My first attempt at Bug Out Bag

Here are some pics of my current bag, I'm going to list the items later, most of this stuff I got on the cheap, so its affordable to prep people, even if your a broke college student.

This is all the contents

I forgot to get a pic of the bag

ROLE CALL: Weekly List of Cool Survival Gear

ROLE CALL!!!!

Starting today I plan to show some links to some awesome gear for all you survival students out there, from the super useful to the mind blowing gear, gadget, vehicle and just stuff you will drool over. Lets be honest, we all lover our toys, why not have some that kick ass as well.

1. The Crovel Extreme: Shovel. Check. Crowbar. Check. Saw. Check. Ax. Check. Awesome. Check. This awesome multi-shovel is the Crovel and it is everything you need in one cool package. Boasting up to 13 different tools packaged in this 5.5lbs tool of the gods. most of the gear I listed above can be essential to survival but carrying it all without a group can be difficult to put it nicely. Get this bad boy at $109.
2. SOL Origins Survival Kit: This compact tool by adventure medical provides an abundance of useful tools in a small orange case. You can carry this in your EDC and feel confident that you have all the essentials. You can find this on Amazon from $40-50.
3. Mokai Jet Powered Kayak:

Envy this man....

Its a Kayak with a 4 stroke engine that can be removed or installed in minutes and has a max speed of 15mph. It's awesome, I can see you drooling, you want this, nuff said. Price, $3450. 

That's all for this week, just a taste, but I'm sure you're already hooked. Come back next week for more great gear. 

Zombie Survival Shotgun: The Art of Manliness

The awesome blog Artofmanliness.com has an interesting article on building a survival shotgun, survivalcache.com has a similar 8 part survival shotgun article that shows how to build one from the ground up but this article adds some pretty interesting and cool accessories to the shotgun. Check it out.

How to Make a Survival Shotgun | The Art of Manliness:

'via Blog this'

Survival Knife on Student Budget

So today I found my self searching around the web for a good, sturdy survival knife that won't break the bank (gotta pay the college bills of course), unfortunately I wasn't entirely sure what made a good survival knife and most of the ones I saw were well out of my price range. But being smart and having the internet I did some research in order to make my decision.


Here are some features to look for when trying to purchase a survival knife:

• Full Tang is a must - Full Tang refers to the area of the knife that would be the grip, it is full because the metal used to make the blade extends all the way to the bottom of the handle (hilt). Knives with hollow hilts, although great for storing items, will fail and break under real use in the wild. (Only exception to this is knives where the blade and handle are all made from the same piece of metal).  

• High Price Isn't always High Quality - There are plenty of overpriced knives out there that would be of little use to you in the wild, there are also plenty of affordable and durable blades out there for a survivalist. 
• Have a good sheath - Leather sheaths retain water and wear down faster than other sheaths so avoid these. A nylon sheath or kydex sheath are both better choices, whichever your budget allows. Also it should always have a belt loop and give your knife a lanyard. 

• Bigger is sometimes better - Having a larger survival knife does sometimes mean more weight and they are more visible but there are certain jobs in the wild that a smaller knife (4 in or smaller) just can't handle like a large one. When it comes down to the most basics of survival it, its better to have a larger knife with you, preferably one 5 1/2 in or greater. 
• Serrated vs Plain - This argument....the best answer for it is both, and no I don't mean a single knife with one, but to have a different knife of each type. As of this moment I carry 2; one a serrated folding knife, the other a plain edge fixed blade. This isn't a perfect coverage of the knife world but it gives me more options. But to give a more detailed answer, I would make my survival knife plain edge mainly because most of the jobs you will have to do in the wilderness require the plain edge.

• Fixed or Folding - For this knife and its function, I would stick with fixed blade knives, mostly because you may need to chop or hammer with your knife and a folder much like a non-full tang won't cut it.

Good Knife Choices:

Ka-Bar Survival knife

This is the staple knife in survival and fighting knives. Tough, powerful and durable, this is a tested a true weapon for many occasions. This model is about $50 but there are a few that are lower than $40. here are two links to two models.

KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corp Fighting Knife

KABAR Short Black Plain Edge Knife

Frost Mora Military Knife  

This is a great ultra light, durable knife, and at an excellent price. At just over $20 including S&H from amazon this knife is a great choice for someone on a tight budget...like a college student. This knife does have a slight drawback, that being its a small knife at 3 7/8", not to say this is a bad knife but keep that size in mind.

Frost Mora Knife

Gerber Bear Grylls Knife

This one you may have heard of already, its an all around solid knife with a lot of nice features although the price is a bit much. Developed by Man vs Wild host Bear Grylls, it is another really good choice for a survival knife. There are plenty of videos on it on amazon, it cost about $50 so a little pricey. Another good and over looked option from Gerber is the Prodigy model although this model is a little harder to find. 

Gerber 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife

SOG SEAL Pup Knifes

SOG is a well known knife company and they do have great quality knives, but many of which are priced a bit to high (if you have $120 to blow be my guest) but they have a few that are reasonably priced of course these models all are partially serrated so take it as you will but if you want that these are a good choice. This model is about $50, too. 

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools M37-N SEAL Pup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smith & Wesson CKSUR1 Bullseye Knife

After looking at many options this was my choice for a knife, its durable and strong, good size and comes full tang w/ plain edge. It was obviously inspired by the Ka-Bar type knives and that works well because it can function as a survival or fighting blade when confronted by the not so friendly when the SHTF. Best of all this knife only cost $21.59. Thats a great deal on a solid knife. It also comes with a really nice sheath so its an awesome deal. 

