Knives for bug out/get home bag?

Without getting too much into my strategy, my primary concern is getting home, where I am prepped to be able to bug out within a reasonable window (between 15-60 minutes - if you have less time than that, you were either not paying attention, or it's hit the fan so fast that no amount of prep would really do you any good).

That said, my truck is always prepped for a 'get-home' situation. Amongst all the emergency gear already in place in my truck (tool bag, camping bag, first aid, etc.) there is always at least 6 or 8 knives...
- Gerber BG Ultimate in the camp bag (laugh all you want, it's served me well for years)
- Kershaw Blackout folder in my tool bag
- at least two or three utility knives between those bags
- Cheapie rescue folder w/belt cutter and glass breaker in the center console
- LM Wave in the center console
- Custom 4.5" fixed blade in the center console (when it's not on my belt)
- Manix 2 in my pocket most times

Should I need to get home, I'm pretty well equipped to do so. I also keep a small, stocked backpack in the truck, so should I have to head out on foot, I can just grab it, load it with a few essentials, and be on my way in a matter of minutes.

At home, should I need to bug out, the truck is still the primary vehicle, so it's still all right there, plus my gear from the house. Again, if I have to go on foot, it's still just a two minute job to load and go.
 
Urban or rural setting? How far to home? Planning on overnighting?

I always have a Vic in my pocket - Pioneer X lately, but the Huntsman is a solid choice. An F1 or equivalent is also good for both environments. You start getting bigger than that, and the weight could be an issue. Unless you're overnighting...

My GHB is structured more for city than country, so in my case, a sillcock key is one of my highest priorities, along with thin cheap plastic tarp they sell for painting (very handy stuff).
 
sodak said:
Urban or rural setting? How far to home? Planning on overnighting?

I always have a Vic in my pocket - Pioneer X lately, but the Huntsman is a solid choice. An F1 or equivalent is also good for both environments. You start getting bigger than that, and the weight could be an issue. Unless you're overnighting...

My GHB is structured more for city than country, so in my case, a sillcock key is one of my highest priorities, along with thin cheap plastic tarp they sell for painting (very handy stuff).
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Yes, yes, yes. :) :thumbsup:
 
sabre cat said:
Your ahead of me. I have jumper cables, a few tools, and a FAK in the Jeep. That's it. No shovel, tarp, tow strap, etc..
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It really depends on where you tromp more than anything. Since I have a generator at home that I can plug into the house current, I keep more 5 gallon gas cans around then most (empty until an emergency presents). I always figure that I want to be able to carry at least one full tank of gas (quantity wise) extra in a real emergency. I got the generator and gas cans after a tornado outbreak a few years back. They prompted me to think about stuff like this.

Those little $10-$15 shovels are pretty handy and handy beyond their size.
 
For something like a tornado, where trees, branches and whatnot can come down, a blade that chops well (or an axe) would be a good addition.
I myself prefer to bug in, and hence do not have a bug out bag, but if I would set one up, a large bowie and a multi should cover any tool needs.
 
I rarely see this stuff discussed with any real sense of context. At most, people seem to break it down by metro/urban vs country. This still ignores what anyone would actually be cutting.

Here’s my process:

I live in a major metro/urban area, and commute 45 minutes each way, to and from work, within that area. I’m very fit. I’m not a hunter, I won’t keep a long gun in my car, and it isn’t a realistic possibility that I’d need to kill animals between work and home, so dressing game isn’t a concern. I store food at work and at home, so I would have portable calories to take either direction, and I could make the trip without eating (it’s 24 miles) if I had to.

So... what would I need to cut? Ehhhh... maybe paracord for rigging shelter if I were stranded in a cold weather situation. Maybe material to burn, if I need fire.

I can do any necessary cutting with the folder in my pocket.
 
RBid said:
I rarely see this stuff discussed with any real sense of context. At most, people seem to break it down by metro/urban vs country. This still ignores what anyone would actually be cutting.

