Help me decide between a Becker BK7 & Ontario Rat 7

S

StrikeBack

Joined
May 16, 2013
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I need a camp knife and a survival knife for multiple day hikes. Hoping you guys can help me decide. The Rat 7 is about 20 bucks more, but it does have micarta handles. They both have nylong sheaths.

Is there a difference with the steel? How does the performance compare?

Thanks guys.
 
Your on the Becker page--You must want to be persuaded to get the BK7:D---Personally, I do not care for the BK7--Its too big to do the fine work and not quite big enough to be a hearty chopper like the BK9---If you want a chopper get the BK9---If you want it to do more detailed work but still be able to baton and beat the crap out of it--get a BK16 and carry a small axe/hatchet/hawk to chop with---The BK7 and 9 is a bit too big to be lugging around on multiple day hikes--I know there has been a lot of talk about Ontario's heat treating to be inferior to many other companies--and Kabar is known for their heat treating---I am pretty sure thats why ESEE split away from Ontario ----There is not one single aspect in which the Ontario knife would be a better choice---of course I am a Beckerhead so I might be slightly biased......
 
OutdoorsFamilyMan4 said:
Your on the Becker page--You must want to be persuaded to get the BK7:D---Personally, I do not care for the BK7--Its too big to do the fine work and not quite big enough to be a hearty chopper like the BK9---If you want a chopper get the BK9---If you want it to do more detailed work but still be able to baton and beat the crap out of it--get a BK16 and carry a small axe/hatchet/hawk to chop with---The BK7 and 9 is a bit too big to be lugging around on multiple day hikes--I know there has been a lot of talk about Ontario's heat treating to be inferior to many other companies--and Kabar is known for their heat treating---I am pretty sure thats why ESEE split away from Ontario ----There is not one single aspect in which the Ontario knife would be a better choice---of course I am a Beckerhead so I might be slightly biased......
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Good points, I'm also a fan of pairing a chopper with a small knife. the BK9 is on the horizon for sure. I was also looking at the BK10. I LOVE the knew coating and laser etching on the new BKs.
 
The BK-7 has better heat treat, better ergos and a better price. With the RAT-7 you get micarta...Not that its particularly comfortable micarta.
 
CamH_16 said:
The BK-7 has better heat treat, better ergos and a better price. With the RAT-7 you get micarta...Not that its particularly comfortable micarta.
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and for about 20 more than the rat, you can get the bk7 (if you are set on getting that one) with a set of kabar micarta scales--which are way better-
 
Both companies make good knives backed up by good warranties. Rat 7 with micharta seems like a better value. I have thought about getting one of these myself. I like the looks of the Rat-7 more. Except for the price and the scales there's really not much difference that we would be able to put into words. Maybe one might feel better to you but you wouldn't know without handling them.

Beckers seem to be more common so there's more off-the-shelf options for sheaths and scales. And you'll probably want to get a new sheath anyway. I absolutely hate the style they (and most other knives) come with.
 
Yeah, OKC micarta is very blocky feeling. Uncomfotable even.
Becker ergos are amazing. Ka-bars heat treat is amazing.
I have nothing against OKC personally. They sell a lot of knives.
I just preffer Beckers over all other production fixed blades.
Ka-bars warranty is top notch too! They really take care of their customers.
If you decide on a Becker, which you probably will, you'll never regret your decision.
 
Thanks for the responses guys, I appreciate the thought put into your responses. You guys responded really quickly too, that's so awesome.

Becker it is! The new finish on Beckers are pretty sexy. Now I'll have to figure out whether it'll be a 7, 9, or 10. lol. I work that out.

Thanks everybody! I'll post pics when I get whichever one I end up getting.
 
I'd take a Niner over the 7 any day though...



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StrikeBack said:
Becker it is! The new finish on Beckers are pretty sexy. Now I'll have to figure out whether it'll be a 7, 9, or 10. lol. I work that out.
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You need a BK9. You can't not have a BK9. The 10 is pretty sweet too. What knives do you have already and what do you want to be able to do with it?
 
The becker will always get my vote. A tank of a knife. Ready for what ever you want it to do. Best knife I have ever owned. Big bad ass blade.
 
Don't get the Becker. It is a tough evil blade that will multiply into other Beckers and separate you from your money.
 
Silliness. Come to the Beckerhead fan forum and ask them to compare it to another knife. You were expecting different results?

Go to the Busse sub forum and ask if you should get a Becker.

Go to the Sebenza sub forum and ask if you should get anything else.

Robert
 
Hey he didnt asks a 7 or a Kabar, or a 7 or a Rodent 7, or a 7 or an Esee 7.
Any of those questions might have gotten different feedback depending on individual taste.
Of those picks I like the Rodent 7 more than the Becker. But the Becker more than the others. With the Esee a close cousin, maybe a tie.
But the Becker 7 vs the Ontario rat 7 ? No contest.
 
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