Off-Grid Tools You Need To Have On Your Property

Whether you have decided to move off the grid or simply want to be prepared in any crisis, unpowered tools will be essential to your survival.

I am sure you have experienced the inconvenience of a power outage more than once or twice. Life can get challenging pretty quickly when the grid goes down, and there is no power.

Aside from the apparent obstacles like no television or cell phone, limited cooking options, and the inevitable onset of boredom, many other items rely on electricity to operate.

Tools, for example, are an asset you want handy in an emergency. Thankfully, there are many tools out there that do not require power.

The following list of off-grid tools you need on your property can help you create an efficient supply, allowing you to prepare for anything.

Essential Hand Tools

Having a collection of essentials will be critical to survival. Below are a few ideas of tools to have around in the event of a mass power outage.

A Sturdy Axe: One tool that should always be available is an axe.

This tool can aid in escape, chop wood, or help you easily complete projects in your backyard.

Ensure you choose one that is sturdy but not too heavy to lift.

Linesman Pliers: Also called sidecutters, these pliers have small but powerful blades along the jaw.

A Set Of Other Essential Pliers: Specific jobs may need specific pliers, so having a set handy could prove helpful.

A Selection Of Screwdrivers: An essential home repair tool, a good screwdriver will last a lifetime. Ensure you have one of each type or one with multiple heads to avoid issues.

A Hefty Hammer: Having a hammer handy in an emergency is just good practice. Not only can it be used to repair or construct objects, but it can also be used for protection if needed.

Opt for a framing hammer, which is larger and heavier than a typical hammer and comes in a solid steel version.

A Gas-Powered Chainsaw: Keeping a gas-powered chainsaw on your property can save you time and effort. Use this tool to cut logs, create fence posts, or clear fallen trees blocking your path.

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Wire Cutters: A welcome addition to any toolbox, wire cutters can come in handy and should always be part of your tool collection.

Multi-Tool: This is one tool you want to ensure you have in your tool kit. Adorned with various tools, a multi-tool comes in handy in a pinch.

A Good Socket Set: You never know when you will need it, but you will eventually need it. Storing a socket set where you can easily access it will be beneficial.

An Adjustable Wrench: While a socket set is a must-have tool, an adjustable wrench is equally valuable.

An adjustable wrench can make a difficult job much more manageable and lend a hand if confronted by an odd-sized socket.

A Collection of Handsaws: A small set of unpowered saws on your property is wise and will be handy in an emergency. Use this tool to cut small logs or branches that have fallen during a storm.

A handsaw is so valuable that you will want more than one. Store a variety of saw types to get any job done fast.

I suggest you store a handsaw, a hacksaw, and a bowsaw, at the very least, but a wide variety of saws can help you get any job done and are good to have around.

Other Essential Items To Store

Along with your essential hand tools, other items are good to keep around. These items are not usually considered ‘essential’ but are worth storing.

Crowbar: This tool is convenient to have around.

It’s best to keep both a smaller type, often called a pry bar, and a larger one called a super bar, which is stronger.

Chisel Set: While it is not essential, a set of chisels can come in handy. These multipurpose tools can cut out door hinges, scrape surfaces, shape wood, and much more. Having a small collection could be handy.

A Level: I’ll get straight to the point; having a level in your tool kit is vital. Opt to store a more extended version and a smaller, more compact one.

Vice Grips: This versatile tool can be used as a grip or a clamp, works as a wrench, or can function the same as pliers, and so much more. Vice grips are a handy tool to keep close.

Sandpaper: This is one essential item you need to have in your toolbox.

Having various types of sandpaper available is good practice.

Sandpaper can smooth a rough surface and prevent cuts or scrapes, which could lead to infection.

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Clamps: Ensure you have a set of clamps on hand. Clamps can be used to secure items in place and prevent injury.

Sharpening Stone: Having blades is useless if they are all dull. Keep a sharpening blade around to ensure you are ready for anything.

A Come-Along: A come-along is a ratcheting cable used to lift and drag heavy objects. This item can come in handy for big, heavy jobs that require muscle.

A Tape Measure: Measure twice, and cut once. There are a bunch of secret features on your tape measure that can come in handy.

Your tape measure shows value with practical nail notches and tools to assist in creating circles. Ensure you have one tucked away.

More Necessary Items To Keep Handy

Steele Cant Hook: No power will mean any heat unless you have a wood stove or gas-powered heater.

A cant hook is handy for moving heavy loads of wood or other objects. Have one close by if possible and save yourself some effort.

Tarps: The tarp is often underrated, but it can be used as a shelter, a blanket, a way to collect water, and so much more.

Ensure you have a few tarps of various sizes on your property in an emergency.

Round-point shovel: Keeping a round-point shovel close by is always a good idea.

This simple tool can dig a hole, construct a ditch, or chop through the ice.

It can also be used as a weapon should the need arise.

Duct Tape: While it is often seen as a bit of a joke, if there is one thing you should have stored in your toolbox, it is duct tape. In a pinch, duct tape can save you.

For example, you can use duct tape as a temporary waterproof solution to fix pipes, mend broken items, or seal an open wound. There is almost nothing duct tape cannot do.

Rope: Rope is another one of those tools that can be used in so many ways. Keeping some strong rope on hand will be essential to survival. Try to store a variety of rope types to help with any projects that arise.

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A Wheelbarrow: A wheelbarrow will be helpful when you need to move dirt or wood back and forth. Keep one tucked away on your property.

An Adjustable Ladder: Many of us have been captivated by late-night infomercials that feature a ladder that flips and folds a hundred ways.

Well, now you have an excuse to buy it.

Having a versatile ladder available is essential to survival off-grid.

A Toolbox: Having all these tools and not knowing where they are is not helpful in an emergency.

Scrambling around to find a wrench when a pipe bursts at 2 AM is not ideal, and digging around in the dark for a weapon could prove fatal.

It is best to keep all your tools in one safe location where they are easily accessible.

Essential Protection Items You Should Have on Hand:

All the tools in the world are useless if you are not here to use them. Thus, while you may not want to consider the likelihood of erupting violence, having a few weapons hidden around could become essential to survival.

There are a few primary weapons I suggest you store away in a crisis…

Shotgun: This could save your life.

Whether it is from a bear or an intruder, either way, a shotgun is a vital accessory.

Not only can a shotgun be used for protection, but it can also be used to hunt should you need food on the fly.

A Pocket Knife Or Two: A sturdy pocket knife is one tool you should always keep around. Whether for fishing, cutting ropes, or protection, this is a must-have for any off-grid prepper.

Bear Spray: You may not live in the wild but bear spray could save your life in a crisis. Bear spray has a super strong scent and burns if it gets in your eyes.

Not only will this product deter any menacing wildlife, but it can also chase off unwanted human visitors looking for a free ride.

You Can Never Be Too Prepared:

Keeping a stockpile filled with the items above could save you in an emergency when no power is available.

Ensure you keep a thick pair of gloves, electrical tape, safety goggles, and the tools listed in this article somewhere safe but accessible.

You may also want to store a battery-powered headlamp, flashlight, walkie-talkies, and work boots.

Furthermore, don’t forget a snow shovel, fire extinguisher, crank radio, and generator.

While it is impossible to prepare for every possible event when push comes to shove, you want to ensure you have what you need to survive, and it is always better to have more than you need, not less.

What other tools would you want to have if mass power loss lasted a long time?

This article first appeared on Ask A Prepper.

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