Looking for a good bug out blade to leave in my truck

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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After reading Blade magazines article on a "BUG OUT BAG", and thinking long and hard about it, I realized that it is not just paranoia, but a valid concern. This is a much different world we live in, and I'm only 25, it's a lot different from ten years ago! I have a crappy Taiwanese "survival" knife that I picked up at Sunny's Surplus, I just have it in my truck for the contents, a compass that I think doesn't work, some waterproof matches, fishing line etc. I "liberated" the sharpening stone that came with the sheath, years ago. I also have a few crappy Chinese folders that are rotting in my door pockets, I use them primarily for opening quarts of oil etc. Basically anything that could be very corrosive to the knife, I use one to scrape my battery terminals when I clean them. I also have a Wally World SAK in there, and an el cheapo multi tool with a loose blade, I should throw both of these away, I have a small toolbox in the truck. I have decided to leave my CRKT Crawford fixed Falcon neck knife in the truck, I hate having it around my neck, and it never stays on my belt, that clip is a bad design IMO. I have just put a Tomahawk brand (United Cutlery) machete in my truck, surprisingly for a cheap POS, it works pretty well. I was going to put my old CS kukri machete in there, but I decided against that. To the point (I like to ramble), I have several knives that I am thinking about putting in my "bag". I am going to choose between an old Western hunting knife, my CS Bushman, a Camillus Marine knife with serrations and a sawback, my CS Recon Tanto, or just buying something smaller than a bowie, but larger than the average fixed blade. I'm also looking at what to put in the bag. I have an SUV, and no airtight areas, so corrosion will be a problem after a while. I am looking at jerky, some kind of water purifier, maybe some energy bars (unsure, I'm a type 2 diabetic, those may not be the best thing). For an area like MD, what do I really need? :D
 
I've got several knives that would "fit" the definition for a bug out bag. In my truck I keep a kabar dozier folder, a leatherman wave and a CS bushman behind the seat. Any of my HI Khuks would be good, but the bushman was cheap sharp and dispensible if need be.
 
It depends.

Do you live on Delmarva or by Camp David? What plans has the county made of evacuation? Will they forbid all private vehicle movement and depend on buses, Army trucks or trains?

Where will you be going that 6,000,000 other people won't be going? How do you plan to cross bridges and rivers that have been shut down by the authorities?
 
KaBar, either the 7in or the 5in will do you fine. If moisture is a problem, get the kraton handle/kydex sheath version. I use mine for everything and even after trying to replace it with more specialized instruments, I go right back to it. From splitting wood, to prying, to cutting, to whatever, I like the KaBar. My buds KaBar, after several HHHHHHAAARRRRRDDDDD years, lost most of the black finish on the blade. He was worried about rust so he sanded it, leaving it rough, and painted it with rustoliom or BBQ paint or something. Doesn't look the best but it sure did the job. Also Becker makes good stuff. The BK-7 is neat, just mod the handle a little. The BK-9 is interesting and on my shopping list.

Max
 
I live on the Mason Dixon line, south of Shrewsbury, even though some would call it the boonies, the area rides the line of rural/suburbia for central MD. Within 15 minutes there are small towns in either direction, I-83 is about 5 miles west of me, so I am sure that that highway would be packed. I'm looking at what if something happens to me when I am in my car, at home, I'm all set, fully stocked freezer, stream down the hill, woodstove and grill for cooking, garden, livestock at several farms in the neighborhood. Come spring time, I'm taking day trips, sometimes after work, as far west as Chambersburg PA, or as far east as NJ, familiar areas, but I am not as familiar as I'd like to be. Sometimes, I travel even further. I've got lots of folding knives to choose from, I'm looking at what I can get in the way of a fixed blade knife, not too expensive, something I can leave in my truck that can get beat up. I am contemplating on whether or not buying a used Ontario knife I saw at a farmers market.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I am looking at jerky, some kind of water purifier, maybe some energy bars (unsure, I'm a type 2 diabetic, those may not be the best thing).
Click to expand...

