Knife for a bug out bag

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PatrickKnight

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Jan 24, 2012
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So I am putting together a solid 72 hour kit for my wife and I. I am pretty torn on what knife to put in that kit so I am here asking you guys for some advice. Right now I have my ESEE 3 mil in there but I feel I need something thicker and more robust. Keep in mind I live right smack in the middle of an urban jungle so this imo should play a role in my knife choice.

I think prying may be needed just due to where I live so I am thinking a thicker stock something at least 3/16 inch thick. I am open to any brand as long as its made in America, under 200 bucks sheath inculded, I am open to non stainless steels but would prefer stainless since this knife will likely be stored for long periods of time. So lets have it guys give me some ideas.
 
Have you looked at the BK2? Blade thickness is 0.250, Knife made in USA, Sheath in Taiwan.

It's about 10 1/2 inches and handle is Zytel though. You could always take the extra cash and get some new scales. Solid knife.
 
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For a BOB, I wouldn't recommend a knife that would be used as a prybar. If you break the knife, you're screwed . Just my 2 cents. Not that I think the BK2 could be broken, but just in case. Becker Tweener, any of the 3 should do you well, or the 7 or 9. Any one will cost you under 90. Prying in an urban jungle? Sounds like B and E to me, but in a survival situation, I would think a prybar or a mallet would be just the ticket. Yes, weight is a consideration, but I also believe in the right tool for the job.
 
You can buy a busse mean street straight from the shop for $197. It is a little bit thinner then what you wanted, but considering its INFI, it will more then make up for it.
 
respectfully, I would buy an inexpensive small prybar. You can find something that might cost $5 or so at wallyworld. I did, and its in my backpack. Now I don't worry about breaking a knife for prybar job.
John
 
Swamp Rat Knife Works Ratmandu. With shipping its about $150. Steel is SR101, which is 52100 with Busse heat treatment. Takes a great edge and holds it a looooong time. Very tough steel that can be used for prying or chopping if need be... I don't think there is a better knife for the money made by anyone. It does not come with a sheath, but you can have your choice of custom sheaths with the balance from your budget. http://shop.swampratknives.com/

Good luck in your search....
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kdstrick said:
Swamp Rat Knife Works Ratmandu . . . I don't think there is a better knife for the money made by anyone.
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This^^^. I've got two RMDs . . . one in my BoB and one in my wife's BoB. Like you, we also live in an urban jungle. I wouldn't bet our lives on them if I didn't think they were the best utiilty knives money can buy.

When the going gets tough, the tough choose Busse. :)
 
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PatrickKnight said:
So I am putting together a solid 72 hour kit for my wife and I. I am pretty torn on what knife to put in that kit so I am here asking you guys for some advice. Right now I have my ESEE 3 mil in there but I feel I need something thicker and more robust. Keep in mind I live right smack in the middle of an urban jungle so this imo should play a role in my knife choice.

I think prying may be needed just due to where I live so I am thinking a thicker stock something at least 3/16 inch thick. I am open to any brand as long as its made in America, under 200 bucks sheath inculded, I am open to non stainless steels but would prefer stainless since this knife will likely be stored for long periods of time. So lets have it guys give me some ideas.
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Since you are aware of the Swamp, I bet you already knew the answer to this question before you asked it.:)

Furthermore, since the N2K RMD is still just a daydream...the RMD CG allows for long-term storage with little worry...a little mineral oil on the cutting edge, perhaps some on the logo area; sheath it, pack it and done. And while a thick knife may have more prying strength, too thick a tool cannot get into some areas that may need to be pried apart.
 
Need2Know said:
Since you are aware of the Swamp, I bet you already knew the answer to this question before you asked it.:)

Furthermore, since the N2K RMD is still just a daydream...the RMD CG allows for long-term storage with little worry...a little mineral oil on the cutting edge, perhaps some on the logo area; sheath it, pack it and done. And while a thick knife may have more prying strength, too thick a tool cannot get into some areas that may need to be pried apart.
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I should have more than likely put in the topic is there a better choice than the RMD :). I have stongly considered the RMD but something and I am not sure what keeps me trying to find something else.
 
72jroberts said:
respectfully, I would buy an inexpensive small prybar. You can find something that might cost $5 or so at wallyworld. I did, and its in my backpack. Now I don't worry about breaking a knife for prybar job.
John
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This.
 
Where are you bugging out to? What tasks will you meet on the way there? How far will you be walking? Answer those questions are you will have a better idea of the kind of knife you need. Batoning in the woods is a whole different knife to food prep in the urban jungle. If you are bugging out without a clear idea of where to, then you might need to reconsider the plan.

A small crowbar is a better prybar than any knife and wire cutters are better for getting through fence. Lock picks weight less than both. Be advised though that destroying property or circumventing locks in a stressful situation could raise unwanted attention. I would keep the knives lightweight and thin for cutting stuff. You can always discard the heavy crowbar when you no longer need it, your primary blade not so much.
 
Becker Bk16 for my GHB
Becker BK2 for my INCH

Plus small axe in car with gerber multi tool at all times
 
PatrickKnight said:
I should have more than likely put in the topic is there a better choice than the RMD :). I have stongly considered the RMD but something and I am not sure what keeps me trying to find something else.
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I'm not sure either. IMO, a RatManDu and a good Multitool are a pretty ideal combination for 72-hour survival in the urban jungle.
 
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A carry a BlackJack Model 14 in my BOB.


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Of course, I live in a more rural then urban environment.




Big Mike
 
I'd get a knife that's a knife and a small prybar. Honestly, a mora and a small prybar would probably work great if you were looking to save on weight. I know getting a prybar is not as exciting as finding a knife that fits your prying specifications but I think it's the most efficient use of your time and money and the most realistic. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you actually need your BOB I think having some proper tools would go a long way rather than planing to improvise from the start.
 
What would the knife be used for?
Were it me I'd opt for a fixed blade large enough to use as a medium chopper but handy enough to use as a skinner/camp chore knife.
But it would be used as a knife...not a pry bar...for that, if I felt a pry bar was needed in a BOB bag I'd get a dedicated pry bar. Perhaps a small cat's claw type would be small enough to be a useful weight and device to carry and large enough to be useful.
 
72jroberts said:
respectfully, I would buy an inexpensive small prybar. You can find something that might cost $5 or so at wallyworld. I did, and its in my backpack. Now I don't worry about breaking a knife for prybar job.
John
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Zackly, if you feel that you would need to pry then take a prying tool. Risking a broken knife in a "Bug out" doesn't seem like it's something you do, it's something you don't...
 
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