Hard use 5-7" fixed blade?

Knarls

Knarls

Joined
Apr 20, 2017
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Hi all I am looking for some suggestions for a hard use/ survival 5-7" fixed blade knife.
Budget around $70-150

From some research I have done, I have found it is better to go with a carbon steel. But I am up for any suggestions.

My only stipulation is handle material. I don't so much like the feeling of FRN I currently have a mini grip love the knife just not a huge fan of the plasticky feel of the handle.
Would prefer some type of wood or micarta or even g10 or some sort of rubber.

Thank you in advance.

Josh
 
At about 5" - Ratmandu, 6" - Esee 6 or Ritter RSK Mk2 Perseverance, 7" - BK7

*If you don't like the scales on the Ritter or BK, there are replacement scales available in micarta, g10, or wood

Edited to remove over-budget suggestion
 
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The Becker BK2, BK7 and BK10 by Kabar & the Ritter RSK MK2 aka BK12 (Becker handles on a Ritter knife). All meet your size/use criteria. They come with hard use plastic handles but there are many aftermarket versions available.

The Beckers are available in the $75 to $80 range and the Ritter around $125.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
The Becker BK2, BK7 and BK10 by Kabar & the Ritter RSK MK2 aka BK12 (Becker handles on a Ritter knife). All meet your size/use criteria. They come with hard use plastic handles but there are many aftermarket versions available.
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Ooooo. I love the sounds of the Ritter fixed blade. I have a mini Ritter with costum scales on it and love it.
Thanks.
 
+1 on the Beckers, ESEE 5 & 6, Ontario knife Co will also have some In that size and price range. Cold steel also have a couple in 3V near the top of your price range, but IME 3V though harder to sharpen than 1095, is up there with INFI as the ultimate hard use steels, it will be tougher, a lot better edge holding and more stainless.
 
Good suggestions so far.

Like michaelm466 suggested, Ontario has some nice knives for the price. The Rat 7 or Rat 5 are good choice. I like my Ontario RD6.
 
How about something from Condor? Maybe take a look at the crotalus, it's in 1075 and might check most of your boxes. A little more info on your uses might help though, as far as how hard a use you intend, batoning or no, etc.

ETA: A swamprat Ratmandu has to be in the running, and they've been going for around the upper end of the price range on the exchange here recently. Not all, but some.
 
The Beckers are good ... if you go Esee I would Reccomend the new Esee 6HM ... a better feel to the handle comfortable to use all day. Think the Esee 6HM mght be my fav. for that size and price range.
 
Yup, like has been said by many, Becker and Esee are very good choices. Pick you flavor (blade shape, length) and material choices (sheaths, handles)
 
It would depend on your need and use and want and flavor you like.

Are you looking for a general purpose multi-tool? Dedicated chopper? Mainly for Foo-Phoo Bushcrafting? A Tacti-Blade for Tacti-stabbing?

Many good suggestions been made.

I went mostly RD series, my main carry is an RD7 for a general use multi-tool with great 5160 steel that is almost unbreakable. They are Discontinued but the RD6 does every thing the RD7 does just an inch shorter. I found the RD4-9 with its 1/4" spine and FFG, its choil even makes them a decent bushy class knife as most are the same platform for handle and choil. So they make a great general hard use purpose knife. I found running for competition for my RD7 is my RD Tanto, almost same length but it has a saberish grind to it making it more heavy usage knife and little less bush crafty. And they have GREAT THUMPING AND WHUMPING hilts that aren't stab your self rear points. RAK, good general purpose 1095 if you don't mind the shorter handle and pointy hilt. I got mine over a RAT for the saber grind. I use my knives very hard at times and prefer 5160 steel after seeing how my bigger blade SP-51 bent and snapped back.

BK 2/22 good general purpose tool, 1/4" thick at the 5" range you want and micarta handles would come under your budget. I got mine for specific purposes but it pairs nicely with my RD9.

I don't own one but been thinking my next becker might be a BK 7 or 9. If your looking for a decent weight multi tool that isn't so thick the BK 7 with its saberish grind and after market micrata handles should fit your budget.

Or Get two RAT or RDs (a RD 6 and RD Tantao) for the max of your budget. :D
 
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I would pick up a Kabar Becker BK-7 and put on after market micarta handles. I like the factory handles personally.
 
I didn't like the BK2's grivory handles either. I put micarta scales on it and they were a really nice improvement.
 
If it was me, I would get a Schrade Frontier, either the 5 or 7 inch in 1095. Amazing knife for the price, will surprise you very much! That one is around 29 bucks. I keep one in a compartment of my truck as a back up, the other on the farm for abusive work. Awesome knives!! For 7 inches, .25" thick of well heat treated 1095, not a bad price.
With the rest of the money, get a Cold Steel SRK. You can get a stainless one, VG1 or AUS8, for around 70 if I remember right.
That combo would give you the best of both worlds. One you can beat on, and a tough stainless.
That being said, CPM 3V is my favorite steel, and if you were to just go for one knife, I would go for something with that steel. Great all around carbon steel with really good toughness, edge holding, and corrosion resistance.
 
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