cool/fun, but useful gear

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Nov 20, 2011
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hey guys, I'm looking into some survival/bug out bag gear and am wondering what you recommend? I'd rather have it not be knives, since I have knives but am lacking other gear, I'm thinking maybe a tomahawk? or machete? plus other small stuff. Thanks!
 
Not sure if you have the right forum but I'll give it a go.

Compass, Map, water purifying tablets, space placket, 2 or 3 trashbags, matches/lighter/fire starter, good flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit with some quick clot, fishing line and hooks,sack of beef jerky, and a gun if you can. I would consider these my basics.

There is plenty of other stuff you could get like ceramic water purifying pumps, bivy tent, wire snare, glow sticks, candels, MREs, more guns, extra ammo, and I'm sure there is more I'm not thinking of it all depends on how much crap you want to buy and stuff in a backpack.
 
I like cool stuff too but I'd say stick with stuff that you might really need. Better to have boring stuff that you'll need to stay safe and alive than a bunch of cool "toys" that you will have no use for. Try to imagine a situation that you might actually find yourself in and work backwards from there to figure out what you might truly need.

Of course, what you will have a use for depends on where you live, what your emergency plan is, where you're going to keep the kit (home, car), and where you happen to be when the SHTF. For example, lets say that your emergency plan is to head for a cabin in the woods, you're gonna need specific gear for living in the woods. But what if you're in your car and stuck in traffic commuting to or from work when you hear about the SHTF on the radio, you might need different gear just to get yourself home to your family. If you have to leave your vehicle behind for any reason, you might have to travel on foot a great distance to get home. And this could take time depending on how far from home you are at the time.

This is what I include in my urban emergency kit-

Self-defense (weapons)

Communication (cell phone, car charger for cell phone)

First aid kit (of course it helps to know first aid. And you want to know exactly what's in your first aid kit)

Basic tools (knife, duct tape, pliers, heavy wire cutters in case you need to cut through a fence to get where you need to go)

Flashlights, batteries

Water (bottled water, purification pump)

Food (long term storage food)

Spare tire and tools to change tire

Cash (don't expect credit cards to work)

Extra clothes and comfortable boots (be prepared for drastic changes in temperature and the possibility that you might have to do a lot of walking)
 
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hey guys, I'm looking into some survival/bug out bag gear and am wondering what you recommend? I'd rather have it not be knives, since I have knives but am lacking other gear, I'm thinking maybe a tomahawk? or machete? plus other small stuff. Thanks!

"Bug out" to where and why? Maybe knowing the reasons behind why you would "bug out" would help us suggest gear.

In lieu of that, I'll agree with killgar. Bugging out isn't about fun. Get stuff you need.

Unless you are having a grand old time "playing" bug-out in the woods within 25 yards of a gassed-up car with a trunk full of beer. (And there's nothing wrong with that.) Then just get whatever looks cool/fun/awesome. Functionality doesn't matter. Like scimitars, short wave radios, and ghillie suits? Load up the back seat with those.
 
Please do not use General Knife Discussion as an all-purpose bulletin board.
We have specialized forums. Browse them, learn them, use them.
 
This has been a great list to compare to for my trip this weekend.
O.P. if you are talking gadgets, there are some cool electronics out there like GPS, solar chargers, weather radios, Wlakie-talkie type radios (check out FCC licencing first). Dont forget the knives and bug goop!:p
 
thanks guys, I guess cool was the wrong word, I had in mind gear that wasnt just your basic fire starter, etc, but thanks for the help!
 
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