Your survival "tool kit"?

[blade_68]

One of my go to is Ontario short bolo machete I've been using and carrying around for over 20 years all over the world and a Coldsteel SRK. I have a bow saw and ax or hatchet both jeeps. I carry quality lock blade, stockman pocket knife and a leatherman or SOG one.

[NWPilgrim]

I didn't mention it since it seemed like he was sticking to two tools, but the third tool would be a Leatherman Wave as well. Should always have a MT with you!

And my fourth tool would be my fixed blade self defense knife...just because it's small, light, and wouldn't cost me anything to pack with me. Plus I like the idea of having something readily accessible for defense...although I still need to get that HPG Kit Bag...

That is pretty much my standard tool set as well:
- Buck Vanguard 4", thinking of upgrading this year to a Bark River Bravo, though the Vanguard has served well (originally $35)

- folding pruning saw: mainly for cutting limbs or small trees for firewood or cutting samplings to make a shelter. These come in a variety of sizes and I have a small 4" saw and larger 8" saw.

- Wave multitool (which also has a small saw)

I may carry other specialty tools at various times, but these three would be my most used and never-leave-home-without-them set.

[Razorhunter]

Look hard at Tramontina and Imacasa before the Condor at Machete Specialists. I have a 14" Tramontina, which fits nicely in a regular joe backpack. If I bought another 14" it would be the bolo style for a little more forward weight when chopping. I have a condor also, but don't think it's any better than a Tramontina. The Ontario is shit, even if you think it's cool or that you want the saw back model. Buy one from South America, where they actually use them for daily life. The only bad thing about these might be the handles, which can be removed or reshaped fairly easily.

Plato, I'm interested in what makes you say the Ontario 18" machete w/sawtooth spine is "shit"??? Just wondering what your reasoning is? My main gripe with most machetes, is they are either too long (over 18" sucks IMO), or they are way too flemsy. Handle scales usually suck on most machetes as well, but that's easily fixed most of the time.
What I like with the 18" Ontario, is its rigidity, while still maintaining a thin enough blade. Interested in your thoughts please....

[fyrediver]

My cutting tool inventory is an Estwing Camper's Axe and a 21 inch Sven folding saw. Of course I've got a moderate fixed blade knife and a Leatherman Wave as well, but for larger cutting jobs like clearing a road of a downed tree (like last week!) the larger tools just do a better, more efficient job.

I've also got a Tomahawk and a Gerber folding saw if I have to go even lighter, but the larger ax and saw is my preference.

I'd prefer an 18 inch buck saw with metal and wood blades but haven't made one yet. Some day perhaps.

[RioGrandeGreen]

Good quality Bolt cutters.

Chain link fence and most padlocks are defeated.

[Armati]

In a survival situation, you need to think long and hard about any energy expenditure/risk you may take. Think what you may realistically have to cut.

Here is a solution to the problem:

Knives - If you look at history, it is quite common to carry three knives - a small utility knife (Swiss Army, Multi-tool, patch knife), a medium work knife, a large fighting/utility knife.

A machete or hatchet would be worth putting in your kit. Mountain men swore by the hatchet. Many cultures swear by the machete. The Woodsman's Pal would also be a good bet.

For real wood cutting, a bow saw is almost mandatory. The bow saw is very light weight, and arguably more effective an useful than an axe. Blades are light weight and you can keep different blades to handle modern materials.

Consider a set of bolt cutters to manage other modern materials like locks, chains, barbed wire, fences, and rebar.

[themighty9mm]

My current tool kit looks like this.
esee izula, esee 4, cold steel frontier hawk, bahco folding saw, leatherman (I think its the wave)

I also have but will never use again a becker bk-2 and I found it to be garbage for use as anything other than a wedge with a handle. And I simply don't have to many uses for a wedge in the woods. And it has never seen even from the factory a good hair shaving edge. I think it is just to thick to be a good knife. And a becker/esee necker knife. Was warped from the factory and did not inspire confidence. Other than that a good knife. I have also used the gerber lmf 2. It was an ok knife, but couldn't make use other the serrations, had not real need for a glass breaker, and found the sheath to be far more of a pain that it was worth (was made to be capable of jumping) from a plane, and the knife was very heavy in the grip (due to the glass breaker pommel)

[just a scout]

My personal opinion is that, if you're carrying two cutting tools (which I recommend), then a good "double-toothed" (not sure if that's what you call it) saw is the absolute way to go if you plan to cut down any significant amount of limbs, trees, ect. It will do the job faster with less output by you. It is also typically lighter and more compact than a hatchet or machete.

I think ripsaw is the term you're looking for.

[LMT Shooter]

I've used the Ontario machete & thought it was barely adequate. I have 2 older Cold Steel kukris, a 12" & a 15", and they both kick ass as a medium/heavy chopper. They have been discontinued in the US made Carbon V alloy version but are still avaliable as imports in other steels, but I have 0 experience with the newer ones. The sheaths leave something to be desired but have held up well for years, they just don't look & feel too trustworthy to me.

Cold Steel SRK's in Carbon V have been excellent for me, also.

Gerber Multiplier's, I have several & have few complaints. The wire cutters on some models are less than perfect, but my expectations of a multitool are that they will do a job, but not as well as a dedicated tool, and the Gerber's have done that for the most part.

Gerber folding saws (don't remember the model I have/have had 3 of them) cut well when new but do not hold up to prolonged use. The blade to handle junction is the weak point on them, with the newer imported ones being inferior to older US made ones. My newer one(s) have thinner blades more prone to bending & have proven even weaker at the blade to handle junction. I've been wanting to upgrade to a Silky folding saw.

[hatidua]

I also have but will never use again a becker bk-2 and I found it to be garbage for use as anything other than a wedge with a handle.

Sounds about as useful as my ESEE 5.