Fish out of water needs help picking a knife..

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basko152

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Sep 19, 2004
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First let me say, hi all. For my first post I feel like a bit of a cheese coming in with the newbie questions. The extent of my knife knowledge is that I know what an EDC is :(

I'm trying to pick out a new fixed blade knife for backwoods-type things and also some limited tactical LEO duties. I stumbled on to this site while searching because the site I usually attend is more of a gun/gear/operator site. The knife section wasn't doing me any good. I've searched here several times tonight and quickly learned to things: I'm a knife idiot & I'd like to take advantage of the knowledge on this board.

I've narrowed my decision to the following knives
1) Ontario RAt-7 or Tak 1
2) BM Nimravus
3) Swamp rat howling rat or camp tramp

I also realize that most here recommend a plain edge. I don't plan to sharpen my own blades and I do carry a CQC-7 with a combo edge so I'd have a serrated edge if needed. Should I go plain or will I be unsatisified because I'm not a knife aficianado??

In regard to the Ontario knives I really like the RAT-7 and that's what I'm leaning towards so far. If that will fit my needs, should I go with the 1095 steel or D2? Please explain why (remember, I'm an idiot :)

Thanks guys, I look forward to much lurking and learning!!
 
Well I dunno about LEO, but for backwoods type, may I suggest a Becker C/U 7 or Becker 10 Crewman?
For less than the price of the TAK, you can get the Crewman with a superior carbon steel. Also, I've yet to heard of anyone disliking the Becker except that sometimes the handle is considered too thick.
It doesn't take an aficianado to enjoy plain edge. The reason that most like plain edge is that it can do things that Serrated cannot do.
Hope this helps.
 
First off...Welcome to BladeForums!

Since you are leaning towards the RAT-7, that's the one to get. Trust your instincts. (If you weren't "leaning", I'd suggest the BM Nimravus, as I really like the 154CM steel that Benchmade uses.). As far as the blade-steel of the RAT-7 goes, D2 is a little bit more stain-resistant than the 1095, and it'll stay sharp longer, but can be tougher to re-sharpen.
 
Glad to have you join us. It sounds like you've figured out a few of the important points anyway. Any one of the knives you chose would be fine. Of course there are a few hundred others that would also work.

Here's some background -- the Bladeforums.com's Knife FAQs, including a real good one on sharpening.

I haven't used the Ontario knives myself, but they do look good. The Benchmade might not be as much of a sharpened prybar as the Ontario or Swamp Rats, but it's an elegant, tough, sharp knife. I personally like the Swamp Rats. The handle isn't really rubber, it is a very tough and comfortable shock absorber.

Any of those knives is fine in plain edge, and plain edge is better for multipurpose use. I only recommend serrations for serious, regular use on coarse fiber, like heavy cord or prolypropylene line.
 
I've had a SR Camp Tramp for a couple of years (bought just as they came out.)

This is worth every penny I paid. Tough, sharp, easy to use, and the Respirene C has to be tried to be believed.

I've seen several reviews of the HR (I do not own one,) and this may be better because of the smaller overall size/weight if you need one for all-around/LEO use.

See the HR review by Cliff Stamp.
 
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