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Most people who build a survival kit follow a familiar and typical checklist: knife, water filter, first aid kit, flashlight, shelter. And they should. But once those bases are covered, the average kit starts to fall short. Not because it’s missing gear, but because it’s missing situationally useful gear—stuff that actually makes your life easier when things don’t go as planned.
This episode isn’t about the obvious gear. It’s about the tools most people overlook. The tools that make the difference between just getting by and actually being able to function when everything goes sideways and you’re dealing with curveballs.
These aren’t “tactical” toys. They’re practical solutions that often go unnoticed.
Let’s dig in.
TL;DR: The top overlooked survival tools include a pry bar, silcock key, folding saw, multi-tool with bit driver, paracord, shutoff tool, and headlamp.
Quick Look at What You’ll Learn
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1. Pry Bar
Let’s start with one of the most underrated tools in any survival setup: a good pry bar.
It gets overlooked and bypassed. It doesn’t fold, flick, or multitask. But if you’ve ever had to force open a stuck door, lift debris, or wedge something loose, you know how valuable it is. It doesn’t have to be big or super heavy.
This isn’t just for urban survival. Whether you’re digging out a jammed vehicle or trying to get into or out of a structure, leverage matters. A simple “super bar,” small wrecking bar, or nail puller can move things that your hands and knives can’t.
If you’ve only got space for one, go with something in the 12 to 18-inch range. Long enough to give you power. Short enough to stash in an emergency kit. If you’re adding it to a pack, look at something like a nail puller that is smaller and lighter.
2. Silcock Key
This one flies completely under most people’s radar—unless you’ve done time in commercial maintenance or urban prepping circles.
A silcock key lets you open water spigots on the sides of buildings—churches, schools, rest areas, parks, gas stations, and elsewhere. Many of these taps lack handles to prevent people from stealing water. But if you’ve got a little four-way tool—a slilcock key, you can access that water in seconds.
It’s cheap. It’s small. And it opens up possibilities for your PACE plan to help you stay hydrated.
If you’re moving through towns or cities during a crisis, this belongs in your kit.
3. Multi-Tool (with Bit Driver)
Yes, lots of people carry multi-tools. But not all multi-tools are created equal. The key feature to look for here? A bit driver.
Being able to swap screwdriver bits turns your multi-tool into a mobile repair center. Tighten loose gear. Adjust optics. Open battery compartments. Remove panels, etc. It expands what you can fix, build, or break down in the field.
Pair it with a small sleeve of bits—Phillips, flat, Torx, hex—and you’ll be able to handle many minor mechanical issues that you wouldn’t have been able to before—and all without dragging around a heavy and cumbersome toolbox.
4. Folding Saw
A folding saw might not be as cool as a hatchet, but it’ll outperform one in a lot of real-world tasks.
It’s safer. It’s quieter. It doesn’t take much effort. And it’s one of the best ways to process wood for fire, shelter, and other needs without wasting time or energy.
In my opinion, Silky saws are the gold standard, but even the budget options will get the job done if the blade is sharp and the lock is solid. My “Ranger” Swiss Army Knife has a great saw.
5. Bankline
Cordage is often discussed, but people still underestimate its numerous uses in a survival setting.
Need to hang a tarp? Rig a sling? Lash gear? Build a snare? Replace shoelaces? Fix a pack strap? Most people will think about Paracord, or even the more expensive SurvivorCord. However, there’s a less costly, more compact option—bankline.
Besides, it’s lower than paracord cost, bankline is also tarred for enhanced durability and weather resistance, making it ideal for harsh outdoor conditions and marine applications.
Keep a 50-foot hank of #36 bankline in your kit. It’s compact, lightweight, and strong enough for most tasks without the bulk of thicker cordage like paracord.
6. Emergency Gas Shutoff Tool
This one gets almost zero attention—and it should be standard.
Natural gas. Propane. Municipal water. If there’s a break, leak, or rupture, you need to shut it down fast. A multi-purpose shutoff tool lets you do exactly that.
After a quake, storm, or break-in, you may have seconds to kill utilities before things get worse. This tool should either hang by the meter or be stored in your go-bag, giving you that option.
It also works both ways—if you need to turn something on to help someone out.
Prepping Tip: Do you know where your gas main is and how to shut it off?
7. Headlamp (with Red Light Mode)
You already know why light matters. But here’s the thing—flashlights take up a hand. And in a crisis, both hands are often busy.
A headlamp solves that problem. You can cook, work, read, navigate, or provide medical help without juggling a flashlight under your arm.
Look for one with a red light mode. Ideally, one that defaults to red light mode when turned on. That’ll preserve your night vision and draw less attention if you’re trying to stay unnoticed.
This is one of those tools you’ll wish you had earlier—especially when the power goes out and you realize how limiting the dark really is.
The Bottom Line
Prepping isn’t just about having the big, flashy, go-to gear and supplies. It’s about having the stuff that actually helps when you’re tired, short on time, and the situation’s moved beyond what your standard prepper’s loadout can handle.
These seven tools aren’t flashy. But they’re important. They can quickly become the difference between solving a problem and being stuck with it.
And the best part? Most of them cost less than dinner.
Check your kit. See what’s missing. And maybe, finally, stop packing three knives and no way to shut off your gas.
Be smart. Stay ready.
Additional Resources
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