CS Bushranger or BK&T Combat / Utility

catmath 1911

catmath 1911

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Nov 18, 2001
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Hello All,

Which would be better for a general purpose camp /survival blade? Also, does anyone know how wide the blade is on the BK&T 7?

Thanks,
catmath 1911
 
I have the Bush Ranger and I'm looking to get the BK&T Combat/Utility. Why? The thumb ramp. If it's important to you, the guard on the Bush Ranger can get somewhat annoying.
 
I think you would be well served by either of these knives.
I prefer the construction of the Becker but I really like the slip proof handle on the CS. I'm stiil trying to determine what type of
coating I could apply to the zytel like slabs on the Becker to make them grippier.
 
One of the fella's over on the Camillus forum said he wrapped
his BK-7 handle with waxed leather sewing thread. Being
familar with this thread that is exactly what I'll do to mine when
it arrives. The wrap should both improve tha grip and provide
a heavy cord if needed.

The BK-7 is also made here in the good old U.S.A. by a an old
line well known American company .........not in Japan. So my
bucks go for the Camillus made BK-7. It's also one heck of a
well designed do it all knife.
 
I see I am not the only one who has had a problem with the slippery handles on the BK&T knives. Let's see - yes, the scar from the last time I cut myself with one has finally healed.

Those handles really are slippery, and the rounded integral guard provides little impediment to stop the knife from sliding over one's fingers if you are holding it upright and relax your grip.

I own what is probably the world's ugliest machete, a BK&T which I have wire wrapped and taped on make-shift guard. Get the BK&T, but if you are even a little bit careless plan to make some changes to the handle.

By the way, hasn't there been some speculation that the Carbon V Cold Steel knives are really made (in the US) by Camillus? Maybe the Bush Ranger and BK-7 are coming from the same factory.
 
WTB,
The BK7 does have an extended guard that the other Beckers don't. It's not big (extends around 1/4" past the handle material), but it's enough, I think.
I wouldn't mind seeing this on the rest of the line as well, personally.

This post made me look at the Bush Ranger for the first time, and the two knives do look awfully similar once you get away from the handles. The BK7 is listed at almost 13oz, while the CS is listed around 9(??). They're probably made of the same steel. The BK7 has an extension on the butt for hammering, a comfortable thumbramp, much more durable handle material, and the blade/tip may be a little stronger since the BK7 has a sabre grind with about 1/4" of flat, and comes with a good sheath (not sure about the Bush Ranger's sheath), Camillus has a forum here, and seems to provide excellent service in the event there is a problem.
...and the Becker costs less.
No brainer from my point of view (but then I've already got my BK7, so I have to justify it:p).
 
Bush Rangers are awesome. You have a hard choice to make.

Sheath wise, though, the Becker wins. Well, as far as I'd guess from pics, that is. It looks very secure, and the pouch on the front would be very useful in the boonies. I think Camillus manufactures both knives.

Good Luck choosing!
 
I don't know about the BK&T 7, never handled one. Looks like a well thought out knife though, and should perform well.
I have a stainless Bush Ranger and like it a lot. OwenM is probably right about the tip strength. The Bush Ranger has a high flat grind with a thin, fine tip. It is a great slicer and the tip is useful for piercing work. The knife is very light, but will chop. I chopped through a Douglas fir 2X4 ( not a definitive test) with no damage to the edge. It also performs well limbing makeshift poles. However,IMO,
it's grind, light weight, and neutral balance make it more suited to other tasks. The light weight does make it nice to carry though. Mine came with a leather sheath. The design is alright, but lacked somewhat in the execution(ie: the edges of the outer leather, inner liner, and welt were poorly glued).
Good knife, as I am sure the BK&T7 will prove to be. Like average guy said "I think you would be well served by either of these knives. "
Regards, Greg
 
Hello OwenM,
I didn't know the BK-7 had an improved handle. Can you tell if the new one is interchangeable with the older ones? If so I might contact Camillus and see if I can get one to put on my ugly machete.
 
Thanks for the picture, OwenM, but that handle looks just like the ones on my BK&T knives. Because that "bump" is small, rounded, and slick, it just rolled over my fingers when I cut myself (twice) with BK&Ts. I have now tied make-shift guards on both of mine.
 
Anyone thought of trying to put a little checkering, perhaps just on the forward part of the scales of their BK&T blades?

Or could the handles be replaced with another material like Micarta? (I dont know, I've only seen these online never in person.)

I am thinking about picking up a BK&T Combat Utility also.
Never been real happy witht he two Bushrangers I owned, altho the second one makes a not to bad fighter with a Recon Scout handle on it, and a sharpened clip. But never been happy with them for utility stuff really, they are thin, especially on the edge.

I like the looks of the BK&T better also... but am glad to know about the slippery handle thing, something to look into... not sure if skateboard tape would be wise as the knife would see some heavier use, but the waxed thread idea sounds great actually.
 
Fella's , Go over the the Camillus forum and read the BK-7 thread. Dexter
Ewing has posted a drawing of the BK-7..... without the handle slabs.

From my point of view that gives the edge to the BK-7 because you can
put your own slabs on it if you want to. Check it out.
 
As to the slippery handles on the Becker knives, I have an older Campanion, before Camillus, and I find the handle scales to be kind of slippery. I might put athletic tape or hockey-stick tape on the handle to increase the grip. Both tapes make for a pretty good grip.
 
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