Here’s a big list of gear that I recommend. Most of these links go to the Gray Bearded Green Beret website. Why? Anything he recommends is something that I would also recommend.
Mora Knives
As far as I know, you cannot go wrong with any knife by Mora. Here is a list of choices that I think are among the best:
Mora Basic 511 (Red) - a great starter knife with a carbon steel blade and larger finger guard for added safety.
Mora 510 Craftline All Around - an affordable general purpose knife that is great for beginners.
Mora Companion MG Carbon - another great all purpose knife. This one has a rubber handle for improved grip.
Mora Companion Spark - stainless steel blade with a ferro rod build into the handle.
Mora Bushcraft Black - thick carbon steel blade. One of the best they make for bushcraft.
Mora Garberg with Leather Sheath - very thick, full-tang carbon steel blade. This is a very tough knife.
Mora Classic No. 1 - this is where it all started. Birch wood handle and 3 inch long blade. Good all around knife.
Mora Classic No. 2 - traditional birch wood handle and 4 inch carbon steel blade. A design that is 100 years old!
Mora Wood Carving Knife - a smaller knife specifically for carving wood
Sharpeners
Here are three sharpeners I use. Both have diamond and ceramic stones which are effective and easy to care for:
Smith’s Knife Sharpening System - best if you have trouble holding a consistent blade angle while sharpening.
Work Sharp Pocket Sharpener - great portable sharpener with built-in angle guides. My all-time favorite sharpener!
Smith’s Tri-Hone Sharpener - good if you have had some practice and have many knives to sharpen. I have the old-school stone model, but would buy the diamond version these days. Spring for the 8” Diamond model if you can afford it.
Axe Sharpening Puck - classic axe sharpening stone with a coarse side and medium side
Folding Saws
I recommend any saw made by Silky. You will just need to decide on the saw length and tooth size that is best for you.
Choosing blade length: take the saw’s blade length and divide it by 3. The saw is idea for cutting wood with a diameter of the resulting number (or smaller). Example: a 9 inch blade is suitable for cutting logs 3 inches in diameter or smaller.
Choosing tooth size: large teeth are best for softwoods such as pine, spruce, fir and other conifers. Small teeth are good for hardwoods such as maple and oak. Medium teeth are a compromise that work OK for both hard and soft woods.
Silky PocketBoy 130mm - the most compact of Silky’s folding saws. 5 inch blade.
Silky PocketBoy 170mm Outback Edition - Silky’s new improved design. 6-1/2 inch blade.
Silky Gomboy 210mm Professional - best balance of capability compared size. 8-1/4 inch blade.
Silky GomBoy 240mm Professional - a slightly larger version of the GomBoy. 9-1/2 inch blade.
Silky GomBoy 240mm Outback Edition - the Outback version of the GomBoy. 9-1/2 inch blade.
Silky BigBoy 360mm Outback Edition - made to get some serious cutting done. 14 inch blade
Here are various fire-related products that I use. You can’t have too many ways to create fire.
Exotac fireSLEEVE Waterproof Lighter Holder - protects a Bic Lighter from water and fuel leaks
Wazoo Bushcraft Fire Starter Necklace - a necklace that has a ferro rod and ceramic striker
All Weather Firestarting Tabs - light, waterproof tinder to use with lighter, matches, or ferro rod
Kräftig 1/2 inch Ferro Rod - available in 5 and 8 inch lengths
Bayite Small Ferro Rod Toggles - small ferro rods to integrate into bags and clothing.
Hudson Bay Tinder Box - a brass box with traditional flint and steel kit with magnifying glass
UCO Stormproof Match Kit - robust, waterproof matches in a waterproof case
Exotac candleTIN - candle with three wicks. Use one to conserve, or all three for maximum heat and light
FIre
Here are the water purification items that I use:
GB2 40 oz. Bottle - A good single-walled stainless steel bottle that is a bit larger that most
Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System - Small and versatile, this is great for survival kits.
GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz. Water Purifier Bottle - super convenient means of water purification.
Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets - Small tablets the purify water quickly.
Multipurpose Oven Bags - 10" x 15" - Compact bags for use with water purification tablets.
Whirl-Pak 36 oz. Stand-up Bags - Plastic bags that stand up on their own. Great for use with purification tablets.
Water Purification
Axes & Hatchets
I haven’t owned many axes and I went straight for top-of-the-line when I finally bought one. I am sure there are good quality axes that cost less than these, I just don’t know much about them. If you can get over the cost, you won’t regret purchasing anything made by Granfors Bruks. Of the two listed, I currently own the second, and would like get the first.
