B.O.B. on a Budget

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Bolt

Joined
Aug 28, 2007
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Thinking about putting together a Bug Out Bag. Something simple, but very practical. I am open to suggestions. I thought of having a small pack axe, a chopper of choice, a fixed blade, and maybe a folder or two. A small first aid set-up, and of course a fire steel. What else should be in there? Pics would add to the fun. We would all love to have Battle Mistresses strapped to the outside, but not all can afford such luxuries, so let's keep the suggestions within reason. Look forward to the suggestions.
Bolt
 
Rat Cutlery sells a B.O.B./survival bag for around $215.00 it includes an RC-6 and some survival/medical gear. I'll search for a link, it should make for a nice base bag to add onto.
 
Eastwing hatchet
Woodsmans pal (well it's a big enough chopper, and could double as a hatchet too)
Not sure on a FB, but maby a Cold Steel Bushman
Folder wise, a SAK or a decent multi-tool

I would also suggest a water bottle and a water purifier, some cordage, a roll of duct tape compass, sharpies and a flashlight.

I'm just going to throw up a small video from ZS that briefly explains the Bug out Bag and you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4YC1SxWyY4
 
I'd suggest taking a look at this book by John D. McCann
"Build the Perfect Survival Kit." He gives many options, which should allow you to create the kit fitting your needs and budget.

I've not added a link as a Google search will get you lots of hits.
 
My BOB is a Piper Gear Three Day Pass backpack in black. It's relatively inexpensive (around $50) but good quality.

Here's what I have in my BOB so far, in no particular order:

- 3 rolls electricians tape
- 1 roll Gorilla Tape
- extra pocket sized tube of Vaseline for lips
- Lansky turnbox knife sharpener
- Stanley pocket box cutter
- pair of SUG work gloves
- 2AA Maglite flashlight with LED and clicky tailcap upgrade
- 2AA Maglite flashlight with extra bulb in tailcap
- 3AA LED Maglite flashlight
- surefire G2 flashlight
- extra P60 bulb for Surefire G2
* You can never have too much available light:D
- a bunch of extra Duracell 2AA and Surefire CR123 batteries for flashlights
- Torx driver with 8 different sized bits
- Allen driver with 7 different sized bits
- Buck 110 folding knife with belt sheath
- Gerber Parabellum folding knife (original version with 440C steel and multi-carry sheath)
- length of 550 paracord
- roll of toilet paper
- Cold Steel ODA fixed blade (Carbon V version) in leather KaBar sheath
- original ODA sheath
- Mexican machete with 16 inch blade and leather sheath (I'm more experienced with a machete than a hatchet, and it works pretty well as a chopper, even on hardwood)
- Bucket Boss Annihilator demolition hammer strapped to outside of pack

The next thing I'm going to add are some fire starting materials.:)

I carry some things that I haven't mentioned on my belt every day, and I keep a medical bag separate, so I've got those covered.

Edit: I'm getting some good ideas from this thread about stuff to add.
 
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Add something for makeshift shelter. 55 gallon drum liners are bigger and thincker than normal trash bags and can be used for ground cloths, tarps, ponchos, and you can even cut strips off them to twist into cordage.

An Adventure Medical Kits Heat Sheet is bigger and tougher than the garden variety space blanket, and costs about six bucks.


I also have been experiementing with homemade alcohol stoves. Google "super cat stove." All you need is a catfood or similar can, something to poke holes, and some denatured alcohol.
 
Bolt said:
Thinking about putting together a Bug Out Bag.
Click to expand...


Maybe you've already made this determination, but it is helpful to consider the purpose of the bag. Urban survival, civil breakdown, bird flu, tornado destroyed my house? Stuck in a snowstorm on the interstate for 3 days? Lost in the woods chasing a deer? Many items will overlap. But if your plan is to make it from your downtown office building to your home in the suburbs during a civil disaster, you might want N95 dust masks in your bag instead of a fishing kit - just as an example. Or vice versa. If you are looking at an axe and chopper, then sounds like you are thinking more in terms of a wilderness BOB. Just something to consider. Mine is centered on urban survival, though I want to be ready also for needing to survive out somewhere away from civilization.


:thumbup:
 
Check out the Bail Out Bags at County Comm.

http://countycomm.com/BAILOUTBAGGEN5.htm

http://countycomm.com/bobxl.htm

They now have a larger size in the same style as the often copied version.

I have found the smaller version for around $20 with other vendors.

(Cheaper than Dirt was where I bought mine, but I won't buy from that vendor again after all the profiteering they've practiced after the election.)
 
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