Can't make up my mind: Ranger Bush 6, Becker BK7, Esee 6, or?

L

Luis G.

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Jan 18, 2011
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Looking for an affordable over 6" knife (6" minimum, 7.75" maximum) for camp activities.

My last one had to be retired unfortunately (was an inexpensive cold steel machete).

Anyways I haven't collected knives for camping and bushcraft, just mid range customs and edc knives.
I really enjoyed climbing, and hiking last camp time so I will go a lot more now and will need a good camp knife which I lacked before once my Cold Steel machete gave out on accident.

So far I got these in my sights
Esee 6 (looking for the non clip point), which I found. $120~....

Becker BK7: $60- $66 shipped~

Ontario Range Bush 6 $70~ shipped

Has anyone got experience with warranty on the Ranger bush series? If it really is break it replace it?

Any other recommendations under $150?
 
I have a RD7 Bush and RD9 Bush that have had no problem with heavy use. I did return a RTAK II with a broken blade and Ontario replaced it immediately with no questions asked.

The RD Bush series is ground thinner than My ESEE 6 which makes them much more efficient in my opinion. The heat treat and thicker grind on the ESEE seems geared for heavier use but for pure cutting performance the RD Bush is hard to beat.
 
If said camp knife will be doing kitchen duty mostly: BK5 or BK15.
If it will be doing batoning & kitchen duty: BK9.
If kitchen duty, smaller batoning & defense are in mind: BK7.
If you want indestructible: BK2, Ontario Ranger RD6,RD7 ---all are 1/4" thick.

BK&T/KaBar has an outstanding customer service record. Ontario has also stepped up recently & have read good things about their customer service.

Cant go wrong with any of the above.
 
No kitchen use for these knives. We have our own cutlery for camping. Mostly for ease of use and hygiene.

Forgot to mention: I own an Izula and owned an Esee 3. Sold the Esee 3 due to it being too small to make a difference between my Izula.

FTR-14C is your Esee 6 the one with the sharpened clip point, or the older version with the flat spine? Which do you personally prefer in camping?
 
Just a plain old ESEE 6
Here is the RD7 next to the ESEE 6

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Ima go for the Ranger Bush 7 like yours. Just found it for a good price from Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop.

How's the sheath on the Bush 7?
 
This one came from CRKS. It was a factory second for a crazy price. I could not even find anything wrong with it. The 7 is a good choice, you will appreciate the extra blade. Mine came screaming sharp and is easy to keep that way, it is a cutting machine.

I keep it in a bag in my truck along with a mora so the sheath is fine for what it is. I removed the plastic insert and warmed it up with a hair drier and molded it to the blade to take care of some of the slop.
 
Wow, quite a bit of work to handle and tang on that Ranger, very nice.
 
Scrap Yard 7-11 is $140. Good steel, comfortable handle.
Swamp Rat Rodent 6 is under 150.
Neither of them comes with a sheath though.
 
I am partial to the Beckers. The Ontario Ranger (Bush series) are great knives too, but the handle ergo's aint nowhere near the Beckers.
The Ontario Ranger Bush are 3/16" of 1095 steel,and the RD series are 1/4" 5160 steel. I would probably go for the Bush series if I picked the Ontario.
 
Out of the ones you mentioned I like the Esee 6 best.
Because of the comlete package, great sheath that the other 2 knives lack.
Canvas micarta scales that the Becker lacks, great ergo's, great fit and finish, unbeatable warranty....
The Esee has the best coating on the blade (that will also wear with use).
It's more expensive then the other 2 but that show in what you get imho.
And you already have some Esee knive so you know you like 'm.
 
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