How to make and deploy thermite for explosives, in-the-field welding, signaling and more
All about thermite What is thermite? Thermite is an easy-to-make compound that creates an explosive exothermic reaction, producing a brief burst of extremely high temperature – enough to weld metal, explode steam, and even burn through concrete. Thermite, typically made from aluminum and iron oxide (rust), differs from gunpowder which…
How to make a bow drill in the wild (for starting fires and drilling holes)
A bow drill is most often used for starting a fire – it’s the most efficient fire starting method – but a bow drill can be used for drilling too. A bow drill consists of five basic components – spindle (or drill), board, socket (aka handhold or bearing block), string,…
How to forge metal in the wild – building a forge (foundry) from clay
If modern civilization fails, one of the first pieces of equipment required to bring mankind back from the stone age will be the means to forge and form metal tools. To do this requires a forge or a foundry. A forge provides the means to heat metal so it can…
How to make a clay container (bowel) in the wild
In a wilderness survival situation, clay can be used to construct bowels, cups, ovenware, and other utensils. It is especially useful when the need for a waterproof container arises. Clay can be found in most environments - near lakes, ponds, river ways, or anywhere the ground has been cleared to…
Gunshots wounds and stopping power – myth vs. fact regarding bullet impacts will surprise you
Forget what you see on TV. The reality of gunshot wounds and terminal (death inducing) gunshot injuries is remarkably different from what is shown in the movies where the gunman appears to have an unlimited supply of bullets, gunshots knock the enemy off their feet, and gunshot victims make long,…
How to make a homemade blowgun and darts
About blowguns Many cultures have utilized the blowgun as a tool to capture or stun wildlife or as a weapon to defend their tribes. Various indigenous peoples of South East Asia, the Amazon and Guiana regions of South America, and Guatemala in Central America are best known for its use.…
How to build a simple foundry (forge) and mold metal objects
Introduction In a survival situation, tools and weapons made from stone, bone, or wood will suffice but those same tools and weapons constructed from metal may prove overwhelmingly useful. However, metal construction requires use of a forge or foundry, a special furnace used to generate extreme heat – enough to melt…
Make your own compact, portable survival/bugout bag – as small as a fanny pack!
When creating bugout bags, a collection of supplies required to survive an unexpected event, most survivalists use a backpack to hold the survival supplies. The size and maneuverability of backpacks make them ideal choices for survival kits. Their large size however, can be a constraint. That doesn’t have to be…
How to make gunpowder in the wild (all it takes is charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate)
In a survival situation, primitive tools will get you by but for maximum survivability, you need mechanical weapons and explosives – and nothing beats the time-tested combustive mixture – gunpowder. Gunpowder is the earliest known chemical explosive. It burns fast (flash fast) and if placed inside a sealed container or…
How to build primitive weapons and tools from natural bone, rocks, shells, antlers, or animal teeth
Man has been working rocks, stone, and bone into tools, utensils, and weapons for millions of years. Given its abundance in nature, rocks and bone are perfect materials for making tools and weapons in an emergency wilderness survival situation. How are tools and weapons constructed from rocks? All stone-working methods…
Complete list of supplies needed for a backpacking/hiking/camping trip
To become a proficient survivalist, you must practice and there's no better way to put your survival skills to use than backpacking and hiking treks into the wilderness. Even for a simple day hike, you will require supplies, tools, and sustenance for the trip. Below is a complete list of…
New Leatherman Tread bracelet combines 25 tools into a functional wearable multi-tool
Finally, a functional multi-tool that can be worn on the wrist and act as a watchband – and it looks great too. The Leatherman Tread is constructed of high strength, corrosion resistant 17-4 stainless steel and incorporates 2-3 functional tools, including box wrenches, screwdrivers, glass breaker, punch tools, and cutting…
Gearward’s “Compact Survival Cord” rivals 550-paracord in strength and functionality
Survivalists recognize the importance of traditional 550 paracord. It’s strong, compact, easy to work with, and provides all the characteristic benefits of cordage that a survivalist requires to stay alive (hey, if it’s good enough to suspend a parachute, it’s good enough for me). Thus far, there’s been no true…
How to make Napalm (recipe for simple homemade napalm)
Napalm is the generic name for the mixture of a flammable petroleum substance, typically diesel gasoline, with a thickening or gelling agent to give the fiery substance “sticky” properties. Napalm-like fiery substances have been used since early Greek times for war purposes (they called it "sticky fire"). Napalm as we…
How to make a powerful survival bow out of cheap PVC pipe
There are a couple of ways to make a PVC bow. In a pinch, you can simply take a 4-6 foot piece of PVC pipe, notch the ends, and string with paracord at a high enough tension to bend the bow limbs (which in physics talk, is storing elastic potential…
How to tap a pine tree to collect pine tree sap
Pine tree sap can be tapped and used to make paint and resin products. It makes a great water-proof sealant for buckets and tarps and can be used as an adhesive (boil it to reduce thickening and add ash to it to strengthen its waterproofing qualities). Pine tree sap can…
How to make arrows in the wild
Wood for arrow shafts Making arrows while in the wild is not difficult (although getting the wood shafts straight and keeping them straight is an age-old problem). To begin, collect shoots to use for the shafts (slightly dried wood is better than green wood). Dogwood makes the best shafts, but…
How to build a Trebuchet (Catapult)
A Trebuchet (pronounced treb-oo-shay) is a medieval siege engine that transfers gravitational energy into kinetic energy – similar to a playground see-saw. In ancient times, it was used to launch (throw) projectiles including boulders, dead horses, and diseased bodies into or over castle walls to soften the defenses in preparation…
Cooking and Eating Utensils in the Wild
Using wood, bamboo, and even animal parts, you can use many materials to make equipment for the cooking, eating, and storing of food. Pots and Bowls Cooking with Hot Rocks Use wood, bone, horn, bark, or other similar material to make bowls. To make wooden bowls, use a hollowed out…
Clothing and Insulation in the Wild
You can use many materials for clothing and insulation. Both man-made materials, such as tarps and tent material, and natural materials, such as skins and plant materials, are available and offer significant protection. Animal Skins The selection of animal skins in a survival situation will most often be limited to…
Making Backpacks in the Wild
Rucksack (Backpack) Construction The materials for constructing a rucksack or pack are almost limitless. You can use wood, bamboo, rope, plant fiber, clothing, plastic bags, tarps, animal skins, canvas, and many other materials to make a pack. There are several construction techniques for rucksacks. Many are very elaborate, but those…
How to make a Bola (rocks on string weapon)
The bola is made from weights (typically heavy rocks) on the ends of interconnected cords. It is especially effective for capturing running game or low-flying fowl in a flock and does so by entangling their legs. Most bolas have two or three stones of equal weight (some bolas as been…
Bow and Arrows – how to make and use bow and arrows in the wild
Components of a Bow A bow consists of two elastic limb ends, traditionally made from wood, connected by a string. By pulling the string backwards, the archer exerts compressive force on the string facing section, or back. The stored energy is later released putting an arrow into flight. The curved…
Throwing Sticks – how to make and use a throwing stick
One of the earliest weapons used by humans, the throwing stick, commonly known as the rabbit stick (or throwing club, kylie, or boomerang), is very effective against small game (squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits). The rabbit stick itself is a blunt stick or wooden club, straight or naturally curved at about…
Spears – how to make a spear in a wilderness survival situation
Bladed Spear To make a bladed spear, use the same procedures to make the blade that you used to make a knife blade. Flint, obsidian, iron,or bone can be used for a spearhead. If possible, modify the normal knife blade construction by adding barbs to the base of the blade. …
