BIG KNIFE OPTIONS under 100

B

blackfeetmageet

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May 11, 2009
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whats up guys -Im looking fore a large survival Knife and would like your input. I just want to know what models you all like in the "big knife" category (over 7 inches of blade). I would like it to be a good wood splitter and Not a machete or a kukri.

My price range is under $100. The cheaper the blade, the more I will like it. (if you want to mention something just over 100 that is fine too)

My options so far:

Kabar large heavy bowie (This is what I am really thinking about buying, any experience with it?)
Ontario sp-5
Ontario RTAK 2
Becker options? (I have never owned a becker, any suggestions) Ment kabar becker, not boker
RC-10 :rolleyes:(I wish)

Thanks you guys

new in the possible line-up:

Cold steel Trail Master in sk-5 (the older black ones if I find a deal)
browning crowell competition cutter



IT IS OVER. I have made up my mind. Thanks everyone. My final decision ended up on the CS Trail Master. I wish I could have them all:)

PS It was an older one with leather sheath and black coating too
 
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Well, it only has a 6" blade, But the Timberline/ Lightfoot Zambezi is a might fit the bill.

It's 440c steel, full tang, and it's almost 1/4 inch thick.
mine was only abut $60 CAD and it's an amazing knife- I use mine all the time for battoning as well as chopping, and it holds an edge farily well considering how hard I use it. Comes with a cool sheath too.

Bottom knife in the pic.
IMG_1120.jpg


-If your interested I have a lot more pictures of it in use- just let me know and i'l dig 'em up
 
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Thanks Brad, I am looking for a little larger blade though. Ive got a couple knives that size and none over 7 inches other than a CS bowie machete.
 
The KaBar Large Heavy Bowie would be my pick. Nice full, flat grind and wide blade @ ~1/4" thick of 1095 goodness for under $50. :thumbup:

Also, check out the Becker BK-9.
 
I really like that BK-9, I have never used a becker.

The large heavy bowie was my first choice next to the sp-5. I am going to have to consider that bk-9 now too.

Do you know how thick the bk-9 is?
 
UpChUcK said:
The KaBar Large Heavy Bowie would be my pick. Nice full, flat grind and wide blade @ ~1/4" thick of 1095 goodness for under $50. :thumbup:

Also, check out the Becker BK-9.
Click to expand...

Actually it's 1085, and .236" per the Ka-Bar website. Not sure if that matters.

I have a Bk9 and like it very much. With a ruler i get just a hair under 0.2" thick. If you shop around you can get them for about $64 bucks.
The little BK13 it comes with is a surprisngly handy blade too.
 
the cold steel trailmaster and ka bar heavy bowie are the best in catagory. the rtak IIs and beckers handles are strictly inferior. between the two, the trailmaster has something intangible about it, and i think its worth the extra 15-25 bucks, however, i find i use the ka bar 9 inch heavy bowie just as often. the two really are equally excellent knives, it just comes down to preference. it might be a good idea to look at a scrapyard dogfather as a higher end option.

(by the way, 1085 makes zero difference in performance. youll find that on the higher end knives like busse swamprat scrapyard etc actually use softer tougher steels than 1095 for their knives. custom knife forgers actually use 1085 very heavily and in damascus)
 
All great suggestions have been made here.I'd just like to mention Ranger Knives.You get a lot of knife for not too much money(<$100),when you deal with Justin at Ranger Knives.
 
My problems with the outcast: Thin handle, recurved blade (tougher to sharpen in the bush), and D2 (tougher to sharpen because of its composition, and is prone to chipping)

The BK9 solves all these problems. its 1095 is more apt to have the edge roll rather than chip, and as a steel.. it is much easier to sharpen in the field, and I think its toughness is just as good as D2.

And just for the OPs wishes to come true.. The Rat Cutlery RC-10 is actually in development. There is a thread about it in the RC forum.
 
I also recommend the Becker BK9 and the Ranger RD9. I didnt like the RTAKII all that much, just wasnt for me. I noticed no one has brought up Himalayan Imports......Yangdu over at the HI forum does DOTD (deals of the day) and many nice Khuks and some Bowies for 100 and under.
 
I have the ka-bar heavy bowie and for the price i think it's an outstanding knife!
I have used and abused mine and while the edge retention might not be as good as some of the higher end steels, it does the job.
Very well, i might add.
 
Joben said:
Actually it's 1085, and .236" per the Ka-Bar website. Not sure if that matters.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I said. ;) :o


Oh, and while perusing the Kabar website, I found the Becker BK77 - the BK7 in S30V and Micarta handles! I didn't know about this model. Is it new?

Wow, I just noticed the price on the BK77 - $300 MSRP!!! :eek: What is that, about $200 street!
 
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Jake Bauer said:
My problems with the outcast: Thin handle, recurved blade (tougher to sharpen in the bush), and D2 (tougher to sharpen because of its composition, and is prone to chipping)
Click to expand...
These two comments may be true in general about these blade featuers, but being made out of D2, the Outcast should need less re-sharpening in the field and while it is generally true D2 is more prone to chipping than some other blade steels, Kershaw seems to have done a great job with the heat treating on these blades as I have yet to hear of anyone who has chipped one of them.

The BK9 solves all these problems.
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I've never held a BK9, but despite the rave reviews for the knife, I was somewhat unimpressed with the BK2 I bought a while ago. It may be almost indestructable and probably ideal for battoning, but is IMO too heavy and thick for most knife chores.
 
I'm a fan of both the Becker BK9 and the Kershaw Outcast.

Personal preference and actual use will dictate which one is the better choice.

I personally favor the Becker BK9, as I find its blade shape more versatile and its handle more comfortable. It's also made in the United States, whereas I believe the Kershaw is imported.

Both are high quality knives, however. :thumbup:
 
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