Bug Out Bag – Destination Wilderness!

Resource Manual – Part 1

(Will be published in two parts)

The world is facing overpopulation, socio-political tension, intensified natural disasters, terrorism, and a plethora of other issues. The vast majority of the population lacks the knowledge and preparedness to survive a SHTF scenario. Sadly, most people wouldn’t know the most basic skills such as fishing, hunting, water procurement, or shelter construction. They would be helpless and lost in the event of a catastrophe. Only a select few have taken the time to acquire the knowledge and skills to survive outside of the framework of the modern socio-economic systems.

This booklet is designed to build upon the tools and knowledge of those that have atleast developed a rudimentary understanding of survival or bushcraft. It is designed as a plug n’ play manual that will assist in the development of a quality bug out bag (B.O.B.) that acts as a mobile stand-alone survival package for those bugging out to a wilderness location. The proposed list and items given here can be tailored to suit your individual preferences and capabilities. The only thing I ask is that strong consideration be given to quality material and that all items on the master list be acquired.

In the event that the SHTF, there is no way we can accurately forecast the lifespan of the situation; therefore, we need to have items built well enough to last a lifetime. The following standards should be taken into consideration:

1) Durability

Items will meet the durability standard if you select items made of quality material, quality design, and quality craftsmanship. Furthermore, items need to be field tested by survival experts or professional reviewers. All items proposed herein meet this requirement.

2) Design

Questions of design will pertain to functionality, ease of use, comfort, performance, and lack of useless features.

3) Craftsmanship

Certain brands are crafted by experts or with expert input. A reputed axe maker, for instance, is Gränsfors Bruk, a Swedish axe company. You know when you purchase an axe or hatchet from Gränsfors Brük that you are purchasing a quality product – possibly the best in the world. All items on this list meet the highest standards of craftsmanship regardless of price point.

4) Field Test Performance

To determine whether items have passed a performance field test you will need to analyze available data from professional reviews and multiple sources. Many YouTubers and bloggers perform destruction and performance tests on most items you would consider for your B.O.B., and all items herein have passed these tests. It is much more cost effective to look to tests performed by multiple other sources rather than waste money performing your own.

5) Maintenance

Field maintenance cannot be overlooked. You need items that are serviceable and maintainable by your person in the field. With knives, for instance, convex edges are a lot more difficult to sharpen than a straight edge in the field; therefore, some may shy away from convex edges, or learn how to sharpen them proficiently.

6) Necessity

Some packs are inadequate while others are superfluous. You need to find a sweet spot in which you have everything you need, but not necessarily everything you want. The items you do have need to be of the best quality and utility.

Master List

• Backpack
• Rifle
• Pistol
• Large knife
• Medium knife
• Small knife
• Combat knife
• Entrenching tool
• Machete
• Axe small/large/medium
• Limb saw
• Fero rod
• Cookware
• Eating utensils
• Water filtration system
• Compass
• Knife sharpening system
• Rechargeable headlamp
• Solar charger
• Waterproof notebook
• Pen/pencil
• Water container
• First aid kit
• Fishing kit
• Food preparation kit
• Fire kit
• Knife maintenance kit
• Cultivation kit

Unit Load Distribution Strategy

For those with a group bug out plan, it is best to develop a unit load distribution strategy. In my family the man will have what we refer to as the heavy pack, which will contain most items listed herein. My wife’s pack will be the light pack which will contain clothing, linen, and a few additional items such as her weaponry. Our children all have packs which include first aid kits, clothing, a book, eating utensils, teddy, and a compact board game such as dominoes. If you go solo – man or woman – the whole B.O.B is yours alone to bear, but in units it is wise to distribute the weight throughout the group making for quicker travel and less fatigue.

Note: Descriptions on items given herein may not include full description and details. A brief overview illuminating key details is offered in order that I may condense this booklet and focus on the most relevant information.

Backpack

When selecting a backpack to carry and store all of your B.O.B. items you need to find one that is made of durable waterproof/resistant material, is molle compatible, comfortable, and has ample storage space.

Bugging out could become a semi-permanent situation if catastrophe strikes, so you want a pack capable of lasting a long time in the outdoors. My personal choice is the Maxpedition Vulture II 3-Day Backpack. For $150.00 this pack is a steal. Designed with great consideration by a company that specializes in gear, this pack has all the fixings.

