Is there any use for a 7" inch blade?

cotdt

cotdt

Joined
Oct 2, 2006
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7" inch blades seem too big for a cutter, yet too small for a chopper. Yet I somehow managed to snag myself a couple of these knives on impulse, I saw some good deals I couldn't resist. They are currently sitting in my safe and never used.

Please discuss the utility of a 7" blade.
 
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With a lack of experience but an abundance of common sense I would have to say it's the same concept with every hybrid. Jack of all trades, king of none. Sure, maybe with some inconvenience it could chop, and with the right touch it could do some cutting, despite sucking equally at both.
 
A 7" blade is a good length for a tactical blade and also for butchering. It is also passable for battoning and other camping chores. What were these knives designed to do? IOW, are they hunting or tactical knives? Tell us more about the knives - brand, design, etc.
 
maybe it's a 7" " fighter " ??? randall , for instance , makes one. USMC type kabar is 7". lots more.
 
sidecutter said:
maybe it's a 7" " fighter " ??? randall , for instance , makes one. USMC type kabar is 7". lots more.
Click to expand...

Also the Camillus Becker BK7 and the new Ka Bar Becker BK7 - whether as "fighters", "camp knives", or otherwise.

(Ethan Becker is a smart guy. I don't think he would have re-introduced the BK7 had it not been a success the first time 'round.)
 
I have the Camillus BK7 ,I can see the usefullness of the middle sized blade in a limited blade instance .I purchased the BK7 as a camp/outdoors knife and it works well but I have since moved on to a heavy chopper and a smaller fixed blade (to hell with weight concerns) .A combat knife would have to be a medium thickness semi long blade to keep weight down and utility up.
 
A seven inch blade will work if you don't have a nine inch. Fillet knife that is.:cool:
 
Yeah I kind of agree with you but the Becker BK-7 is a great looking knife. Chopping with a 9'' inch knife works a lot better but it's not that efficient either compared with a hatchet, axe, khukuri, etc. You can baton with the 7'' blade. Bring along a folding saw.
 
I have Kabar from way back that I purchased when I joined the army. I still use and it's really my favorite fixed blade. There's not much to cut here in California but I still like having it with me in the woods or I should say outside of the city because we don't heally have woods, more the bush!

Now take that 7" blade on a camping trip in the northern forests and you'd be using it everyday. Lots to cut up there and lots of light chopping chores.

Collecter
 
I've been using a Camillus Mark II since the year of the blue snow. I find it very useful I like it just fine.
 
I like the midsize. For awhile I sort of convinced myself that all I really need is a 4" blade. Well, a 4" blade and a devoted chopper. It really is lighter to take a 7" blade. Perhaps master of none, but a great all round and versatile tool. I like my big 9-10" blades for playing in the backyard but generally don't like hauling them around. A 7" blade can baton as good as any and what are an extra 5 or 10 chops when using it chopping in the grand scheme of things?

Personally, I tend to go a little shorter as my all rounder. The 5.5-6" seems about perfect for me from carrying to batoning and some light chopping. Working wood and kitchen chores, them tasks calls for the mid-sized blades.
 
Don't go out in the middle of nowhere without something on your belt you can jam deep into anything that requires that sort of attention.
 
Go in the bush with a 7" knife and your favorite shorter one. Leave the 7" knife in your pack. See how long it takes before you need it. I bet it won't take long before you pull it out.
 
As mentioned before, I think 7" is the best all around utility knife length. If it's designed right there's no need for a shorter knife.
 
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