around 12" knife

C

cybrok

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
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Hi

As I mentionned in a few previous threads, I'm looking for a complement blade to my 18" Ganga ram and my SAK climber.

I'm looking for something around 7" fir the blade.

What are the pros and the cons of a 12" pen knife compared to a Rat-7, RD-7 or a Kabar Heavy Bowie (a guy posted a small vid yesterday, looks great for the price). How does the fact that the pen is not as pointy as the others affect it's performance (good and bad).

I know the solution would be to get a Pen AND a HI bowie to try both of them, but I really can't affort a HI bowie, and am hoping for a Christmas deal/blem to get a Pen.

I'll end up getting one anyway, I just want opinions.
 
On the 12" knives, IMO, the size of the handle is the only con. There are so many variations at 12" that you can find a blade dialed in to what you need. But the handle of all of those is too small. Check out the BAS. At 15" its a little bigger than what your asking for, but the handle is workable. It'll destroy any old Rat, or kabar style tac knife in chopping easily.
 
Honnestly, I'm not looking for a "khukri shaped" knife (at least for that one, we all know I'll get one soon or later), AND I already have a 15" AK in my wishlist, so if I only have one knife to bring, it will be the AK.

I really want a knife smaller than my GR but bigger than my SAK.

But thanks for bringing the handle point. AND we all know that a handle can be reshaped :)
 
I had an 18" Villager Pen that chopped like a nightmare. Not a knife to stab with though. Personally I think an HI Khukri will be much more comfortable than the other knives. Nice ergonomic handles, chop bigger than they are, but if I were you I would be looking at Baby Dui Chirras. Better all around knife IMHO. I have a RD-7 and a few Kabars, they are nice, Ranger knives are awesome for the money, but the chopping power is lacking and the handles are a little rough on skin. Go for a horn handle on your khukri, adds a little extra heft and feels nice.
 
Oh. Then get a Nessmuk knife. Thin bladed convex slicer. Look at the BRKT Wolf River. Or make your own.
 
What will you be using a 7" blade for? Any chopping needs will be taken more handily by your Ganga ... and detail work the SAK. I'd fit the blade to the task ...

... and look at the blades that evolved from people's experience doing those tasks. A puukko with a 4" blade is the end of 1000 years of trial and refinement. A knife based on the Trade Knives in daily use by outdoorsmen ... or a Nessmuk, or a Sarge knife. Too thick a blade will make it clumsy, and it won't slice as well either. While a long blade will be better for some butchering and food-prep tasks, for me at least too much knife can quickly get clumsy in use.

Try and let function rule over romance ... you've already got a big blade in your khuk.
 
IMO a 12 inch pen would serve your needs quite well....the khuk gets its power in the chopping tasks... no contest there...but as a knife..to be used in the knife role of cutting rope..cutting all those small tasks a knife is used in the camp for...a pen is better since it is a knife with a curved edge..i have used a small pen for over a year as my belt knife / camp tool...it is handy and quick for all the small things that come up on a trip...cleaning fish..flippinf pancakes in the skillet...but it will also chop the small stuff to..like the small kindling for the just right cooking fire..or that sappling thats in my way.. but its main job is to be like the kabar i used for 20 yrs..be at hand when i need it..and be a knife that chops as well as cuts..i also carry a large HI khuk for a camp axe job ..you can never have too many ya know...good luck with your choice
 
I ordered this one because I wanted a knife with a 7-8" edge. I'm very excited about it. It went in the mail today, and I might even have it in my hadns before Christmas.
 
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