Urban tool kit?

FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
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Those of you who hang around the ESEE forum may have already seen this, but I figured I'd post the question here, too. I'm interested in putting together a tool kit for urban survival/on-the-go use. The key features I'm looking for are versatility, compactness, and not reliant on electricity. I'm not looking for the basic food/water items here--those have been covered plenty on these boards. I might also be interested in personal protective equipment though. Thoughts?

Items on my list as possibilities right now:

Estwing Rock Pick (Long Handle): forcible entry (usable on everything from wood to brick/concrete), defense, prying, construction.

Channellock 88 Rescue Pliers: Strong pliers, gas valve wrench, spanner wrench, pry tool, glass punch.

Knipex Mini Pliers Wrench: More effective and useful than an adjustable crescent wrench. Can be used as a second pair of pliers (dual-wielding is often handy!), non-marring to prevent fastener damage.

Knipex CoBolt Mini Bolt Cutters: Cuts chain link fence like butter!

Predator Tools "Hercules" Shovel: Digging, trenching, chopping, defense, prying.

Schroeder Breast Drill: Along with a good set of screwdriver and drill bits, for boring holes in wood, masonry, steel, etc. and setting/removing various fasteners.

Bit Brace w/Three Jaw Chuck: Less expensive and simpler version of breast drill, but also less effective. (alternate selection)

Lenox Trifold Saw: Along with a selection of different blades, for making cuts in wood and steel. (already own this one--it's awesome!)
 
On the ppe side of things, I myself carry at least a bandana, one actual dustmask, gloves and a spare pair of nice safety glasses that look like shades and a few pairs of earplugs. You can't take of yourself or anybody else if you can't see or hear anything, or you hurt your hands. I don't have much in the way of tools however.
A multitool, knife, fence tool and some kind of axe are always available, as well as bolt cutters and a small drill... I've been meaning to buy an entrenching tool for quite some time, I just don't care for the quality of the ones I do see...

Edit: I should add, what I keep in the car is not necessarily intended to be a "kit" in the sense of it being one bag I can grab and bring with me on foot. I think carrying so much metal is pretty unrealistic...
 
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I served in a SAR unit in the Israeli Army
Not sure if this is the direction you want
To get standard store purchased tools, for rescue or entry


Two crow bars will allow you entry to most places
Estwing Riggers / Carpenters hammer, is a long handled hatchet with a milled hammer head would be better than the Rock Pick
The largest Vice Grips with wire cutters, leaves your hands free
The largest pair of compound tin snips
Bolt Cutters large enough for some rebar
The biggest mutli tool leatherman type for small work
A car jack will lift fallen wall sections or open collapsed walls, crashed cars
Optional... Club hammer and a large long cold chisel


You can also get Stanley Fubar 30" which is an entry tool

Good disposable dust masks
A couple of pair of cuffed leather gloves
Eye goggles and safety glasses
 
The rock pick will be their long-handled version, which will give it plenty of striking power. I'll be using it on masonry, tar, and glass. For chopping wood I've got a piece of my own design that ought to do quite nicely. :D

As far as PPE goes, I've been looking at HexArmor gloves to protect against cuts, abrasion, and jabs. I'm thinking in a tar environment some knee and forearm pads could be handy as well.
 
Good list 42B. Some of those items are on my short list for a non-electric tool kit. I have a Sawz-All...much like the Lenox and very handy, especially if a full-sized bolt cutter is just not feasible to carry; it may take longer to use, but still very effective.

Instead of wasting money on the Channellock Rescue Pliers, I would just opt for solid Fencing Pliers...they give you good cutters, hammer face and short pick to help with prying. Neeman brings up a good point about a pair of pry-bars giving you more options for leverage. The Stanely Fubars are excellent tools and come in some different sizes...I have the shorter one and really like it.

For vehicle carry, a high-lift jack is a good asset for more than just vehicles. Also, some 6mm emergency rappeling line and a small pulley can give you good options of navigating and moving heavy objects.

My VTAC tomahawk is also a part of my urban kit...

ROCK6
 
Allen wrench set, and a full set of security driver bits would be a good thing as well. Also carrying a couple of crescent wrenches might not be a bad idea too.

Now I have a nifty tool for pulling that fits into a pack, is a small 500lb chain come-along really handy thing.
 
ROCK6 said:
Good list 42B. Some of those items are on my short list for a non-electric tool kit. I have a Sawz-All...much like the Lenox and very handy, especially if a full-sized bolt cutter is just not feasible to carry; it may take longer to use, but still very effective.

Instead of wasting money on the Channellock Rescue Pliers, I would just opt for solid Fencing Pliers...they give you good cutters, hammer face and short pick to help with prying. Neeman brings up a good point about a pair of pry-bars giving you more options for leverage. The Stanely Fubars are excellent tools and come in some different sizes...I have the shorter one and really like it.

For vehicle carry, a high-lift jack is a good asset for more than just vehicles. Also, some 6mm emergency rappeling line and a small pulley can give you good options of navigating and moving heavy objects.

My VTAC tomahawk is also a part of my urban kit...

ROCK6
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I think I'll skip on the fencing tool, though I had thought about it. I'll have excellent cutting ability with Knipex mini bolt cutters, and a better hammer/spike with the long-handled rock pick. The Channellock pliers are something I could keep on me easily, though, and are a strong pair of lineman's pliers in their own right. As far as pry bars go, I've been looking at a couple of the Estwing ones. Honestly, I think the Fubars are just too heavy for what they do. You could do more with a couple of dedicated tools and have them weigh less combined!

