Help me decide on a 'big' knife...

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djoksimo

Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
19
I've been on the hunt for a 'big' knife that I can hopefully afford by next year. Last time I posted on here I weeded out a SOG Seal Team, as I would like this knife to be capable in the woods. Not that I plan on doing ultra heavy work, but I'd like a knife with me capable of splitting small logs and maybe felling a small tree or two. So here's where I'm at now:

SOG Force:
-recommended to me by the SOG rep on here. I like it, BUT, at only 6" not quite what I had in mind. 1/4" spine is awesome, grind is awesome. SOG sheaths and handles are also pretty awesome (I think)

Becker BK7:
-like the design, the price is excellent, but I'm a little weary on it only being 3/16" thick, plus I would either want to mod or get the micarta handles, and I hear the sheath is less than stellar, so after a $40 kydex I'm looking at nearly $130 spent...

Cold Steel Recon 1:
-I can't force myself to not like this knife. Can't stand Cold Steel or Lynn Thompson, but I just can't shake loving this design. 7.5" and 5/16" spine is perfect for me. Good sheath, but I would want to cut the top guard off because it's not necessary if you ask me.

Ontario RAT7:
-nice knife, nice handles, but again with the somewhat thinner spine...


SO, any input? By the way I kinda harp on the spine because I'm pairing it with a SOG NWR which is my go-to for more delicate work... I kinda want this one heavy lol...
 
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Take a look at the Ontario Ranger series of knives. The RD-7 has 5160 carbon steel that is a full 1/4", .250", thick. It also has a clip point blade. The micarta handles can be a little blocky for some, but about an hour and some sandpaper will easily take care of that, if even needed. The only negative is the sheath. Although it functions well, has a good insert in it, it just feels cheap (and probably is). Kydex is available for this knife.
 
Howdie djoksimo

I´m busy considering buying a "medium" knive, inch or two less than what you are looking at, so have a rough idea what you are going through.

Do you mean the Cold Steel Recon Scout, 7,5" and 5/16 ? Nice looking, although I have never touched one personally. Sorry, can´t comment on the CS except say that I´m not crazy about CS adverts.

SOG Force, BEAUTIFUL ! Perhaps just a bit narrow, for me, if you want to be felling some trees.

I´m impressed with the Beckers - would you consider jumping up a notch to 9", and trying the Becker Survival BKR9?

Enjoy the dilemma!
All the best
J
 
Even a 3/16" thick blade is Plenty thick for a knife in my estimation. You don't need a super thick knife for anything really. Prying maybe, but that's not what a knife is for. If you want to be able to cut down a tree, then a small light weight folding saw is much easier and safer to use.
But if you just want a big heavy knife, The Cold Steel Recon Scout is a big heavy knife. Take a look at the Trail Master if you really want something big in that style.
 
I'm of the mindset that I have a chopper and then I have a knife. I just don't get into the 7" length blades. It's just too short for chopping, and too long for other knife tasks. Do you take a smaller fixed blade with you into the woods?
Something like the ESEE Junglas, or even the Ka-Bar Cutlass machete make for pretty good choppers, too long for knife work. Yet, they can still baton, and do your chopping. For the smaller stuff you still have your smaller knife.
You might like the stock Becker handles, lots of guys do. Either way, great knives, excellent quality for the price.
 
3/16" has not failed me yet. I have not broke one. I baton the snot out of them, but i don't throw them. I have even made my 3/16" thick blades less strong, in somes opinion. No issues. If you want more, get 1/4" thick blade. BK9 comes to mind, as does the BK7. Others: Ontario Spec-Plus SP8 machete-1/4" thick & needs a reprofile but mine is a chopping machine now & it holds its edge well. Tops Alaskan Harpoon also comes to mind. Most expensive of the ones i mentioned. VERY ergonomic, multiple hand positions. ALL will need a custom sheath eventually IMHO.

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As you can see, I choiled the blade on my BK9 & BK7-made them weaker as some would say. I have no issues w/em. BK9 is a chopping machine & BK7 chops better than a knife that size should.
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Custom sheat---which ALL good knives should have IMHO.
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Ontario SP8. The top STOCK sawtooth was garbage. Mine works good now with a few mods from the DREMEL tool cutoff wheel.
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Tops Alaskan Harpoon. 1/4" thick. This is a funny looking knife---until you hold it. It just works, in any grip configuration.
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Sheath is adequate.
 