Here’s my process:

I live in a major metro/urban area, and commute 45 minutes each way, to and from work, within that area. I’m very fit. I’m not a hunter, I won’t keep a long gun in my car, and it isn’t a realistic possibility that I’d need to kill animals between work and home, so dressing game isn’t a concern. I store food at work and at home, so I would have portable calories to take either direction, and I could make the trip without eating (it’s 24 miles) if I had to.

So... what would I need to cut? Ehhhh... maybe paracord for rigging shelter if I were stranded in a cold weather situation. Maybe material to burn, if I need fire.

I can do any necessary cutting with the folder in my pocket.
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Truth is there is no one way to EDC or be prepared as everyone's needs, skill level, environment, and surroundings dictate everything.
 
Joshua1973 said:
Truth is there is no one way to EDC or be prepared as everyone's needs, skill level, environment, and surroundings dictate everything.
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Very true. Skill, in particular, is a big factor in how much gear someone would pack. My needs, in rainy, temperate England, would be very different from somebody in New Mexico or Ghana.
 
GB940Rookie said:
That could be the reason the OP asked about knives and not about people’s bugout/get home kits.
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The choices of knives still reflect Joshua’s point. Not much point in a SAK with a wood saw if there is no wood. Not much point in someone taking only a SAK if they don’t have the skill to use it properly. Not much point in a Junglass if you are walking through an urban environment to an emergency shelter. Horses for courses. I have to plan for rain and cool temperatures, I know where to get wood, therefore I’d take the right kit, including knives. Everybody’s mileage varies. ;)

I asked my family over the dinner table what they would take in general. The sweetest response was from my daughter, who named her two favourite stuffed toys before all her other, sensible, suggestions. In fact, that is a really good plan in those circumstances, particularly for children or learning disabled. State of mind is key, and comforting objects justify themselves, if not at the expense of carrying necessities. This is fairly well known.
 
sodak said:
Urban or rural setting? How far to home? Planning on overnighting?....
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^^ This ^^

I think most people put together a bug-out/get-home bag based on everything the read on the internet, without ever really thinking about what their most likely scenario and needs will be.

microbe said:
For something like a tornado, where trees, branches and whatnot can come down, a blade that chops well (or an axe) would be a good addition.
I myself prefer to bug in, and hence do not have a bug out bag, but if I would set one up, a large bowie and a multi should cover any tool needs.
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But if you're bugging in, isn't a chainsaw much better... of course if you mean for getting home, that's another story! LOL

RBid said:
I rarely see this stuff discussed with any real sense of context. At most, people seem to break it down by metro/urban vs country. This still ignores what anyone would actually be cutting.

Here’s my process:

I live in a major metro/urban area, and commute 45 minutes each way, to and from work, within that area. I’m very fit. I’m not a hunter, I won’t keep a long gun in my car, and it isn’t a realistic possibility that I’d need to kill animals between work and home, so dressing game isn’t a concern. I store food at work and at home, so I would have portable calories to take either direction, and I could make the trip without eating (it’s 24 miles) if I had to.

So... what would I need to cut? Ehhhh... maybe paracord for rigging shelter if I were stranded in a cold weather situation. Maybe material to burn, if I need fire.

I can do any necessary cutting with the folder in my pocket.
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This is pretty close to my scenario. Live and work on the outskirts/suburbs of the city. Distance is only 10 miles, but 45 minutes in traffic. I know 5 different routes by car, and a bunch more on foot. I can walk it in 3 hours if I had to, and in shape enough to do so. Always keep seasonal appropriate clothing and footwear in the truck, as well as a couple bottles of water and some various granola/power bars. A folder will cut most anything I'm gonna run into, but a stout fixed blade is much better should I need to pry open a door, window, etc., and a multi-tool will fill in all the gaps. I don't hunt either, but I keep a firearm on me 99% of the time, as I'll be forced to go through areas with other, two legged predators.
 
