Survival and Emergency Preparedness

If you are looking for a nice pair of cutters consider Knipex High Leverage CoBolt Cutters. I have been using them for a few weeks now at the farm as we have been taking out fence. These cutters have cut through everything that has been tossed at it them.

They are a nice size that can fit into a bag or be worn on the belt (a little large for the belt, but doable). These would allow you to cut through any fence that you might encounter if you are having to trek home or bug out.

How well do they work, as opposed to regular fence pliers?

It has been years since I have used regular fence pliers putting up fence. Since at this point we have been taking fence down, the Knipex have done great.

I can tell you yesterday they came in very handy, actually lifesaving.

We were cleaning up around a tree and moving old scrap material and some old implements. I had been moving stuff with the tractor and grapple when I found a yellow jacket nest in the ground. I was fine in my cab, but dad was outside. I honked the tractor horn got his attention and motioned for him to get away. He couldn't see all the yellow jackets coming out of the ground and starting to swarm and I couldn't figure out why he wasn't leaving. I honked and again pointed at which time he saw what was going on. That is when I noticed he was caught up in the old barb wire fence and was trying to get unstuck. I jumped out of the cab and ran over and cut the wires to get him free and moved away. Once we were a safe distance back, I finished helping him get the little sections of wire removed from his clothing. Thankfully, neither of us got stung.

As far as how well the Knipex worked? I won't go to the farm without them after this incident.

I've not tried it, but I would imagine the wire cutters on a multitool would work well on smaller gauge fences.

I have multiple bolt cutters. I also have tin snips. Haven't tried the wire cutters on multitools.

Re fences and gates. The late Ron Hood made a suggestion to a group one time. You will see a fence gate. Many of the chains will have series of locks in sequence for different users. He suggested that add your own on the chain. Another alternative is to hang a separate piece of chain on the fence with your lock on it somewhere on the fence where it won't normally be seen. If you ever have to cut a chain lock set up on a gate on your bug-out route, you have piece of chain and a lock to prevent people from following you through the gate!