JohnnyMayhem said:
Allen wrench set, and a full set of security driver bits would be a good thing as well. Also carrying a couple of crescent wrenches might not be a bad idea too.

Now I have a nifty tool for pulling that fits into a pack, is a small 500lb chain come-along really handy thing.
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Good thoughts on the allen wrenches and security bit set. As far as crescent wrenches go, the Knipex Pliers Wrench would take over that job. I might add one of their small Cobra wrenches as well, for tasks that need a little more of an "aggressive" grip. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I think I'll skip on the fencing tool, though I had thought about it. I'll have excellent cutting ability with Knipex mini bolt cutters, and a better hammer/spike with the long-handled rock pick. The Channellock pliers are something I could keep on me easily, though, and are a strong pair of lineman's pliers in their own right. As far as pry bars go, I've been looking at a couple of the Estwing ones. Honestly, I think the Fubars are just too heavy for what they do. You could do more with a couple of dedicated tools and have them weigh less combined!

Good thoughts on the allen wrenches and security bit set. As far as crescent wrenches go, the Knipex Pliers Wrench would take over that job. I might add one of their small Cobra wrenches as well, for tasks that need a little more of an "aggressive" grip. :)
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How are the Knipex mini bolt cutters? Knipex makes quality tools at those mini bolt cutters seem like the perfect tool for cutting smaller cable and fencing. I pack the Cobra pliers and they are now mandatory in a couple of kits...very effective adjustable pliers. About the only time I've found vice grips useful is when doing a little mechanic work and needing that "extra hand" in tight spots...I like the smaller versions. I must admit, I like Estwing's rock pick...

I'm sold on the Fubars. I have the 15" Fatmax and it's been a great tool for demolition duties and will effectively punch through sheet metal and even pry apart 2x4 studs quickly. Compared to the other breaching tools, the Fubars are pretty attractive from the price perspective and easily found in local Sears or Ace Hardware stores. I would agree they are pretty big/bulky for what they are, but the same with a “real” bolt cutters (30-36”) they are best left as part of your vehicle kit for easier carrying.

ROCK6
 
The Knipex mini bolt cutters ROCK. I don't own a pair yet, but have had the chance to play with some for a while and they go through heavy-gauge wire like butter. They're on the short list. :cool:

I wouldn't mind having a Fubar in a car kit...but if I had a car to cart everything around in I might as well have some more dedicated tools. :p
 
face mask .. one of those allergy type charcoal dust masks be good .
Steel toe boots , safety glasses , my sunnys are actually safety glasses , cheaper to have my lil girl destroy them than expensive shades .
Gloves .. spectra or kevlar lined at least .
it wouldnt hurt , in my opinion , to grab one of those lock picking tools , there is times when spending the 3 secs to pick a deadlock is less work and faster than smashing thru the door its holding . There maybe legal implications tho about ownership , depending on what your govt deems youre allowed to possess :)
Reversable jacket and spare baseball cap .. instant disguise kit defeats most radioed descriptions :)
What is this kit aimed it roughly ?
 
It's aimed at being both generally useful (so I can use it when there's NOT a disaster) as well as emergency and longer-term urban environment survival.
 
Any ideas for a small bolt cutter tool that is a screw type instead of a standard plier-cutter? I'm thinking I've seen something that you used a wrench with. I'm thinking something that goes in the car, but doesn't look at first glance to be a B-E tool. (got locked in behind a locked gate a couple weeks back, wasn't fun.)
 
My boss used to have a antique nut cutter .. it used a screw mechanism , it was tho a blacksmith tool , used in wagon repair .
You can get a smaller version ( rarely tho ) designed to cut corroded battery termianls to allow you to get them off the terminal post . Dont see them much these days tho , and if you do they are built for dealing with the soft brass or alloys that are used in battery clamps not reo rod .

www.lockpickshop.com is a place that I have experience buying from , and recommend if you need to open stuff but not damage it too much . They do a gate bypass tool that looks like it deals with what a tyre lever cant

Locks keep honest and lazy people out .
 
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I'm looking into a good pair of safety goggles and a MSA Skullguard micarta hardhat. Spendy, but lightweight and ultra strong! Full brim model so it'll keep the sun off and provide maximum protection from impact.
 
Scottman said:
Interesting thread. One thing that is often overlooked is GOGGLES.
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Agreed. We call it PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) in the Army...typically consists of eyewear, gloves and earplugs (MICH helmet is already standard gear, but I would include a head wear if you're in a "vertical" threat environment). I've got regular goggles, but what I carry daily are Oakley Half-Jackets...I wear the polarized lenses and keep clear or amber lenses in my lower ACU pants pocket for low-light eye protection.

Gloves would be another good addition as well as a couple of dust masks.

42B...make sure you do another pictorial review when you get it compiled,

ROCK6
 
Does anyone have any experience with HexArmor cut/impact resistant gloves? Expensive as hell, but they're made with Spectra, among other proprietary materials. My interest is piqued, but holy crap that's a lot for a pair of gloves! :eek: If they hold up under hard use they'd be worth it--the question is do they?
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Does anyone have any experience with HexArmor cut/impact resistant gloves? Expensive as hell, but they're made with Spectra, among other proprietary materials. My interest is piqued, but holy crap that's a lot for a pair of gloves! :eek: If they hold up under hard use they'd be worth it--the question is do they?
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They do look interesting, but not a bad price on the street...$50+...I might give them a go. They would be ideal for a post urban disaster with glass, wire, concrete, cable and other sharp object maneuvering.

ROCK6
 
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