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I Will Survive! What Two Edged Tools/Weapons Will You Choose?

We all have survival instincts….some more than others. I would like to hear from my fellow iKC members what two edged tools and or weapons you would choose to face the unthinkable, say on December 22^nd, 2012. The problem presented is you are limited on what you can carry to survive. Your situation is as follows:

You are on the move with family and or friends. You have vehicle transportation but everyone knows the gasoline will run out. So it is a real possibility you will be packing everything you need on your back.

You are presently in the Kansas City metropolitan area and have plans to migrate to a safer area near Fredericksburg Texas where your Uncle has a 160 acre farm. Your two vehicle caravan has enough gasoline to make it to around the northern Oklahoma boarder if you drive down I-35. I-35 is known to be dangerous so you may want to take the back roads foraging for supplies and gasoline.

What two edged tools or weapons would you take? Now justify your choices?

It is given you will take a firearm or firearms, supplies and trading material. To our European family….it was a bad time to visit us in Kansas City and your along for the ride. Your in the USA so you have everything, big and small, all at your fingertips. Also, people in Fredericksburg speak lower German so you may be able to communicate with them without English.

This will be fun. No Jan you and your lesser half can not take all those very nice collectable knives. LOL!

2 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeremi Lett on March 19, 2012 at 16:14

I would probably take a kukri style machete with sheath,and I would be torn between a multi-tool or a tactical tomahawk such as the Branton/Brend Fighting hatchet.The multi tool would probably be a better idea,as well as keep the weight down.With multi-tool comes a saw,pliers,small knife,and screwdriver,as well as more.The hawk has its uses,but it is also heavy.A machete can serve some similar functions as a hatchet as well as be a last ditch close quarter/melee weapon.Great new discussion topic.Curious what blades others will choose.As stated by Clint,"It is given you will take firearms,..."so I know each of us wants as much firepower as u can tote,but aside from firearms,I think is what topic is asking about.I need to go sharpen my kukri!!

Permalink Reply by Jeremi Lett on March 19, 2012 at 17:52

Reply from my silly friend-GB-He says he would take the TOPs Tracker knife and a quality hand forged katana.He says if need be,he would break the blade of the sword.Making two blades from one sword by adding a handle to broken blade piece from katana.I tell him this counts as 3 blades now,but he says its only 2.Until he breaks the sword.I try to say this counts as 3 no matter how you count it,but he wants to know if this is breaking the requirements/rules?

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Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on March 19, 2012 at 18:28

Please define the parameters a little better--is this just two edged tools for the group or for each member of the group and if so, how many are travelling that you to require a two vehicle convoy? All fit adults or are there small children, infants and/or the elderly?

Are the two over and above your sheath and belt and pocket knife and multi-tool?

How far is it from KC, KS to Fredericksburg TX? How far is the OK border from either or both places?

What type of vehicles are they? Two giant gas guzzling SUVs, two 1 ton 4x4 trucks with dualies or two sub compact hybrids? Could one vehicle make it the total distance if we siphoned the gas from the second--it isn't as if the non human stuff in the second one would ever make it, right? Do you really need the stuff in the vehicles? Would lightening the load by getting (stealing) a third or forth vehicle help? Would adding utility trailers to any of them allow you to carry more stuff?

Are the tools only for the trek or are they necessary for the survival of the group once there? If only for on the trek I'd have a Cruiser or HBC axe if I knew they were felling axes and splitting mauls there if there weren't any I'd take a full size felling axe.

Oh. right off the start, I'll be cheating by using one of these garden carts (a few different makers out there for them) for each family member that can haul up to 400 lbs of stuff if I had to walk there any distance…Come in three different sizes so even the kids can haul there stuff and they fold down nearly flat so you can mount them on the roof of the vehicles.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 19, 2012 at 18:38

OK, so Donnie wants to take his Beast. It is heavy but fits on the side nicely and would work well for most any challenge. As a pocketknife he will take the 2 blade GEC #45. The little saw blade may come in handy.

For me, I want the small leatherman, I too think the multitool would be a good fit for the situation and too heavy for me to carry. I also want a machete maybe a SOG R03T Primitive Jungle. Not too big for me and would easily fit into a backpack but will provide that swing/chop if necessary.

