Skills & Tools Of Yesteryear & Which Ones Do You Have; Or Wish You Had?

Over the last few years, I have read hundreds of survival and prepping articles. commented on just as many blog posts and realized some important facts about myself; and others around me.

First, there are many skills I have, but more that I do not have. Survival skills, basic ones at that.

In this post I will go over some of the skills that pioneers had, were forgotten over the years and which ones I have versus the one I want and need to learn. With the volatile economy, civil unrest popping up everywhere in the US and another possible collapse where will I be for survival? Where will you be?

Are we heading into another great depression? No, not recession like in 2008-2009, but a full blown great depression?

Image Source

Home Skills

*Gardening, Cooking, Preserving & Sewing

1. Mastered in Gardening- This is one skill I have almost mastered. I can grow tomatoes, a variety of peppers, herbs galore, corn, potatoes, garlic, onions, asparagus, Brussel Sprouts, cucumbers and the list goes on and on.
   Need to master in gardening- Saving all heirloom seeds. Some I have been able to, but it gets a little tricky for me when it comes to leaf lettuces, arugula and other greens.

2. Cooking- I cook from scratch mainly but what happens when I run out of flour, sugar, etc? I need to add this (growing wheat and sugar beets) to my gardening. Or perhaps in place of sugar, I need to learn more about maple syrup hunting and making, or beekeeping. There are alternatives to actual sugar, but I am clueless as to how to get, harvest and make.
   Learn to cook on an open fire. I don't necessarily mean a camping fire. I mean, take your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven outside, start a fire (no using matches or a lighter/fluid) and cook a complete dinner. Can you do it?

3. Preserving- learn to can the harvest and bounty from your garden. Grow herbs to add flavor; because how do you know how readily available salt and pepper will be?
   Side note: Did you know you can grow black pepper?
   Learn to preserve meat. Make jerky.
   Do you know how to can meat?
   Do you know how to salt venison?
   How about curing pork?
   I do not. So adding these to my to learn skills' list.

4. Sewing- Yes I can sew on a missing button, hem pants and skirts and I can even follow a pattern. But that is where my sewing skills end. Last week I had read @floridagypsy post about her homestead and how it started years ago. Her sewing abilities is what provoked this post of mine. I want to learn more basic hand sewing skills and her determination and words inspired me.
   Weaving goes in this category too. Can you weave a basket to haul your goods? Can you make a backpack style basket to hoist up and carry heavier items? Yeah, me either.

Carpentry & Livelihood Skills

*Building, Use of Hand Tools (non-electric) & Blacksmithing

1. Can you construct a small out building? Maybe even a real shelter? Do you have hammers, hand saws, nails? Or will you live in a tree branch structure?

2. Hand tools- No drills or electric or gas powered saws here. Can you cut a tree for wood planks?
   Items you may need: axe, awl, plane, straight draw/draw knife to peel bark off trees, hack saw, machete- the list is on-going.

1. Blacksmithing- What happens when you knife gets dull? Or if you need a new knife?
   Do you have any of these in your stash? Anvils, tongs, hammers or forges . These are all tools you would need to work.

Image Source
Draw Knife

Survival Skills

• Hunting/Butchering , Foraging, Fishing, Gunsmith & Raising Livestock

1. Hunting and Butchering- Ok, so you have gotten over your fear of guns and shooting a deer, squirrel or any other animal. But now the real work begins. Can you 'gut' the animal? Skin the animal? Butcher the animal? Do you know how to field dress a large animal?
   You may not be able to take it to a processor or butcher, so now what do you do?
   Do you hunt with a rifle or shotgun only? How about adding knives, bows and arrows/crossbows to your collection of hunting supplies?

2. Foraging and Fishing- Can you recognize safe plants to eat? Can you put a worm on a hook; or do you get squeamish? Do you know how to filet a fish once caught?

3. Gunsmith- Do you know how to clean your gun after firing? How about making sure all the parts are in working order? Do you have access to an unlimited amount of ammunition; or can you make your own?

4. Raising Livestock- Do you know about animal husbandry? What mixture to feed your chickens? How about how to milk a cow or goat? Process the milk after it has been milked?

Medical

• Basic First Aid, Herbal Healing and Pain Management

1. Do you hold a current Red Cross First Aid card? Do you know how to help a choking person? How about bandaging a cut? Cleaning out the cut? Splinting a sprain? How to build a travois to haul an injured person or your supplies?

Image SourceTravois

1. Herbs & Pain Management- Do you know which herbs are good for salves? Which herb can be used for a sprain or as a topical pain reliever? How about which ones are good for sore throats? Can you make infused oils? Can you make an anxiety tea?
   Yes, these will all be important if a doctor is not available; or if you cannot afford one or the medication.

These are just questions off the top of my head... do you have any to add?

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