5-7" Fixed Blade Backpacking Knife Recommendation

Guys, thanks for your recommendations.

Here's a summary:

Coldsteel - Bushman - 10.1oz
Coldsteel - SRK - 8.2oz
SOG - NW Ranger - 5.8oz
SOG - Seal 2000
Becker - BK7 - 12.9oz
Becker - BK10
Becker - BK2 - 14.6oz
Scrapyard - Scrapper 6
Ranger - RD6
Kabar - various
Ontario - RAT5
Ontario - RAT7
Grohman - #4
Buck - Nighthawk

Prior to asking for recommendations, I've been doing research and am happy to see that I've got almost the same list as what you guys recommended.
 
Don't forget that grohman #4!
I gotta support the local business, when I'm home next I'm going to see if I can take a tour of the shop.
 
The rat-5 is a great knife my nephew Kory has one and he likes it. He is 16 so spending less than 100 dollars is to his liking.
 
The SRK is lighter weight than the Beckers, Ranger and Ontarios (not sure about the others).
 
I absolutely love my Cold Steel master hunter in carbon v.
I Plan on getting a becker, ranger, ontario RAT, or something similar. Thems damn fine knives!!
 
Ontario RAT 7 or 5 in 1095, or a Ranger RD6 will fit the bill and are my suggestions. The Scrapper6 would be great, but it'll be hard to get your hands on one. Becker would be OK, but I don't like plastic handles. The Micarta on the RATs and Rangers are great, as are the ResC grips on the Scrapyard knives.
 
I couple that haven’t been mentioned which I would recommend are the SOG Revolver (the Hunter version weighs 5.7 oz or 9.0 oz. in its leather sheath) and the Foster Fears Survival Knife (6.6 oz for the knife alone/ 9.2 oz. in the current standard On Scene Tactical sheath).


The Revolver’s saw makes it extra versatile and the Fears Survival is an excellent little full tang, G10 handled “just in case” knife that is not too big or heavy and the custom quality OST sheath is one of the very best that comes standard with any production knife.


I couple that haven’t been mentioned which I would recommend are the SOG Revolver (the Hunter version weighs 5.7 oz or 9.0 oz. in its leather sheath) and the Foster Fears Survival Knife (6.6 oz for the knife alone/ 9.2 oz. in the current standard On Scene Tactical sheath).


The Revolver’s saw makes it extra versatile and the Fears Survival is an excellent little full tang G10 handled “just in case” knife that is not too big or heavy.


The Grohmann knives a pretty nice too, but unless you plan on carrying it in a pack, I would plan on replacing the factory sheath with something better.








- Frank
 
I love the idea of the SOG Revolver but I didn't like it when I handled it.

The Foster Fears looks great but the blade is too short and it's out of my price range.
 
I've been thinking more about what knife to get and none of the knives on my list are standing out above the rest. I've been slowly updating my gear with ultralight gear and have loved the change. On the one side you've got people who only have a 2.25" Classic Swiss Army Knife and hike from Maine to Washington and are just fine. On the other side you've got people walking 30 feet to their mailbox with a 3lb 15" knife hanging from their hip. I appreciate both extremes, but neither one of them satisfy me.

What are the emergencies I'm most likely to encounter while backpacking? I just moved from MI to CO and the risks I have to deal with have changed. The biggest risks seem to be the topography, wildlife, and exposure to the elements. A knife won't keep me from tripping and falling, but could be used to make a crutch or splint. A knife could greatly help in an animal attack, thus the reason for a blade longer than my Mora. Lastly, if I happen to be below the treeline than a knife could be used to build a shelter.

For those of you who live/hike/backpack in areas with similar risks is there a knife you've found that excels in animal defence and wood working? It seems I've almost talked myself back into sticking with my Mora.:rolleyes:
 
frank k said:
The Grohmann knives a pretty nice too, but unless you plan on carrying it in a pack, I would plan on replacing the factory sheath with something better.

- Frank
Click to expand...

This is true unless you can order the "military" sheath with it, There are two or three diffrent sheaths that can come with it.
 
abiggs said:
I agree, but it is the best place to see the toughness of your knife or a knife that you're thinking of buying. The Bushman has held up better than knives that cost 10X more. It doesn't look fancy, but it is a great knife for the money. It also fits the "light" part of the request.
Click to expand...

