Recommendation? Best Bug-Out Bag Knife? Lionsteel? Esse? Becker?

C

Count Zero

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Sep 28, 2024
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Am looking for a +/- 6" bug-out bag/field/survival type of knife. My front-runners so far are the Lionsteel T6, the ESEE 6, and the Becker BK2.

Good choices, or is there something better.

Looking to not spend more than $300 if I can help it.

Suggestions?
 
I would say of the 3 I would lean toward the ESEE. Bug out bags can get heavy in a hurry and it depends on where you are bugging out to/from. If you ever want a giggle, check out some of the survival sub reddits. You will find guys packing crossbows over water. Their bags have to weigh 80lbs when they are done.

Mine is quite light. I don't keep much food or water in mine as this is not a head for the hills bag as much as stuff goes sideways and I gotta hoof it. I keep a Cold Steel XL Voyager in mine in place of a fixed blade: big locking folder, multi tool, couple bottles of water, couple of protein bars, disposable poncho, about $200 in smaller bills, bic, fire tender, first aid kit, some Paracord, waxed twine, and a small 9mm handgun with one spare mag. It all fits in a sling pack and weighs around 4lbs. As this is just something I toss in the car/truck and not my main kit, I tried to go quality but not expensive. That's why I selected to go with a $60 folder that I know I can use and won't cry if I lose. It's why I carry a Shield Plus in 9mm, but the gun I keep in there is a Ruger EC9S.

I like Beckers but they are chunky. That Lionsteel is a looker as well. I don't think any of them are bad choices if you are going high end for your BoB.
 
Count Zero said:
Am looking for a +/- 6" bug-out bag/field/survival type of knife. My front-runners so far are the Lionsteel T6, the ESEE 6, and the Becker BK2.

Good choices, or is there something better.

Looking to not spend more than $300 if I can help it.

Suggestions?
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Regarding LionSteel - I'd go for M5 (especially if you live where 3V option is available, I'm in Europe and 3V option is just tad bit more expensive than Sleipner).

But out of 3 mentioned - I kinda lean to ESEE6.
Gerber Strongarm wouldn't be a bad option either...
 
Is this an "urban bag" or are you going to be trekking through the woods? For a kit that's made to walk through concrete jungles, the knife is going to be smaller, and complimented by a selection of other tools for dealing with modern problems.

If you're going to be Nessmucking it, the knife is larger and part of a different kit.

How long do you figure to be out there? The longer the hike, the heavier the pack gets.....
 
I think there is something better, and they are super light. It’s the good old Swiss Army knife. lol all the tools you could want including saws, awls, tweezers (pretty useful actually) and more. They weigh a few ounces. They usually have 2 blades. They even have keyring spots on them to lanyard to your gear. I’d take a Swiss Army knife any day over a bulky belt knife. A victorinox Camper or Hiker would be a good practical choice. Or not, if you are in a city then you could get something like a deluxe tinker.

Of the ones you mentioned though, I’d buy the esee I guess.
 
Varusteleka terävä jääkäripuukko 140. 80CrV2, so it’s a tough, easy to sharpen steel. If you don’t mind a brown sheath (those are less money at the moment) they’re a lot less $ than your other choices and pretty bombproof.
CImAXmD.jpeg


Another great option would be a 3V SRK. If you’re a smart shopper, they can be had for less $ than your 3 options.


7vcsnsB.jpeg
 
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unwisefool said:
By bug out bag is filled with cookies and beef jerky. And a CPK field knife in case I have to take down some wild cookies myself.
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Americans, as a whole, are completely spoiled and don't realize the effort our forefathers had to undertake to procure cookies in the wild. Crumble snares, dunk traps, finding a Keebler nest to harvest etc. People today just think they come from the store. I applaud you for keeping tradition and our heritage alive.
 
I have a small/lightweight set-up that takes the place of my usual Pelican 1450s from time to time. Lately, my newly acquired BK-82 and Carothers BFK have been riding with me the most. However, I wanted to toss another vote in the hat for the Gerber Strongarm.

