BOB's/EDC bags -whats in yours and why?

[MrCoffee]

I have seen a lot of great kits posted on this forum, wonderfully built EDC bags, BOB's and Get Home Bags. Some of the gear listed in these kits is things I would have never thought of.

But my question is this: Why did you pick the specific gear that you did? Is it based on your daily environment? Or because you read about it someplace else, and thought, gee, that might be handy? First Aide gear makes sense in all environments, but some of the other things seem strange to me in the areas people state they live in.

So post up your gear, and WHY you carry it. Specifically how it pretains to your AO. One example I can give you is I carry a NukAlert radiation Dector on my keychain in my kit. Lots of people think it is a strange item for someone in Rural NH/VT, but the fact of the matter is I work within 22 miles of a Nuclear Power Plant. So for my environment, it makes sense.

So I would like to hear about what in your environment helped you decide what gear to take.

Cheers!

 

[1066vik]

This time of year my truck bag has hvy socks, insulated coveralls, heavy oilskin coat that fits over my regular "jacket", FAK, RC3, fire kit, ski goggles, spare gloves, scarf, shearling "mad bomber" hat I made, a couple of bottles of water, and some trail bars.
Under the seat of the truck year round is the folding shovel, mattock, hatchet, kukri, pry bars, tow straps, cheap socket set, cinch straps, etc...

 

[hwpaintballer]

My BOB is in the tool box in my truck right now, so no pics, I will tell what is a little unique about mine though. I like keeping a stringer for fishing in my kit, the type with a 5 foot cord, with a keyring on one end and a pointed metal piece on the other. I figure the pointed metal piece plus the water resistant cord could come in handy for a fishing spear or something. Also I have an old gift card with about 10 foot of duck tape neatly wrapped on the end of it, the main reason I keep the credit card in there is you can open locked doors with it, I used to not have a key to the house, so when I would show up and no one was home I was also use a gift card, credit card, library card.... etc.

 

[Don Rearic]

I like keeping a stringer for fishing in my kit, the type with a 5 foot cord, with a keyring on one end and a pointed metal piece on the other.

I always preferred that type as well. The other type with the large steel snap links that look like huge versions of snap links for fishing line...they always rusted up. The ones back in the 70s were apparently real galvanized steel. The ones used later on always seemed to rust up more...and quicker.

Also I have an old gift card with about 10 foot of duck tape neatly wrapped on the end of it, the main reason I keep the credit card in there is you can open locked doors with it, I used to not have a key to the house, so when I would show up and no one was home I was also use a gift card, credit card, library card.... etc.

I have this credit card sized, thick plastic ice scraper that was a giveaway from a bank. The notches that form the scraping part of the plastic is great for aligning braided nylon fishing line, then I wrapped some brass snare wire over that and then some Gorilla Brand tape, which is great and only has one peer - expensive Gaffer's Tape.

What you are describing is, in The Trade, known as "Loiding." I like to refer to it as "The Rockford Opening" because it seems as though Jim Rockford did it every week on "The Rockford Files."

That doesn't work with deadbolts, as you have probably already figured out, and only on latches where the bevel is facing you. When this opening became very, very popular in the late 60s and through the 70s, primarily because of shows like "The Rockford Files," the reverse bevel latch came into vogue. You take your scissors in your handy-dandy SAK or Leatherman Wave and you take a piece of plastic and cut it into an "L" shape. You stick the short end of the L over the bevel, then drop it so the short leg of the L is facing the bevel on the latch and instead of pushing, you pull the tool towards you and, Voila! Door opens. Doesn't work on deadbolts either or on spring latches with the small horizontal bar centered on the latch, you need a small awl, also can be found on SAKs, Demo Knives and various Multi-tools to dig into that a bit and push it back while you use the Loid to get past the latch either pushing or pulling as required.

 

[Gray Ghost]

First is my EDC Bag. It is purpose built for Urban Survival. This is my EDC not my BOB.

Maxpedition Tactical Attache

Hanging on the outside is:
• Fenix Flashlights E01O Keychain Light, Black, Uses 1 x AAA
• Locking Carabiner
• None Locking Carabiner

The carabiners also act as a "pull tab" for the hidden gun pocket.

