Hello blade forums! I'm am interested in getting a bush craft/survival knife. Due to money being tight I'd like it to be under $100. Obviously the two I'm really looking at are the rat-7 and BK-7. If you had to choose one of these knives which would it be and why? Also feel free to suggest any other knives but they have to be in the 6 or 7 inch range because I already have smaller knives. Thanks for any advise!
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BK-7 vs rat-7
- Thread starter Ratsmax
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
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- 11,432
IMO, the Ontario scales are rather blocky; and not comfortable for extended use. They're easy enough to shape with a half round file, though.
I don't have the Rat...I have the RD; and I think the performance of the BK is consistently better.
I don't have the Rat...I have the RD; and I think the performance of the BK is consistently better.
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- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 54
I have no experience with the rat 7 but I have a bk7 and would highly recommend it to anybody!! It is by far one of my favourites!! Really comfortable scales I just textured mine with a wood burner to give it a little more grip.
If it were my money, it would be the Becker for me, the ergos of the handle are quite nice, and no one will ever say anything bad about the steel or heat treat.
I'd say you're already looking at some of the main contenders in that price and size range. I will say though, that personally, after some use, I don't know if I find the 7in blade as useful as the ones that are smaller and larger. I find that if you're going to carry two, the second one should be a bit larger than 7in IMO (especially if you plan to use it for chopping, or something like that). I like my combo of a BK9, folding saw and a Mora for my types of camping.
Anyway, just another thought
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I'd say you're already looking at some of the main contenders in that price and size range. I will say though, that personally, after some use, I don't know if I find the 7in blade as useful as the ones that are smaller and larger. I find that if you're going to carry two, the second one should be a bit larger than 7in IMO (especially if you plan to use it for chopping, or something like that). I like my combo of a BK9, folding saw and a Mora for my types of camping.
Anyway, just another thought
.Well thanks guys! After looking a little more into the rat 7 I did find some complaints about the heat treatment. After looking at the weight of the bk9 it does seem nice and light for its size and power. However having no experience with blades over 7 inches I'll have to at least use a knife of that size before I consider it. Another thing I have to think about is living in Cali I'm surrounded by liberals who want anything over 2 inches ban... I'm not sure if their ready for something as intimidating as a bk9 
Well thanks guys! After looking a little more into the rat 7 I did find some complaints about the heat treatment. After looking at the weight of the bk9 it does seem nice and light for its size and power. However having no experience with blades over 7 inches I'll have to at least use a knife of that size before I consider it. Another thing I have to think about is living in Cali I'm surrounded by liberals who want anything over 2 inches ban... I'm not sure if their ready for something as intimidating as a bk9
I just through it out there for you to consider
.And I'm in Cali right now as well, "surrounded by liberals" as well (Bay area
). And you're right, I'd be worried using my BK9 out in the common areas of my apt complex (then again, I might be worried about my Mora too ). However, when I go camp, I've never had anyone say anything negative about it (not that I'm around many people in the first place, and nor do I flash it around or anything like that).What was most impressive to me about the BK9 when I first got it was how nimble it felt, while still chopping like a hatchet. Now though, I use it for batoning firewood that my folding saw cut, and rarely chop with it. For that use the BK7 will likely be just as good, yet smaller, lighter, and cheaper (I don't baton anything much past 5-6in).
And finally, I know you said you'd like to keep it under $100, but I thought I'd at least mention the ESEE 6, and Ritter MK2/Becker BK12. They're both ~$125, 3/16in thick, with 6in blades of 1095. Not sure if thats too much more for you, but figured you could at least take a look and see if they strike your fancy.
OH, and if you do end up with the BK7, you may find that you like more girth to the handles. My BK9 felt too narrow in the handle for me when I got it. I added liners for the handles (can make them out of old DVD cases, etc), and have been very happy with it since.
Cheers!
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
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- 859
I think both are good knives but have different handles and grinds.
I had both but now just have the BK7, I liked the feel of this knife better. I liked the BK7 blade shape for a knife that size and the feel of the handle, to me the rat-7 blade grind and handle was more suited for a smaller knife.
Handle both knives if you can for weight and feel, my buddy who I sold the rat-7 to, loves it. Comes down to personal preference I believe.
I had both but now just have the BK7, I liked the feel of this knife better. I liked the BK7 blade shape for a knife that size and the feel of the handle, to me the rat-7 blade grind and handle was more suited for a smaller knife.
Handle both knives if you can for weight and feel, my buddy who I sold the rat-7 to, loves it. Comes down to personal preference I believe.