Thanks guys, all good suggestions, I'll probably wind up with the KaBar honestly. I've seen a ton of proof that the beckers do way more than a knife should lol. Probably the BK7, is the extra two inches of the BK9 worth it? I have my NWR for fine stuff, not sure how I'd feel about a 9 inch blade.
 
3/16" is perfect for splitting. Its thick enough to be super strong but not too thick that it gets stuck in the log. I think the Cold Steel you're talking about if either the Tailmaster or the Recon Scout-the Recon 1 is a folder. I would go with the Bk7 all the way. And it looks like you've priced it at $90 so you must be looking to buy it from Ka-bar. You can find it for like $65-75 on Amazon/ebay and several online knife stores too. Two other good choices are the Condor Hudson Bay-8"L x3/16"thk, 1075 blade($40), the Ontario Spec Plus SP50 which has a .25" thick, 8.82" long blade of 5160 and runs somewhere around $75+/- Here's a pic of the Condor and the SP50(all the spec plus knives are 1/4" 5160 and have blades from 5-9")
chb2.jpgOK8550__62624_zoom.jpg
 
foxx said:
I'm of the mindset that I have a chopper and then I have a knife. I just don't get into the 7" length blades. It's just too short for chopping, and too long for other knife tasks. Do you take a smaller fixed blade with you into the woods?
Something like the ESEE Junglas, or even the Ka-Bar Cutlass machete make for pretty good choppers, too long for knife work. Yet, they can still baton, and do your chopping. For the smaller stuff you still have your smaller knife.
You might like the stock Becker handles, lots of guys do. Either way, great knives, excellent quality for the price.
Click to expand...

I do agree with this for the most part. the 6+7" blade lengths are just not quite right for the woods, that length is more reserved for tactical/combat knives. The two suggestions I made both have 8+ blades which is the shorter end of the chopper spectrum. You should just carry a woodsman's trio with you in the bush. 1.axe/hawk/large chopper 2.Sm-Med. belt knife(3.5-5" blade) and a small-med folder like a Buck 110, SAK, or a good kershaw, CRKT, etc. You should stay away from assisted openers for bushcrafting cuz their mechanics can fail whereas a Buck or Swiss Army will open as long as you have a finger to open it with:) It looks like you're new here so you will soon see that this is an amzing place to ask for help, learn and yes occasionally get schooled;) For choppers you can get several good ones for prices tags ranging from $25(mora butcher) to around $170(CS Trailmaster/Buck Hoodlum/TOPS Anaconda) and everywhere in between. The Becker line is awesome. If you carried a BK11/14(neckers) and a BK9 you could handle just about anything that comes your way. And with their quality/capabilities vs. price they can not be beat. Ontario is another one that is great quality for the price along with Condor Knife and Tool, Esee, Mora, even Schrade has a few really decent knives for only about $40-50 I hope this helps you out. Oh, and Welcome to the forum:):thumbup:
 
The scrapyard 711 looks AWESOME. If $140 materializes out of thin air into my wallet that'll be the one I think, till then I'm thinking BK7 or 9...
 
The wise choice grasshoppa:D Plus I've been hearing a lot about how Scrapyard/Swamp Rat have only those one or two models available yet if you order one you might not get it for a long time despite it being listed as available. One person said it took over 6 months to get his which is nuts for a semi custom/production knife. Go with the Becker, you won't regret it. Hell you'll actually want to try just one more, then suddenly you're strung out, selling your body for the some micarta scales or a custom sheath(skystorm has the good sh!t;)) Before long your hiding your stash from your wife and sneaking off for a dose...its a downward spiral...of pure awesomeness,lol:D Becker knife & tool...the crack of the knife world
Hey that would be a good slogan;)
 
hey i would strongly recommend the Ka Bar cutlass. It's made out of 1095 steel and comes razer sharp and is only 50$
 
@TwinStick, do you mind me asking why you used to do the choils? I LOVE that idea (maybe a little shallower) and might give it a shot when I pick one up...
 
Condor Boomslang.
11" blade. 3/16" thick. Micarta handle.
BIG strong knife.
 
I have a couple of larger fixed blades. A well used BK9, Kabar Grass Machete, Rucki, a couple of Condor and Ontario machetes, etc. But for < $35 the Condor Kumunga is hard to top for a big beater knife.
 
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