Esee6, RAT7, Becker BK7 or Ranger RD7?

D

DylanJ

Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
4
Hey guys,

New to the forum here and I wanted some of your seasoned advice on a dilemma i've been debating and researching over for about a month now. I've been looking for a 7" full tang blade for camping, bush craft, whittling, carving etc. and some small hard working activities in the yard (i.e. batoning, chopping, prying etc.) or maybe even the apocalypse...

My choices had come down to four primary picks - Esee6, RAT7, Becker BK7 and the Ranger RD7.

I understand that the Esee6, RAT7 and BK7 all use the same type of steel (1095 carbon or cro-van for the bk7) and from what I gathered this steel is rather good in the field given its good edge retention and flexibility. With that being said, lots of customers and knife makers have commented on this steel being good but only if it is properly heat treated. I do really like the look of the Esee6 and the RAT7 because of the ergonomics of the blade handle and the blade is designed nicely in my opinion if you needed to choke up on the handle in order to do some finer detailed work.

The price difference between the Esee and RAT7 are significantly different. I don't mind paying a little more if the Esee6 is an overall better and more durable blade although the length is one inch smaller, which I didn't really want since I'm pushing more for the 7" range. I have read that the older steel treatment practices on the RAT7 are somewhat questionable because of the heat treatment techniques. Some reviews I've read online describe some people putting the RAT7 to work on some batoning and chopping tasks and had the blade bend on them out of the box on the first day of use and thats something I DO NOT WANT happening. Customers had advised to check whether or not the RAT7 one the shelf from where your buying is within the "faulty productions years" of which I'm not even too sure how one would go about finding that out.

This is why my last choice would be the Ranger RD7 given its thick 1/4" blade. Something like the RD7 I wouldn't have to worry about breaking with the 5160 steel blade from what I've seen around the net and on Youtube, which I hear is tougher than 1095 but in that regard I'm sacrificing edge retention and lightness on the Esee6/ RAT7 & BK7 for heft and a beast of a blade in the RD7. Further more, I've read the BK7 is a cheaper alternative to the Esee and RAT7 but still holds up pretty good and is a work horse according to Chris from preparedmind101 despite its poor handle quality. Then again, Gideons tactical is advising me towards to the RAT7, but highly suggests the Esee6 at the end of the day.

Again, main concerns with are with QC (i.e. I want a good tip that won't break on me should I need to pry anything open, I need a good blade that won't bend on me, and I needed it primarily for whittling, chopping and batoning from time to time) because this won't be a collectable item I do intend on using this guy for years to come until it breaks and I need to get another one.

Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am waiting for a black friday sale on Amazon to try and weigh my options a little better. If some of you are wondering the only reason I'm using Amazon is because some American knife retailers don't ship to Canada or rather had issues with border customs from what some shops have told me thus far.


Thanks Cheers
Dylan
 
I would say you have done your research on the steel differences. The Esee 6 and BK7 will have better steel or heat treatment. You also need to look at warranties. Esee will be the best with BK coming in close behind. Further, a sheath was a big consideration for me. The only one that has an acceptable sheath IMO is the Esee 6. That is the direction I went in, in fact I didn't even consider the OKCs. They are probably fine but for me it was worth the extra money to get the things I have mentioned here.

If I were you I would look at the BK and Esee.
 
ESEE-6 and Rat-7 have the better handles, and the price difference on BladeHQ is only ~$10. On ebay, the prices can vary more. You could try the BF exchange for a good deal on which ever you prefer. If cost is a big factor and the Rat 7 is much cheaper than the ESEE, I'd get the ontario.
 
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ESEE 6....or Ritter RSK Mk2 (Perseverance - aka BK12)
The BK7 performs better than the Ontario RD7; and I think the both the ESEE or Ritter are better options than the BK7.

Top to bottom:
Ontario RD7, Kabar/Becker BK7, ESEE 6, Ritter RSK Mk2 (BK12)
 
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hhmoore said:
ESEE 6....or Ritter RSK Mk2 (Perseverance - aka BK12)
The BK7 performs better than the Ontario RD7; and I think the both the ESEE or Ritter are better options than the BK7.

Top to bottom:
Ontario RD7, Kabar/Becker BK7, ESEE 6, Ritter RSK Mk2 (BK12)
Click to expand...

That RSK does look cool. I like the idea of being able to adjust the balance.

Again though, if you care about the sheath, like I do, the Esee 6 would be the only way to go. I have passed on many knives because of the sheath alone. If the knife is truly worth it I will have a good one made for it but that adds $40-$50 to the cost.
 
Hey guys thanks for the input.

From the sounds of it I'm thinking that the Esee might be the way to go here for my go to survival knife and bushcraft.

