Essential Techniques for Constructing Field Expedient Tools

Learning how to make tools from natural materials in the wild is a fundamental survival skill that can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving in challenging environments. Field expedient tools are implements constructed from available natural resources when manufactured equipment is unavailable or insufficient. This guide will explore the essential materials and techniques for crafting functional tools using stone, wood, and bone found in wilderness settings.

What material did ancient people use to make tools?

The materials used to make all field expedient tools, weapons, and equipment fall into five primary categories: stone, bone, wood, metal, and other materials. These same resource categories have been utilized throughout human history for tool construction.

Stone serves as an excellent material for striking, puncturing, or chopping tools, though it will not hold a fine edge. However, certain stones such as chert, flint, or obsidian can achieve very fine edges suitable for cutting implements. During winter months, quality stone becomes extremely difficult to locate, making seasonal planning important for tool construction.

Wood offers unlimited uses for tool construction, with a knife blade capable of fashioning wood into any desired shape. Wood is classified into two general categories: hard and soft, with hardwood being preferred for all survival uses. To test wood strength, press your fingernail into the grain of the wood. If a print is visible, the wood is generally soft and less suitable for demanding applications.

Bone provides versatility for creating hooks, shaft tips, scrapers, awls, sockets, and handles. Raw bone must be shattered with a heavy object such as a rock to create workable pieces for tool construction.

How to make stone tools in the wild?

Creating stone tools requires specific techniques for chipping and flaking. To make a sharp-edged piece of stone, both a chipping tool and flaking tool are needed. A chipping tool is a light, blunt-edged implement used to break off small pieces of stone, while a flaking tool is a pointed instrument used to break off thin, flattened pieces of stone.

You can make a chipping tool from wood, bone, or metal, and a flaking tool from bone, antler tines, or soft iron. When creating weapon heads from stone, certain stones will shatter under pressure when force is delivered upon them. Always test the stone's hardness prior to use to ensure it will perform as expected.

Essential Tool Construction Techniques

When working with bone materials, raw bone must first be shattered with a heavy object such as a rock. From the pieces of shattered bone, select a suitable pointed splinter. You can further shape and sharpen this splinter by rubbing it against a rough surfaced rock or metal file from your multi-purpose knife.

For wood construction, all wood points should be sharpened to the side of the shaft rather than the center. Wood is weakest at the center and will not hold a point effectively when sharpened from that position. Fire hardening can be applied to green wood to increase durability and strength.

Creating functional utensils requires understanding material properties. Bowls and containers can be made from bone and wood. To make wooden bowls, locate or split a piece of wood, then coal burn to the desired depth. A spork can be carved from wood using a knife to shape the material into the desired form.

Mastering these fundamental techniques for constructing field expedient tools provides the foundation for wilderness self-sufficiency. Understanding the properties and applications of natural materials like stone, wood, and bone enables the creation of functional implements that can serve multiple survival needs. Practice with these materials and techniques builds the confidence and skill necessary for effective tool construction in challenging environments.

Sources: US Marine Corps MWTC Summer Survival Course Handbook, US Marine Corps MWTC Winter Survival Course Handbook.pdf 01 37 1