Best complement to a perfect set up?

With all the knives that you already have, may I suggest a little something...
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This may help.:D
 
The basic combo that I have settled on is a SAK or multitool with a wood saw (the saw is great for cutting walking sticks, game poles, the makings of emergency shelters etc.) and a sturdy 3 ½ to 5” fixed blade hunting knife. I find that a SAK saw is more efficient “chopper” than 5-8” knives and a 3 ½-5” hunting knife to be less awkward to use and easier to carry than a big chopping knife.


When I feel the need for something to fill the gap between SAK saw and a chain saw, I carry a lightweight pruning saw, such as those made by Fiskars/Gerber.


For serious trail clearing, or to keep in the truck when going off road, I usually bring an 18” machete (Ontarios are my favorite, but the Tramontinas and the Cold Steel Latin are good also). For something lighter/ more compact, a 12” Ontario machete or a CS Kukri machete does quite well.


Another tool which I find very useful around a camp site is the Cold Steel SF shovel, not just for digging or tending a fire, but for chopping wood too.


To complement your Vic Climber and Khukri, I would suggest a SOG Revolver, since it an excellent knife with a built in wood/bone saw.





- Frank
 
My vote goes to the BRKT Aurora. At 4.25 inch blade and .170 thick it is an awsome knife and comes barkie sharp.
 
Don't forgrt you need a folder, bowie, and a surefire M6 or if your going lightweight a digital like an L5.:)
 
A nice Bark River would compliment this setup well.

Alternatively, how about a Grohmann DH Russell belt knife? http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html The #1 and #4 are my favourites. They get the job done well, are comfortable to use, and are very unthreatening to passers-by.

Other than these, I would go for a decent Mora-style blade. If you want to spring for something on the higher end of things, consider a Kellam, from their Wolf's Pack series.

Last but not least, what about a decent kit knife? You can get a great mid-sized fixed blade with stainless bolsters, a leather sheath, and whatever handle scales interest you for under $60 from knifekits.com . A good project for the winter!

All the best,

- Mike
 
What will you need the knife to do? The SAK does fine detail work, the Khuk will chop, and be a drawknife, and general brush clearing etc. To me, that leaves food prep, dressing fish and game, and still be strong enough to do light splitting/prying tasks.

I'd say get something strong, thick spine, but ground with a slim enough blade geometry that it's optimized for slicing/cutting rather than chopping ... and not go too too long in the blade. I've got a few like this - puukkos and Moras, a small scandi-grind drop-point hunter, another with a convex ground blade and upturned tip with a thin enough edge geometry that it slices and skins well.

For strength - esp. to stand up to periodic light batoning - I'd look for something with a full-length tang - either internal with a keeper at the end (as in the puukko or moras), or with slab sides. But mostly, I'd see this as a slicint/cutting knife.
 
The 7" BK-7 is an excellent knife, but I think you're shorting yourself on the smaller knives. Small fixed blades carry easy so the tendency to leave them behind at camp is greatly diminished.

I don't know how you're set $$$-wise, but Bob Dozier has a number of good fixed blades and his "A" sheath is a horizontal design that carries easier than any fixed blade I've got. Another small blade that I really like is Fehrman Knive's Peace Maker -- 4" CPM 3V blade, a very tough, good slicer.

For that matter, Doug Ritter's RSK Mk3 Fixed Blade or his Mk1 Folding Knife would be easy to carry too. The fixed blade sheath would need replacing though. Both are flat ground and excellent slicers.
 
As an update to this thread:

I think I will go for something with a 7" blade.

I consider the RD-7 and the RAT-7 but I would like to know your opinions about those more affortable options:

Kabar Heavy Bowie (the short one: 12-5/8")
HI 12" Pen Knife

I also posted something similar in HI forum, to get both point of views.
 
I understand your choice cybrok, but I must say I was in the same boat as you a little while ago, And I bought the bk7. Then after using it a little bit I found i wanted something smaller, after all you have a kuk, I have an axe, but for that fixed blade in the middle I went out on a limb and bought a buck vanguard with cocobola handles. Its a nice little knife, and I'm im pressed with the 420HC, Buck did an awsome job on it.
 
The 6" blade Cold Steel SRK would be my choice. I like a 7" knife too but their overall length makes them less carry friendly for me. I find the 6" blade / ~10.5" OA length to be perfect.

As far as the Kabar HB goes, if you have LARGE hands, it is a great choice. I had to carve the handle down on mine to make it user friendly though.

I was lucky enough to get a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp awhile ago too. Now that has about the best handle ever. And for a 7" camp knife it really can't be beat. But it is significantly heavier than something like the SRK and as such, you might not always want to carry it around...

I would also second the Blackjack Grunt recomendation - excellent handle & blade grind :thumbup:
 
Unless you like to throw dollars around, or have style in mind, I see to reason to spend more on a fixed blade survival knife than what a typical amry/marine issue type Ka-bar would cost you. I've had one for many years now, and although it doesn't come out too often (usually carry a 3-4" folder around to do work) when called upon she does great. Used it as my ONLY kitchen knife for almost a year in my apartment, without sharpening. 15 minutes on my dual grit (god knows what grits) benchstone and she was shaving again. The powder coated blade is a nice touch, doesnt scratch or chip off too easily, and aint nothing wrong with 1095.


Just because I can, I'm going to say I was ammused at how well POR-15 has been doing on my old P.O.S. machette I keep at the folk's cottage to split stuff too small for an axe. Sure, it wore off the bevel fairly quick, but after a few weekends of light chopping and splitting it looks pretty much how it did after coating it (although I'm sure it won't last through and entire season)...

BTW, has anybody had issues with CS machettes bending on them during heavy use (well, more like warping)?
 
I own a Ranger RD7,Becker BK7 and Rat 7.

They are all different....

and all feel different in use...

Find out which one "feels" the best in your hand....before you order one if possible.
 
Ooo. Some good suggestions.

The F1 is great

BRKT makes several appropriate models. The Wolf River is the best cutter I own.

Someone already mentioned Moras. Them are economical thin bladed goodness.

BUT, IMO, a Nessmuk is what you need to go with that trio. JMHO. Thin bladed slicer is the ticket.
 
A vote for a 4-5" fixed blade.
Do you really need another large blade/chopper when you already have the khukri?

/ Karl
 
Mewolf1, love those puffy sleeves, sets off the sword just right! It's almost as big as she is, perfect for a back-carry. :D
 
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