B.O.B and the big fixed blade?

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
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OK, "it" has happened, and you find yourself having to relocate on foot from point A to point B with your Bug Out Bag/Get Home Bag, in a urban/suburban area.

You have a good solid fixed blade with you, but do you conceal in inside a bag, and carry a folder that's more accessible, or have your fixed blade strapped on the outside of your pack or on your belt?

My gut instinct is that carrying it out plainly visible, may draw attention you don't want, especially from any remaining authority.

Pros/Cons?
 
I personally would conceal it in my bag but try and keep it easy to get to quickly if I needed to. There aren't to many scenarios where I would want me or my gear to stand out.
Regards,
Josh
 
I guess it would depend on the situation and if I felt I was personally in danger or not. If I did then I'd carry it on my belt and not worry about authority's as I would imagine in a serious situation they would have their hands full and it's not illegal to carry a knife where I live. In a situation where I felt I wouldn't need it much I'd probably just keep it easily accessible in my pack and keep my folder and neck knife readily available.
 
I've thought about this and in my B.O.B. I have 3 things that allow me to make this a non-issue, or at least less of one.

1. is two different dedicated para-cord slings. One is simply made, from two pieces of four-foot lengths; they are joined at one end with a double fisherman's knot. The other ends have little snap clips.
So what you do is, if you have a small to medium sized fixed blade (up to 6" blade) clip the two clips though the belt loop so that you have one continuous big loop. Then make a figure eight with that big loop and twist it one more time. Slip one arm through one loop and the other through the other loop as if you're putting on a jacket. The double fisherman's knot is so you can adjust the length. it should fit like a gun harness. If you take it to its shortest length, it is a neck lanyard.

2. The other sling is a cobra stitch cross shoulder strap with a loop on one end and a biner on the other. I can wear a big blade across my back and depending on the sheath, have it upright or inverted. You can use any strap for this I guess. I just like para-cord and it can be re-purposed.

3. The necessary piece of kit that makes it all possible is a windbreaker to wear over it. I have a windbreaker vest that comes just about to the bottom of my back pocket that doesn't stand out even in the summer.

Now mind you I have only worn the larger rig while hiking and not around town. but the harness style, I've used countless times everywhere in town with no issues.
 
I'd keep it in the bag. There's no reason you'd need to pull it out quick, that's what concealed handguns are for.
 
It would depend how severe it got. It's illegal to carry concealed here so if it's a minor hiccup I'd wear it openly. If it's full armageddon I'd conceal it with a shirt.
 
I would carry it on the outside but come up with to carry in a pocket or between things so that everything but the handle is covered, but doesn't stand up and silhouette it. Also work to cammo the color in with you pack. Most people are so unaware that I think you should be able to hide it in plain sight.
 
When relocating from place to place on foot you should keep the weight of non essential items to a minimum. With that in mind I can think of many things I would rather be carrying then a large hunk of steel. Think long distance hiking or military forced marches, not show and tell with friends. There are no bonus points for having a mean looking knife, you just need to be able to cut stuff. A small folder will work for that and a folding saw is more efficient for processing wood for the fire.

Better yet have a touring-bicycle with all the packs and accessories ready to go. You'll cover more ground, move faster, and be able to carry larger weights.

Pros of a big knife when walking
- ???
- What are you doing that requires a big knife in an urban/ suburban area?

Cons
- Heavy
- Unwanted attention
- Heavy
- When visible it automatically turns tense situations into very tense situations
 
sideways said:
Pros of a big knife when walking
- ???
- What are you doing that requires a big knife in an urban/ suburban area?
Click to expand...

That kinda brings up another thought for me, is would folks ever consider a heavy use folder instead of a fixed blade?

Especially something like a Benchmade Adamas or similar?
 
Again if you just need to cut stuff why go heavy in the first place? Carry more water, food and other odds and ends.... Or just move faster with less weight. It may seem like a small thing to save weight on but when you think in percentages and as part of a larger kit things add up.

spyderco delica 2.3 oz
spyderco junior 2.9 oz
victorinox farmer 3_ish oz
benchmade adamas 7.7 oz

Lots of BS in this thread but check out #31 and #32 for other light knives.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1052835-Ultralight-backpacking?p=12021447#post12021447
Daniel fairly also made some cool looking ultralight fixed blades.
 
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I'm thinking self defense? I guess a gun trumps any knife but until the S actually HTF, it may be illegal (depending on local laws) to have a gun in your B.O.B. and the consequences more dire if you get caught. Also if you were in a situation where you had to defend your life and it was unwise to use your gun, i.e. you don't want to broadcast your location, I'd rather have a big saber than a folder. Come to think of it, I'd rather have a Naginata!
 
Generally speaking, these discussions are often so vague, its tough to really come up with a definitive answer. I mean is 'it' a wildfire with forced evacuation, something more sinister like a terrorist attack? In a urban/suburban 'survival' situation, I would think food/water/shelter might be relatively lower priorities, because unless there was mass hoarding, poisoning, etc, basic things shouldn't be too terribly hard to come by for a relatively short term (days) unless it was something absolutely epic like a MASSIVE hurrican or tsunami that flooded destroyed miles and miles of everything (if you do live in areas at risk for such things, then yes, some bottles of water/food would be a good idea). So unless its something like that, being is suburbia is not like being in the middle of the desert looking for water or Alaska looking for an cabin. There will probably resources that can be obtained.

I have a versipak set up for hiking outings that is the closest thing I would probably have that comes close to the BOB/GHB setup, tho that's not the primary intended purpose. It has a multi-tool in it, amoung other items. I imagine I would also have something clipped to my pocket (almost always do).

So to answer the question, for me, I would keep the big blade separate and secured directly on my person. Bad enough to loose a bag, worse to loose the bag + knife. Or vice versa. Plus it would probably be more quickly accessible unless it were deeply concealed.



Just my $.02 worth.
BOSS
 
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While I agree that getting out of town quickly is one of the keys and I also agree that a small neck knife or good folder should be enough most of the time. I can't count the number of times a hatchet a big knife or a saw has come in handy on hunting or camping trips, day hikes and the what not so for me I'll take a little extra weight for what the tool could do for me, knowing that most of the time if I'm leaving in a forced evacuation I'll be sleeping in a hotel that night. But that's how I look at it YMMV
 
Mine is strapped to the outside of my pack, but it's behind an external, add-on pocket. It is pretty inconspicuous.
 
I might have a problem in your scenario, I don't own a pack larger than a day pack. A suitable pack has been something I have been considering, but it is a low priority moneywise. But to answer your question, it depends. I lean toward a folder and an average sized fixed blade with it tucked inside somewhere not visible.
 
If "it" has happened, then I would worry about my survivability, and put the knife where it would do me the best good the quickest. Probably on my belt, or strapped to my pack.
I would think "trying to blend in" would be a moot point if it were a true disaster or survival scenario.
For those worried about the legality of concealing firearms during a disaster, look at the bright side- if you do get caught, you'll get three hots and a cot for free.
Seriously, cops will have more to worry about than a guy who is prepped and trying to move out of the disaster area.
 
cut a slot in the front pocket on your pants and slide the sheathed knife in it. Wear an over sized shirt.
 
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