Despite it being kind of "old news", it still seems to have a helluva' following. It's lightweight, very robust, has an outstanding sheath, and takes up very little real estate. Beyond that, it's on sale at several reputable online retailers right now. I mention that because it's pretty well known that Amazon has had some issues with knockoffs. At the current sale pricing, and in your price range, you could buy more than just one and equip the gloveboxes of a few of your vehicles.


Just a thought. Happy hunting.
 
About anything that fits your criteria from Cold Steel will probably be good enough.

CRK used to offer their "Green Beret" fixed blade in a 5.5" model.

Randal Made has several really nice knives in the 5-6 inch range too.

If you are looking for less expensive but "hell-fer-stout", look for a current or recent production Air Force Pilot's Survival Knife.

In a pocket folder you can't get one much better than a Chris Reeve Sebenza 31.

A cheaper folder? Look at the M16 or M21 from Colombia River Knife and Tool.

Have you given any thought to a multi tool in your kit? Mine is a Leatherman Wave, but there are many other good ones. Real Avid has several that have tools specifically designed for maintaining an Ar style weapon.
 
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These 'Best" knife threads and Bug-Out Bag discussions bother me. First of all, there is no best of anything. It all depends on the starting assumptions.

Are you going to "bug out" to your cbin in the woods, a deep hole bunker, an indipendent living catamarane sailboat (as in Waterworld}? Are you going to stay away or do you expect the SHTF to pass?

And so on. You tube is full of scenarios. . . .and recommendations for knives and allof the rest of it.
 
Creaky Bones said:
Varusteleka terävä jääkäripuukko 140. 80CrV2, so it’s a tough, easy to sharpen steel. If you don’t mind a brown sheath (those are less money at the moment) they’re a lot less $ than your other choices and pretty bombproof.
CImAXmD.jpeg


Another great option would be a 3V SRK. If you’re a smart shopper, they can be had for less $ than your 3 options.


7vcsnsB.jpeg
Click to expand...
I was actually going to suggest the Terävä Skrama if it wasn't too big for the OP's purposes. Great, durable working knives that aren't too expensive.
 
Another vote for the Cold Steel SRK or SRK-C (for “compact”, only 1” shorter and flat ground). Great affordable full-tang knife.

Another note: Be sure and check your local laws, because a fixed blade inside a BOB pack may be considered a concealed weapon. :rolleyes:
 
I chose the cold steel 4 max scout for this reason.
Mostly because I can put it in my pocket. Which gives me ready access without anyone else needing so see it. While giving me that added assurance if I need to cut my way through a wall or something.

And I can use it and put it away. Which means if I am tired or stressed I don't leave it out and sit on it. Or leave it out and walk off on it.

And then I strap a pair of trauma shears to the bag. So if I can get away with it. I do my cutting with the least offensive thing I can carry. Cut a guy out of a car, open a packet, do a bit of first aid.

(Side note. I feel my bug out will be evacuating in groups, riding in buses, going to shelters or hotels. That kind of thing.

And it is a much easier bag to build)

Eg.

Bushcraft demo
 
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Otherwise I think the demco freereign would be a good choice. And was an option for me.

Almost the same blade shape. Which makes it a surprisingly good cutter. Stainless steel for less maintenance. And quite lightweight for a bigger knife. (Lighter than the 4 max?) Rubber handle for better heat cold shock resistance. And a big shiny blade so i know where the end of it is. So i am less likely to stab myself with it.


And Magnucut for $200 if you can find it.
 
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Roamad said:
Another vote for the Cold Steel SRK or SRK-C (for “compact”, only 1” shorter and flat ground). Great affordable full-tang knife.

Another note: Be sure and check your local laws, because a fixed blade inside a BOB pack may be considered a concealed weapon. :rolleyes:
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While the SRK is not a terrible option, go check out the custom fixed blades for sale forum.
On the other hand, if you can’t bury your BOB knife in enough cookies and beef jerky to dissuade the “authorities” that are digging through your bag…. Well, I just don’t know what to say. 😉😆
 
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