If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t rely on outside resources to keep you and your family fed and supplied with potable water and other essentials for everyday survival, you will have to make up the difference. If you’re fortunate enough to have a homestead or make your way to safe open spaces you’ll also need to have some gear and equipment that can help ensure your continuing survival.
The products on these pages can help you protect your interests, tackle a variety of daily tasks, keep your gadgets going, put food and water on the table and maybe even rest a little easier at the end of the day.
KRUDO Knives FEROCE Folder
While this is an attractive knife, KRUDO Knives founder Louis Krudo did not sacrifice functionality or performance of this new blade. The curved handle is embellished with carbon fiber and copper and is comfortable in the hand.
The FEROCE’s 3.5-inch 9Cr18MoV blade has multiple unconventional grinds and opens smoothly and cleanly on ceramic ball bearing washers. With an overall length of 8.25 inches and weighing in at a solid 6.6 ounces, the FEROCE wills stand up to all the typical tasks you ask from a folder. Between the flipper and the hybrid frame lock, one-handed operation is a breeze.
MSRP: $165
KrudoKnives.com
Flagrant Beard Templar Tomahawk
Chop limbs, open crates, pop locks and do so much more with the Flagrant Templar. Whether you need to breach a barricaded entrance or are out in the wild and need to build a camp, this tomahawk will fit the bill. The full metal tang is balanced toward the 6.5-inch head, and the handle on this 12.75-inch tool provides a comfortable and confident grip you won’t want to release.
Extravagant jimping allows you to swing away or choke up for fine work without worrying about losing your grip. The 1095HC steel is .25-inch thick and has a black finish. The canvas Micarta handle comes in black or tan. Includes a black Kydex belt/MOLLE sheath. The Flagrant Templar is a collaboration piece with Exit Edgeworks
MSRP: Starting at $379.99
FlagrantBeard.com
Hi-Point 1095TS Edge 10mm Rifle
Hi-Point Firearms has a reputation for producing very affordable and reliable weapons. The 10mm Edge Carbine is another entry in this popular category. A brand-new Edge costs less than most competitors’ carbines cost used. Independent testing has shown the Edge to be accurate and reliable, making it more attractive than the price would suggest.
The 10mm round launched from this platform can produce in excess of 900 ft.-lbs. of energy. The Hi-Point Edge offers a powerful, reliable weapon system that almost anyone can afford. This version sports a Realtree hydro-dipped polymer stock and weighs 7 pounds.
MSRP: $439
Hi-PointFirearms.com
TOPS Nata Fixed Blade Knife
Many useful tools have come from the Japanese over the years. The Nata (hatchet) is one that hasn’t received as much attention as some others, but it is an excellent tool nonetheless. TOPS’ Leo Espinoza took this very old gardening tool and changed the handle and grind to fit TOPS’/his style.
This 11.63-inch overall knife has a full tang to support the 6.13-inch long, quarter-inch thick 1095 steel blade. The burlap Micarta handles provide excellent control of this 21-ounce tool and it stows in a nice leather belt sheath when not in use. Whether you need something to clear brush or handle campsite tasks, the Nata is ready for the challenge.
MSRP: $230
TOPSKnives.com
Foraging for Survival
Mykel Hawke is a well-known survival instructor and former U.S. Army Green Beret and Douglas Boudreau is a foraging instructor based in Florida. They teamed up on this book to provide comprehensive information on wild edibles from all over the United States.
You’ll find details about how to avoid poisonous plants as well as identifying grubs and other insects that can be safely consumed. They even go as far as to give tips on cultivating wild plants in your own backyard in order to provide an ongoing supply of food. At 6×9 inches, this 272-page reference can be kept in your pack in case you encounter trouble on the trail.
MSRP: $17.99
SkyhorsePublishing.com
Mykel Hawke’s Family Survival Guide
Written by legendary survival gurus Mykel Hawke and Ruth England Hawke, Family Survival Guide provides vital information you and your family need to get through almost any disaster.
The topics covered are wide-ranging and the information is easy to follow. Here, you will learn how to find and purify water, construct shelters, pack a bug-out bag, build a fire and many more core survival skills.
No matter what type of emergency you’re concerned about, this book provides expert advice and useful tips for the modern prepper. This 336-page paperback measures 6×9 inches and includes 25 color photos.
MSRP: $19.99
SkyHorsePublishing.com
The Edgemaster’s Handbook
Len McDougall has been working with knives and other edged tools for decades and he poured all he knows into this master knife treatise. The Edgemaster’s Handbook covers everything from choosing a knife to maintaining it and so much more. He goes into great detail on blade shapes and grinds and explains the pros, cons and common uses for each of them.
It is also nice to see a knife reference book talk at length about sheaths, something often overlooked. Almost one-third of the book consists of a series of very helpful in-depth reviews of a wide range of knives. Whether you’re looking for your first knife or about to expand your collection, don’t make your purchase before reading this book.
MSRP: $19.99
SkyhorsePublishing.com
101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods
Kevin Estela is a well-known survival instructor and ASG contributor. His first book is geared toward teaching survival skills from a standpoint of being proactive rather than reactive. If you find yourself in a position where you have to live by your wits and the things you can find around you, be sure you have this book in your pack.
In 208 pages, Estela covers shelter-building, firemaking, knife use, fashioning cordage and much more. Benefit from his decades of practical experience with this reference work that will be beneficial for the newbie as well as the experienced woodsman.
