Bowie/Machete type knife wanted

M

mkiger98

Joined
Sep 12, 2002
Messages
3
I am looking for suggestions/comments on the Battle Rat.
I am looking for a durabe knife blade. ~12-15in total knife length. Going to use it for hunting and fishing. Any comments on this knife or suggestions for others would be appreciated.
 
If you're looking for a chopping knife, the BR is a great choice. The BR is a great chopper, but it's not best suited for skinning and other fine work (though it will do it). For that, I'd check out the new SwampRat Howling Rat or another type of small knife (there are numerous options).
 
mkiger,I would check out the Ontario RTAK it has a 10 inch blade its used for machete type work and from what the guy who desighned it says its a very good cutter.
 
Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works offers a good selection of custom large bowies at reasonable prices. They are made from tough 5160 carbon steel, same as the large Marbles bowie.

Cliff Stamp mentioned a Canadian custom maker he likes in another thread. It is Viking Metal Works. The website shows a beautiful bowie made of L6 steel. I think the price was around $230 - not bad for a nice custom.

The Cold Steel Trailmaster has come down in price recently. I have one myself, and like it except for the sort of "icky" feeling rubber handle. I can't really describe it but the rubber just doesn't feel right to me. I have also read some concerns about the durability of that rubber.

Another option is the new Fallkniven large bowie. I forget the name but it is a traditional style with a laminated blade. The core steel is VG-10.
 
For a big tough knife I'd recommend a Busse Basic 9. I don't know what the swamp rat knives perform like so I can't recommend 'em. I know they chop up concrete pretty good!

Anyway, a knife of that size is definitely not what I would take hunting or fishing. A smaller knife is easier to control when it's all slimy and covered with blood. I'd look for something with a 3"-4" blade for hunting. For fishing, the rapala filet knives at Wal Mart work good enough for me.
 
I am very happy with the Becker line. Tough, working knives that are priced right. The BK9 is an awesome beast of a knife.

If I were looking for a hunting knife I may go with something a little smaller.
 
It does seem that a large bowie is overkill for skinning a possum. Perhaps mkiger98 wants a large knife for other outdoor chores, such as cutting fire wood to cook the possum.

Then again, we don't know what mkiger98 intends to hunt. If it is elephants, whales, or the Loch Ness Monster, a large bowie might be required.:D
 
So....what's the verdict?

I agree that a 3.5-5" blade is best for hunting, 5-7" for light camp duty, and 8" and up for chopping, etc.
 
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