After watching the destruction tests on knifetests.com, I was amazed. A the price of the Bushman, you could buy one a year and beat the hooey out of it. I guess you could make BBQ tools out the leftovers :)

Anyway, I ordered one. Can't wait to try wrapping the handle and seeing what I can stuff inside. I'll have to get my nose pierced and wear a loincloth too :eek: Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang!
 
Benaiah said:
Guys, thanks for your recommendations.

Here's a summary:

Coldsteel - Bushman - 10.1oz
Coldsteel - SRK - 8.2oz
SOG - NW Ranger - 5.8oz
SOG - Seal 2000
Becker - BK7 - 12.9oz
Becker - BK10
Becker - BK2 - 14.6oz
Scrapyard - Scrapper 6
Ranger - RD6
Kabar - various
Ontario - RAT5
Ontario - RAT7
Grohman - #4
Buck - Nighthawk
Click to expand...

One of each should get you caught up with the rest of the iron collectors here. You know, we do get a group discount on debt and/or marriage counseling :D
 
Someone mentioned the Ontario (RAT) TAK as an option - I've been considering it for just this application. I'm leaning toward 1095 as probably tougher than D2.

I've recently carried a few different fixed-blade pukkos, and a Reeve Mountaineer I (got a great deal in the exchange). Pukko or Leuku style might still be appropriate. Ragnar's Ragweed forge has a large selection of stuff larger than a Mora, but similarly designed.

The big problem with backpacking a fixed blade is carrying it around. You can't wear it on your belt, because it would be smashed into you by the hip belt. Strapping it to the pack is OK, but sometimes you take your pack off and wander away. Sometimes your knife is no good out of reach, even if it's a few feet away. I haven't worked out a good solution yet - usually a folder gets clipped into a cargo pocket below the pack belt. Anyway, it might be worth the time to find a knife with a good sheath system, or even get some custom kydex that's as expensive as the knife itself. Fallkniven sheaths have always looked pretty functional to me, but I've never had the chance to use one.

I wouldn't let a leather sheath be a deal-breaker, though. Leather treated like your boots - a good coat of nikwax followed by paste wax, will perform as well. If your feet stay dry, then a leather sheath may perform adequately under the same conditions.
 
SkunkWerX said:
-Rat 5 or 7. In 1095, skip the D2.

-The Becker BK2 or BK7 (can be tough to find due to factory problems).

-Cold Steel SRK

-RD6
Click to expand...

These are all GREAT knives I either have, or have on my "wish" list...

NIce list Skunkwerx!

Good Luck with your search. My only advise would be to keep an open mind and always be willing to try new knives. REMEMBER, if you don't like them, you can always sell them in the exchange.

Welcome to the Forum!
 
Benaiah said:
What are the emergencies I'm most likely to encounter while backpacking? I just moved from MI to CO and the risks I have to deal with have changed. The biggest risks seem to be the topography, wildlife, and exposure to the elements. A knife won't keep me from tripping and falling, but could be used to make a crutch or splint. A knife could greatly help in an animal attack, thus the reason for a blade longer than my Mora. Lastly, if I happen to be below the treeline than a knife could be used to build a shelter.

For those of you who live/hike/backpack in areas with similar risks is there a knife you've found that excels in animal defence and wood working? It seems I've almost talked myself back into sticking with my Mora.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If I'm in the boonies, I want a knife that can be of use in the gravest extreme as well as when things go right.

I don't agree with the folks who venture out with nothing more than a SAK. OTOH, a double-bitted Paul Bunyan redwood-feller is overkill.

The knives folks here have been suggesting are about right for woods duty, and a more useful tool than a SAK. I like Moras all right, but something with a bit stouter blade is more to my liking.

I can't rule out the need for a knife for defense, that is an unlikely scenario. Still, when in need..... better to have than have not!

Andy
 
I say stick with your Mora - and maybe pair it with a Pocket Chainsaw or a small 10 to 12 ounce hatchet like a GB Mini or BRKT Mini-Axe/Vaughan Sub-zero hatchet.

I used to backpack with a 12-inch Valiantco that weighed over a pound... and its been replaced in my pack with lighter tools for the job. Currently my kit is outfitted with a puukko and a BRKT Mini-Axe - and I'm considering switching out the BRKT Mini for a Pocket Chainsaw to save some more ounces.

Large blades may give a sense of security that if all hell breaks out you've got the tool to handle it. But haul that big blade up and down thousands of feet of mountain slopes at high altitudes and the reality sets in - a big blade is heavy.
 
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