Personal Choice:

Vulture-II 3-Day Backpack

Price: $150.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alternative:

Bulletproof Zone Tactical Assault Backpack

This military grade pack is made of high-density material that is both durable and waterproof. The tactical backpack comes with molle webbing for attaching additional tactical pouches. This is the perfect sturdy and multi-purpose backpack for use as a bug out bag backpack, 3-day assault pack, or combat molle backpack.

The pack is double-stitched and comes with heavy-duty zippers, utility-style cord pulls, side and front-load compression system, a ventilated mesh padded back area & a breathable and comfortable shoulder strap.

Price: $90.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Knife System

Most survivalists prefer a 3-knife system (large, medium, and small). I personally recommend a 4-knife system (large, medium, small, and combat or folding). That way you are adequately prepared in the event of a knife failing or becoming lost. You can select a large or medium knife that satisfies the requirement of a combat/survival knife if you opt to go with the 3-knife system, and make your small knife a folding knife or multi-tool. Once again it boils down to personal preference and capability.

Knives are the single most important asset in your B.O.B. In a worst case scenario you could manage to survive in the wilderness with only a knife. A knife can prepare food, make tools, construct shelter, construct traps, make fire, and much more. Therefore, you need to take your time and do your homework before purchasing your knives. When selecting a knife, emphasis needs to be given to metal type, tang, handle material, and style.

There are practically thousands of different metal types. The two I will be discussing are high-carbon steel and stainless steel; which comprise the majority of knives in the survival category. As you will see, there are pros and cons for each. Rather that diving into extensive metallurgical detail, I will highlight the key characteristics and differences of each.

Stainless steel – Stainless steels generally have at least a 12% chromium composition. Chromium gives the metal it’s unique rust/corrosion resistance and chrome look. However, the chromium content makes the metal slightly softer than stainless steel, which takes away from the knifes ability to retain an edge. In a survival situation, stainless metals are my go-to metal, because – despite edge retention – stainless holds up better when exposed to the elements.

Pros: Rust and corrosion resistance, less chipping.

Cons: edge retention, price.

High-carbon steel – has a higher percentage of carbon making for a harder metal. Harder metals hold a sharp edge a lot longer than stainless. This hardness is not without its disadvantages, however. High-carbon steels are more prone to rusting and chipping. In a long-term survival situation I personally would be more concerned with the longevity of my knife, rather than its sharpness. Sharpness can be easily remedied with a whetstone.

Pros: edge retention and price.

Cons: high maintenance, chipping, susceptibility to rust and corrosion.

Having briefly reviewed metal type, it is important to touch on tang. Your tang is the amount of metal used for the handle. There are several tang styles. The best, by far, is full tang. Full tang knives make for a much more durable handle and minimizes the risk of your handle breaking or malfunctioning under heavy use. Even so, there are knives that possess a partial tang or rattail tang that have proven extremely tough. The Morakniv and KBAR Utility knives are two examples. See the chart below for further illustration on tang.

Finally, you need to select a handle material that gives you a good grip. My preference is micarta, but several good materials exist such as G-10. Do some research and determine which is best for you.

Personal Choice (Large Knife):

Fallkniven NL2 Odin

Price: $450.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the knife I consider to be the best in the world. Sporting VG-10 laminated stainless steel, this knife is practically indestructible. It has the rust resistance of stainless steel combined with the toughness of high-carbon. Laminated VG-10 is considered a super steel, and this knife is the superman of knives. The handle is made of stacked oxhide which ages well and provides a good grip material. It comes with a leather sheath and is made by a Swedish company that makes world renown quality blades. Whereas the price is very high, the quality is unmatched.

Alternative (Large Knife):

KBAR Becker BK-9

Price: $120.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A 9 in. blade made from 1095 CroVan steel and designed by a survival expert with over 30 years of dedication in the field, this is an excellent choice for a large survival knife. It has a full tang handle, black epoxy coat on blade for better rust resistance, and a high flat saber grind. KBAR is an American company with a reputation for quality.

