An edge weapon as a primary weapon will only happen once you have ran out of ammo. Most ppl on here will bugging-in at 1st and will have to go through a lot of ammo in order to run out. However bugging out is another story MOST ppl don't have a cache of any kind, so they will eventually run out of ammo because all they have they will be carrying, which will be a VERY limited amount. So bugging-out will have the greatest odds of needing a melee weapon of some sort.
If your living out of your backpack for an extended amount of time the items you choose need to be durable ,have more than one use,and be as small and light weight as possible. I would choose tools that will help me survive 1st, because what good is it to have a weapon if you cant survive the wilderness.
The tools I have chosen that can be used as a weapon are as follows:
Ontario RD9 (on backpack or on sling)
Schrade schd 9 (belt knife)
condor bushlore (main bushcraft knife once base camp is made)
mora army knife (in backpack)
a fillet knife (in backpack)
Ontario RAT 2 (in pocket)
skinning knife (backpack)
If I do keep these ,they are going on the game cart pack as a luxury items
Ka-bar short
Ka-bar cutlass machete
The location of all these items may change pending on the situation :thumb:
planning on getting :
I just need the head I can make a handle once out in the field :thumb:
http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/basic-pathfinder-pocket-hunter/
sling bow/w extra straps and 6 arrows
This axe head would be quite an effective weapon
IF you know how to use it :thumb
I still prefer the other one because it has more uses out in the field)
Ridgerunner is right on several notes training is key, and any of those grps can give you some training that will increase your natural reflexes as well as makes you familiar on how a melee weapons can be used and defended against. I fought with the SCA for about 5yrs, It is a FULL contact sport where ppl DO get hurt from time to time.Since I am a lefty my preferred style was/is florenetine (sword and axe) LoL I use to love seeing their eyes get BIG when I grappled their sword with my axe you could just see them saying "OH! $HIT!!" LoL. SEE! Alot of you inexperienced ppl didn't know you can use an axe to grapple with, did you
I do disagree about cold steel making good swords though.
Side note: Bugging out should be considered a last ditch option not your 1st option. You 1st should have enough supplies to last you at least 6 months if not a year of bugging-in before you branch off into bug-out options.