Urban Survival Knife

[Bushman5]

I can vouch for those babies. I ruined a pair of insulated Klein Lineman's Pliers because of a half-asleep husband.
Used to work for a plumbing & electric company as a sub-contractor/journeyman electrician.
Was installing a control panel for city sewage at a house in another county. I told the wife to kick the main breaker in the house (she didn't know which was to the line I needed to be on).
What I didn't know was that she'd left and her husband had awoken (third shift worker) to no power in the house. Kicked the breaker right as I clipped into a 220 amp line.

It blew a hole in the pliers and went off like a twelve gauge. I was fine, other than shaken up. I was still standing there just looking at the pliers. The other company that was there digging the hole for the sewage tank were scared shitless. They were screaming: "MAN, ARE YOU ALRIGHT, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! THAT DUMB SON OF A B**CH ALMOST KILLED YOU!"

I never even got the first jolt.

that first millisecond of sparks and bang really wakes ya up eh!

 

[HikingMano]

I work in San Francisco and I carry an RC4, Leatherman Skeletool (planning to switch out for a pair of dedicated pliers/wirecutters), and Vic OHT in my backpack. One of these days I might pick up another BRKT Bravo-1 or a Becker BK2 to replace the RC4, for better prying ability. Also carry a pair of leather work gloves, flashlight, guyot, the rest of my PSK, etc.

I also carry rescue shears, a good hemostat, forceps, and latex gloves as part of the FAK.

I can't remember if I have any other tools in my backpack, those are the ones I think of off the top of my head.

I always have on my person: Vic Farmer, Folder (right now, a Military), and keychain with keychain flashlight, BSA hotspark, peanut lighter, whistle, little prybar, Vic classic.

 

[ROCK6]

ROCK6, would you consider this setup your BOB?

It was at one time where I was living, but it's no longer a current set up. Many of the items shown were part of my "travel" kit when I did a lot of CONUS traveling back in 2008.

ROCK6

 

[LUW]

I ask because I want to see as many set-ups as possible, what people consider a BOB, a grab bag or just an EDC bag. I'm building up mine and all these alternatives are great to give me ideas about what I should carry.
Thanks for the info!

 

[Mistwalker]

As far as an urban survival knife goes just like a wilderness survival knife I'd much rather have a small fixed that any folder. The size would depend on the situation. So far the RAT HEST is exactly what I wanted for the current situation. In a SHTF situation where laws no longer applied it would be back up for a larger knife or would be backed up by a larger one in a pack. It's easily tucked away, stoutly made, fits my hand well, handles great, and is easy to keep a grip on. Granted I could likely do without the bottle opener but I don't mind it being there at all and will think of things to use it for I'm sure...even if just opening bottles or lifting wire handled pots off a fire. It is always good to have a folder on you, better for any tasks it will handle when done around people without drawing any unnecessary attention, but when it comes down to it I want a fixed blade when I need one. I've even had some very small ones made just because of that

I've been lucky in that in my line of work I always have a Breaking and exiting kit with me in my truck and with me at work anyway...I'm a carpenter. I have lots of tools but I have yet to see the building I couldn't get out of with a good straight clawed hammer and a heavy pair of Kleins with insulated handles. Multi-tools are great, I have a few of them, but cutting flex conduit or romex with them would be a pain in the neck to say the least, and very dangerous. tearing sheet metal with them would likely ruin them. I ruined my first leatherman cutting tie wire.

And whoever said punch a hole in the dry wall and then start pulling and then push the other side out was spot on. That's how we do it when we do tear outs. When chopping your just going to make a trench but by pulling and you can remove much larger pieces. Heavy boots, any chair with legs, even a bare fist in a hammer blow will do to start the hole. If there is someone there you don't like you can use them to start the hole ...just use your imagination drywall isn't that durable.

 

[gadgetgeek]

right on Mist, half the battle is knowing the limits of the tool, knowing what it can handle and what it can't. more than one multi-tool has been killed by tie wire, steel strapping, and other silliness. I'd never try to cut conduit with a multi, just give it a good yank, odds are there is some slack in it, if it is really that much in the way.
once one layer of paper is off the drywall its strength is greatly reduced.

 

[koyote]

I second the countycomm EOD bar, and the widgy, and even the pico widgy- allt he smaller prying tools they have are a good thing to add to your urban or wilderness kit.

I carry a leatherman crunch and an SAK outrider or a cybertool (depending) with either my small EDC fixed blade or my Al Mar folder for city carry.

 

[dttomcat]

I attend class at a large public university in a liberal leaning state. I carry a Leatherman Juice Xe6 in my backpack along with a Surefire E1. On my keycahin there is a Victorinox Classic and a Photon Microlite II. If I could make it back to my car in the garage (about a mile or so walk, ...UUGH!) I would also have a Leatherman Charge Tti and a Surefire G2L. I would get nervous pulling the Charge out of my backpack and opening the knife blade with one hand in front of people on campus. And if for any reason I got searched by the campus police I think the Juice would go over better than the Charge even though, according to university policy, I'm allowed a folder up to < than 4". Better safe than sorry with these sheeple. I hope I never find myself under-equipped. All the other survival stuff stays out of my backpack. Texbooks and notebooks are heavy enough. -DT

 

[redpoint]

ROCK6

Rock6 - really well thought-out kit! You too Bushman. I often think about a way to rappel down a couple of floors if stuck in a "structurally compromised" building. Is that kevlar static cord I see in your kit, as in "escape cord" that a firefighter might carry. Actually, looks like Technora cord? I see your compact rappel device. Cord like that is so useful for a variety of emergency uses as it's unbelievably strong, has a high heat tolerance, and zero stretch. It's bloody pricey too.

