What is the largest single object you would consider packing as a survival tool?

Depending on the time I planned on staying out, an medium axe or good sized hatchet, or a big adze. The hatchet or axe would be good for shorter times. You could use it for firewood,shelter, skinning and all kinds of stuff. The adze would be heavier but make a better tool. It could be used for all the things an axe could, but would also be good for hollowing out a canoe, hollowing a log to catch rain, making more permanent shelter and all kinds of stuff.
I would really like to have a good rifle and lots of ammo with me too though and of course a knife.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I'd think a sleeping bag, was my first thought. At least if it was winter that'd be my guess
 
I think I would also vote for a sleeping bag (polarguard to boot). An axe would be a bit of a luxury wouldn't it? I've backpacked for weeks at a time and never needed an axe. But a sleeping bag? I would live pretty comfy with one of those. Of course I'm assuming I have a knife and fire starting equipment.

Anyway, getting a good night's sleep will help you keep from going totally mental. Also a sleeping bag is perhaps the most expedient treatment for hypothermia.

I guess there are places where an axe could be essential. If I had to build a long-term shelter, for instance. An axe will build you a nice little trapper cabin. Say your plane crashed in the middle of nowhere. You might use an axe to build a dugout canoe that could get you to safety more quickly (you would expend a lot of energy though). But aren't you supposed to stay put in those kind of situations?

And with an axe, you can get into the interior of old trees for dry wood where, under heavy rainy conditions, dry wood may be tough to find.

But my idea of fully equipped survival would be all the backpacking essentials that I usually take that allow me to live very comfy. If I was going to add a large item to that, it would be some kind of gun, maybe a 22 rifle or a single shot 410. In good fishing country, though, I doubt I would need it. I can live on fish for a long time and supplement with wild edibles.

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Hoodoo

No, I do not weep at the world--I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Zora Neale Hurston

Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Lao Tsu
 
I would (and do) take the standard Bundeswehr foldable entrenching tool with me.
You can use it for digging, chopping wood, hammering poles in the ground, as a frying pan and many more uses. For instance when starting a fire in adverse conditions it helps a lot if you chip the sides of your fuel logs with it, so as to make the surface of the log bigger and allow more oxygen.
Robert
 
I think that I would have to go with a kukhri. It cannot dig as well as a shovel but it can sure chop better. Everything else can be improvised.

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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
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