Fixed Tactical/Survival under $75

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wmc1982

Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
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I recently got a leather handle Ka-bar for $50 (1217) and I love it. It's about time for another fixed blade knife purchase and I've looked at a few and I'm considering getting another Ka-bar but with the black handle and kydex sheath ($61 on ebay) (1213). One knife I'll use and one just for show.

My main use is just to play with and collect really. I go camping and hiking when I get the time but I have other knives to beat up for that.

But since I do already have one ka-bar, I'm wondering if there is a better choice out there for $75 max (shipping included). Some I've looked at are these:

Ka-Bar 1213 - All black, straight, Kraton handle, Kydex sheath (wait it says glass filled nylon, so I'm not sure if this is the best hard sheath or not) ($61) - The one I'm comparing the others too and leaning towards getting.

Sog Seal Pup Elite ($70) - I like the look of the Sog, but I'm worried it might be too small for my taste and at $70, it seems steep for what you're getting.

Gerber LMF 2 ($70) - This was very highly recommended by someone but I'm not sure I like the look of it. And kind of like the Sog thats a lot for a small knife.

Cold Steel SRK ($64) - I like this one but I'm concerned that there has been some debate over the change in steel. Also there is a comment somewhere on this forum that these are a piece of junk compared to a Ka-bar. But they did look nice batoning on nutnfancy's video.

Ontario Marine Raider SP10 ($55) - This one is the largest and looks pretty cool. I could probably baton some wood with it as well. It's the lowest price for the biggest knife, but I wonder if the quality is as good.

Ka-Bar BK2 Companion ($55) - This might be what I'm looking for. USA made from a company I trust for around $50 range. It looks great but it is just a tad short imo.

Ka-Bar BK7 Combat Utility ($62) - This one is a more desirable length for me and still in the price range. Do you think these are better than the USMC knives for example or maybe an equal quality knife just a different design?

Ka-Bar BK9 Combat Bowie ($68) - Small price difference from the BK7, just wondering if it might be too big. Probably not since it may never leave my room and if I did, for $5 more I might appreciate the extra length for wood work. (but wait, the Ka-Bar Bowie has the same length blade and is only $48, maybe because it's made in Taiwan)...

Everytime I look at those four and then go back to the Ka-bar, I think "wow, what a great deal for a knife I really love." So I'm almost leaning towards another one for mainly collection purposes.

I if I'm going to go for anything more than the Ka-bar I think I may as well save up a little more for an Ontario RD7 for $95 (or Rat-7 for more, I'm don't understand the difference, different companies I think). And that ESEE RC-6 is awesome below I'm guessing just a big higher than the RD7.

I appreciate any comments on the knives I listed or additions to the list!


-Will
 
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Definitely look into ESEE. Their designs used to be produced by Ontario if I understand correctly, so that may be what you are thinking of. You will most likely get many responses recommending this company. Very solid knives made to be used, the best warranty in the business, and made in the USA by some top quality folks. Here is the link to the ESEE subforum.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=816

This is the RC-6, which is along the lines of the knives you mentioned.

JGON

esee-6.jpg
 
Thanks JGON, I know those are good knives but haven't looked at them a whole lot because from what I saw most are over $100 (that one looks to be $130). But really I should just wait another month, save up another $50 and get a nicer knife like that. Those are my first and only choice so far if I decide (or when I can afford) a knife in the $125-$150 range.

(wow, the more video's I watch on this knife the more I love it)

Ok so now I have RC, RAT, and ESEE! Whats the difference between the ESEE and RAT? I thought the RAT's were the most expensive kind while Ontario bought the rights to it and made the RC's. So where does ESEE fit in?

And look, these are $75, are they good?

RC6 - (( please do not link to live auctions ))

RC7 - (( please do not link to live auctions ))

They don't say ESEE though, so what's the difference?
 
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The Beckers you mentioned are also great knives. The handles aren't as high quality as the ESEE's micarta, but the 1095 steel is just as tough. Check out the Becker forum and you will find a bunch of Beckerheads basking in their Becker obsessed Beckeriness. But for good reason.
 
wmc1982 said:
Thanks JGON, I know those are good knives but haven't looked at them a whole lot because from what I saw most are over $100 (that one looks to be $130). But really I should just wait another month, save up another $50 and get a nicer knife like that. Those are my first and only choice so far if I decide (or when I can afford) a knife in the $125-$150 range.

(wow, the more video's I watch on this knife the more I love it)

Ok so now I have RC, RAT, and ESEE! Whats the difference between the ESEE and RAT? I thought the RAT's were the most expensive kind while Ontario bought the rights to it and made the RC's. So where does ESEE fit in?
Click to expand...

if your waiting and going for a higher price range take a look at these sexy things
 
JGON said:
The Beckers you mentioned are also great knives. The handles aren't as high quality as the ESEE's micarta, but the 1095 steel is just as tough. Check out the Becker forum and you will find a bunch of Beckerheads basking in their Becker obsessed Beckeriness. But for good reason.
Click to expand...

Ok, good. I'm thinking I would like a Becker and an Esee or one like Klok just posted.

The becker I could get right now and that is tempting. But I do want to plan on a nice $125-$150 knife too. The sizes of the ESEE's and the Beckers are hard to decide. Maybe I should get the BK9 for the big one and a smaller RC6 ESEE for the best quality.

I'm still trying to figure out what I posted above though, do the RC6's cost $75 or $130? Maybe there is a thread on RAT/RC/ESEE. Lol and now, what's an Rtak? Maybe I should make a post in the ESEE forums about all this, I'm beyond confused.

ok, this helped - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=774012

I'm looking at $118.95 on one site for the ESEE 6. I guess the RC-6 and RC-7 are older models for $75-$120, not completely sure though.