MSRP: $21.99
PageStreetPublishing.com
ACW MacGuyver Emergency Kit
When you look at the extensive list of contents for the MacGuyver Kit, it almost seems like someone took the average junk drawer from a prepper’s kitchen and dumped it into a pack. In reality, that’s the beauty of the kit. It has such an amazing array of items that you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.
It has some of the usual survival kit gear, such as fire starters, first aid, and a small fishing kit but it also has many other useful items, such as a hardware kit with assorted screws and nails, a glue stick, a file, electrical tape, and copper wire. All of it is smartly organized and stored in a high-quality pack.
MSRP: $189.99
ACWTactical.com
Solar4POWER 120 Portable Solar Generator System
This solar power system is self-contained and sets up in minutes to provide you with the electricity you need to keep essential devices going when your main power supply is out.Built into a lockable durable carry case, this unit is equipped with a rechargeable battery and provides power and charges at the same time.
Without the noise, fumes or need for fuel you have to endure with a generator, you can charge your phones and laptop and run lighting, radios and other small devices you need in emergencies.
The system includes foldable solar panels and panel connectors, a battery charge indicator, USB adapter and more. The main case is 22x14x9 inches and weighs 29 pounds, and the panel case is 28.4×20.1×3.2 inches and weighs 28.7 pounds.
MSRP: $1,995
Custom-Mfg-Eng.com
Real Avid AR-15 Armorer’s Master Kit
This is a complete solution for building, modifying, customizing and maintaining your AR-15. The professional-grade tools are assembled in a durable carrying case that makes it easy to carry and organize them.
The Armorer’s Master Wrench allows application of enough force to remove stubborn nuts and the appropriate torque required during reassembly. The AR-15 Pivot Pin Tool makes it easy to align and install the pin and the Easy Grip Handguard Removal Tool makes quick and comfortable work of this part of your maintenance routine. The kit comes complete with a host of additional tools to make bench time less of a hassle.
MSRP: $249.99
RealAvid.com
Leatherman FREE P4
Makers of the original folding multitools with pliers, Leatherman continues to uphold its reputation for being the premier manufacturer of multitools. The brand-new FREE P4 represents the beginning of a new era of innovation for Leatherman.
Part of the new FREE line of tools, the P4 utilizes Leatherman’s new magnetic locking architecture, ensuring easier opening and closing without sacrificing safety. Wear and tear on the tools is also reduced adding even more years to the life of the tool.
Freeing your off-hand, all tools are accessible one-handed and while the tool is closed. All 21 tools lock for added security and safety. Closed length of this 420HC stainless tool is 4.25 inches and it weighs 8.6 ounces. The main blade length is 2.75 inches.
MSRP: $139.95
Leatherman.com
Pets Imperial Savoy Single Large Chicken Coop
This coop can comfortably house 5 to 6 birds, depending on their breed, making it perfect for anyone from the suburban prepper looking to supplement their food stocks to the homesteader who depends on their birds for sustenance. The Savoy measures 45x39x37 inches with a 54x34x33-inch run.
It is a safe and user-friendly shelter for chickens where they will be protected from predators, temperature extremes and inclement weather. Its ergonomic design makes it simple to clean and maintain and it is built with high-quality materials ensuring it will last for years.
The roof opens, giving you access to all parts of the coop so you can combat red mites and other parasites, helping you maintain a high level of hygiene for your birds.
MSRP: $299.99
ChickenCoopProducts.com
Streamlight Siege X Lantern
The Siege X is a combination lantern and flashlight. As a lantern, it will illuminate a wide area with up to 325 lumens. Turn it on its side and activate the flashlight at the top for a directional beam of 300 lumens. It also has red light functions for the lantern to save your night vision, and you can select from steady-on and SOS-flash modes.
It uses a USB-rechargeable 18650 battery or it will accept two CR123A batteries. Ever versatile, this 4.5-inch tall lantern can sit on a flat surface or hang upright or upside down, depending on your lighting needs.
MSRP: $75
Streamlight.com
MSR AutoFlow XL 10L Gravity Filter
This hard-working filter provides a clean water supply for larger groups quickly and efficiently. Ultralight and packable, it offers the convenience of pump-free filtration. The new three-dimensional 10-liter reservoir lets you store and filter water as needed, using gravity to filter up to 1.75 liters per minute.
This allows you to address other tasks while the water is being filtered. It rolls up tightly when you’re on the move, saving space in your pack. Its hollow-fiber filter meets NSF protocol P231 for removal of bacteria and protozoa throughout the filter’s life.
A pre-filter, sediment trap and universal wide-mouth bottle adapter are included. The filter fiber has a pore size of 0.2 micron, is effective against protozoa, bacteria and particulate impurities and has a useful life of about 1,500 liters.
MSRP: $99.95
MSRGear.com
Palram Snap and Grow Hobby Greenhouse
Having a greenhouse is a must for any serious homesteader looking to extend the growing season for nutritious fruits, vegetables and herbs. This easily assembled greenhouse allows you to start early and continue to grow past the end of the season in the fall.
It also provides the benefit of hardening your plants from day one, reducing the risk of losing plants after transplanting or relocation to an outdoor environment. It has a footprint of 8 by 12 feet and its aluminum frame, clear polycarbonate panels and SmartLock connectors make construction quick. Doors and roof vents are included.
MSRP: $1,354
Palram.com
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the November, 2019 print issue of American Survival Guide.