Knife and cord seem to be the single most important tools you can have. You can, essentially, make or scavenge everything else you need through the use of these items - of course with the proper knowhow and execution.
While it is not in the minimalist realm of survival, a great item to have (as mentioned previously) is a radio:
For a very simple, yet effective bugout radio, Kaito's KA series (I own a KA007) is able to receive AM, FM, Weather band, TV, Short Wave, and Air signals. It is powered via batteries (3x AA), A/C adapter, solar panel on the rear, or a hand dynamo which lasts a significant amount of time with very little effort. It also contains a small LED to act as a makeshift flashlight, and has a standard headphone jack so you can listen with a pair of earbuds (included) to reduce necessary volume - thereby reducing the power consumption. This jack also doubles as an antenna for Short Wave band signals using the included wire-antenna.
~$30 for a great bugout/survival/GOOD radio is definitely worth it, I think.
Kaito KA009 @ Weems Creek Solutions
Gentlemen, thank you for a
great thread. I've learned more in these pages than all of my Army training of the last several years (sadly).
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Upon further thought, you could use the components in this radio (such as the solar cell and dynamo) for many other things. Charging batteries for your flashlight, for example, would be an excellent use to apply to the solar cell.