ka-bar large heavy bowie or ontario rd7

[jimmy45]

Im looking for a survival/camp knife and am deciding between the large heavy bowie or rd7 i just wanted to know what you guys think would be a better knife. I can get the kabar for cheaper and the ontario would be a little more expensive. thanks

 

[jimmy45]

hello?

 

[Jerkov]

I just got my ontario Night stalker 7 and I have been thouroughly impressed with it. its the same basically as the RD-7, only the tip end is angled and the blade sweeps a little bit...
It makes me happy.

 

[brewcitymike]

hey jimmy, those are both decent choices but what is your budget? The RD7 and heavy bowie are both 1095 and both companies have okay heat treating so it will be hard to say since I haven't owned either one. But I did own a RAT-7 from Ontario and it was great, and Ka-bar...well they obviously have built their own rep over the years. Some other great choices in the range of about $100 or less are the Ontario GenII line like the SP48/50/51,etc. Then there are Ka-bar's JAB Potbelly which is said to be great for batoning and processing wood. Also the Schrade schf9 extreme survival which is 1095 and only costs about $40, the Condor Hudson bay camp knife, and of course my and so many others' choice for the under a bill knives of awesomeness and survivability: the Becker line like the BK2/7/9/10/12 which range in size from a 5"-9" blade and are also made with Ka-bar's 1095 Cro-Van. Given the size of knives you listed above you would be best with the BK7, maybe 9. I own a bk2,9,and 11 and plan to own many more as they are perfect for nearly every task you can throw at them. Here's some pics of the knives I've mentioned and as for the two you want I really would consider the Becker from ka-bar over the heavy bowie or RD7
Here's the Schrade(2nd from the top) along with the rest of their extreme survival line, and a blown up pic of the SCHF9


here's the GenII stuff from Ontario

 

[brewcitymike]

Since I can only put 5 pics per post, here's the rest
Ka-bar potbelly

condor hudson bay

and the mighty Becker beasts-bk9-bk7-bk2

 

[bdmicarta]

This is a common question here and the rivalries between fan groups is second only to a holy war. Personally I'm not sure that there is all that much difference, but there is probably a little and I've read that some are better for chopping while others are better for all around use, etc. It might boil down to which of the slight differences matter the most to you. I'm not so sure that you couldn't just close your eyes and pick one and be good.

You might want to go to the Becker forum and read awhile. Your budget will figure into it a bit too, but there are a lot of choices available for under $150. I've been wanting one of these myself but haven't decided which one yet.

 

[wroughndt]

I have a few of the knives mentioned (bk9, heavy Bowie, Hudson bay...etc.) and for the most part, I agree with bdmicarta. They are a lot alike and will all get the job done. Pick the one that you think is prettiest and go for it.

 

[Pristerognathus]

I just got my ontario Night stalker 7 and I have been thouroughly impressed with it. its the same basically as the RD-7, only the tip end is angled and the blade sweeps a little bit...
It makes me happy.

I wish someone could make a review of the nightstalker knives. They are so pretty (except the ns9) but too expensive for me.

 

[Jerkov]

I stole my NS7! Got it for $70 on ebay.... ! I love it.!

 

[Planetcat]

I have an older Ontario Rat-7 in D2 which I beat the snot out of regularly. It chops and chops and chops. I sharpened a year ago and haven't touched the blade since. Still cuts like new. They are getting harder to find though and D2 is hard to sharpen in the field.