 

Smith & Wesson CKSUR1 Bullseye Knife

Some other choices.....

Ka-Bar Bowie Black Finish Survival Knife

Buck 119 Special Fixed Blade Survival Knife

Winchester Large Bowie Survival Knife

EDC: Level 1 Press Start

So after receiving some long awaited gear in the mail I can now start crafting my E.D.C. or Every Day Carry gear. This is what you have on you at all times to face catastrophe when you have nothing else. Of course I'm just getting started here and I'm definitely not finished crafting mine, I have taken the first step and started.

So without further delay, my EDC level 1:

• Gerber Kiowa Folding pocket knife (Tanto Point/Non Serrated) - 4in Blade/8in overall 
• 9 LED mini flashlight - 3 AAA, Attached to Carabine

• 9in Survival para-cord bracelet
• Solar Powered Sports watch 

It isn't much right now, but with some time it will come together very nicely.

Things People Carry in Their Pockets | EgoTV

Things People Carry in Their Pockets | EgoTV

Great Link of things people carry every day "EDC". You can see some interesting stuff plus some common things to carry like a knife or multi-tool.

What you've been waiting for.....My Bug Out Bag

So I know what you guys may have been waiting for and here it is my B.O.B. or Bug Out Bag. The gear I will be battling against the end of the world with, It is a work in progress so feel free to comment/make suggestions. I am in the process of buying some of these items.
I plan to update this frequently as well as add more in-depth info on Survival Gear later but for now, you can chew on this.

Eli Had the minimalist thing down packed.

Pack: Osprey Exos 46 (Pending Purchase)

Clothing:

5.11 XPRT Tactical Boot 8"

Blackhawk Aviator Fire and Slash gloves

Hiking Socks: x2

Knee Pads

Elbow Pads

Under Armour All Season Gear Crew

Under Armour All Season Gear Bottoms

Rip-stop tactical Poncho (Camo)

Neoprene Thermal Mask

BDU Cargo Pants

Moisture Wicking Shirt x2 

All Season Jacket 

Sunglasses 

Underwear x2

Gortex Parka

GI Goggles

Bandana 

Shin guards

Paracord Braclet

Wool Sweater

Wool Socks

Tools:

Cold Steel Kukri Machette

Folding Pocket Knife (Gerber)

5" Survival Knife (Haven't decided on what yet)

Leatherman Blast multi-tool

Lenstatic mirrored compass 

MIDLAND 2 Way Radio 

Lansky Dual Grit Sharpener 

SteriPen 

WD40 (Cleaner/Oil) 

Tasco 10x25 Monocular 

Respirator Mask/Gas Mask 

Gorilla Duct Tape 2x10

Maglite LED Flashlight

Rothco 550lb. Type III Paracord (100 ft)

Kaito KA404 LED Dynamo Flashlight

Smith PP1 Sharpener  

General Purpose Rope

ADC Window Punch

Carabiner x6

Aquamira Emergency Water Filter

Gerber Folding E-Tool

Camo Ripstop Tarp

Hygiene/Rations:
Bar of Soap (Wishes it was Fight Club Soap)
Nail Clippers
TP-Double roll
Wet Wipes Pkg
Travel Toothbrush

Baking Soda (In water tight container)

Travel Toothpaste
Floss (String)

Hydration Bladder

MRE'S

3600 Calorie Bar
Vitamins 

WetFire Tinder Cubes

Mess Kit w/ Pot

Spork/Camp Utensils

Canned Foods/Pbutter

Trailmix

Small bag of rice

Portable Cooker (Butane)
Off insect block (20% DEET)
Can Opener


This ones long cause I chose everything insteadof just buying a pre-made pack.

Medical: 
Moleskin roll (3ft)
ACE bandage Roll
Univers. Splint
Potassium Iodine Pills 60ea
Kerlix gauze
QuickClot (25g)
Motrin 
Molle IFAK Pouche
Everclear (in container)
Gloves
Super Glue
Anti-Heartburn Pills
Anti-Diarrhea Pills
Med. Tape
Asherman Chest Seal
Suture/Syringe Kit
Israeli Battle Dressing
Triple Antibiotic Oinmanet 
Gauze Pad - 2"x2" x2
Gauze Pad - 3"x3" x2
Gauze Eye Pad
Antiseptic Wipes x6
Small Gauze Roll
Ibuprofen
Burn Gel x5
Pepto Pills
Eye Drops
Amonia Inhalant
BandAids
Themometer
Cough Drops
Shears  

Other:
Map(State/Topographic)
Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Mat
0 Degree Sleeping Bag
Polar Pure Water Purifiers
Batteries Assor. Sizes
Stormproof Lighter
Casio Solar Watch
Flares x3
Fishing Line
Dry sack bags
Emer. Bivy (Blanket)
Zip ties x20
Firesteel
Wind/Water proof matches
Fish Hooks (snelled) 8" line
Deck of Cards
Ipod 160gb

Now at this point I know some of you are wondering....Hey where are the guns, well since its such a complicated discussion/debate I'm saving it for a second post so stay tuned for that and more on my B.O.B. gear.

Photos By:

Black Hawk Tactical

Dead On Tools

Book of Eli

Fight Club