Right there with you on that one, one thing I have used for B.O.B.'s is Soynuts (dried soybeans), I have found them to be a lightweight, quality source of protein yet complex carbs that don't seem to send my sugar sky high. I should say though that so far I have been able to control mine, without medication, so your milage may vary.

I also tend to put in an equal amount of salted and unsalted, that way if water is scarce I can control the amount of salt I intake.

All GNC stores carry both, as well as most health food stores, plain and flavored.
 
I was thinking about the smaller KABAR marine knife, it doesn't have to be pretty, just has to work. I am not too happy about my Camillus marine knife with serrations and sawback, I used it recently, just goofing around with it, cutting down some dead trees, and now the blade is all f%$#%ed up! I am not what you would call a hard user, I thought mine would hold up better!
 
My first recommendation is to dump the crap and start buying fewer, better blades. If you really needed a knife for survival and only had the one in your BOB, would you want that knife to be a cheap knock-off that you didn't mind leaving in your SUV?

If it says 400 series stainless or even "high carbon", what does that mean? It means they aren't really sure what the steel is and they hope you don't really care. 400 series stainless is anything from 420J2 to 440C, but when a maker uses that term it means 420J2. "Surgical stainless" means low carbon stainless.

Beckers are all good knives. The BK-1 is a great chopper, the BK-7 and 9 are good wilderness blades. Good meaning good steel that will hold an edge and a good usable grip. Regardless, look for a good solid fixed blade with good steel. I have both a Marine Ka-Bar, a BK-7 and 11. The BK-11 could go into the back of your glove compartment or door pocket.

Next look for a high quality (Benchmade, Spyderco) folding knife to carry every day -- then carry it 24/365. Look for good steel, S30V, 154CM, VG-10 and think, "this may be the only knife I have when I really need a knife". There are too many good folders to list and more companies (Strider) than I listed, but that's where I'd start.

Just my opinion, YMMV.
 
Sorry for adding a side-topic, but at least I'm hoping that it isn't totally off-topic.

What are the Best Blades for those on a Budget? Whether it's for a Bug Out Bag that's kept in your car or truck, 24/7, or for a Bug Out Bag that you grab to take with you, when you leave?

Does anyone else but me also keep "trash" knives, that I'll use for prying, digging or other not-usually-'good knife' duties? If I had to pry something or do some digging, I'd rather have a few options to take *before* I thrust a Strider into that duty, only to possibly irreversably damage it's usefulness.

Thanks for your generous help!
GeoThorn

(In my area, leaving a $200 knife in one's car or truck isn't the best plan, as "smash and grab" happens...)
 
Among the knives you mentioned, I'd take the Bushman.

Other than that, take a look at the Becker Combat/Utility and the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp.
 
Well, you could always get better knives with better steel and better handle materials, but what you have is'nt really that bad.
People all over the world, living in desolate places, survive everyday with much less and lesser quality tools.

Maybe you should add some fishing tackle and a rod and reel, a solor-powered radio, sleeping bag, and an Aid Bag for medical emergencies.
And it never hurts to have a couple of survival-type manuals with you--in case your memory fails you.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
One's EDC should already be on the person - and that is very likely a folder.

So the knife in the vehicle's BOB is probably better to be a fixed blade.

Pick one with an established reptutation for reliability -
(and NOT by specifications)

This brings us down to very few knives -

like the Ka-Bar USMC knife - which is probably a very good (proven) all round fixed blade.
4191217.jpg


for something cheaper that one could still depends one's life on -
try the (Mora) Swedish Army Knife made by either Frosts or KJ Eriksson.
760mg.jpg


Those would be on my short-list.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
My BOB is more of a "get-home bag" than a "go live off the land for a year" bag. I have my own ideas on what this type of knife needs to do, but I might pick a completely different knife if the BOB was meant for something different than what I intended. In this role, I want a fixed blade that is reasonably robust but small enough that it fits in a small bag, good enough quality that I'm willing to depend on it but cheap enough that I don't cry about dropping it in a bag and possibly never using it.

