Benchmade Rant or Cold Steel Master Hunter

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PC356

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Jun 10, 2005
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Just started collecting/utilizing and I am looking to buy a decent 4 to 4.5" fixed blade. I really like the looks and prices of the Benchmade Rant DPT's and the CS Master Hunters. Was wondering what the gurus here considered a better knife of the two considering the 440C of the Rant and the Carbon V of the CS? Would be used for field dressing, shelter building, food prep, and maybe some battoning if necessary. Would like to stick in the 50 to 75 $ range. Any other suggestions would also be appreciated fitting the criteria. So far I have a Ranger RD6, Ritter Mini-Grip, Mora 2000, SAK Trekker with serrations removed on main blade (thanks Saunterer). If you can't tell I like bang for the buck. Seems like the more I read here in the forums the more money I spend. Thanks a lot guys :rolleyes: ;) .
 
The Rant is rather specialized as a hunting knife. It has a thin hollow ground edge that I would not suggest you baton. The Cold Steel Master Hunter is a more rugged design and the Carbon V steel should be tougher.

You might also look at Cabela's Alaskan Guide version of Buck's Vanguard hunting knife with S30V alloy blade. It is an excellent hunting knife at a great price. It is more rugged than the Rant and has a more comfortable handle.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=Alaskan+Vanguard&noImage=0
 
I love the edge retention on my Ritter's S30V, but right now that Cabela's Buck is a little out of my price range. Good looking knife with great features though and thanks for the link. Looks like the CS Master Hunter it is.
 
Yep, I'd go with the Master Hunter. It is a solid knife with a blade length that sounds perfectly suited to your tasks. Plus, it's a carbon steel, which I prefer.

Out of curiosity, where are you purchasing it from? There are lots of deals out there. Here are a couple of places to look:
http://www.newgraham.com Http://www.cheaperthandirt.com
http://www.ltspecpro.com

The last site I mentioned is Cold Steel's own incorporated site. The prices there, from the same company, are definitely cheaper than CS's retail prices.
 
Wow!!! The prices at CTD are even better than what Ebay has. Probably a lot safer buy too. Thanks Trout. How's Carbon V about rusting?
 
Carbon V can rust like crazy. It is just a carbon steel. Be sure to dry it off. Don't let it stay in a wet sheath. Other than cosmetic concerns the big issue is that you lose your edge if that gets rusty. Acidic materials like citrus cause rust the quickest. Watch out for fruit.
 
Both are very good knives but I would go with the Benchmade. Have you seen the K-Bar hunter? It is parkerized I think and holds a decent edge.
 
If rust is a major concern I would just go with a stainless steel Master Hunter. AUS-8 should work pretty well for your needs.
 
I would go with the benchmade. I bought one for my son ,and when I got it in my hands I wanted to keep it.Great grip and feel.
 
I own the Rant and like it as a hunting knife, but I still suggest the Master Hunter for shelter making and possible batoning. You could also look at a basic Buck Vanguard with 420HC alloy blade. It is much the same shape as the Rant except it is not as thinly hollow ground (I consider the Rant as an imitation of the Vanguard). The higher carbon alloys are likely to be more brittle. If you want a utility knife the 420HC is not a bad choice.

http://www.knifeoutlet.com/shop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=BUKVAN
 
Hey, you're welcome, PC356 :) Yep, the Carbon V steel definitely does rust. I once made the mistake of putting my SRK back into a partially-wet sheath; when I pulled the knife out, the entire edge, so it seemed, was rusty :rolleyes: Oh well, you live, you learn. It's really not a big deal, just dry the blade after using it, keep the sheath dried out (which is rather easy, since the sheath is made of Kydex), and oil it on occasion (namely, if the knife will be sheathed for months at a time).

Yeah, CTD does have some great prices. And, from all I've seen, they are not a problem to work with, either.
 
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