Survival-minded people tend to collect tools, equipment, supplies, and self-defense weapons, because having these items, and knowing how to use them, can increase your self-reliance. But in addition to the normal survival gear and supplies you might own, there are a number of less common items, which I tend to call specialty tools, that can also be useful, in certain situations.
There are three basic types of these specialty items, hideout (or concealable) weapons and tools, disguised (clandestine, covert, or camouflaged) weapons and tools, and combination (multifunction) weapons and tools. (There is some overlap between these three categories.)
Here are some examples of specialty survival tools, so you can decide if any of them might have a place in your long-term survival plans. Please note that the legality of owning, carrying, or using any of these weapons or tools will vary greatly, depending on where you live. Also, items that are currently legal can be banned by new laws, and owning or using these items may very well prejudice a jury against you. This information is presented to help you survive a long-term disaster, not to get you into legal trouble, so use these items for survival situations only.
| Hideout Guns: The Downsizer single-shot derringer is roughly the size of a deck of cards. |
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| The five-shot North American Arms mini revolver can be outfitted with a folding handle. Either of these guns are good candidates for use as hideout, or concealable weapons, among others. |
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| Hideout Knives: These tiny concealable knives are known as lapel daggers, or sleeve daggers, because they are designed to be hidden in your clothing, and were used by spies and agents. You can buy a lot of these specialty items, but once you have seen the designs, you could also make your own versions, if you need to, or just because making your own equipment is a lot of fun. |
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| These little knives are thumb daggers (the handle is pinched between thumb and forefinger). |
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| Plastic versions of many knives are available, and work ok for defense, but not as cutting tools. |
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| Hideout Spikes: These are sturdy, icepick-like weapons, used for stabbing enemies, and tires. |
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| Hideout knives and spikes were issued to government agents in little kits, like these. |
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| Disguised Weapons: These weapons are designed to look like something else, and run the gamut, from sword canes and sword umbrellas, to briefcase guns and folding machine guns. |
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| Knife combs can be had with steel blades, or plastic blades (to pass through metal detectors). |
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| Here are two different types of belt buckle knives, but there are many more styles available. |
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| This knife is designed to fit into the oil filler tube on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, but a similar item could be made for many other locations that have an exposed handle. Use your imagination. |
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| Here is a blade that looks like a dog tag, & has lashing holes for adding a stick handle. |
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| this bike seat has a spike welded on (that hides in the bike frame). |
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| Closeup of the bike seat |
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| All of these tools are also the size of a credit card, so they can hide in your wallet. |
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| Handcuff Keys: These plastic hideout keys are designed to be sewn onto your clothing. |
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| A compass is a useful tool for survival escape and evasion, as well as basic navigation. Here are two styles of wristwatch compass, a carabiner compass (and a similar thermometer), and two compasses that are small enough to be covertly sewn onto, or pinned onto, your clothing. |
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| Disguised Blackjacks: These gloves are sap gloves, weighted for impact, and so is the hat. |
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| The ballistic knife uses a heavy spring, to shoot the blade at your target. I like these, but don’t launch your weapon if you don’t have any others handy. |
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| This wasp knife can inject a blast of carbon dioxide into your target. Cutaway of wasp, showing CO2 cylinder, and effect of wasp on a watermelon. |
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| Magpull FMG Folding Machine Gun: This functional gun folds up into an innocent square. Currently you can’t buy these without a federal firearms license, but the idea is still cool. Other Useful Items: |
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| Pocket Chainsaws: An effective saw, that folds up into a compact package. |
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