Discussions

I love knives, especially beautiful, full-tang ones like these. But I am having a hard time seeing how to justify keeping one in a Level 1 BOB.  You already have a decent knife in your multitool. So what added benefit is there really with a field knife? In a true wilderness survival situation, sure, I can see how it would be handy. But I would much rather have a hatchet+multitool than the somewhat redundant field knife+multitool in that situation anyway. I have spent thousands of hours camping and working in the wilderness as well as working in disaster response. I have always carried a pocket knife and a multitool. For longer periods in the wilderness I also carry a folding saw and sometimes an axe. But I have never missed a field knife in any of these situations. Disclaimers: 1. I am not a hunter. 2. I live in an area with hardwood forests. The main arguments I have against the field knife are: 1. It is fairly expensive and relatively heavy in the context of a Level 1 BOB. 2. In several states, knives of this length/type are illegal to carry in public. I imagine they could also attract negative attention in a refugee camp, public evacuation transportation, or if you were stopped/detained by the authorities. So, please convince me: Why include a field knife in the Level 1 BOB? Please give specific examples of what you would use it for. I am not posting this to try to convince you that you are wrong. You clearly know what you are talking about and most of the things on this website seem spot on. I am posting it to ask you to convince me why I am wrong.

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I love knives, especially beautiful, full-tang ones like these. But I am having a hard time seeing how to justify keeping one in a Level 1 BOB.  You already have a decent knife in your multitool. So what added benefit is there really with a field knife? In a true wilderness survival situation, sure, I can see how it would be handy. But I would much rather have a hatchet+multitool than the somewhat redundant field knife+multitool in that situation anyway. I have spent thousands of hours camping and working in the wilderness as well as working in disaster response. I have always carried a pocket knife and a multitool. For longer periods in the wilderness I also carry a folding saw and sometimes an axe. But I have never missed a field knife in any of these situations. Disclaimers: 1. I am not a hunter. 2. I live in an area with hardwood forests. The main arguments I have against the field knife are: 1. It is fairly expensive and relatively heavy in the context of a Level 1 BOB. 2. In several states, knives of this length/type are illegal to carry in public. I imagine they could also attract negative attention in a refugee camp, public evacuation transportation, or if you were stopped/detained by the authorities. So, please convince me: Why include a field knife in the Level 1 BOB? Please give specific examples of what you would use it for. I am not posting this to try to convince you that you are wrong. You clearly know what you are talking about and most of the things on this website seem spot on. I am posting it to ask you to convince me why I am wrong.