can rule out navigation for myself, not only because the question implies I'm stuck and not lost but also because I've learned enough "alternative navigation" techniques to get by without gadgets (although they're handy and make things easier ... if they are functioning and one knows how to use them properly). I'll also rule out sun protection, first aid, and illumination, since I can make due on my own for a while in those areas, and they're not absolutely necessary in the short-term for survival. Shelter I can make ... although I'm considering a large knife to help me cut branches for this purpose. Nutrition is one of those things that we can do without for something like three weeks, and there's the possibility of foraging in some areas, so I would forego that as well.
The two basic things we need to survive in the short-term are hydration (water) and insulation (heat). As long as there was a water source, I would forego a purification product and, if necessary, deal with the consequences later, given that I can only choose one item here. If there's no water source and none to be gotten from plants or the ground, then no purification item is going to matter, anyway.
So, in my mind, knowing my skills and weaknesses (and not knowing the specific area where I'm supposed to be stranded), I'm down to a cutting implement to help build shelter and possibly cut open certain plants (castus) for water OR a fire-starter for warmth, illumination, and for signaling for help. (The fire could also be used to boil water for purification, but I would have to find some kind of container in which to boil it, so that might not be possible in this case.) I think I would have a better chance of finding something to help me cut or chop--a rock which could perhaps be chipped and sharpened--than I would starting a fire from scratch, so I'm going with the fire-starter as my single tool of choice.
Re: Ten Essentials for Backcounty Travel -- http://www.squidoo.com/ten-essentials
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M$
That beats the Sonic Screwdriver idea. At least your fire starter is real. Just another reason why I stay home.
Hm, the Sonic Screwdriver--that's one thing I don't have in my backpack, actually. I guess it should be changed to the eleven essentials. :-)
they come with a built in compass, fish line & a place to store wooden matches in the handle, it is a good size & would be sufficient as a tool for cutting through brush, sharpening wood to create a spear for fishing, puncturing a hole in a plant to access water as well as a good hunting tool & a great weapon if you come across danger, the only thing is no matter how good the tool, if you can't figure out how to use it, you will not survive anyways....
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M$
These are the functions of my 4.5 inch (or 11.5 cm) multi-tool:
Tools:
420HC Clip Point Knife with Straight Edge
420HC Sheepsfoot Serrated Knife
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
154CM Removable Wire Cutters
154CM Removable Hard-wire Cutters
Stranded-wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Electrical Crimper
5/16" Screwdriver
7/32" Screwdriver
1/8" Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Wood/Metal File
Saw
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
9 in | 22 cm Ruler
Awl with Thread Loop
You can get this from Amazon at $52.65.
http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-831102-Tool-300-Multitool-Premium/dp/B002KKB0AW
For more infor, go to:
http://www.leatherman.com/product/Super_Tool_300
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M$
I keep my super tool in my car glove compartment but I have yet to try it in the wilderness.
That's one cool tool!
My husband has one of these that he keeps in our survival kit in the car, and it would have been my choice as well! We've used it while camping to cut wood, open beer and wine (hah! essentials for survival!), cut twine, and even pound tent stakes. He's used it to clean fish, and could use it I'm guessing to dress a kill as well. He even got all smarty pants on me once and started a fire with it and some straw and twine and flint.
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M$
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M$
• Water – do you know how to minimize your body’s water loss, purify water or make a solar still?
• Shelter – you’ll need protection from the elements – like the wind, rain and sun
• Food – do you know what plants and berries to avoid or what nuts and fungi you can eat? Can you make a deadfall trap or a snare?
• Fire – do you know how to start a fire without matches or a lighter? Do you know how to light a fire with a magnifying glass, a car battery or a bow and drill (sticks)?
• First Aid – do you know how to use a tourniquet or fix a dislocation?
It’s truly what you know that will help keep you alive. My vote is for brainpower!
Some of my favorite survival information sources:
The SAS Survival Handbook – Peter Darman
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel – Joshua Piven & David Borgenicht
Survival Aids – Military survival and combat equipment: http://www.survivalaids.com/
Death Valley, CA - Photo: http://www.examiner.com/rving-in-national/Death-Valley-National-Park-Califo...
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M$
Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Survival Knife w/ Sheath 16 inch
"Be prepared for all emergencies with this survival knife. This is a beautiful knife. The stainless steel blade is razor sharp and has serrations on the top for wood and rope cutting. The all metal handle is constructed with rubber spacers providing for a sure grip. The end of the aluminum handle unscrews to reveal a handy storage compartment for all the survival necessities. Features Include: Measures 16 in. overall 9 inch blade 5.375 inch handle/finger guard. Sharpening stone attached to sheath. Comes with custom heavy duty nylon sheath that has a hard polymer plastic insert Heavy knife - 1.57 pounds Handle unscrews to reveal a survival kit with matches, fishing line and hook, needle and thread and a compass "
Talk about being prepared....(does it matter that I was a boy scout and went through military survival?)
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M$
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M$
It's indestructible--punched from a sheet of metal--and one way or another, it could probably replace half of the tools in my toolbox:
"11-Tools-in-1 Credit Card Sized Stainless Steel Survival Tool
Product Information:
* An inexpensive, pocket-sized insurance policy
* Mini serrated saw edge for cutting small tree branches or twigs
* A tiny multi-tasker that can really come in handy
* Clever, functional, credit card sized survival tool
* Genuine stainless steel construction
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
My husband and i lived in the woods from may til end of august cause we lost our home. But how did we survive. Well thing is you have to ask yourself what is important to survive and will you make it and what to do and plan it well. Being prepare for any situation is important even when stranded somewhere. Well our basic was knife - any kind of knife that will cut and do it job, water, food - in the woods there is plenty of wild foods to live off of, having some kind of warmeth to keep you warm for the chilly nites. Back in the scouts days we were taught how to make a fire not with a lighter or anything to help start fire. Just use sticks and rubbing them and making a fire. There is alot can be done on survial but it the question can you survive in the woods or in the cold , somewhere you have no clue where you are and need help.
My husband and i had learn alot living in the wilderness and was a experience we will never forget. If you have no survial experience and don't prepare yourself for situation that could happen then don't go somewhere you don't know well. Unlike some people they stay home or stay in the areas they know well.
I say be prepare and wouldn't hurt to learn some survial tips and be prepare.
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M$
Great tool