Foraging is a brilliant skill to learn. If you understand how to forage, you can effectively survive in the wild on plants and fungi – without the need for man-made sustenance. One important aspect of foraging is the collection and extraction. To do this effectively and quickly, you need a varied set of tools. In this guide, we have picked 7 of the best foraging accessories in 2021 that will make food collection that much easier and convenient!
1. JEOutdoors ZEM Pruning Shears
First, every forager can benefit from a sturdy pair of pruning shears. Pruning shears are typically used in the garden to trim flowers and plants. However, they also make for a superb foraging tool. You can use pruning shears to cut edible flowers, shoots, and stems without causing too much damage to the plant.
The JEOutdoors ZEM Pruning Shears are a great example and a brilliant product for your foraging trips. These durable shears can tackle plants, stems, and branches up to a thickness of 3/4 inches.
The blade is made from high-quality durable carbon alloy steel. Also, the blade has been treated with a special antirust coating for excellent longevity. We also like that the shears have a simple lock mechanism for when not in use.
The handles have an ergonomic design with a comfortable grip. They are also spring loaded which help with cutting through tough plant stems.
- High-quality carbon alloy steel blade.
- Spring-loaded handles for extra tension.
- Portable and easy to carry.
2. Camillus MASK Fixed Blade Knife
Next, we have the trusty pocket knife. A small knife has many uses in outdoor survival situations. For example, it can be used to cut firewood. Also, knives are brilliant tools for foraging. You can use them to remove plants, but also in cooking preparation.
A simple but effective example is the Camillus MASK Fixed Blade Knife. This knife has a titanium bonded build and the blade is made from high-grade 420 stainless steel. It has a curved edge that is perfect for cutting through plant stems and branches.
Also, it has a secure connection to the handle which has a beautiful camo design. It should be noted that this knife is not foldable – the blade is fixed. However, for safety, it comes with a high-quality knife sheath to prevent accidents and a dulling of the blade.
The blade is bonded with titanium which increases its resistance to corrosion and rust. Also, it is 3x harder than standard untreated steel.
- Titanium bonded blade for rust protection.
- Made from durable 420 stainless steel.
- Comes with a quality knife sheath.
3. Hilcollie Garden Trowel & Hand Shovel
What foraging kit would be complete without a hand shovel? You could opt to take a full-size shovel; however, these are incredibly bulky and not practical to carry. A hand shovel is much smaller and lightweight. This type of tool can be used to help dig up roots like burdock.
The Hilcollie Garden Trowel is one such tool that offers a brilliant solution for root-digging and foraging. It has a robust polished aluminum head which should easily cut through soil and tuft when digging roots.
The design is also lightweight and small. It weighs just 140g and has an overall length of 30cm. This means that it should easily fit in a backpack without taking up too much space.
We also like the ergonomic handle that features a soft rubber grip. It should be comfortable to use, even when digging into tough ground.
- Soft rubber handle for comfortable use.
- Lightweight at just 140g.
- High-quality shovel head made from polished aluminum.
4. Anecity Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors
You don’t always need a knife or pruning shears to cut plants and fungi. Oftentimes, a durable pair of kitchen scissors is a brilliant alternative. Kitchen scissors can be used to cut leaves and herbs, but they can also help in the preparation of food.
The Anecity Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors are a brilliant choice and one of the best foraging accessories in 2021. These robust kitchen scissors are made from stainless steel. This should improve their durability and cutting power. The blades are also corrosion resistant.
We also like that these scissors have micro-serrated blade edges. This provides excellent cutting power for a range of plants, leaves, and fungi. The large TRP handles are also comfortable to hold and provide excellent grip – they are also designed in such a way that is suitable for left and right-handed users.
- Ambidextrous handles
- Blades made from high-quality stainless steel.
- Serrated blade edges to aid cutting.
5. Davaon Pro Pruning Saw
Oftentimes you may find plants, trees, or bushes that are much tougher to tackle. As a result, you may need something stronger than a knife. This is why a folding hand saw is one of the best foraging accessories. It can be used to cut through thicker branches and plants with ease.
The Davaon Pro Pruning Saw is one such example. This versatile tool is easy to use and offers a lightweight, compact foraging solution. It weighs just 230 grams, and when folded has an overall length of approximately 20cm.
For sawing the blade is 7-inches and made from SK5 carbon steel. It has sharp teeth with a rating of 7 TPI, and the blade is also rust-resistant.
We also like that this pruning saw has three different sawing positions. You can lock the blade at three different angles which allows you to tackle a range of plants and branches from different positions. The protective lock is also easy to open and close for quick usage. Lastly, the rubber handle has a soft grip and is designed to increase comfort while cutting.
- Soft-grip rubber handle for comfortable use.
- Sharp blade made from SK5 carbon steel.
- Relatively lightweight and easy to carry.
6. Amazon Basics Leather Gardening Gloves
Foraging is often dirty, gritty, and abrasive – this is part of the fun! However, it can take a toll on your hands and arms and result in many cuts and scratches. As a result, a pair of gardening gloves are a great accessory to have.
The Amazon Basics Leather Gardening Gloves are an ideal solution. In this standard pack you get two pairs of gloves for a reasonable price. You can also choose from a range of different sizes and colours including grey, green, pink, purple, and brown.
The gloves are made from durable leather which will provide protection even against the most abrasive plants. Also, they have gauntlet arm protection which will protect your wrists and lower arms while foraging.
The finger and thumb design are also ergonomic so you still have excellent control and dexterity. For extra protection, the palms also have additional padding. These are one of the best foraging accessories and offer a great mix of protection and usability.
- Gauntlet protection for wrists and arms.
- Ergonomic design to improve finger control.
- Made from durable leather for maximum protection.
7. KICHLY Plastic Airtight Food Storage Containers
Next, you need something to store your foraged plants, berries, and fungi in! Even if you are preparing the food on-location, you still need something to store them in. This is why it is great to have a range of portable food storage containers.
KITCHLY has an excellent set of 9 food storage containers. This might seem like overkill, but you can use these containers for many purposes around the home as well as for foraging.
The plastic containers are all made from BPA-free material which means no toxins or chemicals will leak into your food. Also, the containers are 100% microwave and dishwasher safe. The construction is sturdy and the lids also have a simple snap mechanism for quick opening and closing.
In this set, you get 9 containers of various sizes, and 9 snap lids to suit. The smallest containers have a capacity of 550ml, and the largest has a capacity of 3250ml.
- Made from BPA-free plastic.
- Easy to use snap mechanism lid.
- A good range of storage sizes.
8. BelOMO 10x Triplet Jewellers Loupe Magnifier
Lastly, you often need to inspect plants and flowers in close detail. This is so that you can identify them properly, but also so you can identify any potential issues. As a result, a small magnifying glass or jewellers loupe magnifier is a great tool to have.
The BelOMO 10x Triplet Jewellers Loupe Magnifier is such a product. This is a small magnifier that has up to a 10x magnification spread across three lenses. It is incredibly small and could easily fit in your pocket during foraging expeditions.
The glass quality is fantastic and the design is also easy to use. You can simply hold it in one finger and use it to inspect plants and fungi in fine detail.
- 10x magnification.
- High-quality lens glass.
- Durable and compact design.
Equip Yourself Today for Your Next Foraging Adventure
Every great forager needs a handy set of tools to aid their work. Whilst it is tempting to try and use your hands, this is not the easiest method. Using the best foraging accessories will make collection and gathering much easier.
As a result, you can concentrate on correctly identifying the best edible plants instead of destroying your hands trying to extract them! Invest in these tools today so you can make your foraging trips easier, and concentrate on what matters!