BK 7 or Cold Steel Warcraft Tanto??

plastid

plastid

Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
413
I am looking to buy a good outdoors knife used for everything from camping,splitting wood,chopping stuff cutting down small trees, anything outdoors It would also be my S.H.T.F knife as well, i dont have a good large fixed blade and it has come down to these two but i can only get one. What are your thoughts on CPM-3V in comparison to 1095 COVAN. What would be the better company to buy from ,they both have big reputations...... how is Beckers customer service?

I really like both but am just looking for some points i may have missed.

So what would you buy and why? (Lol I do realize this is the Becker sub forum)
 
This is the Becker forum.....

All said, the BK7 will be easier to maintain and much more versatile than the Warcraft (an interesting knife, but the handle is a little weird looking). Super steels are usually harder to sharpen from what I hear.
 
I'd say overall, a tanto knife is harder to sharpen and more geared toward combat than bushcraft. Not saying it cant be used, just saying its not designed for it. I'd go with the BK7 - cheaper, easier to sharpen, and designed for what you want to do.
 
Its cheaper to get the 7 and its a more versatile outdoors knife. Pair it up with a bk14 with the money you save and you're set.
 
On Becker forums, BK7 all the way. On Cold Steel forums, Warcraft tanto all the way. Personally I like the warcraft tanto more.
 
$73 for a BK7 or $156 for a Warcraft Tanto in 3V?
Guess which one has a better written warranty and which company has a better reputation for customer service?
 
OK lets get real for a second... :D

The blades are so drastically different its hard to compare because they are so brutally on opposite sides of the spectrum. I hate talking about this but the only way they intersect in commonality is that they both could be considered "combat" oriented blades... However, the BK7 is going to lean more towards woods use. The BK7 has a good track record as opposed to the brand spankin new Warcraft Tanto. The blade is probably top notch, but you could buy two BK7's for the Price of one Warcraft Tanto then run around in the woods dual wielding blades until you pass out from laughter... The shinning shimmer of light for the Tanto is that 3V is supposed to be a hard use crazy strong type steel, but we all know that any steel is only worth its weight if it is heat treated properly... Which it could be... dunno... havent tried it... This would be the main difference.. the Tanto is going to have a higher end steel as opposed to the 1095cv from KA-BAR... However, again, 1095cv is an amazing performer, and in all your usages described in you post it would perform very well. A bowie vs a tanto? Even though a tanto would still carve split and do what not, the BK7 is going to do better in woods use.... I honestly am interested in the Tanto from CS but I really dont have a use for something of that nature at this time.

If I was you I would buy the BK7, get me some G10 from TKC or micarta from KA-BAR, and have Azwelke make me some kydex pants for it with a teklock, and still have money in the bank to buy some more gear for whatever shoot hitting fan stuff you have in mind.

BTW KA-BAR's customer service is very top notch as can be seen in evidence on this forum.
 
3V is theoretically a better steel but for your purposes the BK7 in 1095 will be a much better knife. Tantos are not the most functional design for outdoors use (or anything else really). If you want an excellent outdoors knife from Cold Steel to compare with the BK7 look at their Recon Scout.
 
Not going to bash cold steel even though I have had issues with them (Customer Service) and their products in the past only due to the fact that I still use a cold steel recon 1 on a daily basis and it has held up very well (They do make good folders and until becker makes a folding bk24..well). I would sugggest going with a becker for the simple fact of tried and true design, proven steel and customer service that will not let you down...period! The new cs warcraft looks like a good knife and I will not pass comment only general opinion that it should hold up well however if this is a knife you would want I would suggest waiting before buying as cold steel has been know to have some issues with new blades/design's/steels when they first release them. Think of it as a brand new car when it is first release to the public the maker finds out all the little issues that cause problems and then fixes it....same thing here in my mind. As for the price well I would go with the becker...more bang for you buck..hands down. In my honest opinion I would go with a bk9 and purchase a bk13 to stick in the sheath and call it done but opinions are like a$$holes. Hopefully this helps and either way you go enjoy the blade.
 
I had not heard of the Warcraft, so I went to their website to have a look.

For a fighter it would be fine.

What you have to do is be honest with yourself about what you will use it for most. What would have me personally leaning toward the Becker is the shape of the handle. If you are going to really use a knife, the handle is as important as the blade.

The Warcraft is a fierce looking beastie for sure, if relieving zombies of their heads is what you seek, go for it. Or if you will be fast roping into some hostile urban environment, maybe then too.

If making tent pegs, building lean-tos, limbing small branches, batoning kindling for fires, and general camp kitchen chores are your goal. I think the BK-7 makes more sense.

If your heart is set on Cold Steel, I'd look hard at the SRK, Recon Scout, Trailmaster, or even the Leatherneck. All very decent knives in their own respect. I own two SRKs and have had no issues with them. I would not mind owning a Recon Scout or a TM either. But as of yet I have not written a check for one.

There are a lot of fancy Ferrari type knives out there. Me, I prefer the more Pick-Up Truck type of knife.

Just for the record, I also own two CS Trail Hawks, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Good luck in your decision and let us know which way you go.

LV
 
A few more thoughts,

Becker - Made in U.S.A.

Tanto - States made of U.S. Steel

A word on steels, Crucible makes some sweet stuff. But myself again, in the Farrari vs Pick-Up Truck theory. I find little fault with steels like 1095 or A2.

Kind of like my old cast iron skillets, low tech, some are older than I am. Occasionly I will try some new miricle pan, but always end up going back to the old reliable, predictable, cast iron. Sometimes new isn't better, it's just new. New sells.
 
I agree that the BK-7 would be better. Lost Viking also made the point I was thinking about.

If you are going to use the knife for all those tasks you are going to need a comfortable versatile handle. I didn't know what the Warcraft tanto looked like so I googled it. In my opinion that handle design is limited and could prove uncomfortable after some time in the hand or in some different grips. It could prematurely tire and or blister your hand, and then again it could be the best grip ever for you. Ethan's handles are some of the most comfortable handles I have felt. I have never held the CS so it might surprise me but it does not look like it would be that great for long term use.

If you get a chance do yourself a favor and try to get both knives in your hand. You might have to cruise some knife/gun shops but you will get to see if either one fits YOUR hand. Hell, if you are in Maine I will let you check out the Beckers I own.

Jeremy
 
I don't own any cold steel, so I can't add to that. Therefore, my vote is obviously becker (go figure). However, I'm curious why you would stop at the 7. If your only planning on one shtf, all around big fixed blade why not go straight for the bk9? It is the king for a reason. I own one, and find myself passing on the 7 all the time now because of it.
 
I have a Cold Steel Recon Tanto. It isn't exactly the same, but is pretty close, particularly in blade design. It is perhaps the single most disappointing knife I have ever owned. I also have a BK-7 from when Camillus was around. One of my all time favorite knives. The only thing that the Tanto will do better is take abuse to the point of the knife. It doesn't cut, slash, hack, slice, or anything else near as well as the BK-7. When I deployed, I couldn't find my BK-7 (I thought is was in my pack, but I had taken it home as some point), but meant to take it and had to settle for my Ka-Bar. But I left my Cold Steel Recon Tanto home on purpose. If the prices between the Cold Steel Warcraft Tanto and the BK-7 were reversed and I had to replace my combat knife tonight, I'd still order the BK-7. Good Luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top