First time buyer, want to do it right.

J

janus408

Joined
Jul 6, 2009
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I am looking to buy a long term fixed blade for backpacking, and after reading your forums I am still at an impasse (skip to TLDR for the short version). I do not know much about the brands, but after all of the posts I have come to focus on the SOG Seal. But before I run off and buy one, I wanted to ask the professionals what they would do in my situation.

So I am looking for a knife I can rely on (I mostly do backpacking in the middle of BLM land -- the middle of no where) so I really cannot have a knife that can't do the job, or breaks trying. In the past I have carried an assortment of knives for various jobs because a friend of mine is an avid collector and always sent me on with 5+ knives. But I no longer live near him, and I want to lighten my load as much as possible, so a do it all knife is what I am after.

Budget: Since it is my first knife, I really want to get in and do it cheap, but right. If a passion sparks I am sure I will be picking up a RAT(3, 4, 5 and 6!), however for now I would like to get one for sub $80.

Currently eying:
M37-N SEAL Pup
E37-N SEAL Pup Elite
E37T-N SEAL Pup Elite (current first choice)
Gerber LMF II (very interested because of its sheer utility -- hammer, really? does it work?)

Links are amazon (have some gift cards I may as well burn), but if you have another site you trust with better options, please let me know!

TLDR: I have $80.00 for a backpacking knife, what would you buy for your first knife?
 
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If it was me... and stickin' with Amazon as your dealer... I'd look at one of the Buck, Case, or Ka-Bar FBs for a first purchase that was going backpacking. All are available in your price range or even under it. I've used FBs around a campsite and on a trail before and I've never found a use for partial serrations. I also like a nice straight top spine on a knife. That spine area comes in handy from time to time (think firesteel, batoning, using for a straight edge marker, lotsa stuff)... better if it don't have a lot of funky and useless points or ridges.

Buck's 420HC, Case's Tru-Sharp stainless, and Ka-Bar's AUS8 are good user steels. They'll work hard for you in rough uses and they won't often fail. They don't chip easily and they're all very stain resistant. Sure, they'll need a bit more frequent touch ups than some steels, but that's easy to do and very therapeutic, especially sittin' around a campfire at night.

When you're ready to spend a bit more, RAT's and Bark River would both be good choices.
 
I would strongly consider taking a look at the RAT Izula. It may seem small, but it can get the job done. It also has remarkable edge holding. There's a video on youtube of a guy that chopped a stout log in half and then shaved his hair with the knife afterwards, without touching up the blade. All he did was wipe the wood particles from the blade.

EDIT: video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSrlvqrZQKY

EDIT 2: You can also get it for around 40 - 50 bucks. The for sale forum often has them. If not, you can get one from: knifecenter. There may be some cheaper vendors, but others will have to chime in.

EDIT 3: Actually, if you watch part 1 of the link I sent you, the reviewer went out and built a debris shelter. Then without sharpening, he chopped that 2 x 4 block in half. Then he shaved his arm hair. Part 1 is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUpjruZK_fk&feature=related
 
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Hi, I'm looking for a fixed blade, too, for backpacking. This is kind of heavy but I am probably going to settle on the Ka-Bar Becker BK2.

Tabletop review

Edit: I don't know if it is okay for me to link to a retailer like that. It is just one of the first results when I search for Becker Campanion on Amazon.
 
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The Kabar/Becker series are great knives. The BK2 has been picked up by some of my hiking buddies and they love it. If I needed a quality f/b for <$100 I'd go with the BK2, or maybe a Cold Steel SRK in Carbon V steel (though the AUS8 ain't bad either) off Ebay.
 
You can't go wrong with a Ka-Bar/Becker BK2 or BK7...I have the BK9 & have had the BK7 & BK10. Ethan Becker has some Awsome knives that are more than able to do what you need ;)
 
Anything from kabar will be a good quality buy at an inexpensive price. Another company to check out would be ONTARIO knives. Look at their SPEC PLUS knives -all very inexpensive and good quality craftsmanship. They also produce RAT designed knives -which may be a little cheaper. I bought a TAK 1 for under 50 bucks (used)-which I believe is similar to the RC-4 (minus the RAT warrantee)
 
I have the RC3, SOG seal pup elite and the Becker companion I would really go for the RAT for shear utility light weight and ease of lashing and carry options .I understand the idea of wanting to keep your price point but it is only another $25 (you can get an RC3 on ebay for $105 shipped also I see there is/was and RC3mil and a RC4 in the exchange right now)and imho you will wish later you had spent the extra cash.The companion is a great knife but it is pretty heavy and very thick and the sheath and knife are pretty bulky for backpacking. I very much like the SOG Seal Pup Elite ,super comfortable handle and good blade shape nice sheath and a good size ,also not too heavy.I hope this will help some.
 
TLDR: I have $80.00 for a backpacking knife, what would you buy for your first knife?


RAT 3, and your done. Full tang, carbon steel, slice,chop,baton. Made for the outdoors. :thumbup:
 
I have a Becker BK-2 and it is a nice knife, but a bit heavy. I would go with a RAT RC-4 or RAT RC-5 they are both great all around hiking/camping knives unless you are looking for something to hack a path through the jungle, then you'll need something bigger.
 
Want to "do it right", from "profesionals"?

Save $20 more and get a Rat Cutlery Rc4. It will blow you away. "professional" grade 1095 Carbon steel (good edge holding, very easy to resharpen, doesnt chip or break under normal use), good handles (micarta), good sheathes (Kydex), UNBEATABLE warranty (no matter what happens to it, your fault, companies fault.. they replace it.. free.. no questions asked.. for life). This would be the first and last knife you would ever need.

for $80? Becker BK7. The BK2 is a beast but too heavy for backpacking.

Forget SOG and gerber. There is a lot better out there.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Want to "do it right", from "profesionals"?

Save $20 more and get a Rat Cutlery Rc4. It will blow you away. "professional" grade 1095 Carbon steel (good edge holding, very easy to resharpen, doesnt chip or break under normal use), good handles (micarta), good sheathes (Kydex), UNBEATABLE warranty (no matter what happens to it, your fault, companies fault.. they replace it.. free.. no questions asked.. for life). This would be the first and last knife you would ever need.

for $80? Becker BK7. The BK2 is a beast but too heavy for backpacking.

Forget SOG and gerber. There is a lot better out there.
Click to expand...

One word to say about all this........Amen :thumbup: :D
 
The Gerber was reviewed in a recent issue of Knives Illustrated - I'd stay clear of it for a wilderness knife. IMO the SOG's are overpriced.

+1 on the RAT's - I have yet to see anything negative on any of them other than 1095 needing a bit more care after use as it is not a stainless. And you should also seriously consider a Mora 2000 or 2010 - not as hard use as a RAT but brilliant knives for the money, only get a decent sheath to go with it.
 
I wouldn't buy an Ontario knife now after what they tried to pull with RAT Cutlery. I will agree that the RAT stuff is great, and proven.
 
+1 for RAT, KaBar and Mora. Good, solid users for the price. If you're willing to spend a bit more, Bark River has what you need.
 
Mora 780 Triflex from Ragnars Forge.-TUFF!-CHEAP!LIGHT! Easy to sharpen. Spend the rest of you money on good hiking socks:D--KV
 
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