essential tools list

We’ve been through a lot of great tools, and some duds. Below is a list of our favorite tools.
We update it semi-regularly.

Plant Propagation & Pruning Supplies

Best basic grafting knife good for all whip and tongue work (bench grafting) and budding.  Make thousands of plants for pennies or free.

Gashell's Grafting Wax - the best. No mess, versatile.

Felco 13's - pruners - the most versatile hand pruner. Lifetime tool. Don't buy a cheaper once twice - it's more expensive. 

Grafting tape - Parafim: 1" wide, most versatile.

Pole pruners - very good value - not the top of the line but have had great results.  

General Homestead & Farm Essentials

Mora companion knife - can't beat it in carbon steel for the price. You can keep it srsly sharp. 

King sharpening stone - waterstone - if you only own one stone this does it all.

A good strop to take the edge to the next level

Best splitting wood splitting tool I've used, Gransfors Bruks

Speedy Stitcher - essential all around repair tool

Best Damn Utility Knife Made - Tajima

Incredible Chalk Line - you'll need one, this one rules

Otis Gun Cleaning System - best all around, easy, fast, quality. 

Outer's gun cleaning solvent - no odor, works. 

Hori Hori - essential in any garden and for transplanting herbaceous perennials. Keep it on you.

King of Spades - the lifetime planting spade. Amazing tool. You'll enjoy every moment with it. 

Streamlight small light - in my pocket a lot.

Makita Impact Driver - constant workhouse. Built the farm with it. 18v is minimum and Makita's is the best.  I now use the 18V+ Dewalts after all the Makita's batteries crapped out. And they are much better. 

Rechargeable batteries 123's - for headlamps, water purifier, more.

AA and AAA Rechargebale's - super key to have on hand. The Eneloop's are the best I know of.

To keep them charged - great charger, last many cycles. 

Small screwdriver set - finally found a good quality one that doesn't break. For all those tiny things from scopes to electronics.  

Vice grip adjustable wrench - Probably THE most ingenius and go-to hand tool I have. 

Tweezers - if you have ticks you need a good one, these are good. 

Fein Tool - the do anyting oscillating tool, beyond useful 

Design & Planning Tools

Pentel 0.7 mm pencils - go to for design and 0.9 for carpentry 

Good trace paper - make your mistakes on paper

Epic architect scale (ruler), needed for planning

Epic engineer's scale, also needed