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No one wants to be caught unprepared… especially in a survival situation. Ideally, you’d have your bug-out bag with you when the unexpected happens.
In reality, you don’t want to keep lugging around your emergency go-bag with you wherever you go just in case. Also, there are just some places you don’t want to go armed to the teeth with survival gear.
So, what do you do? The simplest answer would be to carry some survival gear right in your pocket. Undoubtedly, a fully equipped kit would be preferable.
But in an emergency survival situation, having a few pocket survival tools will definitely come in handy. Below are our top 3 choices for survival gear that will fit inside your pocket or an Altoid tin.
Our Top 3 Pocket Survival Tools
#1: CRKT RSK MK5
- Stonewashed blade finish
- Survival preparedness tin
- Glass reinforced nylon sheath
We all know that any knife is better than no knife. If you can’t carry your regular one around with you, why not get one that would fit really well in your pocket?
The CRKT MK5 Survival Knife is light (0.9 ounces) and compact (3.81 inches overall). Best of all, it’s a drop point, straight edge, fixed blade knife made of 3Cr13 high carbon steel!
If you’ve read any of my other posts about survival knives, you’d know that these are features that I would prefer my survival knife to have because they ensure that the knife is sharp, reliable, durable, and versatile.
Now, don’t get me wrong. This little baby SHOULDN’T be considered as your primary survival knife because let’s face it – you won’t be able to really baton or chop wood with it. But, in a pinch, this knife will serve you well enough.
It’s actually the reason why it was designed – to provide you with a “last resort tool” that can enable you to perform cutting tasks (such as creating fuzz sticks & shelter) that need to be done so that you can stay alive and kicking.
As an added bonus, the CRKT MK5 survival knife comes with a custom-fitted Zytel® sheath as well as a mint-size carrying tin. No need to look for an Altoid tin of your own, yeah? You also get some suggestions on what other survival gear you can put in the tin to create your own pocket survival kit.
#2: Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter
- Trustworthy No Matter the Forecast: Our...
- All-in-One Survival Tool: Beyond its primary...
- Built to Stand the Test of Time: With materials...
You’ve got your knife. What’s next? In a survival situation, you will need to build some fire whether for warmth or food. The best way to do that is ferro rods. They are more dependable than other fire-starters like waterproof matches. Why take the chance?
Ferro rods are one of my favorite pocket survival tools, I can’t get enough of them. When it comes to starting a fire, I never want a fair fight. Lighting a fire should be as fast and as easy as possible!
The Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter comes with two ferro rods and strikers; redundancy is key in preparedness. As an added bonus you will also get a built-in compass, a heavy-duty paracord, and an emergency whistle.
#3: Tampons
- Protection for Bodies in Motion
- Neutralizes Undesirable Odors Without Affecting...
- Contoured applicator for comfortable, precise...
OK, this might seem weird to the average Joe. But… tampons are a great addition to your kit because they are one of the most versatile pocket survival tools.
They can be used as tinder, bandages, and cordage (the tampon string is made up of several strings that are 4-6 inches long). Tampons also can be used as crude water filters.
In short, tampons aren’t just a woman’s best friend. They can also be a tool that will help ensure that you are able to live through any survival situation that may arise.
Bonus: Survival Tin
- This is the most complete survival kit / emergency...
- Includes paracord, red LED lamp, quality compass,...
- Small, convenient and portable to carry: Slightly...
Now, I know I said top 3 when I started writing this article. And I’m pretty happy with my choices. But I decided to include the Limitless Equipment MARK 1 Survival Kit for those who would rather have someone else build their survival kit for them.
After all, not everyone can easily decide which survival tools should go into that Altoid tin and which ones can be left behind.
This little pre-made kit was designed for the military, preppers, and survivalists in mind. Inside the tin you’ll find:
- paracord,
- red LED lamp,
- quality compass,
- light sticks,
- fishing equipment,
- reflectors,
- firestarter,
- tinder,
- tinder extender,
- whistle,
- water carriers and filters,
- first aid kit,
- sewing kit,
- and some other useful items.
You can even use the metal container to boil water, dig and make char cloth. Basically, you’d have everything you needed to survive long enough for help to arrive.
I would normally switch something out and add a tampon, but the makers of the MARK 1 already thought of that and included one! The only other thing I would add is the CRKT MK5 Survival Knife.
- Stonewashed blade finish
- Survival preparedness tin
- Glass reinforced nylon sheath
Whether you decide to buy this pre-made survival kit or build your own, it’s essential to always have some survival tools within easy reach. You never know when you’re going to need them.
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About the Author: Leighton Taylor is an outdoor enthusiast, writer, entrepreneur, and knife gawker. He occasionally writes something interesting at SurvivalKnifeExperts.com.