What would you put in your Bug out Bag?

[Name_not_found]

Hatchets axes are heavy, useless in a bug out bag i think

But have a spax in my urban rescue kit, has hydrant and gas wrench and can open a car with ease with spike end(big can opener)

If you want it for wood just in case, carry a small saw, just as capable but much smaller and lighter

Edit:
have a US Etool in my vehicle, heavy but multi use, dig, some chopping, can sit on it, even have used as a frying pan on an open fire before

[Treesuit]

Housil,

That German Army axe looks indestructible, and solid. Question is can you find one on ebay for a good price and does it come with a sheath?


NNF,

Yes, I've seenthe SPAX tool before. It's made by the Ontario Knife company, same people who design many knives and the USMC K-bar. I took a look over on ebay and saw some go for as much as $100.00 USD brand new. I like the MOLLE sheath that it comes in. You could attach it to any pack or MOLLE vest. Have you got the chance to try your SPAX out?

I did see that GERBER does make a hatchet, folding saw combo. The folding saw hides in the handle of the hatchet. A bit on the heavy side from what I saw, still...it's a good idea.

As for the E-tool, yes.....the US folding e-tool has many uses including using it to go to the bathroom out in the woods. Had many Infantry grunts recant stories about doing that, I even remember digging a many fighting holes in Desert Storm with it. The only thing I don't like is the plastic cover that it comes in. The snaps never worked on it or could get it closed all the way. I tried to keep one in my vehicle but it just about rusted shut one year...

[Name_not_found]

NNF,

Yes, I've seenthe SPAX tool before. It's made by the Ontario Knife company, same people who design many knives and the USMC K-bar. I took a look over on ebay and saw some go for as much as $100.00 USD brand new. I like the MOLLE sheath that it comes in. You could attach it to any pack or MOLLE vest. Have you got the chance to try your SPAX out?

but it just about rusted shut one year...

woo 100 is a lot, if i recall mine was about 40.

It is awesome at can opening sheet metal (cars), gas wrench is great and works to shut off. no hydrant test yet.
Cutting edge excellent, but not the best for wood,

its really designed to be an urban tool and does that job well

Your Etool is fine just bang it around to loosen it and oil it up, they are beasts

[Bypah]

Hatchets axes are heavy, useless in a bug out bag i think

But have a spax in my urban rescue kit, has hydrant and gas wrench and can open a car with ease with spike end(big can opener)

If you want it for wood just in case, carry a small saw, just as capable but much smaller and lighter

Edit:
have a US Etool in my vehicle, heavy but multi use, dig, some chopping, can sit on it, even have used as a frying pan on an open fire before

My SPAX didn't cost me that much too. Around $45.
I also have a russian paratool a.k.a Spetsnaz machete. Is a very sturdy blade which has plenty of uses. you can dig, chop,saw and estimate range and distances in seconds.It also has a small compartment in the handle that ussually carries a smak fishinf kit.I have instead a small fire kit an a small Marble compass. Is very dependable and can take a lot of abuse.

I also have a DDR Klapsspatten or an east german etool. It has a lot of multi uses. You can dig, use it as an ax, you can saw, hammer and nail puller and even fry an agg as a frying pan. . If you sharpen the non saw edges you can chop and even use it as an offensive weapon. I have it in my truck as part of my winter kit. Is goos to have it when you get stuck in the snow.

I use the lanyard to tie my DDR spade to my MOLLE II, 3 day pack.

At this moment I'm looking for a sturdier sheath since the nylon one broke down.

Excellent ans sturdy etool. comparable to the soviet Lopatka or Spetsnaz spade.

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[fdsman]

Hatchets axes are heavy, useless in a bug out bag i think

But have a spax in my urban rescue kit, has hydrant and gas wrench and can open a car with ease with spike end(big can opener)

If you want it for wood just in case, carry a small saw, just as capable but much smaller and lighter

Edit:
have a US Etool in my vehicle, heavy but multi use, dig, some chopping, can sit on it, even have used as a frying pan on an open fire before

My SPAX didn't cost me that much too. Around $45.
I also have a russian paratool a.k.a Spetsnaz machete. Is a very sturdy blade which has plenty of uses. you can dig, chop,saw and estimate range and distances in seconds.It also has a small compartment in the handle that ussually carries a smak fishinf kit.I have instead a small fire kit an a small Marble compass. Is very dependable and can take a lot of abuse.

