Becker Campanion or Ontario RAT 5?

The RAT-5 I like a tad better than the TAK-1, I have no experience with the companion. However I do own other Beckers and I like the RAT handles over the Beckers. Personal preference to me. I like the 5 inch blade over the 4 of the TAK1.
 
I also like RAT handle better than beckers (personal preference). i have a Rat 7 and a 3, and the are awsome knives for the money. I have heard people say the 5 is a little to thick for the length of blade. It's the same thickness as the 7.
 
how about the thickness of the tak 1

thinner than RAT 5?

how do these compare to the fallkniven F1?
 
jarlaxle said:
I also like RAT handle better than beckers (personal preference). i have a Rat 7 and a 3, and the are awsome knives for the money. I have heard people say the 5 is a little to thick for the length of blade. It's the same thickness as the 7.
Click to expand...

I have a Rat-7. The blade was thick from the factory. Reprofiled it and now cuts great.
 
The campanion is more of a brute and probabably would take more stress and abuse. I like Rats fine also in D-2 and am looking at a TAK I like them al but thing the rat just might be the most versital of the bunch.
 
I own the Campanion, an Ontario RAT 1 and RAT 3. The RAT 1 is the best folder I've ever had. The RAT 3 is my favorite fixed blade. I can only assume how great the RAT 5 is. The Becker is a beast of a knife. I've gotten mine shaving sharp. I'm happy I bought it as it's quality through and through. The main drawback I have is the weight and the thickness of the blade. If you're planning to use the knife for camping, I'd probably get the RAT 5. As good a chopping knife as the Campanion is, you'd probably get more use out of the RAT.
 
Just want to throw into the mix that I think there's a place for a tough, serrated fixed blade knife - and I'm glad that Ontario makes the TAK-1 and RAT-5 available with serrations.

I also just last week had an experience where I bought a TAK-1 in D2 from a very reputable dealer. It looked great! I was excited! The edge was - quite dull.

Really didn't feel like working on the serrations, so I contacted the dealer who was terrific. Sent back the D2 TAK-1 and got a 1095 version instead. It arrived a couple of days ago. VERY sharp right out of the box! Man was I pleased about that.

I had a RAT-3 in D2, since sold, that was pretty sharp out of the box. Also have an RTAK II in 1095 which was sharp out of the box; no need to sharpen it.

All my Becker knives were shaving sharp out of the box including 2 BK9's.
Pretty amazing.

I do like the Micarta handles on the Ontarios more than the Becker handles.

And, while overall I like the Beckers more; I'm increasingly hesitant to use them as I watch their values continue to rise on that auction site. Especially with the RATs and TAKs such similar alternatives.

Haven't handled a RAT-5 or RAT-7.
 
Becker Campanion.

It's one stout knife.

And the Camillus steel has a better heat treat IMO.
 
Guyon said:
Becker Campanion.

It's one stout knife.

And the Camillus steel has a better heat treat IMO.
Click to expand...

Campanions are pretty beefy. I just stripped mine and am putting some bocote scales and hollow pins on it. It chops very well for such a short blade. Some may find it heavy, but in some cases I prefer a heavier blade.

I have a Rat-7, which is a great knife and I'd expect the other Rats to perform well also.

I guess if I had to choose between the Campanion and the Rat-5 I'd go with the Campanion for the following reasons. It comes with a better edge. I like the blade profile better. They look awesome stripped and rehandled. Better tip penetration. Better steel.

The Rat-5 would be a better slicer, and I like the thumb serrations.
 
ilbruche said:
Campanions are pretty beefy. I just stripped mine and am putting some bocote scales and hollow pins on it. It chops very well for such a short blade. Some may find it heavy, but in some cases I prefer a heavier blade.

I have a Rat-7, which is a great knife and I'd expect the other Rats to perform well also.

I guess if I had to choose between the Campanion and the Rat-5 I'd go with the Campanion for the following reasons. It comes with a better edge. I like the blade profile better. They look awesome stripped and rehandled. Better tip penetration. Better steel.

The Rat-5 would be a better slicer, and I like the thumb serrations.
Click to expand...

throw up a pic of the stripped and rehandled Campanion? I'd love to see it.
 
I have a couple of Taks and I like them very much. I don't have a Rat-5 because I don't like the skull crusher. I've read it tends to dig into one's side. I also have a RAT-3, which is one of the best little rugged (as opposed to dress knives) knives I have.

I also have a Becker C/U7 that has been very good. I have relaced the plastic grips with Becker's Micarta grips.

Given the choice between Becker and a RAT, I guess I'd go with a RAT considering the truly excellent customer service provided by Mike Perrin and Jeff Randall. Another consideration is that Camillus is no longer while Mike Perrin and Jeff Randall recently started the RAT Cutlery Company and they are introducing new models with even better fit and finish than the Ontario made RATS. For example they now offer a differentially hardened RAT-3. I think Perrin and Randall are real comers in this market niche.
 
pit man said:
Becker Campanion or Ontario RAT 5...which would you get and why?
Click to expand...

Neither. Get the RAT Cutlery RC5. Same specs as the Ka Bar Becker BK2 Campanion. 1/4" thick 1095 steel. Little bit more pricey but comes with a lifetime "you break it we replace it warranty" which to me is priceless in itself.
 
I have a Becker Companion from the Blackjack era in 52100 steel. Never use it. I think I wanna keep it since I read this thread. Any insight about this piece?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top