2 is 1... 1 is none

5 is 1 - 1 is none. Usually have about 5 knives on me, bunch of firesteels and fatwood chunks.

choppers on the belt, fixed blade on the belt, couple folders in the pocket, another chopper in the pack.
 
I have 2 knives, and multiple ways for fire. When going to the woods, usually 2 options for shelter also. Water purification is something I prefer to have a couple of also.
 
I only practice redundancy in critical systems. Such as knife, water (storage and treatment), Compass, First aid, etc.

I also make sure to spread that redundant gear throughout my clothing and gear load that way if anything were to happen I am always assured of having at least my essential items with me.
 
I always carry back-up everything in multiple places, especially knives. I have them everywhere :thumbup:

I buy two or three of things for that reason , and sometimes if I just like something a lot, or maybe it's an irreplaceable item in the future. Usually applies to knives though :D
 
Pritch said:
If you're going to take a hit in the weight/bulk department, choose gear that is versatile and compliments your primary kit, rather than identically duplicates it.
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Exactly, always better to have versatile items that allow a redudancy based on function. I carry some esbit fuel tabs in case I have difficulties to start fire.

I also carry a small notepad for taking notes, leaving messages... Have iodine tincture (iodine+alcohol) for water disinfection. Sometimes carry alcohol based hand sanitizer.

None or those are meant to be used as firestarters, but in an emergency, I could use them.

Same for knives: not unusual to carry a chopper for big tasks and a mora for small tasks. If necessary I could use the chopper for small tasks and to some extend the mora for big tasks.

Ziplocks can carry water.
Cooking pots can dig snow.
Duct tape may replace bandage.
Spare socks may be used as mittens.
Poncho can be used tarp and reciprocally...

In all those situation "replacements" are only field expedients, not as good as "the real thing" but still more practical than carrying twice.
 
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charlie mike, i believe the term "hyper vigalance" would be more applicable, or at least that is what my doctor calls it. "combat mode" would be your thinking more when you or someone you care about is threatened.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I don't carry a lot of redundancy. Out in the woods, more than one knife, more than one way to start a fire, more than one water container, that's a bout it.

The redundancy in my life is stored at home.
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You summed it up for me. I carry more water than I need and two knives along with a lighter and rod. I've got some redundancy in my FAK but IMO it kinda has to be that way in order to be properly prepared.
 
hiwa said:
I always carry back-up everything in multiple places, especially knives. I have them everywhere :thumbup:

I buy two or three of things for that reason , and sometimes if I just like something a lot, or maybe it's an irreplaceable item in the future. Usually applies to knives though :D
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I generally only buy multiple of one particular item if it is cheap - I have quite a few lighters for example.

For flashlights I do have several similar lights - I have a few 1 x AA powered LED lights for example. These are great because they utilize the best possible battery format and the lights themselves are a perfect combination of high output & small size & weight. AA batteries must be the most common size out there and I have plenty of rechargeable and non-rechargeable cells in that size. If I go camping with 2 of these lights then each one holds a spare battery for the other if it is needed - one light fails and then I use up the battery from the other, no problem I can take the battery from the dead light and put it in the good light.

For knives I have a bunch of different ones for different tasks, but for any given task I have more than one that would do that task well. Sure my BK-7 can't chop as well as my BK-9 does - but in an emergency I can chop & baton with the BK-7 if I have to. My stainless Mora is my food prep knife, but I can also use my carbon Mora or my Opinels or my Endura 4 or my RAT-1. My SAK is a Victorinox Cybertool and many of its functions are interchangeable with my Leatherman Wave - I EDC both and some things are definitely easier to do with one or the other. But between my SAK & my LM Wave I have: 4 blades (3 plain, 1 serrated), 2 pliers, 2 scissors, 2 can openers, 2 bottle openers, 2 of each type of screwdriver (well - flat & phillips anyway). OK so I only have one corkscrew, 1 saw & 1 file - but I'm sure I could make do. I'd rather add a different SAK than buy another one of what I have - this adds versatility while covering some of the more important features for redundancy.

