Help me decide on a fixed blade under $75

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hoopster

hoopster

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I daily carry a Leatherman skeletool cx. I also own a Benchmade griptilian folder, and a SOG seal revolver, but NO fixed blade. I'm looking for something for camping/survival in the 4.5' to 6.5' blade size.
My current two in the running are the Becker Campanion and the Cold Steel SRK. I can't decide between the two because the Becker seems awfully thick and the Cold steel seems like it might be to similar to my SOG revolver. Any opinions on these two knifes or other recommendations under $75 would be appreciated.
 
I'd go with a RAT knife, personally. The only one that falls in your price range, however, is the Izula. It's a heck of a survival knife but not meant for batoning or chopping. If you move up to an RC4 you're in the $100 ballpark but you get a fantastic survival knife. Plus, all RAT knives have a lifetime warranty. Definitely worth it.
 
If you don't have enough money to buy a RAT, wait until you do have enough money. Then get a RAT 5 or 6. Don't settle for anything less.

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Teague said:
If you don't have enoough money to buy a RAT, don't buy one until you do have enough money.
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Probably not bad advice considering the $30 difference. Just wondering what makes the RAT so much better. Is it just the warranty? Even Gerber has a lifetime warranty (I know from experience). I'm also wondering if there's an advantage to having a 6" blade vs a 4" one.
BTW, the RC-5 seems very similar to the Becker Campanion. Both have .25" thick blades. Is this a little extreme for a camping knife or will it still perform most tasks without interfering due to thickness.
 
As for differences between the RCs & the Becker BK2 Companion, it depends on your needs & which model RC you're talking about. I found the BK2 to be too thick for a 5" blade knife. I prefer the original BK10 crewman, myself with its thinner blade (About .188"), which is about the same thickness as the blades on the RC4 & new RC6. Only the RC5 is .25" thick & I have no experience with that one.

I like the Cold Steel SRK, but I very much prefer the old, U.S. made ones in Carbon V. I have no experience with the new ones in SK-5 steel.

If you're looking for an overall knife that will chop & slice when needed to, I would suggest a Becker BK7. If you're more interested in a camp knife with a bigger need to slice (& maybe skin/dress out something), then I'd suggest the RC4.

If you're looking for a knife to give yrs of service, then I'd suggest saving up your $ & get a good knife. I know I've wasted $ getting a cheaper knife, trying to save $, then a nicer knife, & not even learning after that.

Trust me on this, you'll save far more $ in the not too distant future if you spent even double your current budget, then buying something now, then later, & maybe even a 3rd knife.

Heck, you're better off getting a RC4 or something similar & something along the lines of a Becker BK9 or similar.

Good luck with whatever you get.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'm leaning towards the RAT RC4 now because it just seems like a more practical sized blade. I wish it was a little longer but it seems more than thick enough. I'm afraid one of the .25" thick blades would be more than I need. If anyone has any other suggestions along those lines, I guess I can push my budget to around $120. Don't tell my wife!
 
hoopster said:
Probably not bad advice considering the $30 difference. Just wondering what makes the RAT so much better. Is it just the warranty? Even Gerber has a lifetime warranty (I know from experience).
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Yea, but go put the blade of the gerber between a couple of cement blocks and stomp on the handle and try to send it in to be replaced.... gerber wont do that.

If you're looking at Becker I'd go with the BK7 I have both the 2 and 7 and the 7 gets more using time. Becjers are great knives.

I also have a RAT Cutlery RC4 and Izula. The RATs are just a little bit better overall quality wise. You wouldnt go wrong with either brand, but The RC4 or 6 will be the last fixed blade you'd ever need (except you'll get more rats cause they're highly addictive!)
 
Jake Bauer said:
Yea, but go put the blade of the gerber between a couple of cement blocks and stomp on the handle and try to send it in to be replaced.... gerber wont do that.

If you're looking at Becker I'd go with the BK7 I have both the 2 and 7 and the 7 gets more using time. Becjers are great knives.

I also have a RAT Cutlery RC4 and Izula. The RATs are just a little bit better overall quality wise. You wouldnt go wrong with either brand, but The RC4 or 6 will be the last fixed blade you'd ever need (except you'll get more rats cause they're highly addictive!)
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Thanks for the input. I'll probably get the RC4, just enjoying looking at all my options right now. It seems the RAT knives are hard to beat being in the middle ground price range. I don't know what Gerber's current warranty is but last year I sent them my 10 year old multitool with no receipt or anything just a letter explaining that the tool was useless to me now because I'd snapped off one of the plier sides prying with it. I told them to do whatever they wanted with it. Study it, trash it, replace it. The model was a discontinued model and to my surprise a couple of weeks later I got a brand new similar yet slightly better model.
I won't claim their warranty is anything like RAT's but I sure was impressed.
 
I know im seriously outvoted here, but i recommend the CS SRK. I've personally never owned one but ive handled one several times and used it a lot and the thing feels sturdy as anything and holds an edge well. and i think is really well priced. Im not particularly a fan of tanto blades, but i think Cold Steel does a really good job with theirs (probably since half of their catalog now is tantos)

But I've never used a RAT so i couldnt tell you anything about that. i think all the suggestions here are great quality blades, and most of them would last a VERY long time, i think it all boils down to preference.
 
ThornStrike said:
I know im seriously outvoted here, but i recommend the CS SRK. I've personally never owned one but ive handled one several times and used it a lot and the thing feels sturdy as anything and holds an edge well. and i think is really well priced. Im not particularly a fan of tanto blades, but i think Cold Steel does a really good job with theirs (probably since half of their catalog now is tantos)
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I agree, the CS SRK is a good knife, but unless you're talking about an older one in Carbon V, I do think the Beckers, RATs, & RCs are better knives (All are 1095, BTW).

I don't think the newer CS SRKs in SK5 is as good as their older Carbon Vs or the others mentioned in 1095.

Also, it's hard to beat those micarta scales on the RAT/RC line & micarta's starting to become available on the Beckers, too. The CS's handle's OK, but I definitely prefer micarta.

Of course, all of this is JMO.
 
The Seal Pup Elite can be found for 75 dollars. Great knife.

The Benchmade CSK II can be found for 62.50. Great knife.

The short KaBars are nice also.
 
I have a BM 156 CSK I (6" D2 blade) & for the $, that is a good solid knife. I got mine in a trade (Think I have about $30 in it) & I recall trying to sell it awhile back & no one was interested in it, even at $40-50 shipped.
 
Hi,

Is there no love for Queen D2 fixed blades? They have a nice drop point for just under $50. And most of the others are under $60.

dalee
 
AH! Sorry! Queen is excellent and so is Case! They both offer great knives and great choices. And, so does Victorinox! I bought my Sentinal for $21 and got free shipping. I'm no gentlemang but it would be a great gift for someone that is. :)
 
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I was in exactly the same position a little while ago, looking for a 4-6 inch fixed blade for camping. Due to budget I was deciding between the cold steel srk and the sog seal pup elite. Both can be found for around 65 dollars. I ended up getting the seal pup elite and my brother got the srk. We love both knives, but have not been able to get out and put them to the test. (that should come soon) I was also looking at RC-4 and I didn't jump for it because it was a little more and was not stainless steel. Looking back I think I could have over looked this for a better knife... but oh well
 
I'm looking into this same thing myself...alot of replys for the FallKniven S1 .
I don't own one but they look nice & get great reviews :thumbup:
 
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