I wrote an article called “Crossover Tools And Applications” where I described my experience of shopping in a beauty supply store and found resources that worked well as survival tools. Similarly I stopped in a pet store and was surprised to find items that could be used for primitive tools and associated projects.

There were elk antler pieces stocked for prairie dog chews that I could use for flint knapping billets and points for pressure flaking. Short to long tendons were stocked as dog chews that could be hydrated and stripped for binding cordage or for stitching thread. Different sized bones were stocked that could be used as tools for digging or as a weapon such as a club or broken into shards for use as projectile points or as a fish gorge. There were also cattle and sheep hooves meant as dog chews that could be used for primitive ornamentation or made into a bell for ceremonies or as a trip line motion alarm. Raw hide sticks (not shown) can be re-hydrated and cut into strips for lashing or for forming knife sheaths.

These are a few suggestions for resource applications. I would love to hear about your applications for these resources or suggestions for other similar resources not mentioned.

Not long ago I made a short video demonstrating how to break the bottom out of a bottle by hand. My original purpose in doing this was to use the glass bottom as material with which to practice my knapping skills while making arrowheads. Each time that glass disc would pop off the bottom I would mention to onlookers that without further work, this was a tool unto it’s self. It has a very sharp edge that could be used for cutting and potentially skinning and dressing out an animal.

As survivaltek readers may attest, I’ve been known to harvest astragalus bones from deer roadkill. On such an occasion I decided to test out my theory with this improvised cutting tool from a bottle. To my delight and amazement it cut clean and easy! After the initial incision I began to separate the hide from the carcass. Although I didn’t pursue the meat and organs, I’m sure that it would accomplish the task. That further work will be a project for the future.

Although most folks are not accustom to butchering, it’s good to know that in an emergency situation and without conventional tools, you can accomplish this task that could be a key part to your survival.

Now, when I see this, my eyes light up because I think “astragalus bones” that I use as sockets for my bow & spindle fire kits. When my wife sees this, she cringes because she knows what’s coming next. In this case, we agreed to postpone my harvesting task until after our breakfast. Good thing… when I arrived at the scene on our return trip, I could see that the deer was not exactly fresh, and definitely had an “air” about it. In fact, I decided to harvest only one of the bones. In the end, this adventure influenced our outing to proceed directly home. My wife recovered while I boiled the bone to preserve it and help remove excess remaining tissue. Men, I recommend this as a “guys-only” activity whenever possible.

In any case, if you decide to harvest astragalus bones in this way, cut along the front side of the rear leg joint. This opens the hide and severs all of the front ligaments. Then hyper-extend the joint forward by stepping behind the leg and placing your foot on the joint while using both hands to pull the upper and lower leg bones against your foot pressure. This is similar to breaking kindling wood. The astragalus bone should pop up where you can cut the side ligaments to release it.

You can learn more in my article “Astragalus Bones“