IMHO and this will vary as much as back packs:
For packing a Mini Maglight, with LED bulb, is my go to. Put it in the pack, or on a belt. And honestly, when hiking into the woods before daylight, or after nightfall, as much as I can, I still don't use a flashlight. Which is about 98% of the time. With a flashlight everybody knows its you. Without, just another creature walking in the woods. I still carry it though, to flash at other hunters moving through the wood with their flashlight on. Telling them, I'm already here, this isn't the hunting area you want, move along.
Knives like guns are made for a specific purpose. I keep a general purpose knife on me at all times. Gibbs rule No. 9. I use it for everything, from cutting tape to killing ticks. Not used for any food purposes.
For packing out:
A "Trapper" knife in my pocket for skinning small animals. Made by Case. I actually have several of these all with different material for handles.
A general purpose knife made by Buck clipped inside my pocket.
A bowie type knife made by Buck on my backpack. Mostly to be used butchering larger animals like deer.
A gut hook knife made by Buck for skinning, and dressing out, deer. Also in the pack.
A hatchet made by Gerber for light wood work, building stuff, (lean to's) cutting for fires. On the pack, but has a belt attachment.
A couple of stones for some fine sharpening, and a draw sharpener for mostly rough work, but can bring it down to fine work.
Also have a hunting knife made by Solingen out of Germany that is really old, and super sharp, that I keep in the pack as a back up. And a keep sake.
You say it like it’s a bad thing!Gear-slut.
Just a thought:Nothing wrong with any of your collections!
I could use more of everything, but I've been practicing a little restraint because I'm afraid I might have another move in my future.
One last thought: I understand the value of tactical packs, but they look . . . tactical. In some circumstances, carrying a pack like an Osprey makes one look less military and perhaps less of a target, especially if one is making a quick hike through a new housing development on the edge of a town or is in town.
I've proven this myself: my Osprey attracts zero attention. However, when I was carrying a friend's black tactical gear across the field to his truck (parked in town), someone said something to one of the LEOs. It was fine because he knew me and guessed that I was probably loading "P's" stuff, but this is a small town . . .
True! In any case, I thought it worth pointing out.
Millwright can just build a house wherever he's stranded! No need to return home, ever! LOL.
(I'm joking. I do understand. If I were driving around parts of rural Iowa, far from towns, I'd have a lot more equipment with me.)
At least you can find cold beer in one nowadays if the grid is up and running. It wasn't that long ago that you couldn't, was it?Heh
Houses are easy to find.
Liquor stores are a whole 'nuther deal.
Very familiar looking to meI still use a raggedy-ass milsurp.
Hangs from the headrest with a piece of PVC through the straps.
Son? Is that you?!No bug out bag needed. Travel light,take what you need and leave a path of destruction. It is past time to be at your hideout.
I have a lifestraw waterbottle. It’s metal, so assume I could boil in it (minus cap & filter) if needed, and can pre-filter water using appropriate cloth + carbon pack. Good enough until I can do better?GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle - Filter for Hiking, Camping, Survival, Travel
- PURIFY WATER ANYWHERE: Make sketchy water safe to drink. Ideal for outdoor adventures (hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, hunting, bushcraft), global travel, and survival situations. Simply – Fill. Press. Drink!
- REMOVES ALL PATHOGENS: Viruses (e.g. rotavirus, norovirus, hepatitis A), bacteria (e.g. E. Coli, salmonella, dysentery), and protozoa (e.g. giardia, cryptosporidium, amoebae).
- FILTERS & CLEANS: particulates (e.g. sediment, microplastics) and adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS, chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, flavors and odors
- UNRIVALED SPEED & EASE: Purifies 24 oz (710ml) of water. Requires no setup time, pumps, hoses, sucking straws, batteries, chemicals, or prolonged waiting. Effortlessly purify from any spigot, hotel sink, murky river, lake, or well.
- EMERGENCY PREPARATION: Equipped with replaceable purifier cartridge good for 65 gallons (250L). Perfect for home or car prep kit so you are ready for any natural disaster, water emergency, or survival situation.
we have a few of the first generation of these And one lives in each of the cars. Great for quick small needs. The Kayden’s are for more dedicated deliberate choices, along with the UV wands. Clean water is important