BK&T or Rat Cutlery.

Ok, well both companies make outstanding knives. The BK-2 is a thick, stout beast, much like the RC-5, but otherwise, the two companies make pretty much completely different blades. I love RC's product. They will most likely be my first choice anytime I want to get a production knife.

That being said, I think the BK line of knives is excellent for anyone looking for thick stout blades, especially for the price. I liked my BK-7 a lot, just to heavy/large for my taste in knives. Dollars to donuts, you really can't go wrong with either company.
 
MrCoffee, I bought the BK2 for the stout heavy blade and this is why my next one will most likely be an RC-3 or RC-4. That is unless Mr. Becker comes out with BK2 with a thinner blade (BK10). Like you, I don't have a use for long heavy knives, don't do much chopping.

Vinny
 
I've been wishing that Ethan would come out with a knife of around 4 inches, maybe 3/16ths of an inch thick, with the traditional Becker handles for a long time now. No luck so far, but I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
 
dawsonbob, yes 4" with a 0.125 to 0.188" blade would be VERY nice.

Vinny
 
vba said:
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.
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Vinny you made much better posts, but this statement wins the silliest statement I've read today :D

I own both RC-6 and the BK-7. I'm more partial to ratcutlery given that I own many of their knives. The two knives in debate are both very good to excellent in quality. For my tastes, I do not like the BK-7 scales. I find them too thick. I removed the scales and applied a double wrap handle with kit underneath that I like the feeling of better. The BK-7, mine is a Camillus one, is a great blade.

The RC-6 has better fit and finish and the mircata scales are particularly well done. They are fitted by hand to each knife because of that the tooled mircata upgrades for the BK-7 will never match the fit achieved by RC. The BK-7 is longer than the RC-6 and you may or may not like that. The sheath that comes with the RC-6 is superior by far in my opinion than the nylon Becker one, but then again there are some folks who don't like the RC molded sheaths. The molded sheaths are designed to work with Molle gear and are versatile but don't necessarily make the best belt sheath for its size.

I think if you are looking for a user camp knife and money is an issue than the BK-7 is the way to go. I think if you value the extra attention to fit & finish and are willing to pay for it, or you prefer the somewhat more compact package of the RC-6, than the rat is a great choice.

Simply put, there is no hands down winner here. Becker and Randall/Perrin are awesome folks and on friendly terms with each other. Becker takes care of his customers but he has to go through kabar and their customer service. Ratcutlery deal with their users directly through their subforum.
 
Don't have a Becker, but I know the RC-6 is a great choice, I do have one of those:) You can't go wrong.
 
Cant go wrong with either. I love my BK7, 2, and 11, and love my RC4 and Izula. I'm sure I'll love my RC6 and 3Mil when I get them too :P.
 
vba said:
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.
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Ridiculous. Ever try the RAT Cutlery forum?
 
Razorsharp1986 said:
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.
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Um, the RC5?
 
Tripton, yes I have spent much time in the Rat forum, specifically looking for pictures. Compare this with the Becker forum and you'll see many picture of Beckers BEING PUT TO HARD USE. The OP is looking for a "reasonable beater". My understanding of reasonable is "does not cost a lot" and this discribes the Beckers. Now we add the micarta scales to the Becker and this of course raises the price.

Please don't misunderstand, I don't own any Rats but would like to, as they appear to be wonderfully built knives. As stated earlier I would really like an RC-4.

kgd, thankyou very much for the feedback, and sorry if I appeared silly:), but the photos in the Becker forum really won me over before I bought a BK2. You make some good points about the build quality of the RAT.

Vinny
 
While I haven't done much more than some slicing yet, when I think of a knife to 'beat', this .25" thick hunk of CS comes to mind:

IMG_3519.jpg


The RC-5 by RAT is a hard act to follow. As an aside, I have seven tremendous Bark River knives... I won't beat them... they are too nice! Yeah, I know, I did buy them as tools. No BK&T goodies here.

Stainz
 
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Stainz, that RC-5 sure does look nice! Same blade thickness as the BK2 and, I believe, the same length blade? Stop showing RAT knives:).

Vinny
 
If you think there aren't any pics out there of RATs being used hard, check out what condition my RC-3 is in. I've been pounding the snot out of it for two years now. This pic is actually old. It's even more "well loved" now.

ThunderHoleMysteryBeachandSargea-39.jpg
 
Thankyou 42blades. Now I have to decide between the RC-3 and RC-4!

Vinny
 
I'm sorry, but if you think a blade doesn't perform just because people don't post many pics of "them in use" you need to put your head on straight. Rowen does a good heat treatment on RC blades, can't say the same for the heat treat Ka-Bar does (seen too many pics of shattered Becker blades). The coating holds up better on RC knives, fit and finish is better on RC knives. Most of this is why RC knives have a higher price, if you want to get a cheaper option then go for a Becker. Me? I'd rather pay a slightly higher fee to get a good knife that is backed by a great warranty.

A knife is a knife and they'll perform almost equally, but you want to go with one that's durable.
 
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