I also have a DDR Klapsspatten or an east german etool. It has a lot of multi uses. You can dig, use it as an ax, you can saw, hammer and nail puller and even fry an agg as a frying pan. . If you sharpen the non saw edges you can chop and even use it as an offensive weapon. I have it in my truck as part of my winter kit. Is goos to have it when you get stuck in the snow.

Spax.jpg

Spetsnaz machete.jpg

untitled2.png

untitled6.png

Those russian spetznaz machete's are incredibly hard to find. They're either ridiculously expensive or sold out, usually the latter.

That's a lucky find there, Bypah

[Bypah]

Those russian spetznaz machete's are incredibly hard to find. They're either ridiculously expensive or sold out, usually the latter.

That's a lucky find there, Bypah

Yes, they are rare to find. I remember back in the late 90's you could buy them for $20=30 USD,
I got mine in a well fought battle @ ebay.Got it relatively cheap compared to some prices I have seen ($250-up).
Mine doesn't have the sheath and I'm looking for one rusian original or someone that can make me one customized
in leather.

[Treesuit]

In that last photo that German E-tool looks like a direct copy of the US E-tool they had back in the 1960's, though minus the pick.

I've also read on the AR15.com forum that having a hatchet or small axe is a good idea but of all the posters on there it seems to be mixed on whether to carry one or not. Seems there are two kinds of people: those who pack light and can travel rather quickly and those who would rather pack a little more and have that needed tool just in case. Although what to pack in your BOB is always up to your own personal liking. I'd prefer to pack a little more and have a needed tool to make my BOL or overnight spot a little easier. That's where a hatchet could come into play.

Almost everybody seems to be worried about too much weight. The question I think is: what is too much weight? I have my BOB right now just under 22lbs with bare essentials and I might change that up once I get the chance or go for a hike. For everyone else what do think is too much weight?

[Name_not_found]

having a hatchet or small axe is a good idea but of all the posters on there it seems to be mixed on whether to carry one or not.

Seems there are two kinds of people: those who pack light and can travel rather quickly and those who would rather pack a little more and have that needed tool just in case.

Almost everybody seems to be worried about too much weight. The question I think is: what is too much weight? I have my BOB right now just under 22lbs with bare essentials and I might change that up once I get the chance or go for a hike. For everyone else what do think is too much weight?

Of course its a good idea so would an axe, but axe is too heavy and a hatchet is too small to use like an axe.
so a good saw beats both in use and weight

Im the light and quick type for bobs a good knife and a saw for me much less weight more utility, its not hard to process some decent sized logs to tooth picks with the two.

if your 22lbs includes 3L to a gallon of water your doing pretty good.

[Treesuit]

NNF,

Yes, the 22lbs does include a 3L bladder but I do have a Platypus 2L plastic bladder (fold up). The 3L bladder is part of the camelbak BFM pack but when full the bladder takes up a lot of room. If I need more water I have a MSR water filter for filtering water.

Though, that brings up a new question. If your on the move do you plan your route where water is available? Here in the Pacific Northwest we have plenty of rivers, streams, lakes, etc but then some fourm members live in more arid areas. I'm with the impression that if you have 3L on your BOB then you use that and find some water source later. Also I don't use any canteens or a belt. Normally I would use a belt and canteens but I just feel they get in the way, but I'm debating that issue.

[fdsman]

NNF,

Yes, the 22lbs does include a 3L bladder but I do have a Platypus 2L plastic bladder (fold up). The 3L bladder is part of the camelbak BFM pack but when full the bladder takes up a lot of room. If I need more water I have a MSR water filter for filtering water.

Though, that brings up a new question. If your on the move do you plan your route where water is available? Here in the Pacific Northwest we have plenty of rivers, streams, lakes, etc but then some fourm members live in more arid areas. I'm with the impression that if you have 3L on your BOB then you use that and find some water source later. Also I don't use any canteens or a belt. Normally I would use a belt and canteens but I just feel they get in the way, but I'm debating that issue.

I plan on having at least 6 liters at my disposal, 3 liters ready to drink in a bladder, and a Sawyer in line gravity filter with two bladders. One bladder contains dirty water, the other filtered water and filters as you go.

Not to mention the emergency water packs I have in my rucksack just in case.

If SHTF, California will become dry very quickly.