By Ken Jorgustin
Having basic groups of hand tools and the skills to use them is an asset to overall survival preparedness. Fewer people today know basic trades and fewer have the ability to use and apply basic tools than they did years ago as the United States has moved away from a manufacturing sector (and the jobs and skills to go with it).
In a SHTF world, those who have the tools, the skills and the ingenuity to perform the basic tasks of building, repairing, modifying and adapting to circumstances which require more ‘do-it-yourself’, those people will be better off…
Having said that, there are several general categories of hand tools which one might consider having. Consider life with little or no electricity, and the tools you might need.
While many of us may already have these things, it is good to review your tool chest from time to time.
Hammer
Hammers come in a variety of head weights and shapes for different tasks. Varieties include the curved-claw, straight-claw, sledge, mallet, tack, ball-peen, and bricklayer’s.
Saw
Saws have teeth (points) in generally two styles: crosscut (for cutting across the grain) and rip (for cutting with the grain). Other saws include the backsaw (often used with a miter box), coping saw (used in fine woodworking), compass and keyhole saws (tapered blades allow to cut curves or to start plunge cuts), and hacksaws (used to cut metal). I would consider a variety of other cutting tools like knives and utility knives (razor knife) in this category, for cutting, trimming, and countless other tasks.
Drill
Drills, unlike electric or battery powered drills, hand-powered drills are completely portable, slim enough to fit awkward spaces, and they allow you to control the speed of cutting (although a hand drill will take a-lot longer in many instances). Three types of hand drills include the push drill (small and can be operated with one hand), eggbeater drills (named from their drive mechanism – gear and pinion), and the bit brace drill (used to bore large-diameter holes and to drive or remove screws).
Screwdriver
Screwdrivers and an assortment thereof including the many various tips, and lengths. Common varieties include tips for flat blade-slotted, phillips, square, star, hex, etc.. each with various handles and tip widths. Uniquely shaped screwdrivers such as angled screwdrivers can save the day too.
Wrench
Wrenches for nuts and bolts, tightening and gripping, fixed sizes and adjustable, open ended, socket, etc.. Various trades require some of their own unique wrenches. Wrench varieties include fixed wrenches (double open-end), combination wrenches (open and box end), offset wrenches (angle built into shaft), hex wrenches (for hex drive screw-heads), strap wrenches (wraps securely around irregular shapes), adjustable wrenches (jaws open and close by turning a thumbscrew), pipe wrenches (for metal pipe and tubing), and ratchet wrenches (adjustable socket).
Pliers
Pliers are close to wrenches. Some pliers grip, some cut, some do both. They include long-nose (delicate tasks, forming wire loops), bent-nose (for awkward spaces), lineman’s (gripping with a cutter near the pivot), adjustable (typical slip-joint or channel-lock), diagonal-cutting (snip small metal parts and wire), and locking pliers (a substitute for clamps).
Vise
Vises consist of two flat jaws that adjust together for clamping and holding. Every workbench needs at least one. There are all sorts of sizes (delicate jobs versus heavy duty).
Clamp
Clamps are indispensable accessories to almost any woodworking project from simple furniture repair to complex fitting and joinery. Clamps come in a variety of sizes and styles. Buy clamps in pairs or sets of three. Use them to hold work while glue sets, to secure wood or metal in position while working on it, and for temporary assemblies. Many, many uses.
Chisel
Chisels are precision tools with a razor-sharp cutting edge. It’s use requires careful attention and some delicacy. Some are designed for specific wood-working tasks, others are for cutting metal or stone.
Plane
Planes are used primarily to trim and smooth wood, to straighten irregular edges, and to bevel and round them.
File and Rasp
Files and Rasps are used in metalworking and woodworking to trim and smooth, as well as to shape and sharpen. File types include single cut (for smoothing metals), and double cut (rapidly removes material from metals). Rasps are a file with quick-cutting individually shaped teeth and can be used with wood, some metals, and plastic.
Staple Gun
Staple guns are handy tools that make quick work of tacking jobs (such as fastening screening or fabric). Having a staple gun and a variety of staples will make your life easier in many circumstances.
Sharpening
Sharpening involves three steps: grinding, honing, and burr removal. Grinding turns metal into a bevel-edged tool. Honing or whetting, is the main task of sharpening. Hone edges on an abrasive stone with a few drops of non-food oil over the stone.
Measuring
Measuring and marking is the most important aspect of any project. Measure twice and cut once. Measuring tools include the retractable steel tape measure, folding rule, pocket caliper (measures inside and outside diameters), scratch awl (sribes lines, marks centers), chalk line (for long straight lines), combination square (45 and 90 degree angles), square (90 degree angles), protractor square (all angles), plumb bobs (uses gravity to find a second point exactly beneath the first one), and levels.
Multitool
Multitools come in an amazing array of sizes, shapes, and functionality. In many instances, all you need is one of these and you won’t need to lug your tool chest. Carry one on your belt and you’re assured of being able to deal with many common repairs and other practical uses.
Leave a comment and add your own thoughts about hand tools for survival…
More at Modern Survival Blog: 15 Hand Tool Groups For Preparedness
Filed under: Emergency Survival Tips, How To Prepare, Prepping 