Personal Choice (Medium Knife):

Fallkniven A1

Price: $200.00

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This knife comes made with a 6.3in. VG-10 laminated stainless steel blade that holds an edge practically forever. For $200 this is a knife built to last a lifetime, and should be the only knife you will ever need to buy. Made by Fallkniven, there is no question as to the quality. Capable of all bushcraft tasks from feathersticking to skinning game, this is the heavyweight contender in medium sized knives.

Alternative (Medium Knife):

Benchmade Bushcrafter

Price: $195.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love this knife! It is made of S30V stainless steel – another super steel. Edge retention on this knife is superb as is the resistance to rust. The handle is made of green G10, which is a great handle material. It comes with a buckskin sheath that has a dedicated fero rod holder. Another pricey knife, but well worth the money. There are cheaper alternatives to the two listed here, and if affordability is an issue I encourage you to look at other options.

Personal Choice (Small Knife):

Morakniv Companion

Price: $15.00

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This knife is hands down the best value purchase you will ever make. Capable of competing with much more expensive knives, the Mora Companion is a Swedish made knife made from sharp cold-rolled 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel. Said to make other survival knifes look like rip offs, this is a must have for any B.O.B.

Alternative:

Spyderco Tenacious Plain Edge Folding Knife

Price: $50.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A great knife by a great company, the Tenacious has a 3 3/8″ blade made of 8CR13MOV stainless steel with a G-10 handle. This is a tough and tireless folding knife capable of fine cutting and slicing. Great knife for finer notch work.

Entrenching Tool

Having a tool for digging is absolutely necessary in a survival situation, and fortunately you can acquire a good one at an affordable price. There are multiple options available, and all are affordable.

Personal Choice:

Gerber E-Tool Folding Shovel

Price: $50.00-$70.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Made of a highly durable high-carbon steel this folding shovel more than meets the demands placed on it. It comes with a great sheath that is molle compatible for easy transport on you B.O.B.

Alternative:

Rothco Tri-Fold Shovel

Price: $8.00

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

A pretty sturdy shovel that should meet all demands placed upon it, this is a very affordable addition to any B.O.B.

Machete

In all of my outdoor experience I have come to appreciate the many uses a machete can have. Machetes are great for clearing brush, felling small saplings and trees, batoning through wood, constructing shelter, self-defense, and even quartering large game.

There are several different styles of machete, but the best in my opinion is a Latin style machete. The shape and length of Latin style machetes lends them great versatility in all manner of tasks.

Personal Choice:

TOPS .230 Machete

Price: $110.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The TOPS .230 machete is 15 3/4″ long and made of 1095 high-carbon steel. It has a Rockwell Hardness of 56-58. The handle is made of black linen micarta with a black paracord lanyard. A great machete!

Axe/Hatchet

An axe is an all-purpose tool. Our ancestors used them for everything – even shaving! For me it will be used for splitting wood and felling bigger trees for use in building permanent shelters such as a wikiup or a framed structure. It also acts as a good tool for driving stakes. It is absolutely indispensable.

When purchasing an axe or hatchet there are a couple very important details that cannot be overlooked: handle grain orientation and head.

The axe head should be a quality solid steel, and the handle grain orientation should run straight (see illustration below). A well crafted head and handle make for an exceptional axe.

Personal Choice:

Gränsfors Bruk Scandanavian Forest Axe

Price: $170.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Possibly the best axe in the world, these stay on back order. The axe is made by the world’s best axe maker, Gränsfors Bruk. It is a medium sized forest axe that performs at the intersection of a hatchet and an axe. It is hand forged in Sweden, and comes with the makers initials. It is 25″ long and 2.6 pounds. This axe is great for felling larger trees and limbing. The handles are world class as well as the head. Do not settle for less. Buy this axe! These can be passed on for generations, and will serve you well in a survival situation.

Limb Saw

A limb saw is useful for many reasons. It is excellent for performing precision cuts and is a great tool when building a shelter or even when cutting certain notches. It is light, compact, affordable, and useful. It does everything a knife and an axe cannot.

Personal Choice:

Silky F180 Folding Hand Saw

Price: $35.00

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A super strong light weight 7″ folding saw that has been proven to be one tough saw.

Alternative:

Coher Folding Hand Saw

From The Inspired Wordsmith. 

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