BK&T or Rat Cutlery.

B

Bluntedgedinstrument

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Jun 12, 2008
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Thinking about getting a reasonable beater and have narrowed it down to the Becker Utility or the Rat Cutlery RC-6. Both have the same steels, Utility has a grivory handle (not sure what this is) the Rat has a micarta. Utility has a little skeleton knife. What do you guys think?
 
I like the looks of the RATs better than the Beckers, but that's purely based on aesthetics since I don't actually own either. :cool:
 
Bark River. Hands down simply for the fact that Mike at Bark River's warranty is outstanding.
 
If you haven't heard of Bark River, a Google search for "Bark River Knives" will tell you all you need to know. Bark Rivers are great- a little more expensive than Becker or Rat Cutlery, but worth every penny. Bark River knives are just as tough as Beckers or RATs, but much more highly finished, come with factory convex grinds, and have a much greater selection, with more exotic handle materials. They're worth checking out.
 
I have never had to use the warrenty at Bark River, but there knives are awsome. if you have the few extra bucks, it would be worth it imho.


John
 
From what I've read, RAT Cutlery's warranty is every bit as good, if not better than BRKT's, furthermore, as much as I like Becker (BK&T), I'd take a RAT of comparable size over one anytime!
 
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i have a a Becker BK7. and i beat the crap out of it and no matter what it always works out fine. and for like 70 bucks it is impossible to beat. but if you want to spend about 100 $ you could get a Ranger RD 7. at knivessipfree you can get them. they are much thicker. 1/4 inch and they are made of 5160 steel. which i heard is much stronger. so check out the RD 7
 
He said "BK&T" not "BRKT," meaning Becker Knife & Tool, not Bark River.
...although at first I mis-read the title also.
 
I have the Becker 7 and it is a very nice knife for the money. The little knife it comes with is really cheap, I believe it was a sample thing that Becker wanted to try out. If you have a little more bucks, get a RAT, if you have a LOT more bucks, get a Bark River.
 
RC-6. :)

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RATs are great, but I find that the Becker models speak to me MORE.
For example, I don't think RAT have anything like the BK-2, which is a big chunk of metal.
Also, I like the Necker more than the Izula.
So basically I guess it's all about taste. Go with whatever looks better for YOU. both are great companies, and probably won't disappoint.
 
Id go for rat cutlery hands down. If you were considering Bark river, they are also very nice but more costly
 
I always seem to see photos of Beckers being USED hard and hardly any of Rats knives being put to task. So if you want something that can take a beating and used as a beater (to use your words) get a Becker.

I like the fiber glass reinforced nylon grips on the Beckers (though tempted to get the micarta scales that just came out for it:) ). I assume you are referring to the BK2 when you say "utility", if so I just got one and its a very heavy duty blade meant for use.

Vinny
 
Between RAT and Becker, it's a tough choice to make: you can't go wrong with either one. Both are tough as nails (maybe tougher), both use 1095 steel, both have very good heat treatments, and both have very good warrantees, with the edge on warrantees going slightly to RAT. Yes, I know that Becker's warrantee isn't as explicitly stated, but Ethan Becker stands behind his knives as well as anyone.

As far as the handles go, I wouldn't base my decision just on the fact that RAT's come with micarta scales. Micarta scales are available for Becker's, too. The Becker's are less expensive to buy, but by the time you buy micarta scales, they're not all that much less expensive than the RAT's. I have to say that, for me, the handles on the Becker knives are the most comfortable of any I've ever used, and handles are very important to me.

I personally — in the length you're talking about — would go with the Becker. If you were looking for something in the 3 to 4 inch range, it would be a no brainer: Becker doesn't offer knives in that size. If you wanted something with around a 5 inch blade then, to me, that is a no brainer, too: the Becker BK-2 is the one.
 
Since both companies stand behind their products, I would set that issue aside. Since both make tough knives, I think I would set that aside as well. Both blades are made from 1095, and with no heat treat/quality issues unresolved, that would go away as well. Both have blades that are known for being tough use, hard working pieces of metal.

The little knife in the Becker that comes along for the ride wouldn't be a consideration for me.

So to me, if I were you I would get the knife you are leaning towards and hold it in my hand and see if you like the fit and the heft of the knife. You need to see which one "feels right" in your hand. PERSONALLY, I think the Becker handles are more comfortable than the RAT. There are many though, that couldn't imagine anything but RAT micarta in their hands.

The only other consideration would be the price. This isn't the same as saying I will be saving the difference between a high quality knife and some POS. Both of these are good knives, and personally I don't think you can go wrong either way. Although when it's this close I wouldn't let the money be too much of an issue, but saving money means more money to spend on other knives. Never a bad thing!

Robert
 
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