What would be a good fixed blade for a Bug Out Bag

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frogger42

Joined
Sep 17, 2008
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I keep a bug out bag packed and ready to go as a 72 hour kit. Right now I have a Buck Intrepid in the pack. However, I'm not a big fan of the tanto blade shape and I think it is far larger and heavier than I need. I'm wanting to downsize to something in the 4 - 5" blade range. I have three knives I'm considering. I'm looking for feedback on these as well as what others I should be considering.

Doug Ritter RSK Mk 3
Fallkniven S1
RAT RC-4

I like the looks of the RAT, but not too happy about the blade steel. I like the Doug Ritter, but it's awfully pricey. I think the Fallkniven S1 is my favorite of these, but I hate the sheath. All are good, but none stand out enough for me to know what to order.
 
frogger42 said:
I keep a bug out bag packed and ready to go as a 72 hour kit. Right now I have a Buck Intrepid in the pack. However, I'm not a big fan of the tanto blade shape and I think it is far larger and heavier than I need. I'm wanting to downsize to something in the 4 - 5" blade range. I have three knives I'm considering. I'm looking for feedback on these as well as what others I should be considering.

Doug Ritter RSK Mk 3
Fallkniven S1
RAT RC-4

I like the looks of the RAT, but not too happy about the blade steel. I like the Doug Ritter, but it's awfully pricey. I think the Fallkniven S1 is my favorite of these, but I hate the sheath. All are good, but none stand out enough for me to know what to order.
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What's not to like about 1095? It's one of my all time favorite knife steels.:D If you're worried about corrosion, don't be, because the RC-4 has a coating on the blade that will prevent rust. As for the edge, there are a ton of people on these boards that own RAT knives, and they don't have any problems with rust there, either. 1095 is also plenty tough.

Out of those three, I would pick the RAT, for multiple reasons, two of them being the steel, and the company's awsome warrenty. You can't go wrong with the Fallkniven either, as it has a laminated blade that makes it at least as tough as the RC-4, if not more than, going by the reviews of Fallkniven users. Also, it's stainless, so you don't have to worry about rust as long as you wipe moisture off of it before putting it away. I can't comment on the Doug Ritter, as I don't really know anything about it. I'd say it would come down to personal preference between the RAT and the Fallkniven.:)
 
Of those listed, the RAT 4's probably the best of the bunch. Along with being just a nice knife, 1095's relatively easy to sharpen. For a "BOB", that's probably a nice feature & RAT's differentially heat treated 1095 is one of the best for that steel, too.
 
Rat RC-4. tough as nails, easy to sharpen, put some oil od the edge every once in a while and it will stay clean.
 
On a side note I think I just became a fan of convex edges. I can't sharpen my v-grind knives all too well. Maybe enough to cut a few hairs off the arm. But the other night i got some 800, 1000, and 2000 grit sandpaper, and got my Fallkniven cleaning the hair off my right arm.
 
Afraid of rust? Coat the blade with a light coating of oil or grease before putting it away.
 
I recently bought a new Buck #151 Kaala neck knife - 3" S30V steel one piece blade/skeletonized handle. A friend from church is headed to a less friendly sandy area of the globe as a contract worker, so I donated it to him. I may have to get another one for my b.o.b. - if the money tree ever blooms again. At $56-$70 mail order/evil-bay, it's not 'killer expensive'... but, after Christmas - and property taxes yesterday - I am planning on panhandling on a freeway exit ramp this AM, if I can find one not already over-populated!

Happy New Year!

Stainz
 
Have you considered any of the Benchmade fixed blades? The Nimravus, Rant and CSK are all fairly well regarded.
 
Hmmmm. You like the S1? Sorry about the sarcasm, but there is a "Duh' factor here. Buy the knife, then make or buy a sheath you like. it is going to be in your BOB, so not used every day anyway. You remind me of a friend who would not date an incredibly great girl because she wore the wrong clothes.
 
I suggest a Mora 2000. These are very lightweight, stainless, and relatively robust knives which can be had for not a lot of money. They also aren't so expensive or eyecatching that you want to take them out of the BoB and play with them.

Andy
 
Any of the three you mentioned are good in my book, Frogger, but I'm with Andrew on this one: EVERY BOB should at least have a Mora in it, and then another blade if deemed appropriate.
 
My sons carry Rat 7s in D2 and have had very good performance from them. For me bug out means worst case scenario, so I carry a Ranger RD6. It isn't a very expensive knife to have sitting idle but I like the steel and toughness. I always have a folder on me to do the small cutting chores so I want a mammer jammer in the bag for urban necessities. For example, you may be forced to enter a house or other building that you deem to be unoccupied. It may be locked up and require a forceful entry. I wouldn't want to damage a Mora etc. doing that type of thing and I don't want to carry the extra weight of a flat bar in the BOB. I have Swamp Rat, Busse, Scrapyard and Chris Reeve that I would also consider easily up to the task but I'm more willing to sacrifice the Ranger.
 
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saxon said:
My sons carry Rat 7s in D2 and have had very good performance from them. For me bug out means worst case scenario, so I carry a Ranger RD6. It isn't a very expensive knife to have sitting idle but I like the steel and toughness. I always have a folder on me to do the small cutting chores so I want a mammer jammer in the bag for urban necessities. For example, you may be forced to enter a house or other building that you deem to be unoccupied. It may be locked up and require a forceful entry. I wouldn't want to damage a Mora etc. doing that type of thing and I don't want to carry the extra weight of a flat bar in the BOB. I have Swamp Rat, Busse, Scrapyard and Chris Reeve that I would also consider easily up to the task but I'm more willing to sacrifice the Ranger.
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I carry a flat bar in my bug out kit, because it is for worst case scenario...
 
I keep pry bars in the truck when I'm on the road. So I usually have one close. I've used the RD6 for tearing open wooden doors and prying windows. Hell, I'd rather carry a 4ft wrecking bar!!
If I were you neeman, I'd carry some sort of pry bar because the chances of you having to deal with building rubble is a very strong possibility.
 
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i love mine and the 1095 carbon steel is great. u will not be disappointed! i love the kydex it comes with but if u prefer a different sheath, ucan usually find some really good ones at ur local gun or knife store
IMG_1781.jpg
 
I carry a Fallkniven F1 in my bag; so it's the knife I'd recommend for that purpose.
Zytel sheath.
 
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