Survival Cards
For nearly a decade Grim Workshop has been creating Survival Cards.
Survival cards are compact, credit card-sized multi-tools designed to give you real capability without taking up space. Instead of carrying a full kit, you can carry dozens of essential tools in your wallet, Altoids tin, or small everyday carry setup.
They are built for one purpose:
to make sure you have the tools you need, when you need them, without relying on a backpack or bulky gear.
What Is a Survival Card
A survival card is a flat, credit card-sized multi-tool designed to provide essential survival and everyday utility functions in a compact, portable format. These tools are made to fit in a wallet, Altoids tin, or small kit, allowing you to carry multiple tools without adding weight or bulk.
What Tools Are on a Survival Card?
Survival cards can include a wide range of tools depending on how they are designed. Some are fixed into the card, while others use removable components that can be taken out, used, and returned.
Common tools found on survival cards include:
- knives and cutting tools
- small saws
- fishing hooks and line components
- fire starting tools
- lock picking tools
- sewing needles and repair tools
The goal is simple: give you the most useful tools possible in the smallest amount of space.
To see the full list of all items on a survival card, check out The Grimoire, our full index of all tools on survival cards.
Where Survival Cards Fit in Real Life
Survival cards exist because most people don’t carry full kits with them every day.
They are designed for situations like:
- everyday carry in your wallet
- small Altoids tin survival kits
- vehicle emergency kits
- hiking and outdoor setups
- backup tools in larger kits
They are not meant to replace full-size tools.
They are meant to make sure you are never without tools at all.
History and Evolution of Survival Cards
Credit card-sized tools and multi-tools have been around for decades. We've all seen those free "tools" with a bottle opener, a few hex wrenches, and maybe a small saw on one side. But let's be honest, they weren't very helpful and often difficult to use.
As technology advanced, so did our approach to tool design. People began seeking more compact options, something that could fit in a wallet, Altoids tin, or small pocket without sacrificing functionality. This demand led to the development of survival cards, which took the best features of ineffective or bulky tools and condensed them into the size of a standard credit card. Today, you can find survival cards that include everything from mini saws and lock picks to fishing kits, fire-starting tools, and even tiny stoves—all small enough to fit in your wallet!
Grim Workshop took this concept to an entirely new level. We created credit card-sized tools that not only fit into a wallet or Altoids tin but also allow the tools to be removed from the card and put back when you're done. This innovation elevated the survival card idea, enabling us to include items like fish hooks, needles, lock-picking tools, removable saws, and even knives and spear points. We've now developed hundreds of tools across dozens of different card designs, with new innovations being added every day.
Today, survival cards are more advanced than ever. Made from strong materials like stainless steel, they’re fully hardened and built to last and withstand tough conditions. They’ve become a popular part of everyday carry (EDC) gear, especially for those who want to be prepared for anything without taking up additional space or carrying a bulky toolkit.
Why People Carry Survival Cards
People carry survival cards for one reason:
to solve the problem of space.
Full-size tools are better, but they are not always with you. Survival cards allow you to carry:
- cutting tools
- repair tools
- fire tools
- survival essentials
without changing how you carry your gear.
They are used by:
- everyday carry users
- outdoorsmen
- travelers
- preppers
- anyone who wants backup tools without extra bulk
It’s not about replacing your gear.
It’s about having something when you otherwise wouldn’t.
Grim Workshop, Nearly a Decade Making Survival Cards
Grim Workshop has been at the forefront of creating high-quality survival tools that can fit in a wallet for nearly a decade. Our mission is to provide practical and reliable gear that seamlessly fits into your everyday carry setup. From survival cards to multi-tools, we design our products to be durable, functional, and always ready when you need them. At Grim Workshop, we believe that being prepared should be easy and accessible to everyone.
What's next? check out our guide on the different types of survival cards
Want More? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Survival Cards
Survival Card Variants (Different Types of Card Tools)
Survival cards are not all built the same. Over time, different styles of card based tools have developed based on how people use them and what problems they’re trying to solve.
Multi Tool Cards
Multi-tool cards are a common type. These are flat tools with functions cut directly into the body of the card, rather than using removable components.
They typically include:
- wrenches
- bottle openers
- screwdrivers
- small saw edges
Because the tools are fixed into the card, they are simple and durable, but often more limited in how they can be used compared to modular or removable tool designs.
If you want to see examples of this style, you can browse multi tool card designs and fixed-function cards →
Urban Survival Cards
Urban survival cards are designed for everyday carry in city and urban environments.
They focus on:
- small repairs
- light prying
- fast access tools
- compact utility functions
These tools are geared toward:
- convenience
- accessibility
- quick problem solving
rather than extended outdoor or field use.
For compact tools focused on everyday carry and urban problem solving, explore Urban survival card tools →
Wilderness Cards
A wilderness card is often another name people use for a survival card, especially in an outdoor or backcountry context.
While the term “wilderness card” is not as widely used as “survival card,” it generally refers to the same type of tool. The difference is usually in how it’s used and what tasks it’s expected to handle.
In most cases, someone searching for a wilderness card is looking for:
- compact outdoor tools
- multi-use survival gear
- lightweight equipment for field use
In other words, a wilderness card and a survival card are the same core concept, just described from a more outdoor-focused perspective.
If you’re looking for tools built specifically for outdoor use, you can explore our full wilderness card collection designed for outdoor use →
Most people searching for terms like “wilderness card” "Multitool Card" or “survival card” are ultimately looking for the same thing: a compact tool that provides real capability without taking up space.
Frequently Asked Questions About Survival Cards
Q: What can you do with a survival card?
A: A survival card can help with tasks like cutting, fire starting, fishing, repair work, and small emergency situations. It functions as a compact backup toolkit.
Q: What is the difference between a survival card and a multitool card?
A: A multitool card typically has fixed tools cut into its body, while a survival card may include removable tools and is often designed for broader survival use.
Q: Are survival cards durable?
A: Yes. Most are made from stainless steel or high carbon spring steel and are built to handle real-world use within their intended limits.
Q: Are survival cards actually worth carrying?
A: Yes, if you value having backup tools available. They are not a replacement for full gear, but they are extremely useful when that gear is not available.
Q: Can I carry a survival card on a plane?
A: It depends on the tools included. Some components may not be allowed in carry-on luggage. Always check current TSA guidelines.
Q: What is a wilderness card?
A: A wilderness card is another term for a survival card, usually used in an outdoor context to describe compact tools designed for field use.
Q: Is a wilderness card different from a survival card?
A: No. The terms are often used interchangeably. The difference is usually how the tool is used, not what it is.