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Q: Should I buy a pre-made Bug Out Bag?

 

A: This is not a preferred method... Don't do it! Having something is always better than nothing... However, there are many reasons having a pre-made bag could almost be worse than having nothing. Here's a couple of them.

  1. Premade bags are made cutting corners for cost. Sometimes it's a horrible knife. Other times it's a whistle compass other thing item that just breaks in one use, or a foldable saw that breaks the first thing it cuts. People pay for life insurance betting to die. Think of a Bug out Bag or EDC items in general as a I bet I won't die plan. I don't put my life on pre-made kits...

  2. If it's pre made, the chances of you taking everything out, looking through it and practicing with the items drastically decrease. What's worse is you'll find a false sense of security having that pack. When needing to use items in said pack, if they fail you or you don't know how to use them, items could seriously injure you such as a knife or fire starter. If your bag was your hope, and your hope lost, without hope, death approaches faster.

  3. Items you may not know how to use can be in there such as a compass. It will be wasting valuable space and weight in your pack

  4. A bag that is pre made isn't designed for a single person. Extra pair of glasses, your meds, and needs won't be in there.

  5. The orange bags. These are a joke in a real shit hits the fan type of thing. You don't want to be seen, and the companies are giving you a bright orange pack. It's better to get an orange plastic bag to put over your pack if you want to be seen than forcing people to be seen. Logic here is that orange is the universal color for S.O.S.

Question: Does everyone need a B.O.B?

Answer: While everyone doesn't specifically need a decked out Bug Out Bag, everyone must be considered in one which is in your group. (The most important survival items should be on your person at all times anyway.) Smaller children (5+) could still carry a backpack or bag with them. However, the items in their bag would be their personal items such as a blanket, extra clothes, and maybe their favorite toy. That said, children don't need their own fire kit, first aid kit, knives, and other tools in their separate bags. Other adults in the group can carry things such as an extra knife with them of course, especially if you're ever planning (or not planning such as getting lost from the group) to divide the group up along the way to do multiple tasks.

Another consideration to have is that if one is able to fit the most important items in their jacket or pants pocket, do so. Even if you have a B.O.B for every person in your group, there are chances your bags might get lost or stolen along the way. A bag can get washed down a river accidentally... a pants pocket... not so much... or at least not without you too.

Q: What folder knife should I get and what company?

A: The knife company isn't as important as the steel they use... (Except Cold Steel which many finds to have lousy or non existent quality control...) That said... certain ones are easier to open than others as well. I find Spyderco to have the easiest opening for me to at least control over the semi automatics from ones like Benchmade...

1. VG10 and S30V are two really good blade steel choices. If you can get D2 though....Oh man DO IT. D2... D5...D10 they are hardcore (and usually only on fix blades)
2. Handle wise the G10 are most durable, but if you have sensitive skin... sometimes can leave rashes since it is fiberglass. I usually work with stainless steel handles cause I have a bit sensitive skin and don't always want to use gloves. G10 rashes I believe are rare though. Another note to add is that G10 is toxic in fires and while cutting the material so use protective masks. N95 masks made for fiberglass shards are a plus so the particles in the air don't find home in your lungs.
3. Some of the blades also have curved angles which have the nobs to open it up. These make larger hands easier to open it as well. Kershaw has a few which do this.
4. You can pick from a few safety features. Some have an additional lock which keeps the blade closed, or keeps it open when using it. Some find this a plus, and some a negative since if it's locked close, that's one more step to go all like BAM open.
5. Then there is the plain edge, combo edge, or serrated edge. While serrated edges are useful even when it's a bit dull, it sometimes hinders the blade depending what you are doing with it. I usually prefer a strait blade since I have a multitool to use for the saw. I personally rather not give unnecessary abuse to my blade it I have something better to use for a task.
6. Then there is the one sided blade and two sided blades.... Let's just say only get the one sided blade cause a strait non sharp edge can be use for many reasons as well such as a striker.
7. Almost done but now you have the black polished blades, the stone washed blades, and the polished blades. I would go with polished since now you have a signaling mirror indirectly too. However the choice is up to you.
8. Lastly there is the rules and regulations which each state has which will limit your choices. Some states say the blade can't be over five inches, or over ten inches in total... some ban butterfly knives, others automatic. Check your state law before buying a knife!

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Q: I'm buying (or upgrading) a backpack

A: One must take into consideration a few things for a Bug out Bag (B.O.B)...

Backpack considerations!
1. Price: What range are you looking to spend on your bag or an upgrade for a bag? Longer lasting bags are usually in the $80 - $200 range.
2. Style: I know many people like the tactical style look or the Mollywebbing or a camouflage look. Though take into consideration that if you ever had to travel with your pack in a widespread disaster scenario, a tactical bag will be like a bullseye on your back traveling to security personals as well as thieves. Now if you're hiding in the bush, a camouflage bag may work better, or just carry a camouflage rain cover.
3. Don't flash around your gear!: You don't want to attract more attention than need be, so a decked out looking bag isn't the best. Bob likes to be humble now...
4. Go for more organization and pockets: The more organized your kits are spread out in your bag, the quicker you can get what you need in your bag when you really need it. I for one carry all back up essentials in my pockets though over the bag. You don't really want to take your bag on and off more times than you need.
5. Color of your bag: Similar to the style of the bag. Ever want a good laugh? Pre-made B.O.B packs are usually orange or red! Orange is the universal color for help in search and rescue, but more cases than not in disasters you don't want to be seen. I would recommend black since it not only blends in when it's dark, but it's a common color around too. An orange plastic bag can be placed inside your pack so you can attach that on your pack if you really want to be seen though. Another option for that though include attaching a yellow or orange bandana on your bag.
6. Size: Make sure you pack isn't too big and bulky being that if you had to walk a few miles home, you may not want to carry 40 pounds on your back. Now if you are just keeping this bag in the trunk, you are more open to weight if you're never planning to walk with it and just use it as a storage.
7. Waist staps and sternum straps are important to balance the weight on your person! If you're going with a backpack, make sure it has these on it. Some allow you to hide the straps if one really wants to.

Higher end brands: Ospray (has a lifetime warranty to repair your bag for any reason), Kelty, 5.11 Tactical, Maxpedition (all bags coated for water resistance, even waterproof zippers!)

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