Suggestions for bug out bag blades?

Velitrius said:
sabre cat sabre cat It's funny, but I've never weighed my BOB. I simply strap in and it's either "Yea" or "Nay" on the weight. I'm going to weigh it up to see if I'm more man than mouse, but I'm old and beat up which means lighter = better.

And yes, I agree that most people won't do anything but stuff it full and hope there's enough crap in there. Weight is one thing, contents are another... but proper fit, appropriate adjustment and ride comfort are equally important to me.
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I am like you, I've never taken the time to weigh my bag. Sure, I've picked it up a few times to check the weight but never have placed it on a scale. Every time I pick it up, I am reminded that I am not 19 anymore and that I can't ruck like I did when I was younger.

My problem is that my pack is always changing. I can honestly say that mine is never finished and I always find a different way to do something. Maybe it is just moving a backpacking stove from the bug out bag at home to the get home bag in my Cherokee. Or changing all my flashlights so that they all have the same type of on/off switches.
 
sabre cat said:
Or changing all my flashlights so that they all have the same type of on/off switches.
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LOL, and the same batteries!

I like to think that my bag is "evolving" over time. But it's a good thing I think.

I'll probably end up with a Benchmade Bugout in there for the knife. But it doesn't fit the purpose of this thread.

I also had a fixed blade with a skeletonized handle that I wrapped in paracord. I figured it would cut down on weight, and I'd have another shot of cordage in there should I need it. Ends up that it was heavier than having the Bucklite in there and just tossing in the other paracord. But it might still work for some folks, there are good skeletonized blades to be had.
 
Mecha said:
Ain't no way I'm bugging out to a shelter.
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I feel sure those folks in CA with the potential dam breaking, that big fire that wiped out a town, or the other fires there felt the same way. But sometimes it's necessary if you intend to survive.
 
dirc, my primary "go to" knife, that I also carry on wilderness trips, is a Battle Rat, made by Swamp Rat, a division of Busse Combat Knife Co. Unfortunately they're not made anymore and haven't been for several years. Scrap Yard, also related to Busse, made a similar knife, but that's out of production, also.

There's a very good review, with specs, on Bladeforums, if you're interested:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/swamp-rat-knives-battle-rat-review.207365/

I'm not familiar with Carothers knives but skimmed over their website. The Chopper knives look like something I'd take a look at if I was going to buy another big knife. The Bark River Crusader looks good, too, with a 8.5" blade. I've read good things about Esee knives, and they make a couple of choppers.

I don't like to go much over 9.5" blade length and try to keep the weight down to around 16 oz., but the quality of a knife (something my or another's life may depend on some day) is much more important to me than the weight. I would guess that most people, including myself, are carrying an extra 8 oz. or more around their waist.
 
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22-rimfire said:
I feel sure those folks in CA with the potential dam breaking, that big fire that wiped out a town, or the other fires there felt the same way. But sometimes it's necessary if you intend to survive.
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Well with the proper prior planning and the right BOB setup and a couple of good BOLs, the chances of ending up at a shelter can probably be reduced to near zero.
 
MtnHawk1 said:
I wouldn't own a knife that isn't full tang.
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I've beaten on some Mora Companions (even the stainless ones) while testing them batoning to see if they would snap. So far, that hasn't happened. I'd prefer a full-tang knife, but those rat tails are stronger than I would have ever guessed.
 
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Velitrius said:
LOL, and the same batteries!

I like to think that my bag is "evolving" over time. But it's a good thing I think.

I'll probably end up with a Benchmade Bugout in there for the knife. But it doesn't fit the purpose of this thread.

I also had a fixed blade with a skeletonized handle that I wrapped in paracord. I figured it would cut down on weight, and I'd have another shot of cordage in there should I need it. Ends up that it was heavier than having the Bucklite in there and just tossing in the other paracord. But it might still work for some folks, there are good skeletonized blades to be had.
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Same batteries? I'm not going that far!

I've thought about picking up a Benchmade Bugout but I have a 531 already.That's pretty close to a Bugout.
 
Since this thread appears to have some legs and since I don't adhere to a bug out mind set, I would be curious to hear from people who are making recommendations,
A) What specific circumstances are you planning for that would cause you to bug out?

B) Where will you bug out to, how will you get there and how long will you stay?

C) How does this lead you to your recommended knife choice?

Not stirring the pot. I find these discussions fascinating and completely unrelatable as I just don't understand the reasoning. Trying to under the thinking better.
 
Hotshot10, I'm not saying that partial tang knives aren't strong (I'm sure many of them are), but in a survival or emergency situation the strength and quality of a tool might be more important than when things are normal. In that case, if I needed a knife, I would not only want a full tang, but a big and tough knife. If small knives could do what big knives can then big knives wouldn't exist.
 
pinnah said:
Since this thread appears to have some legs and since I don't adhere to a bug out mind set, I would be curious to hear from people who are making recommendations,
A) What specific circumstances are you planning for that would cause you to bug out?

