When you first start out on your journey towards self-sufficiency, you're usually bootstrapping your way there without much money – or many tools. If I were starting again now, these are the best tools for self sufficiency that I'd save up to buy first.
Bootstrapping your way (on practically zero budget) towards a more self sufficient life is something most homesteaders are familiar with.
But even for the bootstrappers out there, there are some tools for self sufficiency that are simply essential.
The best tools for self sufficiency are not just about looking good, they have the very practical advantage of making you more efficient at your tasks and if the self sufficient homesteader is anything, he (or she) is always short of time.
Tools help you do more work in less time and whether you need to beg, borrow or steal (no, not really), here are the best tools for self sufficiency that I'd buy first if I was starting all over again now.
I'll break the article down into sections; essential basic self sufficiency tools, uncommon self sufficiency tools and off-grid tools.
I guarantee there will be tools in this list that you'd never even thought of that will make your work around the homestead lighter and more enjoyable.
Essential Tools That Every Self Sufficient Homestead Can't Live Without
No self-respecting homesteader would be seen without their basic itinerary of essential tools.
I've been building my small-scale suburban homestead for over a decade now and here are my top 10 self sufficiency tools for general homesteading that I simply couldn't be without.
Top 10 Best Tools For Self Sufficiency
- Knife
- Shovel
- Axe
- Hammer
- Handsaw
- Screwdrivers
- Garden Hoe
- Whhelbarrow
- Pruning Shears
- Watering Can or Hose
One thing I've learned in all this time is that when it comes to tools, you definitely get what you pay for. So, don't scrimp on the good stuff. Cheap tools always end up costing you more in the long run.
Instead, save your time and money and invest in good quality gear and you will reap the rewards for years to come – especially seen as though inflation is set to continue it's unstoppable trend upward for the foreseeable future.
1. Knife
Description
A versatile and essential tool for various tasks like food preparation, gardening, and construction.
I use my knife for far more than cooking. My Gerber Ultimate Knife doubles up as a fire-starter, kindling cutter, grafting knife, small hole digger and branch saw.
Yes, it's slightly more expensive but as I keep saying, when it comes to tools, you really do get what you pay for.
Perfect around the self sufficient homestead.
or visit:
Gerber Store
2. Shovel
Description
Essential for digging, planting, and moving soil.
Shovels aren't to be confused with spades!
I use my shovel for moving soil/compost about and I use my spade for digging holes.
Spear & Jackson offer a 15 year guarantee on theirs and they're more than affordable.
or visit:
Spear & Jackson
3. Axe
Description
Useful for chopping firewood, clearing land, and general woodwork.
I only really use my axe for chopping fire wood so I chose the best wood splitting axe I could find for that.
I use the Fiskars X25 because:
- it is a great axe
- it has a 25 year guarantee.
4. Hammer
Description
Necessary for construction, repairs, and building structures (and loads of odd jobs around the homestead).
I use my hammer for building things, breaking things, loosening things and tightening things.
Hammers come in different weights and shaft styles but I mostly use my 20oz rubber grip hammer which gets me through most tasks comfortably.
Check Best Price5. Hand Saw
Description
Ideal for cutting wood, pruning trees, and crafting.
I am often cutting up old pallets to make planters or reclaiming some driftwood and am always cutting up wood.
I use my Fiskars pruning saw and niwaki secateurs for most of my pruning however, but, if you're on a tight budget, you can make do with a good quality hand saw.
This one from Spear & Jackson is under £12 and is a good quality universal hand saw.
or visit:
Spear & Jackson
6. Screwdrivers
Description
Essential for assembling and repairing equipment, furniture, and structures.
Other than my hammer and my knife, my screwdrivers are the tools I use most around the homestead.
I've gone through a lot of screwdrivers over the years and by far the ones I'd recommend are: magnetic, heavy duty, good quality and come with a holder to keep them organised.
Like this 18 piece set from WellCut.
or visit:
UK Planet Tools
7. Garden Hoe
Description
Great for cultivating soil, removing weeds, and preparing planting beds.
To become more self sufficient, you'll want to be growing your own food. One of the most important aspects of that process is cultivating soil (removing weeds) so that it produces abundantly.
I've yet to find another tool I use more for clearing out weeds and other unwanted growth than my Dutch Hoe.