 

[TattooBlade]

What about a Graham Razel (sp)???? I think that could be a handy style urban blade.

 

[ROCK6]

Rock6 - Is that kevlar static cord I see in your kit, as in "escape cord" that a firefighter might carry. Actually, looks like Technora cord? I see your compact rappel device. Cord like that is so useful for a variety of emergency uses as it's unbelievably strong, has a high heat tolerance, and zero stretch. It's bloody pricey too.

Yeah it is...it was pricey but I don't remember exactly how much or where I picked it up. When I was doing a lot of traveling, I would try and get a second floor room, but sometimes I got stuck on the third or fourth floor. I've rappeled out the window of a 6 floor building...you never know...it's just nice to be prepared

ROCK6

 

[Infi-del]

I EDC these in my Maxpedition Colossus. Got two WSKs and two USKs. And a Leatherman Charge XTI for good measure. But then again it goes everywhere with me.

 

[Gaurdian_A1]

must have urban survival tools: (keep in mind i live in a city of 2 mil people, with only 2 exits out of the city)

- Becker TAC-TOOL knife or RAT HEST
- Klein insulated wire cutters/pliers
- Greenlee 5 - 10,000V voltage tester
- heavy leather gloves
- stanley prybar or small FUBAR
- roll duct tape
- roll orange flagging tape
- roll electricians tape
- role baling wire
- screwdriver with multiple bits
- hacksaw (not the U shaped ones, the flat ones) and a variety of metal blades in different TPI
- torx + metric/imperial allen wrenches
- 2 industrial crayon markers
- 2 industrial sharpies
- package of N95 dust masks
- eye protection goggles
- Pelican OSHA/MSHA rated flashlight (super saberlight led)
- spare batteries for voltage tester and Pelican light
- gas detector
- gas mains wrench
- 3 heavy duty drum liner garbage bags
- 1.5 liters water
- 5 powerbars or similar
- first aid kit


etc

My Urban SHTF kit is almost identical to yours. I have a North full face mask with Organic Vapour cartridges that have defender p100's on the bottoms. Otherwise our kits are freakishly similar.

 

[Mannlicher]

I live in a fairly small town. ?From my shop in town, to my home at the edge of town is about 5 miles.

I have a Leaatherman and another knife or two with me at all times. In my old truck are other implements. I don't see any of this as a problem.

 

[Pilot1]

I think the RAT RC-5 would be a great choice, but so would a BRKT Bravo-1, Fallkniven F1 or S1 and a RAT RC-4 or 6.

 

[Mistwalker]

What about a Graham Razel (sp)???? I think that could be a handy style urban blade.

I think the Razel design would be great in an urban environment. I am considering a Boker Cop Too because of that but looking to see if I can find one I like better. I'm not crazy about the leather pouch sheath...however the original cop tool in kydex is too rich for my blood at the moment.

.

 

[C_Kyle]

OP,

IMHO, neither of those knives pictured would work for urban "survival". You're correct in taking into account various laws, rules, and public opinions related to urban areas.

My first suggestion, which is just a knife, would be a sod buster, or another "usable sized" slip-joint. Another suggestion would be a friction-folder. Both types are non-locking, which is extremely important in an urban area. Other features which are important in an urban area are non-single hand opening, so no thumb holes or studs, a good tight pivot, so the folder cannot be flung open, and a very indistinct signature when worn inside a pocket.

If an actual knife is a no-go, then my second suggestion would be a multi-tool. Again, take into account usability, slip-joint type lockup, and people-friendly appearance.

Actually, the multi-tool is probably the way to go. It's much more versatile.

This is all a game of perception and blending in with the environment.

 

[Spuddate]

I carry a box cutter (or utility knife), because they are perfect for working with cardboard, a great material found in the urban environment. I also carry EMT shears. These items cause no concern with police or the public. Finally, since I sometimes go into schools, I carry a knifeless Leatherman Fuse. We can't have knives with a blade over 1.5 inches on school grounds in People's Republic of California.

Spud

 

[hatchetjack]

In a briefcase or backpack I'd have a full size multi-tool (LM Wave) and some sort of prying tool or 1/4 " thick fixed blade. I don't feel the need for a big chopper here but rather something with good leverage.

That would be my answer to your OP but I would also keep a small FAK handy, and a facemask.

Keep a good locking folder on you. Since your question involved SHTF, I don't think staying sheeple friendly is a requirement.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

In my case, one of the most serious risk is being trapped in underground tunnel
after a big earthquake. To be prepared for that, I carry a head lamp, medium sized
towel, a prier and a fixed blade knife.

A whistle and a Photon Freedom Micro Light may be an idea for signaling (the Micro has strobe & SOS and is tiny enough to fit through small gaps).

Dust mask and high energy drinks & snacks won't take much pocket/bag space and some 5mm ID silicone tubing too.

Assuming you've a FAK, strong painkillers too!