B) Where will you bug out to, how will you get there and how long will you stay?

C) How does this lead you to your recommended knife choice?

Not stirring the pot. I find these discussions fascinating and completely unrelatable as I just don't understand the reasoning. Trying to under the thinking better.
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A) The area I live in has suffered from serious fires, floods, and some earthquakes. Anyone of those can force me from my home.

B) I have family in the area that I can stay with unless they become homeless also. A rescue shelter is next on my list. Living in my Cherokee is something to consider. Camping is also an option but, I consider it a last resort. The duration of my stay in any of these locations is unknown for obvious reasons. As for transportation... I hope I will be able to drive. I do have a bicycle that could use. Walking is always an option. With the Northern California fires of 2017, walking was the only real option for some.

C) Personally, I lean more towards a folder in my gear. Right now, I have two, a Spartan SAK and a D2 RAT 1. But, I can see a possible need for a fixed blade of some sort. Just for food prep, if nothing else. It really depends upon where you end up after you leave your home. If your bug out plan includes staying with family, a rescue shelter, Super 8 or Motel 6, a fixed blade probably will not be needed. If your plan is camping at your local state park or KOA, a FB might be in order.

IIRC, The OP ask for FB recommendations. Mine was Mora because of cost, weight, and reputation. I also recommended a full tang Schrade 55.

Have I answered your questions to your satisfaction?
 
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I would ditch the fixed blade for a sak with a saw and unless you’re family is good with a firesteel(most who carry them are not) I would opt for a bic as well like an earlier poster mentioned.
 
Shotgun said:
I would ditch the fixed blade for a sak with a saw and unless you’re family is good with a firesteel(most who carry them are not) I would opt for a bic as well like an earlier poster mentioned.
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Do you mean like a Vic Farmer? I also would opt for a BIC lighter over some of the other options. I do like my Aurora Fire Steel though.
 
I don't have a bug-out bag but I do have a backpack in the same closet at some neatly organized essential supplies, my EDC stuff, lights, tools, gear, etc. This might add minutes to my fleeing time but what I grab is going to depend on what is happening.

22-rimfire said:
Depends on the emergency situation. All emergency situations don't involve being Rambo. Try cleaning trimming your toe nails with the 8.5-9.5" knife? ;)
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This is a serious issue. I feel the same way about any BOB that I do a traveling bag. Nail clippers, tweezers, Q-tips, and a small magnifying glass should definitely be a part of it. A small medical kit can come in handy too. If you have a family or people with whom you'd be fleeing, a little coordination wouldn't be a bad thing.

Mecha said:
Ain't no way I'm bugging out to a shelter.
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This is another issue colored by the type and duration of disaster. If you are traveling through certain places or members of your party have certain needs, you might be glad for a shelter in that place. This yet another reason to stick with concealed carry. Yes, you could be super prepared with an AR-15 over your shoulder and a machete on your belt. It could also cause trouble for you. It's better to have what you have privately in a disaster, regardless of what that might be.
 
I was watching the homestead rescue (Discovery Channel) show last night and fire potential always catches my interest about bugging in or bugging out. Very difficult to prepare for a forest fire that is moving in your direction if you live in a forested area or even a neighborhood with abundant large trees. It is not just heat and fire that will kill you, smoke too. The point I am making (and it applies to me also) is you must prepare to bugout within 5 minutes. Having gobs of camping stuff in your garage, stashed in misc closets, and other gear isn't going to help you much if you can't find it quickly (within 5 minutes more or less) to evacuate a home in an emergency. So, if you have the bugout mindset, be ready to evacuate in under 5 minutes.

I think it might be a good idea to have a quick bugout (or bug-back) kit assembled with the basics. It doesn't have to be in a bag, but you should know what bag or container you will place the stuff in. By the same token, I think one should put some thought into a whole car/truck/van bugout where you have ample time (a couple hours) to prepare and assemble the stuff. This might be like preparing for a camping trip or for a week's vacation.

In the fall of 2016, Gatlinburg TN was hit with a forest fire. Much of the Southeast was experiencing extreme drought conditions at the time. There were people fleeing the fire and not making it because roads became blocked with debris or even fire. Regardless of what you might think from the movies, it is generally not a good idea to blast through a place on fire in a vehicle except as a last resort.

The potential duration of a disaster impacts your preparations.... stay in a motel/hotel? You have the funds? Do you keep cash on hand? Camping? State Park, KOA type campground, or other....? Do you have a tent or prepared to make a shelter (usually some kind of tarp shelter)? You probably need more prepared shelter gear if you are staying inside a park or formal campground.

Try to bug out in a group to spread out the load and the gear choices, just like back packing with a group. So, everyone has their fixed blade or a fixed and folder? it all depends on your mindset on preparedness.
 
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