(One of these I wear and one goes in the bag. Depends on the clothing and situation)
Guns:
• Sig P229 .357SIG
• P229 Extra Mag
• Sig P239 Tactical 9mm
• P239 Extra Mag

Everything Else:
• Camelbak water bottle

- Ext Pocket 1
• P229 9mm Bar-Sto barrel tuned by Actions By "T"
• Surefire E1L Outdoorsman
• 4 CR123 batteries in holder
• Leatherman Wave

- Ext Pocket 2
• Brunton Monocular and lens cloth
• Surefire Red Cap

- Ext Pocket 3
• Lip Balm
• Dental Floss
• SERE Saw
• Razor
• Safety Deposit Key

-Ext Pocket 4
• Cleaning Stick
• Militech lube
• 9mm Bore Snake
• Mini Widgy bar wrapped in Paracord
• K&M Aluminum Match Case with Compass Top
• Windmill Butane Lighter
• Wet Tender
• Leatherman Bit Set
• USB Key - important docs, ID scans, and medical records

-Int Pocket 1
• 2 Cliff Bars
• Sealed CPR kit (gloves and breathing barier)
• 4 pack AAA batteries
• Twin Tip waterproof sharpy
• Right In The Rain Tactical Pen
• Normal Ballpiont Pen
• Right in the Rain note pad with intereior flap and first page dedicated to:

- Name, Home Address, Primary Care Physician, Heather Insurance Info.
- Emergency Contact Numbers​

• Basic Lock Pick Set
• Emergency Whistle
• Spare iPhone Charging Cable (outlet converter plug missing from photo)
• One Page Medical Records and Physicain contact list (not in photo)

-Int Pocket 2
• Emergency Blanket
• 2 Glow Sticks
• Hydration Packets
• First Aid kit
• 100' Paracord

 

[RatDrall]

I keep a small bag with emergency type gear in my car when I travel more than 20 miles from home. Next to the bag is a pair of sturdy Goretex boots, work gloves, Cold Steel shovel, case of bottled water, and a coat that I don't mind getting dirty. The bag holds:

- RAT RC-3
- 32 oz water bottle
- first aid kit
- sewing kit
- safety pins
- cord
- fire tool
- lighter
- flashlight, batteries
- emergency blanket
- emergency poncho
- spare pair of glasses
- multi tool
- compass
- toilet paper
- thin work gloves
- bandana

Almost every item has been used, and extremely helpful, at some point. The last time I went adventuring without my gear I ended up in a dungeon well below the surface in the pitch black with a burned out flashlight. My friends and I had to feel our way out.

 

[Deerhunter2010]

Nice

Rat Pack 512

 

[DH1]

Although it might take up precious space, having a change of clothes in your vehicle could be helpful. Carrying this stuff in a BOB or similar stand alone pack would be overkill I think, but in my truck I have (along with tons of other crap);

-Pair of jeans (need to add another color)
-2 t shirts (two different colors)
-2 pairs of socks
-Pair of underwear
-Big towel

I need to add a cheap zip up hoodie and knit cap/baseball cap and a pair of sneakers.

This stuff could come in handy if you get drenched, extremely dirty, your clothes get torn or you just need to not be wearing what you're wearing right now (the reason why I've chose different colors).

 

[Don Rearic]

And I think that complete change of clothes is a very, very good idea.

 

[Gray Ghost]

I keep a complete change of cloths in my BOB. I keep meaning to expand on my car kit to include a change of clothes. Currently it is just surplus supplies from my BOB buildout.

 

[Don Rearic]

• Basic Lock Pick Set
• Emergency Whistle
• Spare iPhone Charging Cable (outlet converter plug missing from photo)
• One Page Medical Records and Physicain contact list (not in photo)

Looks like a snake (3/4) rake, hook and a half diamond and a medium weight turning tool, all HPC...looks like. That's what they've been selling for years in a nice little leather case under "Novice" or "Tyro" along with a little tweezer type turning tool and a double ended W shaped rake and larger half diamond and a couple no-handle-slab copies of the three picks you have pictured.

Solid stuff.

You go by this name on other forums? You know the software code very well.

 

[Gray Ghost]

Looks like a snake (3/4) rake, hook and a half diamond and a medium weight turning tool, all HPC...looks like. That's what they've been selling for years in a nice little leather case under "Novice" or "Tyro" along with a little tweezer type turning tool and a double ended W shaped rake and larger half diamond and a couple no-handle-slab copies of the three picks you have pictured.

