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

I like all the suggestions so far, but for a knife I don't intend to have in my regular rotation (cuz it's always in the BOB) I really do love the Mora Robust Pro. I prefer the carbon blade, but the stainless is just as good. Indestructible, great hand protection, and inoffensive to most folks as it looks like it belongs on a worksite.

So inexpensive (last one I bought was $12) that if I'm in a group and someone needs a knife and I can spare it (I'll likely have more with me) I won't be wrecked.

Anyway, at that price, it's a great place to start.
 
For me a GHB is the key option. IMO, there really two types of GHB, in an urban/ suburban setting. The first is the one u r really carrying with you as u walk thru ur day. Its design presumes u may have to go thru metal detection or inspection to enter certain office or government buildings or sports / entertainment venues. If possible, tht kit contains a good multi tool. My choice LM Wace+ and a small (~2.3-2.5” ,single blade folder w. pocket clip. Say a Spyderco Dragonfly, serrated blade ( better to cut loose from a set belt, etc.). If no blade is the rule, I will substitute a short needle - nose pliers, pocket reversible screwdriver (flat tip and Phillips head). Both versions also contain a P-38 or P-51 can opener and a Silcock key. ( either a standard 4 head one or which is a heavy y4oz.s or a lighter one with the two most common water heads and a an elevator door key and electric box key, 1.6 oz.s. 10’ , 2” Flat roll of Gorilla Tape, 25’ of 550 cord, 2 long black Zip-Ties. The “ carry” bag is heavy on trauma supplies, daily meds for a day or two, useful daily meds ( and decongestants, caffeine tablets, chewable baby aspirins,), a very good water purifier straw ( virus filtration and chemical rated) , backed -up with flat vinyl water bags, coffee filters and flat holder , to rough filter water, iodine tabs & neutralizer, tea bag, am-fm arm band/ ear bud radio, a 2AAA flashlight , a Fenix E12 V-2 one AA flashlight and headband strap, an e-lite small headlamp, 10 sour ball candies & 5oz.s M&Ms. Not less than $500 in bills, 2 one hundred dollar bills ( the world’s passkey) the rest in $20 or under bills, ( more emergency money on my person). Finally, my I-Phone has a 150% back-up , Mophie like, battery case on it and I have , in the bag’s security pocket, an extra credit card , photo ID, photos of my Driver’s License and medical Insurance and condition cards and a Tide pen and tissues.😂.

I’ll run over the second type , car carried, GHB72Hour kit in a subsequent posting. But , as a hint , the car kit adds, among other things like SS single wall water bottles, principally E&E tools. A Gerber LMF II knife, Knipex 8” wire and bolt cutter, the 4-way Silcock Key, an 11” inch Stilleto Tools titanium nail-puller bar & with the kit, but not in it, the master light survival edged tool,the Ontario SPAX-16 ,13”, ~2.5lb., 5160 tool steel, black oxide coated, hand axe/ breached tool/ pry bar / pad lock breaker/ manhole lifter/ concrete black breaker/ makeshift shovel/ water & gas shutoff wrench
 
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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

I just thought I would throw this video on. So that people get an idea of what a bugout might look like.

Obviously not a huge need for knives. But we are knifey guys so get knifey.


Lots of PPE. though. Which i always pack in a bugout bag that i think people forget because they test their bags via camping. And it doesn't come up.
 
I just thought I would throw this video on. So that people get an idea of what a bugout might look like.

Obviously not a huge need for knives. But we are knifey guys so get knifey.


Lots of PPE. though. Which i always pack in a bugout bag that i think people forget because they test their bags via camping. And it doesn't come up.
I dunno what you saw in that video, but I saw plenty of opportunities to use a knife! I have some large CS blades in each car glovebox and a fixed blade in each trunk. My wife has a folder in her purse and I have something in the pocket and the sling bag. Never enough blades in my opinion. Of course if we are bugging out, there will be some handguns at least along for the ride.
 
I dunno what you saw in that video, but I saw plenty of opportunities to use a knife! I have some large CS blades in each car glovebox and a fixed blade in each trunk. My wife has a folder in her purse and I have something in the pocket and the sling bag. Never enough blades in my opinion. Of course if we are bugging out, there will be some handguns at least along for the ride.
Ok.

Name three.
 
Every single knife of mine gets a rotation through my kitchen.

Pick your most used knife-no matter the brand. No matter the steel. No matter the sheath. Pick it!
 
I just thought I would throw this video on. So that people get an idea of what a bugout might look like.

Obviously not a huge need for knives. But we are knifey guys so get knifey.


Lots of PPE. though. Which i always pack in a bugout bag that i think people forget because they test their bags via camping. And it doesn't come up.
That's not a 'Bugout' example.

No emergency urgency.
Infrastructure is in tact.
Camera crews' presence proves it.

Certainly no one is bombing or shooting at them at the moment.

Though, those fires look deliberately started. Terrorism?

No proof.

Yeah, lots of reasons to carry knife. You asked for three:

1. Deterrence
2. Self Defense
3. Tool-in case you have to puncture open canned goods.
 
Two blades that I have, use and recommend…

Gerber Strongarm - tough, comfortable handle, Pretty corrosion resistant and a fantastic sheath. I keep one on my duck hunting/bass boat and have used it for all kinds of stuff. Its a great beater. And its $99, which means you can get that and good multitool or an American Tomahawk Model 1 for a good bit less than your budget.

My top recommendation is any thing from Volunteer Knives. I have a few of their products and they just rock. Top quality and they com e with maybe the best kydex sheath to come with a knife. The value is off the charts. You can get one for around or under $300

Here is a thread about them…

 
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