5" fixed blades.. why do they make them so thick?

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
So I've been looking for a good universal/multi-purpous camping/hiking/survival knife. I prefer a 5" blade b/c I have big hands and just feels like the right size. I'll end up with some 4" and 3" blades in the future but a pocket knife is just as handy usually.

My big question is how come when most knife companies move from a 4" blade to a 5" blade they go WAY over the top with the blade thickness and weight? Seems like the S1 is the only one that has this figured out.

5" knife comparison:
-----------------------
S1 6.7oz - Perfect.. close to an average 4" blades weight
RC-5 16oz (RC-4 is only 7.5oz)(RC-6 is only 11.8oz) - why is the RC-5 bigger than the RC-6 and twice that of the RC-4?
BK2 16oz - again.. why not thin the blade out a little??? It will still have planty of mass.

If the RC-5 and BK2 were a little thinner.. they would be winners.. after all, if I'm going to be cutting big wood, it will be with my folding saw.
 
An Ontario Rat-5 may be something to consider. I'm not sure of the weight but know it is less than my Esee RC-5.
 
Why? Because people think a "good universal/multi-purpous camping/hiking/survival knife" needs to be as thick as an I-beam and be able to survive an atomic blast.

I guess that's fine when you are in a situation where you don't really need your knife to perform its function (cutting). Like withing 50 yards of your gassed up car that has a trunk full of cold beer. Of course, then, I don't know what "survival" has to do with that! :D

I'm with you. A camping/hiking knife that is needed must slice first and foremost. The big, thick ones are just for fun.

And I do think they are a load of fun. I love 'em!
 
Koyote's bushcraft lekus are thin and sweet...just got a strop and it's a laser...
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At least in the RC or ESEE-5's case, it's original designers, Air Force SERE instructors, wanted it that way. Do you need it that way? It's very unlikely.

I think the 5" in knives are tweeners without a niche. They aren't as handy or packable as four-inch bladed knives and they don't have the reach for decent batoning like the six-inchers usually do.

I've owned the RAT-5 and the pointy pommel on that one is not a great feature on a "survival blade." I'd grind it down were I to own another. I don't like the butt of the RC/ESEE-5 either. You're far more likely to need to smash a nut or crush a crawdad carapace than you are to bust a car window or a skull.
 
Is it the thickness that bothers you or is it the weight? One of my favorite knives is the Blackjack 125. This knife has a stout 5" blade that is .215" thick. It has a distal taper and an excellent convex grind so its thickness isn't a problem. And it weighs only 7.5 ounces.

blackjack125.jpg
 
kamagong said:
Is it the thickness that bothers you or is it the weight?
Click to expand...

Actually both..

If it's too think it doesn't (usually) do a very good job slicing or doing finer work (there are exceptions of course). As far as weight..I don't really want to be lugging around anything more than I need and that extra 9oz adds up.
 
S1 seems to not be as thick as a BK2 or and RC5, heavy the weight but still respectable in thickness providing a great balance between a thick blade and a thin one. I believe the S1 to be right in the sweet spot!!
 
The RC5 and BK2 are more geared towards the SERE knives (Even though the Campanion is is suppose to be geared towards camping, its specs lean heavier toward the SERE needs) in my opinion. The thick blades (1/4") make for diggers and pry bars (Pry open doors, hatches, etc), as well as the pommels for breaking glass...rc5 pommel is pointed and better for glass but the BK2 Gen 2 I believe now has the exposed pommel.
 
For $77 you can get yourself a Helle Taiga. Very nice blade in a fairly thin profile. Like a cross between a hunting knife and a butcher knife. My next Helle.
 
Yes the RC-5 is designed to be an escape and evade knife. It will cut you out of most items like aluminum aircraft skin, plexiglass, composite, etc. Its a last ditch, all around survival knife, primarily for downed pilots or those needing something foolproof and almost unbreakable. Its not primarily a camp, or bushcraft knife but can be used as such and used well.

That's why in the ESEE line, many choose the RC-4 or RC-6 over the 5 for all around camping, hiking, and "normal" survival needs.

If you want a thinner five inch knife, that is still really tough, I think the Fallkniven S1 is just about perfect.
 
When you camp, you are planning to spend time in the jungle/forest, so you prepare yourself with appropriate tools like camping/hunting knife, machete, or axe. Survival knives are designed for those not planning to spend time out there. As an emergency tool that's rarely used, it has to weigh less than a proper setup (knife + machete or axe), but it has to retain most of the capability.
 
Jim Baker just posted in the "Makers For Sale" section a couple of fixed blade knives with 3.5" blades having .25" spines. That's gotta be a record.
 
5 inches is pretty much the universal SERE style nukeproof blade, which is exactly what the RC5 and Becker were built for. It's an entirely different design mentality. Unfortunately these are also the frontrunners in their size in the industry as far as bang for the buck, so that's why 5 inch hogs seem so prominent.
 
Have you looked at the BRKT Bravo-1? Thats what I have for a camp/hiking knife and, even with its ~.21" thickness, the convex grinds makes it slice with the best of them. Not to mention its not that heavy either.
 
Hawk45 said:
My big question is how come when most knife companies move from a 4" blade to a 5" blade they go WAY over the top with the blade thickness and weight? Seems like the S1 is the only one that has this figured out.
Click to expand...

Because lots of people like and will buy the thicker knives. Nothing against the S1 - I'm sure it's a wonderful blade but I wouldn't trade my BK-2 for it. If we all had the same taste in knives, this forum would be boring, wouldn't it?

:D
 
I too hate this trend. In a smaller fixed blade, I am looking for a good slicer, not a chopper.

It all boils down to marketing. An old bit of wisdom is that "Fishing lures are designed to catch fisherman, not fish." So many knives out there are designed to make us buy them first, with performance being only a second consideration.
 
I can't speak for anyone but myself,.... I've been earching for the perfect knife for about 34 years or so. :D

I favor shorter knives but have a CRK Shadow IV, a Gerber Pro Series bowie I believe it was called, and even a "USMC" fighting knife. I don't have any bigger right now, and still, with what I have or have tried I still think the are many solutions for similar problems.
I just bought my second neck knife that is the complete opposite of the first.
It all depends on what I'm doing as to what I'll be carrying.
 
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