5" or 7" fixed blade?

[sanotrader]

I live in CA my main reason for carrying a knife is the mountian lions and I hike alone alot any sugestions for a knife just for security of hiking alone? as i dont wanna scare the sheepole some thing to get a hold of fast ? I have a spyderco folder but it just doesnt seem to fit the bill lol!

 

[Shotgun]

I live in CA my main reason for carrying a knife is the mountian lions and I hike alone alot any sugestions for a knife just for security of hiking alone? as i dont wanna scare the sheepole some thing to get a hold of fast ? I have a spyderco folder but it just doesnt seem to fit the bill lol!

I'm not a couger slaying expert by any means but I would feel very comfy with a 4-5 inch blade for self defense. Maybe a "fighter" style knife like a Benchmade Nimravus or something. Of course any utility knife would do IMO.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

As Far As Cougars---or Any Animal That Size.

Any Style Knife Would Be Better Than "no" Knife At All-

-right??

No-!!!!--as In "hell No"

Whatever Knife You Decide To Carry Better Be Able To Do 3 Things--and Quick.

#1:can You Get To It Fast--with Either Hand??

#2: Can It Cut As Deep As You Need It To Cut???

#3:can You Hold Onto It When Your Hand Is Covered In Blood???

There Are Other Qualities That Would Be Nice--but These Must Be Met--or You Might Not Live To Tell Us What Happened.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Any knife is still better then no knife.

 

[Andros]

If it's your only knife, and it's for wilderness type of carry, I'd go with the Rat7. It can do some modest chopping. Just yesterday I pounded it through a 3 inch cherry branch, all the way through. No problem, took about 5 to 7 good whacks. The extra inches give you a little more spine and a little more front weight.

If you already have a larger chopper for the bigger tasks, then the Rat5 should be fine. If this is your one single wilderness knife, get the Rat7.
If it's EDC, I'd look for something else as both are going to appear a bit hefty for walking through the local shopping Mall.

I really don't believe you will be hiding the Rat 5 from sight, they are pretty much going to look the same in their sheaths, while on your side.

Overall I agree with SkunkWerx. However, in general I am with those who favor larger blades. For that matter, I find posts #31 and #40 both by RMLamey very useful.
I own both models that are being discussed here (both in D2) and for general outdoors use I still believe one is better off with the RAT7, mostly if this is their only knife.

I will be carrying the knife on my belt for hiking, camping, and hunting (will attach it to a pack when I have one). I don't know if I will ever need a knife for heavy chopping, as dead dry wood is easy to find in the northeast.

Better to have it and not use it than need it and not have it.

Would a RAT 7 really batton or chop that much better than a RAT 5 or a TAK?

You bet! SkunkWerx made a very nice comment about it in post #15.

I will also always have one of my EDC knives, probably with a 3" blade for smaller work. So I don't know how big to go with my fixed blade. I don't want to hike with a big heavy knife in plain site (its 2007), but if I will already have a smaller blade for fine chores like skinning or preparing food, and making small tools, then what size fixed blade would be the most useful?

Once again Rat7. If you are already going to have some knife with about 3" that means that you will be covered regarding small / lightweight cutting tasks. So, you will definitely want to have something with substantially more blade than that, hence RAT7.