@HHMOORE- I like the RSK suggestion but does the belly of the blade give any added benefits over the Esee (aside from Esee's awesome lifetime warranty, which many have raved about as a plus) ? Because remember I want a tough blade that won't bend, or break its tip on my wilderness tasks?

@craytab- I agree with you 100% but I do plan on getting a custom sheath given I do want to make this my go to knife for all tasks and the Esee nor the RSK come with factory made scout style carry sheaths so I think I may go the hedgehog leather works directions with an added attachment for my fire starter stick.

And could you guys recommend any good knife retailers for the Esee6 and RSK? After I'll have to double check if shipments to Canada aren't an issue with them. And from your knowledge do these blades drop in price on Black Friday or any other times throughout the year?

Cheers
 
@HHMOORE- I like the RSK suggestion but does the belly of the blade give any added benefits over the Esee (aside from Esee's awesome lifetime warranty, which many have raved about as a plus) ? Because remember I want a tough blade that won't bend, or break its tip on my wilderness tasks?
Click to expand...
The blade on the BK12 (Ritter RSK) is done by Rowan (ESEE, TOPS). Same guarantee.
The RSK is a KnifeWorks exclusive. http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk2perseverance.aspx#.VFAidvnF_AQ
 
Do those Beckers have skeletonized handles too? If they do its something to think about regarding a bomb proof knife. I was in this dilemma a while back and went with the Range RD7. My thoughts are; this is going to be a knife you're going to beat the bejeeezus out of why not get the heavier duty steel in the less costly package. Check out the custom sheaths offered by chestnut ridge knives, they have them for the Ranger in kydex. Honestly, the Ontario sheaths get a bad rap but they are perfectly serviceable. I heat fitted the insert of mine and now it fits like a glove.
 
The Becker does have a skeletal handle. I own the BK-7 and can vouch for its effectiveness as a camping knife. I have used it for cleaning trout, chopping branches, carving marshmallow sticks, and tripwire sticks for my bear alarm "I know they are more scared of me, but I'm still scared". I carry a hatchet, so I have never batoned with it. I don't know why there is so much dislike of the sheath. Once I replaced the handle strap it works great, and straps to the side of my hiking pack. All that being said I really like the esee6, it will be my Christmas present to myself.
 
Yep, the Ritter BK12 is made by rowen, and has the same warranty as the ESEE 6.

So far I agree with most of what has been said. Mostly. The only thing I'll say that is different is that I actually quite like the Becker handles, and feel that it is one of the main reasons why someone should consider the BK series knives. The handles are very ergonomic, with great palm swells. I've actually never gotten a blister with any of my Becker knives, even after some periods of extended use. The ESEE handles on the other hand are more blocky (from what I understand, I've never used one). That, and I also don't mind the BK series sheathes, but that's just me.

So, Id say I'd actually say BK12 > BK7 > ESEE 6 > RAT7 > then RD7 (in that order). I used to want more .25in thick knives like the BK2 and RD7... now... I actually want less of them. I find that 3/16 is more than enough for everything I need to do with a knife (BK9 does all my big knife tasks just fine).

Anyway, good luck with whatever you do:).
 
I have a BK-7. I do not baton. I don't find a 7" bladed knife particularly useful for "whittling" unless you consider slicing off the bark of a branch whittling. I would go with either the BK-7 or ESEE 6. Warranties in practice are about equal unless you abuse a knife. Warranties don't mean much if you are out in the woods for a week 20 miles from the nearest road and you break your knife. You want a blade that you can depend on. The biggest consideration for me is... do you like a fat handle (BK-7) or a thinner handle (ESEE)? The factory Becker sheaths are perfectly serviceable. I don't like to use a Tek Lok to attach a blade to my belt. It pushes the knife further from my body than I like it. So, if you don't like the sheaths, custom sheath time for each as far as I'm concerned.
 
22-rimfire said:
I have a BK-7. I do not baton. I don't find a 7" bladed knife particularly useful for "whittling" unless you consider slicing off the bark of a branch whittling. I would go with either the BK-7 or ESEE 6. Warranties in practice are about equal unless you abuse a knife. Warranties don't mean much if you are out in the woods for a week 20 miles from the nearest road and you break your knife. You want a blade that you can depend on. The biggest consideration for me is... do you like a fat handle (BK-7) or a thinner handle (ESEE)? The factory Becker sheaths are perfectly serviceable. I don't like to use a Tek Lok to attach a blade to my belt. It pushes the knife further from my body than I like it. So, if you don't like the sheaths, custom sheath time for each as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

I don't like a tech lock attachment either. The Esee 6 sort of plastic dangled clip plate is perfect IMO. I even put them on my custom kydex sheath. Sounds like the OP is after leather though.
 
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