Solid stuff.

You go by this name on other forums? You know the software code very well.

Yes! Love HPC. PM me your site address. I wear out my tools pretty regularly practicing. Currently working on a American Lock 5660. One of these days I will open it.

Yes, I go by this handle on many other forums except one. That one I started two years ago and go by "The Gray Ghost". Also why I know the code as well as I do.

 

[DH1]

And I think that complete change of clothes is a very, very good idea.

Don did you ever get that PDF/mailing list up and running you mentioned here a while back?

 

[Don Rearic]

Yes! Love HPC.

HPC was always an excellent choice. ESP (Engineered Security Products) made tools that were almost identical, they were identical to the very ones you show there except they were not stamped, "HPC, Inc. Schiller Park, Ill." They were not stamped at all. Just the chrome slabs with two nice rivets and a couple better rake profiles than HPC offered, actually.

Rytans are excellent picks as well but they are very, very easy to bend. They are stainless steel. LAB tools are even easier to bend than Rytans but the three double ended turning tools they offer...were...for years, just about the best three tension tools you could get. Peterson has some really excellent, flat wrenches now along with their line of picks which are excellent.

Majestic Lock Co. made an excellent pick gun, but the picks they made were hit and miss.

PM me your site address. I wear out my tools pretty regularly practicing.

I don't sell any. Consider me a Security Consultant, literally.

Unfortunately, I have been a lazy pig as of late and have neglected my blog. If you go back through the archived stuff, there is not a lot, but there is some interesting stuff on there. I have to muster the discipline to write at least once a week for it.

To the right on this page:

http://www.survivallab.blogspot.com/

You will see a link for SERE PICK DOT COM, if you want a really excellent set of handmade picks, do not hesitate to get them.

Currently working on a American Lock 5660. One of these days I will open it.

American Lock Co. padlocks always were excellent locks and a pain to manipulate. For a lot of "survival" needs, a set of padlock shims is always an excellent thing to have in your kit(s). With ball bearing locking padlocks, and most American Lock Co. brand padlocks are ball bearing locking, shims won't work and because they have serrated pins, they are very hard to pick open. I have disassembled some of them that actually had serrated pins for bottom pins and the top pins were spools, etc.

Peterson makes a couple of bypass tools, not picking but for bypassing, that pass through the keyway and activate the inner lockworks instead of the pins. Also highly recommended. American Lock Co. and other padlock manufacturers retaliated with a metallic disc in the back of the plug to prevent entry of bypass tools then Peterson made a forced entry tool that split that metal disc.

Anyways, lots of goodies.

Yes, I go by this handle on many other forums except one. That one I started two years ago and go by "The Gray Ghost". Also why I know the code as well as I do.

I figgered as much.

 

[Don Rearic]

BTW, I didn't mean to hijack this thread, I guess you can see that I value some different things that are not spoken about very much. One dude brought it up in some thread in the survival forum today and I was waiting for the jackals to pounce, but they have not yet. Pretty cool that these tools got mentioned over here as well.

 

[Gray Ghost]

BTW, I didn't mean to hijack this thread, I guess you can see that I value some different things that are not spoken about very much. One dude brought it up in some thread in the survival forum today and I was waiting for the jackals to pounce, but they have not yet. Pretty cool that these tools got mentioned over here as well.

LOL, I think they are a very important overlooked part of a good bag. It is amazing how often they come in handy.

 

[Mistwalker]

Just found this MC, but I'll have to answer tomorrow...just started on a new one and the answer is too long to go into this late. I'll bookmark this thread though

 

[Jake Bauer]

Gray Ghost,

nice set up, SWEET Guns! I'm a Sig fan myself.

 

[NaturalMystic]

BTW, I didn't mean to hijack this thread, I guess you can see that I value some different things that are not spoken about very much. One dude brought it up in some thread in the survival forum today and I was waiting for the jackals to pounce, but they have not yet. Pretty cool that these tools got mentioned over here as well.

I've been meaning to get a basic set and learn how to pick locks. Just seems like an interesting thing to know how to do in case of an emergency. Just not sure even where to begin in terms of a decent starter set. When I have more time I'll go back to the sites I have bookmarked and do some reading up.

 

[Halworks]

NaturalMystic, I would shoot Don an e-mail. I have read his entire blog, he knows his stuff. I bet he would send you down the right path.