I inherited a hip-shaped flask from my father with his initials engraved on it. To my knowledge he never used it, but he held onto it anyway. When I received it, I filled it with brandy and its sitting here on my desk. It's a slow early Sunday morning, so I thought I'd throw a fun question out...

Other than the obvious, does a hip flask of brandy have any valid uses in a bug-out bag? How effective would it be at wound sterilization compared to a tube of cream in your FAK? Barter goods?

Didn't old movies always show the old geezer, stuck in the middle of an emergency, or more likely, waiting for the end of the disaster to present itself, pulling out his flask and passing it around to share a drink?

In all honesty, it has to be more brandy than a just flask full. I mean, when you reach that point in your situtation where you would be reaching for booze, you (I) want enough to make the situtation....blurry.

Of course, if you think I'm serious, then you certain need some therapy before the booze.

"...it has to be more brandy than a just flask full..."

Or a flask full of something with more kick. Bacardi 151 comes to mind. Or everclear, you could use it for stove fuel too. (Yeah, right, the world is coming to an end, so I'm gonna waste hooch to heat some tea water)...

LOL. I would prefer Tequila most likely Petron Silver. And if indeed it was my time to go I would light up a good cigar, sit down and wait for it sipping my drink.


Well if you go to the shelter in case of emergency they may confiscate it (no booze/drugs/weapons) and that thing is metal so it will pick up on scan machine.

Jose 1800 ain't bad either. But I will pass on the stogy, not good for your health...

I have heard (I would never try it myself you understand) of people smuggling booze (vodka or gin usually) onboard a cruise ship in a plain old store bought water bottle. Kinda gets away from the metal flask thing, but it works...

OBG man when its your time to go I don't think one stogy would make a difference.

Time to live up to your name brother: OBG - Original Bold Gangsta

I don't think its worth the space and weight in a bug-out bag. I try to keep excess alcohol in the house for bugging in, though.

The obvious uses shouldn't be underestimated. There's a strong psychological element to survival. Comfort foods are important; a bit of comfort can make surviving seem more worthwhile. Although if brandy is your comfort food you are maybe in the wrong forum.

I'm dubious about its value as trade goods, unless it is a very long-term thing. As your final comment suggests, it may have value as a "hospitality good" - something to share for free with people you hope to trade or work with.

Well, hokey dokey. I'll tell the boss you said it was OK...

My Grandmother used to smuggle mannhattans around with her in Mrs. Buttersworth bottles, people would just think she had syrup.

Depending on the situation, a fine bottle of scotch (Oban comes to mind) can be worth its weight in gold. Of course its not essential for survival but if things got really rough, at the end of a long day, a glass of the good stuff would sure hit the spot. And don't forget, booze can sometimes make friends faster than words. It could easily get you valuable information, goods, transportation, who knows?