I currently have a 7" kabar there. I'd planned to put my SRK in there, but apparently I lost the SRK, so I picked up the kabar.
 
If the whole world goes to hell, I'm going to stay home, open a few beers, and watch it on CNN. :)

-Bob
 
"My first recommendation is to dump the crap and start buying fewer, better blades" I second that , to an extent. Being the perpetual bargain hunter (most of the time) I've been lucky enough to acquire some nice knives over the years for not a lot of dough. My B.O.B. contains just the basics for getting by , in the past I've always tried to include too much , like all the "nice to have" type stuff , stick with the basics IMO. That said , if you always carry a knife or two (I do) then your sitting pretty nice , add a good sturdy blade to your pack , the Bushman is my personal pick , or the Ka-Bar that everyone loves , the Bushman is the better priced of the two and you'd probably be less bummed if it got lost or damaged. Honestly any of the Chi-Com knives are junk , they may seem like a a bargain but they can injure you if your not careful (weak steel breaking etc). I bought a Gerber EZ OUT about 4 years ago , I carry it daily as my utility/work knife , it cost me 16 dollars on sale at Big 5 and it has been worth it's wieght in gold as far as usefulness , my other 'carry' knife is a Cold Steel Recon1 folding Tanto , I only keep it for those "special moments" so it remains razor sharp and unused , but I know its always there. Another 'knife' I always carry is one of the best gifts I have ever gotten and a great value too , the Gerber Multiplier , I cannot even count how many times a week I use it at work. Now Im babbling lol.
B.O.B CS Bushman & a quality mutliplier or SAK.
 
I'd go for;

1) A BK7, BK9 or the equivallent Swamp Rat or Ontario RAT. I have a RAT7 in my bush bag.

2) A Large multitoll. LM Sopertool or Voctorinox Swisstool.

3) A small sak with all the gadgets - Splinters, minor wounds and foot care all need the scissors and tweezers. I know a bloke who swears that a small SAK and it's scissors got him through SAS selection.
 
i had a little bit of a debate with my friend whos a marine about this the other day. he says he wants his kabar to use while hes in the service and i showed him my srkw camp tramp. he loved it but couldnt swallow the price his thoughts were that should he break or lose it he would be out over $100. my feelings were if i needed a knife in a survival situation i would want one that i more or less couldnt break unless i was pretty much trying. that said i do take the risk of losing the knife outright and eating the cost. its a risk im willing to take though, because if i ever need my CT i know that its not going to fail. pretty much you have to decide where your opinion is. pay for something that you are overly confident in, pay less for something that you feel will at least serve you or find a middle ground between price and what you think the knife is capable of.
 
Ming65 said:
I'd go for;

1) A BK7, BK9 or the equivallent Swamp Rat or Ontario RAT. I have a RAT7 in my bush bag.

2) A Large multitoll. LM Sopertool or Voctorinox Swisstool.

3) A small sak with all the gadgets - Splinters, minor wounds and foot care all need the scissors and tweezers. I know a bloke who swears that a small SAK and it's scissors got him through SAS selection.
Click to expand...
Ming's right on. I would add a small CS Bushman to this list so you can improvise a spear or something along those lines if needed.
 
i would think that a very good mulit-tool would be more useful than a large fixed blade. especially in an evacuation type emergency

p.s. you should put a flashlight in the kit, i would recommmend the UK4eLED, it uses a i watt led bulb and can burn at 10 hours with virtualy no deduction in light output. it also has an all metal body and is made to be used underwater or in hazadous situations so rust or water are not a problem
 
I'll second the thought that Ming65 has got the right idea. His suggestion pretty much covers all the bases while not waving bye-bye to a significant wad of cash.
 
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