7 in vs. 9 in (approx.). Any opinions?

H

HoB

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Having read through the reviews for the BK-7 and 9 the Battle rat and the Camp tramp and the RTAK and a couple of others and have decided that it should be either one of the rats for me. Question is: Anybody preferring the 7 in version over the 9 in version (really in general, not only in regards to the Rat knives)? Cliff Stamp said in one thread (paraphrased): a few grams more on your belt make little difference, but can make worlds of difference in chopping power. So is there a case were the additional 2 inches are just too much? Purpose is general heavy backyard work and camp chores chopping and batoning included (if it is only for the pure fun of it. The Recon thread got me started on it, and I found its a lot of fun beating the s**t out of a knife by clobbering it through a piece of wood :D, ...very good for mental health :) ).
 
For a lot of wood work it can be very awkward, try carving a bowl with a 10" blade. Its very difficult to weild the point when its so far away fron the grip. A lot of people advocate holding onto the blade near the top, but personally I find that more than a little dangerous. For heavy wood work, the more blade the better, like in ruoghing out somethign to shape by chopping or as a draw knife, splitting, machete, etc. . That being said a nice small one is a great addition. Just dual weild the sheath and carry a decent SAK, multi-blade, folder or neck knife as well.

-Cliff
 
Question for you, Cliff, in particular. Your review of the Camp tramp was very favorable and was in part what convinced me to go with the rats. Have you had the chance of wielding a Battle Rat? Do you expect it would receive similar high marks assuming it is the same as the Camp Tramp only 2 inches longer?

Well, the folder in my pocket is kind of a given, I never leave home without :).
 
Go for the 9 Battle Rat, I've been taking mine out in the woods for a couple years now and it's been unstoppable.
 
7 inch carries better. 9 inch chops better. It depends on your tasks. Let your feasible tasks dictate the tool, not the other way around.
 
Well, I gave my Battle Rat to friend for his 50th, and kept my Camp Tramp, if that tells you anything.

Okay, so I do have a Busse BM, but you really have to like that Camp Tramp.
 
I really prefer the 7-7.5" blades...9" is just too big for me personally. They do carry better even though the 9" blades may chop better, I think they're just too cumbersome. Fehrman even sent me a Final Judgement on mistake...as much as I admired it, I had to return it and I'm now awaiting the 7.5" Fire Strike :eek:

Maybe if I was in a "one-blade only" world/scenario, I might take a 9" design, but for general purpose, I'll stick with the standard 7-7.5"

ROCK6
 
For a very similar weight to the Battle Rat, you could go with a Camp Tramp and a folding japanese-style pruning saw. That will cut through anything you would normally need for survival or camping chores with ease, and the CT will be more useful for just about every other task.
 
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