Hey what do you mean I cant take the collection? You mean I ONLY get two??? LOL

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on March 19, 2012 at 23:21

I would take a Cold Steel Bushman and a Leatherman Charge TTi Multitool. I would fill the handle of the Bushman with survival necessities like waterproof matches, a diamond sharpener, fishing line, hook, needle and thread, etc. After filling the hollow handle of the Bushman, I'd slip a black rubber crutch tip like the one shown below over the end of the Bushman's handle. Then, I'd wrap the handle with 550 paracord and knot the end to secure the paracord on the handle. Finally, before starting out, I'd make a stout walking staff and sharpen one end so it would fit snuggly into the Bushman's handle to make a spear, if need be.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 20, 2012 at 9:23

Jeremi....

Your ideas are good. I can see the conflict in deciding what to take with you. Preparation is the key. We never know when the unthinkable will happen. If we have these decisions all ready made then we are ahead of the game by this much. Good job.

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 20, 2012 at 9:29

Jeremi....

I would say he is breaking the rules. If you take the sword for the purpose of a sword then you would not break something you have a need for. The Katana is a very good weapon for hacking and beheading. For survival on the move it would not be my first choice. I have a Cold Steel Dragon Fly Katana and love it. Cold Steel makes the finest production Katanas on the market.

Permalink Reply by James Cole on March 20, 2012 at 9:36

It's a long haul from KS to TX. If you are really thinking that 12/22/12 will be TEOTWAWKI then perhaps you should plan to visit the farm before it happens. I'm assuming that the edged items will be ones that are already in our collections, so mine would be a Gerber machete Jr. and a Gerber multitool. The wife would get the Cold Steel Kukri and a full sized stockman.

I don't know why you chose two cutting tools (my EDC is 4), but it's your game.

My choices for these reasons; the machete for chopping and sawing, the multitool because it's a MULTI tool, kukri chopping and defense, stockman for the three blades (hey you didn't restrict the blade count).

There some very good answers here; Shlomo, I like your utility cart idea, but I would go with something with four wheels.

My bug out location is closer, but getting out of Los Angeles county will be a challenge.

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 20, 2012 at 10:04

Shlomo....

Go to http://maps.google.com/ and check out how far it is from "point A" to "point B". Check out the I-35 Interstate Route and the smaller State Highways. Texas is two states south of Kansas City. Kansas, Oklahoma. Kansas City, MO to Fredricksberge, TX is about 774 miles via I-35 and some Texas State Roads or 1,245 Kilometers. I can say in a survival situation here, you better stay away from the Interstates. I would avoid Wichita, KS, Oklahoma City, OK and the huge Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX metro.

Two vehicles as if one breaks down or is involved in an accident you have one to move the basics to. You know who you would take with you so the number of people would depend on you and who you like and trust. I would say the number of people would run from six to twelve. After all, you are going to a friends Uncle's Farm. So the friend and his close ones and you and your close ones.

In stealing gas and vehicles on the way would be a bad idea as we are armed here so acting this way would get someone killed in your party. You will run into some nice helpful people and no so nice and helpful people.

You chose what tool or weapon to take and how to carry it. The cart is a good idea but consider this. You will only need your firearms and the two tools/weapons of choice once you arrived in Fredricksberge, TX. Depending how far you make it by vehicle, the carts will carry a considerable amount of items but you will be lucky to make 12 miles a day. If you stay on the highways you may run into those who would take all you have. If you go overland the carts will not work. This is a problem you need to figure out. Thanks for you ideas.

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 20, 2012 at 10:10

Jan....

What is the Beast? I like this guy already. Thinking about a backpack is a good idea. SOG R03T Primitive Jungle is also a good idea. Sorry about the knife collection. I am sure someone will be selling them off on the black market in Florida which will be spring up once things level out. Dang! LOL!

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 20, 2012 at 10:13

Terry....

I like the way you think. These are some good choices. My guess there are no huge knife collections at your house. LOL! You could put all this together for under $90 USD.

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 20, 2012 at 10:27

James....

Yes getting out of the L.A. metro would be a challenge. Being prepared to "get the Hell out of Dodge" as quick as possible would be your key. Plans of route, transportation, items taking, people going, rally points for family and friends going, food and fuel needed, cash, gold or trade-able items. At first cash (USD) would work then after the monetary system breaks down gold would take its place. Then while we are on the farm in Texas people will figure out you can not eat gold. Bartering will finely rule for day to day use.

One tool or weapon means this tool can have as many blades as it can hold. No Jan....duck taping five knives together does not count. LOL! Thanks James.