GB940Rookie said:
That could be the reason the OP asked about knives and not about people’s bugout/get home kits.
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Did I not mention knives and personal preferences? I also threw up a few overlooked things. I mentioned a Moraknife and also mentioned to choose for yourself. Sorry I got off subject. Can we please let it go now?
 
Pilsner said:
The choices of knives still reflect Joshua’s point. Not much point in a SAK with a wood saw if there is no wood. Not much point in someone taking only a SAK if they don’t have the skill to use it properly. Not much point in a Junglass if you are walking through an urban environment to an emergency shelter. Horses for courses. I have to plan for rain and cool temperatures, I know where to get wood, therefore I’d take the right kit, including knives. Everybody’s mileage varies. ;)

I asked my family over the dinner table what they would take in general. The sweetest response was from my daughter, who named her two favourite stuffed toys before all her other, sensible, suggestions. In fact, that is a really good plan in those circumstances, particularly for children or learning disabled. State of mind is key, and comforting objects justify themselves, if not at the expense of carrying necessities. This is fairly well known.
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Let it go Pilsner. Appreciate you sticking up for me but some people here are just looking for any mistake or reason to drag something into the mud.
 
In the truck:
Jakkari puukko, the bigger one - cheaper if ever broken into
Syderco Delica
A hatchet, folding saw, folding shovel, battery jumper/charger, wool blanket, bivvy, first aid kit (trauma type), water filter, 2 gallons of water, compass, lighter, matches, fire extinguisher, 2 way radio and probably some other stuff.
 
Any time you prepare for emergencies, you do so based on the area, possible emergencies, and likely emergencies be it flooding, hurricanes or tornadoes (wind). snow storm, earthquakes or I guess in some places volcanic eruptions. If the whole area fell into social upheaval and it would be dangerous simply to walk down the street, it changes everything. I also favor bugging in which is why I don't have a bug out bag pre-assembled. I keep a lot of the necessary things in one portion of the house and it would not take long to assemble a reasonable kit. Biggest issue would seem to be what knife or knives will I choose? ;)

From that perspective, I'm pretty well prepared. First thing I would do is grab all of my gas cans and hopefully fill all of them up, assuming there is no immediate threat to life. I've done this before.
 
My "get home" knives in vehicle are a Condor Rodan and Kershaw Cryo.
In my pocket I always have a 3+" BM or ZT folder
 
Joshua1973 said:
Truth is there is no one way to EDC or be prepared as everyone's needs, skill level, environment, and surroundings dictate everything.
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I’m confused. Did I give the impression that I think there’s one way to EDC? Everything I wrote is specifically about individual context.
 
RBid said:
I’m confused. Did I give the impression that I think there’s one way to EDC? Everything I wrote is specifically about individual context.
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No sir. I just said that because I did not want to give impression that I knew what was right for another person and I also did mention the surroundings, Needs, and other stuff dictate what works best. Sorry for any confusion. None was intended.
 
Joshua1973 said:
No sir. I just said that because I did not want to give impression that I knew what was right for another person and I also did mention the surroundings, Needs, and other stuff dictate what works best. Sorry for any confusion. None was intended.
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Cool. I share that attitude, sir. I hope people think about their specific realities, and let that inform their choices.
 
Lightweight AF is best IMO. I have a very capable folder in my pocket so I don’t carry one in a bag. In the winter I may throw a silky in there but only when it’s really cold. Maybe I’ll put my leatherman ps4 back in there? Maybe.

BOBs I see posted are almost always too heavy and over the top. Great if you’re killing zombies but pretty lame if you’re just walking 100 miles. I’ve pretty much given up on the “go out to the woods and survive” idea because that’s where all the morons with more ammo than brains will be. Much more likely that if things are that bad then I’m walking to where the bad things aren’t. Like the next city, the next state or the next country. You know, like a refugee. You guys go ahead and survive. I’m getting a job in the closest stable economy.
 
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