Essentials

Stone knife: combine two small stones. It cleans game, opens tins, and makes rags. Keep one sharp and a spare.

Hand drill kit: a stick with a strip of bark. Lights fires when matches are scarce. Carry dry kindling.

Fireplace: rags or paper with small sticks or bark. Add firewood, light with matches or a hand drill, and cook out of sight.

Rags and bandages: cut ruined clothes. Disinfect with alcohol or disinfectant. Carry four to six clean pieces.

Splint: two sticks with a bandage or rags. Fixes a broken leg so you can walk out instead of crawling.

Torch: rag on a stick, then light it. Handy in a pinch, but it broadcasts your location.

Improvised kit

Rope: craft from six rags or use dried animal guts. Unlocks bags, fishing, and shelters.

Courier bag and upgrade: a burlap sack with three short sticks makes a courier bag. Add rope to upgrade to an improvised backpack.

Fishing rod and hook: a long stick with rope or dried guts for the rod. Craft a bone hook from bones. Bait with a worm.

Cooking stick: Sharpen a long stick with a knife. Cooks steaks safely over a small fire.

Bottle suppressor: a plastic bottle with duct tape. Quiets shots for a while, then degrades. Carry tape for repairs.

Shelter kit: rope with four long sticks. Place it, then finish with a tarp or netting for a small hidden camp.

Tripwire alarm: rope with two short sticks. Hang tins for a rattle or add a flare to warn you while you cook or sleep.

Bottle fish trap: Cut a plastic bottle into a trap, add worms, and set it in shallow water. Check later for easy protein.

Build what feeds you, warms you, and carries your loot, and save the flourishes for when you can afford to be loud.