Its magic time on the farm. Outside is like like a nature soundtrack full orchestra ....and the bugs are not quite overwhelming yet....and I cant sleep. My loss is your gain. I have time for some quick thoughts.
These are my three must have items. Not the usual things you are told you need.
#1. A Broad Fork. http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10521&cat=2,42578,40769 If you are trying to turn a garden without a rototiller or the gas to run it, this will save your a$$
#2. A Draw Knife. http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Tools/Hand-Tools/Carpenter/Cutting/Planes-Spokes-Shaves/10-Steel-Draw-Knife/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I1043016?Ntt=draw+knife If you need to build anything with raw logs, from fence posts to support beams, wood does not last long if you don't strip it. Bark creates a growth medium for bugs and decomposing bacteria. (Also damn helpful for making a bow or dowel fasteners)
#3. A Cargo Bike. http://www.xtracycle.ca/ Sandy should teach us that gas shortage and blocked roads make vehicle travel sketchy. An economic crash (personal or national) means you lose your job and your ability to afford keeping a car going. Cargo bikes are expensive but if you only have a regular bike, make sure you get tough racks, panniers, baskets and bags. your other option is a trailer but this can cause a lot of drag.
These are 3 more bonus items. 1. a QUALITY multi head screw driver. 2. Quality Vice Grips. 3. Nails, Screw and Binding Wire. Hoard them any time you find them at garage sales for cheap.
That's all folks. I'm off for coffee.
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
I've owned this driver for years. Money well spent. Buy once, cry once.
http://www.amazon.ca/Snap-Industrial-Brand-Williams-WRS-1/dp/B002NI1LZK
Its the under appreciated stuff that is the most valuable. The thing we have to ask ourselves is, "What reduces my work load...and what do I actually USE". The screw driver and vice grips are the thing I find I have to run back into the house for the most. When I go out "Scrounging" these are the first things to end up in my pocket and actually get used. At the moment, we have decided to upgrade our garden tools (shovels, pitch fork, hay forks, etc) and we are looking for the pro models. Not the mass produced cheap ones. Sometimes its best to get cheap disposable objects for prepping. You don't want to have to run back through a hoard of zombies because you dropped your multi tool. Other times you want the Best of the best. The trick is to decide which is which. You can waist a lot of your prepping money buying the super version of something...that makes you feel manly and prepared...only to sit on a shelf or clog up a parking space. I prefer cheap knives and gloves and water bottles and motorcycles because I abuse and lose them...But I want a shovel that will last 3 generations of hard use. Spending 4 times as much then becomes a deal. Ask any Mechanic
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.