I always look for manufacturer guarantees on my tools and this stainless steel Dutch Hoe from Spear & Jackson comes with a 15 year guarantee.
or visit:
Spear & Jackson
8. Wheelbarrow
Description
Helps transport heavy loads of soil, compost, and other materials.
Whether it is soil, compost, weeds or leaves, I'm always moving piles of stuff around the homestead.
Without my wheelbarrow, this would take 20 times longer than it already does and that would make a lot of what I do pretty much unfeasible.
Wheelbarrows can get pricey but like all tools, you are far better off with something that will last rather than something that is cheap.
Make use of guarantees where you can.
or visit:
Neo Store
9. Pruning Shears
Description
Important for maintaining healthy plants, trimming branches, and harvesting.
You'd be surprised how often you end up pulling out your pruning shears when you start homesteading.
Everything from trimming overgrown branches to harvesting your vegetables is game for a good pair of shears.
I use my Niwaki Maichini shears for pruning my fruit trees (which I care about greatly) but for everyday use I use these GRUNTEK pruning shears which are exceptionally good quality for the price point.
Check Best Price10. Watering Can or Hose
Description
Necessary for watering plants, maintaining a garden, and water management.
I've used plastic watering cans over the years but without fail, they always end up cracking/leaking/splitting so now I only ever buy galvanised steel watering cans.
I have 3 different sizes so that I can do my general watering, pot watering and seedling watering.
For seedlings, you need a very faint sprinkle of water so as not to disturb the seeds when you pour.
There are lots of options available; but my preference is to opt for quality over price and always go for products that offer long guarantees if you can find any.
or visit:
Draper Tools
Uncommon Tools For Self Sufficiency That Will Make Your Homesteading Life Easier
In addition to the essential best tools for self sufficiency listed above, I also have an ‘elite' selection of uncommon tools that will make your work easier – yet most people have never even heard of them.
I can tell you as a small-scale suburban homesteader; you really do begin to appreciate the gift of efficiency when you find it and these are the extra tools that have helped make that happen for me.
11. Multi-Purpose Knife
Description
A versatile and essential tool for various tasks like food preparation, gardening, and construction.
The ideal multi-purpose knife that I'd like to own one day is the Leatherman Signal.
Banded as the ultimate multi-tool for any adventure, the Signal comes with 19 built-in tools all combined into a compact size of under 12 cm.
Perfect around the self sufficient homestead and one of my go to tools for self sufficiency.
or visit:
Leatherman Tools
12. Food Vacuum Sealer
Description
An essential tool for preserving food, a vacuum sealer removes air from packaging, extending the shelf life of perishable items, and preventing freezer burn.
Every harvest season, I end up with a glut of produce. There are several ways you can preserve food and I always tend to lean toward the low-tech, ancestral methods, however there is no denying that a modern vacuum sealer is a good option.
Simply pack up your food in bags, vacuum out all of the air and pack away in a freezer or dry storage area if the produce suits.
or visit:
Bonsenkitchen
The Power of Off-Grid Solutions: Tools for Self-Sufficient Living
Here are my top tool picks for off-grid self sufficiency. These are all tools that will improve your quality of life if you're living off-grid.
13. Rainwater Harvesting Kit
Description
No matter the size of your homestead, you need to reduce your reliance on grid-tied systems as much as possible.
Capturing rainwater is such low-hanging fruit that you should do it as soon as you are able.
It is simple to implement (if you have a roof and a drain you can do it) and the rewards are almost instant – free water with no added chemicals.
Rainwater harvesting systems can be as big or small as you require (see my DIY gravity fed watering system for an example) but a good starting point would be to get a 250l complete kit, including rainwater diverter.
Check Best Price14. Solar Powered Water Purifier
Description
Utilising solar energy, this portable device filters and purifies water from natural sources, ensuring access to clean drinking water in remote locations, during emergencies or when you're entirely off-grid.
With a solar powered water purifier like this one from GoSun, you can take rainwater from your rainwater harvesting system (or any water source, actually) and purify it for safe drinking or washing.
Check Latest Price15. Portable Solar Generator
Description
A compact and rechargeable power source that harnesses solar energy, providing electricity for small appliances, lighting, and charging electronic devices, even in off-grid situation.
This Jackery 1000 connects directly to solar panels and stores power in its built-in battery.
You can plug your appliances straight into the Jackery 1000 and run them directly from the power unit.
An excellent option for off-grid self sufficiency & homesteading.
or visit:
Jackery
