Recommend a knife to go in a bugout bag

Since a Mora clearly does not meet any of the standard you have put forward, I will suggest either the SOG SEAL or Buck NightHawk, or the Gerber LMF. I have used and abused all 3 and they are all great blades. Of course, it seems that an RC-4, 5, or 6 would work too. I have yet to handle a RAT though. It's at the mercy of the USPS right now...
 
Good & Cheap - CS Bushman
Better, but more money - BK&T Campanion
 
tirod3 said:
Any fixed blade hunting knife will do - preferably the simple drop point, about 4 inches. If its over $40 dollars, you'll have money left over for other more important gear, like water purification equipment. Soaking $100 or more in a knife that sits unused in a bag all day is a gratuitious toy, not a tool. And if the bag is stolen, confiscated, or accidently forgotten somewhere, it's not a huge loss. It's also not a major indicator of some evil intent when viewed by an LEO - unlike most mall ninja toys packed with 1% solution gear in a tactical callout bag dragged around by 5.11 wearing wannabees.

Keep your bugout stuff simple, and you will have good, simple tools to use with the level of your skill.
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Excellent advice
:thumbup:
 
tirod3 said:
Soaking $100 or more in a knife that sits unused in a bag all day is a gratuitious toy, not a tool.
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I've got to disagree with you on this, Tirod3. IMO your BOB should contain the best gear you can afford, not just cheap stuff you can afford to lose. If you ever actually need that BOB, it will likely be a life-threatening situation and in such a case, I would hate to be holding a broken knife in my hand, wishing I had spent the money for a better one. A RAT RC-4 is hardly an extravagent knife, yet it easily retails for over $100. :cool:

It's also not a major indicator of some evil intent when viewed by an LEO - unlike most mall ninja toys packed with 1% solution gear in a tactical callout bag dragged around by 5.11 wearing wannabees.
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That's more a matter of packaging than content. If any LEO was to open my BOB (and I forsee no reason why one should) all he would find is a green backpack full of camping gear. Hardly incriminating.
 
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Well, robust and decent 5" fixed knives will cost about $70. It's not a big stretch to make it $100 and get an excellent knife like Scrap Yard Scrapper 5.
 
I buy the best I can afford at any given time. I use a RAT RC 4 and 2 Mora knives pretty regular. I feel that for the $ Mora's great. I've beat the heck out of mine and it's going strong still. I do like having the RAT also.
 
For a bugout bag, you might also want to check out the Cold Steel Rajah II. It's a heavy folding knife that's as stout as many fixed blade knives. It can be carried on you concealed and is a fine choice for cutting or chopping. Check out the description and the video here.

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Serrations on a knife like this are more problematic than helpful. If you use a knife for cutting, chopping or scraping, the serrations only get in the way. And if you need to cut through wood quickly, like a saw, you really don't have enough room on many knives to do it.

Smokey Mountain Knife Works presently has the Böker Plus fixed blade on SALE for a paltry $29.95, which is a very good price. The knife itself is made from 440C stainless steel and usually goes for $50+.


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tirod3 said:
Any fixed blade hunting knife will do - preferably the simple drop point, about 4 inches. If its over $40 dollars, you'll have money left over for other more important gear, like water purification equipment. Soaking $100 or more in a knife that sits unused in a bag all day is a gratuitious toy, not a tool. And if the bag is stolen, confiscated, or accidently forgotten somewhere, it's not a huge loss. It's also not a major indicator of some evil intent when viewed by an LEO - unlike most mall ninja toys packed with 1% solution gear in a tactical callout bag dragged around by 5.11 wearing wannabees.

Keep your bugout stuff simple, and you will have good, simple tools to use with the level of your skill.
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Outstanding advice. I have avoided a tactical bag (looks like a bookbag). BTW. A Gerber Harsey Hunter is in one of my BOBs.
 
A Kershaw Vertigo might be a good option to look at. I love the ergos, but its Ken Onion, so no big shocker :D
 
EvanWilliams said:
Outstanding advice. I have avoided a tactical bag (looks like a bookbag).
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Me to, since I live fairly close to both a junior college and large university, I deliberately chose a good, fairly heavy duty back pack that blends in with most of the style carried by students.

No camo or mil surplus stuff.

The Gerber LMF II rides inside it, while a normal folder would be in my pocket.
 
I have a cold-blued carbon steel Mora in my BOB, and although I am not a CS fan, I would also consider a Cold Steel GI Tanto. I will probably be picking up a few stainless Moras for BOB use soon. However, neither of these is partially serrated.

The Gerber LMFII got a good review in the most recent Field & Stream, surprisingly beating a Spyderco Moran, though I suspect mainly on size. That 440C Boker for $30 is a pretty appealing choice as well. If the Buck Nighthawks are really getting blown out for $20 (I don't shop there), then that is pretty much a no-brainer.
 
+1 on the becker Campanion, built like a tank for under $70. I am a fan of the Mora 2000 as well, the tang is longer than most moras, and goes for about $35. FWIW I went with the RC3, it has a good reputation, and the slim profile takes up almost no room in your bag.

You may want to hold out to see what the price is going to be on the RAT H.E.S.T. It is not much bigger than the Izula, but has a larger handle, which should make it a good user. Not sure what the price point will be, but I would guess around $75-80.

I would skip the partial serrations as well, too hard to maintain if you need to sharpen in the field.
 
As already stated from other members you may wish to skip on the partially serated blade.

A good knife for the money is the Kabar Becker Campanion.
 
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