I have a BK-9 and a KA-BAR Kukri Machete and on the way is an HI Ganga RAM Khukuri. That is 3 choppers, they are all different in size, weight and shape - but they are all capable of chopping & batoning and they give me both versatility & redundancy. I wouldn't buy 3 of the BK-9, but I like that I have 3 different knives that can cover each others tasks if required. I might not take all 3 camping, but if weight and space aren't at a big premium then I might take the KA-BAR or HI as a chopper and my BK-9 (or at least BK-7) as a backup.

I have 4 Opinels: #4, #6, #8 stainless & #9 - they didn't cost much but they give me 4 different sizes to choose from and they can also cover each others tasks to some degree. For many tasks the #8 or #9 would work well and the #6 would be able to do the job if it had to.

I like to be well equipped with the right tool for the job and at least one backup tool that could also handle the job if needed. It makes me feel like I am well prepared for whatever.

If I was camping with someone else and we were working together to prepare food or whatever then I would have a spare knife that they could use if required. This wouldn't normally happen - they would have their own knife, but in an emergency survival situation you may need someones help and you may need to equip them to help you. If someone is lost at night and you need to search for them it could be good to have someone else help in the search - I could give the other person a flashlight to use while I use another one, 2 is better than one in that situation! (and I would still have a spare light because I EDC 3 of them)
 
mk77 said:
charlie mike, i believe the term "hyper vigalance" would be more applicable, or at least that is what my doctor calls it. "combat mode" would be your thinking more when you or someone you care about is threatened.
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Yes, my Dr. Told me that too.
 
I don't think you're stuck in combat mode, CM. I think you're stuck in dependency mode. Gear is a good thing, but you can be too dependent on it--in which case you almost become a victim of learned helplessness.
Realize what you NEED to survive:

Air, Shelter, Water, Food.

People have survived without certain items for a great many years. It is only driven into our brains that we "need" certain things because of a desire to sell more trinkets and gizmos.

So the question then is:

What necessitates the procurement of air, shelter, water and food?

"Survival" isn't always pretty. And it seldom comes with anything that won't make your back a little stiff the next day.
 
Knife, fire, shelter and water purification. That's where I carry a few extra grams in redundancy.
I carry a SAK classic to back up my Mora, PJ cottonballs and ministeel for fire, garbage bag for shelter and tabs to back up my UV purifier. I guess I'm already carrying a billy which I could use to boil water, but that would be a pain on a walking trip.
 
No, I think he posted all the wrong redundancy for W&SS so I moved it to Gadgets & Gear. Now I see everyone else answered from a W&SS perspective ... so I'm moving it back.

CM strikes again.
 
I am too a 2 is 1 mindset. I have 3 G19's, 2 S&W's 442, need another G26, have 2 LMT's (AR15), numerous Surfires including 2 X300's.......and the list can go on :)

I have 1 Rolex because I aint gettin 2........too much money. My backup is a Seiko 007.

I am glad to see I aint the only one obsessive about my man gear and having it when I need it.

at any given time I try to have access to 2 sources of fire, water, food and communication. I could do better on the stashed water sources. Might be a good reason to go get some gallons of water.

I do go overboard at times but might just be thankful of that one of these days :)
 
I would depend on the situation. In the house 4-5 watches, 6-8 lights, knives galore, firearms for many....

Camping, I take 4-5 blades, and that does include a chopping tool, multitool and a tiny folder. Many water and fire resources. Extra socks and tarp.
 
Charlie Mike said:
How far do you take it? Should I carry a second Iphone? A second Rolex? We all carry an extra knife. I carry 2-3 lighters and 3 credit cards. Silver rings for emergency currency. If I could carry a gun, I'd carry 2-3. Body armor is one of those things where you can't carry more than 1 practically.

What do you carry with redundancy?
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I guess my answer would depend on what I was trying to be prepared for. I would adjust accordingly. Ultimately, for myself, I look at it this way:

Anything you can own can be lost, stolen, wear out or break. What I carry in my mind (knowledge, skill, creativeness, willpower) can and has gotten me out of some tough situations. If I lost everything, I could still survive. If I lose my mind (or it is stolen, wears out, or breaks) I won't care too much whether I survive or not. Anything else I have with me is frosting on the cake.

Are you sure I can't give a W&C answer here? :p
 
Please do, but remember the consequences.
 
Usually only one knife, 1 ferro rod,1 whistle and I only take the cell phone if my wife reminds me !!!
 
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