Here are some basic tools provided for us thanks to our Native American friends. If you think about how much they interacted with the earth and how they utilized everything, it's pretty incredible. Honestly, with their rich history, if anyone knows about survival it is going to be the first Americans!

Knives are considered one of the most basic tools in any society. It has been seen as the very beginning of technology after the discovery of fire. Using the proper knife for a survival scenario is arguably the most crucial part of survival. Your world will revolve around your knife, so it is important to have one appropriately selected.

You do not want to survive on a kitchen knife, as these are only tailored for light duty. Survival knives can come in several forms but they have to perform these basic tasks:

Chopping or Cutting Wood
Carving Wood
Stripping Bark for Lashing
Hunting
Cleaning Game
Cutting Cords
Fishing
Climbing
Fashioning Other Weapons
Striking Fire Steel
Shaving and Scoring Wood
Defense

It is for this reason that your knife must be durable, and have the right shape to perform daily tasks. As opposed to many popular designs, you do not want your knife to be longer than 5”. If it is 6” and above, it will be difficult to handle and could possibly be dangerous. Also, avoid serrated edges on your knife. The most powerful cutting and carving edge is at the base near the handle, and if that area is serrated, it will be difficult to use it to chop and carve.

Also, you may need to defend yourself with your knife. This may be more preferable than using bullets, as you may not want to draw attention to the location of the shot. This means that the knife must come to a sharp point at the tip. This may also allow you to lash the knife to a long stick, creating a spear for hunting. Another possible function of your knife may allow you to throw it at a target. This is another great hunting application, but it is less for defense, in the event that your target runs away with your precious knife.

There are many designs to a good survival knife; you just need to figure out what your preferred style may be. For this reason, you also may want to consider making one of your own. Creating your own knife design and manufacturing it yourself will allow you to know how to make more in the event that you lose or break your original. For less than $100, you can procure the resources necessary to shape and heat-treat your knife from bar stock.

The reason why the topic of knives is located in the “knowledge” category is because of how crucial it is to know how to use them and even perhaps know how to make them. Getting to know your knife is has to do with more than just surviving; some survivalists even say that it connects you closer to nature. The ability to survive from this most basic tool is known as more of an art form than a method.

There are other important Native American skills, including stealth and community, that you can read up on over on US Crisis Preppers.

Again, we may think we know it all, that modern technology works wonders with a modern day survivalist, yet the lessons we learn from the past and our Native American brothers and sisters can make the difference between a prepper who is truly well equipped and one who is only partially organized!