I'm thinking my choices are a Becker 7 or 9; or saving up $40-$60 more for an ESEE6 or older Ontario version. Ka-Bar is confusing me though, why do they have a 9" blade bowie a quarter inch thick for under $50 when the Becker 9 is over $70?


Crap. Now the Becker 7 vs ESEE 6 battles ensues in my brain.... If only I had more money!!!! I think I'll have to get the BK7 first to ease my knife addiction, then get the ESEE 6 when I can better afford it since it's over $100.

Thanks for the comments so far, I would love to discuss any others :)
 
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I can't say enough nice about my BK-2 (though the next one I want to get is a BK-9). It's super versatile, easy to carry and does everything I've asked it to do. Get one - you won't be sorry.

20101128_spoons_01.jpg



---

Beckerhead #42
 
yea GK, I think I will end up owning all the BK's. I backed off the idea of the BK9 for now because it's so big. I think I've settled with the BK7, but right behind it is the BK2. I wish I could handle both of them before buying to see how they felt. There aren't any stores that sell them near where I am though. I need to get a ruler and measure out how long both of them are to get a better idea; I've just been going on pictures and youtube videos.
 
Under $100,Becker all the way.Over $100,ESEE gets my vote.You'll notice in time that alot of the people that like ESEE also like Becker,and for good reason!
 
GRIM 62 said:
Under $100,Becker all the way.Over $100,ESEE gets my vote.You'll notice in time that alot of the people that like ESEE also like Becker,and for good reason!
Click to expand...

Thats the feeling I'm getting and what I'm thinking as well. I really want a knife now so I'm going to start out with a Becker, then I think I'll have a better idea what size I want for the more expensive ESEE.

BK2, BK7, BK9. I want all of them, it's so hard to choose! I feel like the BK7 would be most balanced since I do own the BK11. I love my BK11 but would like one like it with a full grip and a little longer (looks like the BK2 is just that). And it looks like the BK2 has a better sheath, but I'm not certain on that.

Also now the ESEE 6, it's such a beautiful knife, just over my price range for a few months or so.

If I could find the BK2 under $50 free shipping I think I would get it right now (trust me, I'm looking :) ), but for only $6 more, how can I pass up so much more knife with the BK7!!!??? Plus I collected pocket knives before this so some of my Spyderco's and others are the length of the BK2. I have a lot of small knives and a few machete's and axes. I've thought about getting that cold steel trench hawk along with their frontier or norse hawk as well. I have the Sog hawk and it's pretty cool. I need blade counseling.
 
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wmc1982 said:
yea GK, I think I will end up owning all the BK's. I backed off the idea of the BK9 for now because it's so big. I think I've settled with the BK7, but right behind it is the BK2. I wish I could handle both of them before buying to see how they felt. There aren't any stores that sell them near where I am though. I need to get a ruler and measure out how long both of them are to get a better idea; I've just been going on pictures and youtube videos.
Click to expand...

Before I got my BK-2, I handled the 2, 7 and the 9. Didn't help - I just wanted all three right now. :D

---

Beckerhead #42
 
Check out the Gryphon M-35 Combat Survival Bowie.
Cutlery Shoppe has 'em for a smidge under $80. I have two - one in my SUV and another as a primary 'garage and chore' knife. They're excellent and each blade actually has a tiny dimple from being individually Rockwell tested.
(The large pouch on the sheath is perfect for a Leatherman tool, too.)

Regards,
Mike
 
Becker and Kabar all the way. They use 1095CroVan alloy steel instead of plain 1095. The additional elements in the CroVan make it superior to regular 1095 steel, IMO. You cannot beat Becker/Kabar when you compare what you get VS what you spent.

I've handled the ESEE and Ontario Rat knives and they just don't do it for me. I know that the ESEE have rock solid warranties, but I just think they're over priced for a factory produced knife in plain 1095 steel. The Ontario RAT knives have somewhat better prices, still a little high, but more in line for a relatively plain factory knife in 1095 steel.

If I'm going to drop $100+ or more on a knife in plain 1095, I'll get a knife from one of the custom makers on here.
 
I just ordered an esee 4 and a becker bk2 today! I am so excited, can't wait till they get here. Ill update when they arrive.
 
The knives you've listed there are great knives I'd like.
They all seem very cheap compared to UK prices!
Very jealous.
 
The two Beckers you mention are full tang and will be stronger than the Kabar. You can also go to www.tomarskabars.com for micarta grips to fit either one. Their costly, ~$40.00, but worth it.
 
thanks again for the other comments (I actually do have that buck nighthawk allen in the short version, thats why if I get a becker I might get the bk7 since the bk2 would be closer to the same size as the nighthawk.

The Magnum Camp looks cool, I have never seen it before. Another one I'll put on the list as I may soon be addicted to Beckers.

I think since I can really only spend under $75 after shipping and considering I already own the ka-bar usmc and buck short nighthawk, the BK7 would probably be best and give me more options if I want to hack at some wood or baton logs for a fire out back.

I don't see the difference in the Ontario's and the RAT/ESSE knives, they look the same but one costs double. So right now the only possibility would be the Ontario RC7 for around $80. That RC6 by ESEE looks perfect but I don't have the money right now.

I think It's a safe bet with a good price with the BK7. And one day I can always get the micarta's as an add on. For right now, I'm just going to consider the best under $75 and hope I get a job soon so I can get all the other cool knives I've seen here!

Thanks for the help!
 
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