Bushcraft is the knowledge and practice of using almost entirely non-man made resources to survive and thrive in a natural environment.
While bushcraft almost always does involve the use of human-made tools (such as knives or hatchets), these tools are used to help the bushcrafter utilize non-man made resources.
For example, someone who truly practices bushcraft may use a knife or hatchet to help them build a shelter out of poles, sticks, and tree boughs gathered from their environment instead of using a tent or a tarp for their shelter instead.
Contrary to what many people think, bushcraft and survival are not necessarily the same thing, although they can overlap. For example, bushcraft skills can be immensely valuable to somebody in a survival situation, but just because somebody is practicing bushcraft in the woods doesn’t mean that they are in a survival situation. Conversely, people who find themselves in a survival situation may have no knowledge of bushcraft skills.
In other words, a person who specializes in bushcraft is more self-reliant than a traditional ‘survivalist,’ but they still rely on certain tools. However, these tools may very well disappear and go out of stock in the stores the next time a major crisis hits.
Let’s say that a major disaster on a scale even greater than the previous pandemic hit. As before, people flock to the stores in a frenzy and purchase as much supplies and necessities as fast as they can.
In a matter of days, the store shelves are stripped clean. While food, toilet paper, and personal hygiene items may go first, it won’t take long for tools favored by bushcraft practitioners to get bought up too.
Compass
While someone who is truly adept as bushcraft will know their directions by other techniques, many bushcraft people will still keep a compass handy in their pocket just as extra assurance of knowing where they’re going.
Related:Â 5 Maps You Should Have at Home
In their everyday lives, people typically know their sense of direction via compass apps on their smartphones. But what will happen in a grid down disaster or EMP attack where we can no longer use our phones?
That’s right: people will be forced to use actual compasses instead of their smartphone apps, and that’s why it won’t take long for them to fly off the shelves.
Hatchets
One of the most important tools for someone who practices bushcraft (behind only the knife), is the hatchet.
While the knife is an excellent precision tool for intricate cutting work, a hatchet is better suited for heavy-duty tasks.
The hatchet excels at chopping firewood, cutting ice for melting over a fire, and hacking limbs from branches to use as poles for building shelters.
If a grid down disaster were to ever occur, hatchets (along with axes and sledgehammers) will be bought in droves by people who will recognize their usefulness for tasks around their property such as chopping firewood. Try to buy a few hatchets now while you still can.
Knives
The knife is perhaps the single most important tool for someone who practices bushcraft.
That’s because a simple knife can be utilized for almost all kinds of bushcraft-related projects, including building shelter, getting a fire going, creating traps and snares, making rope out of vine, and so on.
Knives are also items that are heavily valued by virtually everybody for their versatility in everyday lives. People use knives to prepare food in the kitchen, for outdoor projects, and just as general handy tools to have for random everyday items.
That’s why in a true grid down scenario that results in stores becoming looted, knives of all types will fly off the shelves quickly. This includes pocket knives, fixed blade knives, kitchen knives, and so on.
Although not a traditional bushcraft item, the Wilderness Long-Term Survival Guide by Nicole Apelian is an invaluable resource for anyone serious about mastering survival skills. This book goes beyond mere survival; it teaches you how to truly thrive in the wilderness.
It provides step-by-step instructions to turn the wild into your second home, offering strategies to become self-reliant and well-prepared for long-term living in nature.
If a major crisis hits and you need to head for the woods, with the knowledge in this book you can rebuild everything from scratch, just like our ancestors who chose a piece of land in the middle of nowhere and restarted their lives. This manual is a crucial addition to your bushcraft arsenal, ensuring you’re ready to face any extended wilderness challenge.
Magnesium Flint Strikers
If you practice bushcraft, a magnesium flint striker will be your best friend. The main advantage of a flint striker over matches or lighters is that they can last longer than both (a match box can run out of matches and a lighter can run out of fuel faster than you may anticipate) and can also get sparks going even when they are completely wet.
In a grid down disaster where the stores are looted, all kinds of fire starting devices will become prime targets by people due to the necessity of getting a fire going for warmth and cooking food. Matches and lighters may go first, but magnesium flint strikers will likely be taken next.
Multi-Tools
Multi-tools are ‘handy dandy’ pocket items that are already immensely popular and commonly carried by everyday people due to their versatility.
Much like Swiss Army Knives, they provide a diverse array of tools within a single, compact package.
In the event of a grid-down disaster, when people rush to stores to stock up on critical supplies, multi-tools are likely to be among the first items to disappear from the shelves.
Related:Â Off-Grid Tools You Need to Look for at Flea Markets
Their ability to perform various tasks—from opening bottles and cutting wire to handling minor repairs—makes them invaluable in an emergency situation, leading to a rapid depletion of stock as individuals scramble to prepare for the challenges ahead.
Paracord
Paracord is a versatile and durable tool that is highly valued in bushcraft and survival situations. It can be used for a variety of tasks, such as building shelter, securing gear, and even making makeshift clotheslines.
Its strength and adaptability make it indispensable for bushcrafters.
In the event of a major crisis, paracord will be in high demand as people realize its potential for numerous survival applications. Like other essential bushcraft items, expect paracord to disappear quickly from store shelves once people start preparing for extended emergencies.
Saws
The folding saw is another very useful item for bushcraft.
It’s arguably more efficient than a hatchet or ax for making a clean cut to logs and poles for the purposes of building shelter, rafts, traps, and so on.
Related:Â 12 Types of Wood You Should Never Burn
Everyday people will likewise recognize the value of saws as useful tools when they go into survival mode after a grid down disaster has struck. This is why folding saws are likely to vanish off the shelves fast in this scenario.
Shovels
Shovels are very common yard tools, and for good reason: they are by far the most useful tool for digging holes and trenches outside. When it comes to bushcraft and survival as a whole, shovels can be used for making outdoor latrines, defensive trenches, or underground shelters. In the winter time, they can also be used for shoveling snow to create pathways.
In a grid down disaster where people take to the stores, shovels will likely be among the first tools to disappear from the hardware section.
If you’re someone who wants to get into bushcraft, make sure you purchase the above items while you can. The time will come where we no longer have the luxury to walk into a store or shop online and order anything we want when we want it.
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