Gransfors Bruks Outdoor Axe - A packable 15 inch general use hatchet with a steel collar.
Granfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe - A 25 inch long. May be used with one or two hands.
Other brands and models that I have heard good things about:
books
I have a lot of books. These are among my favorites:
Surviving the Wild: Essential Bushcraft and First Aid Skills by Joshua Enyart
The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods by Nicole Apelian
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies by Nicole Apelian
Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival by Mors Kochanski
Wilderness Axe Skills and Campcraft by Paul Kirtley
Nature's Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer
The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer
Tiny Survival Guide: A Life Insurance Policy in Your Pocket - a great little folding guide
Here are some of the shelter items that I own and use:
Orange 50 Gallon Drum Liners - use as emergency poncho, sleeping bag, or shelter roof
Emergency Survival Wrap - wind and waterproof, and high-visibility. Reflects body heat back
Helikon Rain Poncho - large poncho that can be used as a tarp shelter
Poncho Liner (a.k.a. “Woobie”) - versatile poncho liner, blanket, ground mat, or sleeping bag
Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape - large poncho that is also a functional tent.
Lightweight Multipurpose Tarp - lightweight 8 ft by 7 ft tarp for making a variety of tarp shelters
Tentsmith’s Oilskin Tarp - super tough and waterproof. The only oilskin tarp you’ll ever need.
GB2 Canvas Bed Sleeve - heavy canvas tube can be used to make a mattress, cot, or hammock!
GB2 Custom Wool Blanket - you won’t find a better heavy-weight wool blanket.
Sea to Summit Nano Mosquito Pyramid Shelter with Insect Shield - for sleeping with a tarp
Shelter
This list is potentially huge, so I have only listed some of my absolute favorite clothing items here:
Carhartt Men's Rugged Flex Rigby Double Front Pant - super durable with some stretch to allow for activity
Darn Tough Socks - wool socks with a lifetime warranty
Minus33 base layers - soft, warm, merino wool layers in various weights
Wazoo Cache Cap - baseball cap with four pockets and special slots for a ferro rod & striker
Wazoo Cache Beanie - 100% wool Watchman style cap with a hidden pocket
Wazoo Cache Belt filled with the Adventure Kit
Wazoo Bushcraft Fire Starter Necklace - the most discreet backup fire source around
Fjallraven Lada Sweater - thick yet soft wool sweater. Very warm.
Muck waterproof boots - comfortable, waterproof boots in a range of heights
Shemagh - essential for protecting eyes, nose, and mouth. Can also be used as a neck warmer, hand towel, and water pre-filter.
Clothing
Here is an assortment of safety-related gear I have:
Garmin GPSMAP 66i, GPS Handheld and Satellite Communicator - combined GPS, Personal Locator Beacon (PBL), that can sent text messages via satellite network
Suunto MC-2 CM-NH Compass - high quality compass with built-in mirror
O-light Rechargeable Headlamp - the magnetic charging cord connector is a game-changer.
Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp - a rugged headlamp using AAA batteries, 90 hour burn time.
Safety
Here are some specialty cords that could come in handy:
Tarred Bank Line, #36 - strong, durable cord that holds up to wet conditions
Titan SurvivorCord - parachute cord with special inner strands including tinder, brass wire, fishing line
Fire Lite Utility Tinder Cord - orange reflective cord with an inner strand that serves as fire starting tinder
cordage
A few bags I use. There are many other options, but these have served me well.
GB2 Waxed Canvas Haversack - a great all purpose bag for carrying essentials
GB2 General Purpose Drawstring Pouch (Medium) - heavy canvas pouch to stay organized
MYSTERY RANCH Glacier Backpack - a large 70 liter pack for multi-day adventures
LA Police Gear Operator - a 45 liter pack for day or overnight trips
Bags and Pouches
Other tools and helpful items I use:
Exotac repSPOOL Field Repair Kit - needle, thread, duct tape, and tinder in one unit
Solo Stove 1800ml Stainless Steel Pot - featuring both a bail and side-mount handles
REPEL Tick Defense Unscented Aerosol - for use on skin
Sawyer Products Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents - for treating cloth
LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multitool - my favorite of all Leatherman tools
1" Scotch Eye Wood Auger Drill Bit - a tool that allows you to make strong wood joints
Rite In The Rain All-Weather Top-Spiral Notebook - the only way to good notes when its wet
Rite in the Rain Tough Mechanical Clicker Pencil - thicker lead that really shows up