I'm confused...I thought the OP wanted to know what would be small and portable to cut through a lock or chain and yet be able to carry in a BOB. This implies they'll be walking and don't want to carry the weight in a pack. So if you're walking (on foot) then why do you need to cut a lock (unless it is to a building) when you can climb over the fence or walk around the gate?
If it is for a vehicle then the device doesn't need to be limited to a BOB but rather something you can carry in your vehicle.
If it is for your vehicle then size/weight isn't as big of a consideration. Also if it is for a building for survival then there is always a window that can be taken out, or a door can be breached, or siding can be removed to manage entrance.
So if the tool/device is for the vehicle and it is TRUELY AN EMERGENCY the question must be posed as: "What is the MOST EFFECTIVE tool to bypass locks/gates/chains/doors that:
1. Expends the least amount of time/energy (get in quickly)
2. Requires the least amount of dependency on technology that can fail (dead battery, out of fuel, circuit board failure)
3. Gives one the most flexibility and multiple tasks (so it can be used for other tasks and not just one)
4. Can be easily and safely carried in my vehicle
5. And easiest/least expensive for you to later repair/replace the lock/gate/chain/door?
If the device is for "on foot" then it goes back to my original statement: Why do you need to cut a lock when you can walk over, under or around? If it is for a building then say so...and then we can discuss options/ideas for ingressing into buildings (which is illegal unless it is an absolute emergency situation and there are other no other options for survival/life support).
Generally it is bad policy to carry devices on your person that can be used for potential crimes without some rationale reason. Granted a firearm for example can be used for a crime, but it is generally widely accepted to carry a firearm for personal defense against two and four legged predators or to feed oneself (Hunting). But most folks do not carry a lock picking set or crow bar when backpacking, hiking, or hunting. If you're backpacking in an area where there are frequent building break-ins and you're walking around with a lock pick set or crow bar in your back pack - "Lucy, you have some 'splain'n to do..." It isn't illegal but why add additional culpability when you really don't need it. Generally back packers and wilderness travelers don't carry a lock pick, cutting torch or crow bar in their back pack unless intended for nefarious intentions.
We do see these devices in vehicles frequently because of various reasons so that is less suspicious. But in a pack? Well, something to seriously think about at least...
If we're learning wilderness survival then we should really learn multiple ways to make natural shelters or use the technology (tents/tarps) we buy to build shelters with, and how to start fires with one hand/arm under the worst of conditions with all natural materials and without aids such as petro soaked cotton balls, rather than rely on destroying private property. Yes, breaching a door is always an option - but it should be a last ditch resort when all other options have failed. If we can do as Les Stroud does, practice real world skills under realistic (but under supervision) conditions then we should be able to survive some really serious situations while waiting for rescue without having to resort to private property damage. Generally many of us are over-relying on technology and hardware (tools, gear, stuff) to solve our survival problems when programming proper software (proper supervised training) is going to build our confidence and competence to survive any or most situations with the least amount of gear. I'm finding the more I train with people (professionals generally) who really know what they're doing and can transfer their skills/knowledge successfully to me the less I need to rely on gear and extreme measures to survive. But what the heck do I know?
If it is for a vehicle then the device doesn't need to be limited to a BOB but rather something you can carry in your vehicle.
If it is for your vehicle then size/weight isn't as big of a consideration. Also if it is for a building for survival then there is always a window that can be taken out, or a door can be breached, or siding can be removed to manage entrance.
So if the tool/device is for the vehicle and it is TRUELY AN EMERGENCY the question must be posed as: "What is the MOST EFFECTIVE tool to bypass locks/gates/chains/doors that:
1. Expends the least amount of time/energy (get in quickly)
2. Requires the least amount of dependency on technology that can fail (dead battery, out of fuel, circuit board failure)
3. Gives one the most flexibility and multiple tasks (so it can be used for other tasks and not just one)
4. Can be easily and safely carried in my vehicle
5. And easiest/least expensive for you to later repair/replace the lock/gate/chain/door?
If the device is for "on foot" then it goes back to my original statement: Why do you need to cut a lock when you can walk over, under or around? If it is for a building then say so...and then we can discuss options/ideas for ingressing into buildings (which is illegal unless it is an absolute emergency situation and there are other no other options for survival/life support).
Generally it is bad policy to carry devices on your person that can be used for potential crimes without some rationale reason. Granted a firearm for example can be used for a crime, but it is generally widely accepted to carry a firearm for personal defense against two and four legged predators or to feed oneself (Hunting). But most folks do not carry a lock picking set or crow bar when backpacking, hiking, or hunting. If you're backpacking in an area where there are frequent building break-ins and you're walking around with a lock pick set or crow bar in your back pack - "Lucy, you have some 'splain'n to do..." It isn't illegal but why add additional culpability when you really don't need it. Generally back packers and wilderness travelers don't carry a lock pick, cutting torch or crow bar in their back pack unless intended for nefarious intentions.
We do see these devices in vehicles frequently because of various reasons so that is less suspicious. But in a pack? Well, something to seriously think about at least...
If we're learning wilderness survival then we should really learn multiple ways to make natural shelters or use the technology (tents/tarps) we buy to build shelters with, and how to start fires with one hand/arm under the worst of conditions with all natural materials and without aids such as petro soaked cotton balls, rather than rely on destroying private property. Yes, breaching a door is always an option - but it should be a last ditch resort when all other options have failed. If we can do as Les Stroud does, practice real world skills under realistic (but under supervision) conditions then we should be able to survive some really serious situations while waiting for rescue without having to resort to private property damage. Generally many of us are over-relying on technology and hardware (tools, gear, stuff) to solve our survival problems when programming proper software (proper supervised training) is going to build our confidence and competence to survive any or most situations with the least amount of gear. I'm finding the more I train with people (professionals generally) who really know what they're doing and can transfer their skills/knowledge successfully to me the less I need to rely on gear and extreme measures to survive. But what the heck do I know?
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Hmmm. Sorry if you thought I was poking fun with my suggestion regarding explosives. Sometimes I do try to be a bit funny on this forum, but this time I was making a genuine suggestion. It would be unlike me to want to mock or hurt anyone.