Knife Recommendation - RAT? BM? SOG? what

Todd A said:
I can't recommend either of them as I don't own or use them. I won't reccomend something based on other's opinions or knife testing.
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Are you saying the jury's still out on fallkniven, and every other knife you have not personally used? Are you saying the opinions of blade forum members are meaningless?
 
I am saying I won't tell someone to buy a knife I haven't used.

Do you tell someone to buy a knife that you have not seen ,handled ,or used? If so how do you know it works for you?

I will buy a knife based on someone's review for my own use.But then I am risking my money if it doesn't work out.

I won't suggest that a person risk their money on a knife simply because I saw a review on the net. Because I can't truthfully say It works for me,now can I?
 
@Winbag338

The Fallkniven do look like really good knifes, however, they are a bit expensive, and the F1 like you suggested looks like a really good knife, however the F1 appeals to me more slightly - just like the look of it a bit more, plus the 130 mm length (5.1")

however the F1 is 1620 Swedish Kronas which is $253 AUD or $235 USD, which is a bit steep for my limited funds, but as soon as i get more cash, I would definately look into this Fallkniven, as most reviews say its a real trooper.

@antonio_luiz
Ok no more acronyms that only I know, I see your point there.

Also the trangia is very good - on my limited hiking experience (one 3 day hike as of yet) it was really good, and on another note they roll down a mountain side very fast :)

And about the fires - I was thinking of this last night, but you said no fires, so does this only mean a trangia or other gas burner type cooking device - I figure you wouldn't really want to use all your trangia gas for heating yourself up at night - who knows maybe New Zealand will be different and let me have fires.

I guess why I am hesitating on getting a custom blade is that I don't feel that me being pretty green and new to hiking and camping I would fully appreciate a custom built blade or a 250 dollar Fallkniven - don't get me wrong I like them, I just think I wouldn't fully apprecaite it or maybe I don't "deserve it yet" - lol I probably sound weird to all of you now.

Thats why I was looking at RAT RC5 or RC4 as even though they are still a decent bit of coin, I feel like I would appreciate them more? IDK

But as of now I just need to find a place I can buy and ship from to Aus - as I wouldn't want to pay heaps of postage

@ToddA
Just asking about that last pic you posted of that JK Knife, it looks like the tip is bent - is that just the way the light is reflecting off the blade and from the use that you've put it through - sorry if this is a stupid question
 
JCK said:
@ToddA
Just asking about that last pic you posted of that JK Knife, it looks like the tip is bent - is that just the way the light is reflecting off the blade and from the use that you've put it through - sorry if this is a stupid question
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Sunlight,plus a few scratches.

A family photo I shot today. You can see the tip profile still matches its brothers.

100_1337.jpg
 
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yeah it seems pretty unlikely that it would bend - ant that photo explains it all

but as of now I think I'm gonna try and find a RAT dealer in AUS or someplace that will ship to Australia.

I just like the look of the RAT's

Now I just need to decide between RC5 or 4 lol
choices too many choices

EDIT: Forgot to add something
about the handles of the RC5 - some say their too thick - but I won't be able to handle the knife before i buy it - whats your personal experience my hands are 19 cm from tip of middle finger to bottom of palm and about 8cm wide - palm to palm and my thumb is about 6 cm long -do you think If i made a RAT like handle out of some wood that was the same thickness - I could maybe get a better fell for the thickness of the handle at least

sorry for all the questions and all my 'hand data' lol I ask too many

JCK
 
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JCK said:
@Winbag338

The Fallkniven do look like really good knifes, however, they are a bit expensive, and the F1 like you suggested looks like a really good knife, however the F1 appeals to me more slightly - just like the look of it a bit more, plus the 130 mm length (5.1")

however the F1 is 1620 Swedish Kronas which is $253 AUD or $235 USD, which is a bit steep for my limited funds, but as soon as i get more cash, I would definately look into this Fallkniven, as most reviews say its a real trooper.
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You can get the F1 for around 100 or $120 nowadays I think, at least the standard thermorun handle ones in VG10. I don't know about shipping to Aus, so you'll have to look that up...but you can definitely find the F1 for less than MSRP.

It's a great knife, I have one. I also have a Bravo-1, Gunny, RAT RC4 and a few customs. Out of all the production blades, I like the Bravo-1 or Gunny the best. The handles on either put them in the lead over the others. The Bravo-1 is a thick blade but still manages to slice well, while the Gunny is a much better thickness but smaller overall package (= smaller handle). You can use Google to do a site-specific search on Bladeforums, since you are not a paying member.

I would say start with a Mora, use it for a bit and see what you like and don't like about it, then move on to other knives that have specific features you desire. Of course, if you're set on the knife being full-tang and all that from the start, you couldn't go wrong with a Bravo-1, Gunny, RC4, or F1. I have a JK knife as well, and although it's not a hiker, I can tell you John makes great hardworking blades :thumbup:.

Welcome to BF :)


ETA: If you're deciding between the RC4 and RC5, I'd suggest the 4 for general outdoor use. The RC5 was designed more as a "cut your way out of an airplane" thick survival blade. The flat grind and 3/16" thickness of the RC4 would probably serve you better in most outdoor tasks. Some complain that the handles on the RC4's are too slim and small, and I tend to agree. However, the height of the handle allows for a good working grip that is comfortable enough in general use. I personally would like the knife more if the scales were a bit thicker and the choil was eliminated (not useful for me).

ETA2: One more thing, I don't have experience yet with these blades personally, but also research the BRKT Aurora and Fox River. Either seem like excellent Bushcraft knives and are pretty high up on my own list.
 
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Btw, BF member okbohn runs http://www.knivesshipfree.com/. Excellent dealer, and I'm pretty sure he ships to Aus (not for free though) :thumbup:. He carries BRKT, RAT, and Fallkniven amongst other production blades...even a custom or two now :).
 
winbag338 said:
Dont go by looks alone, some of the best knives can be very plain.
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that is true i suppose
I just like the look of RAT - heck i like the look of most of the knives everyone has suggested me

rksoon said:
You can get the F1 for around 100 or $120 nowadays I think, at least the standard thermorun handle ones in VG10.
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Ok I'll look into that, becuase if I can get the Fallkniven cheaper than a RAT than I would probably get it.

rksoon said:
I would say start with a Mora, use it for a bit and see what you like and don't like about it, then move on to other knives that have specific features you desire.
I have a JK knife as well, and although it's not a hiker, I can tell you John makes great hardworking blades :thumbup:.
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Ok I'll also look into those options - sounds like a good idea geta cheapy and get experience - something I'd like a bit more of.


rksoon said:
ETA: If you're deciding between the RC4 and RC5, I'd suggest the 4 for general outdoor use. The RC5 was designed more as a "cut out of an airplane" thick survival blade. The flat grind and 3/16" thickness would probably serve you better in most outdoor tasks. Some complain that the handles on the RC4's are too slim and small, and I tend to agree. However, the height of the handle allows for a good working grip that is comfortable enough in general use. I personally would like the knife more if the scales were a bit thicker and the choil was eliminated (not useful for me).
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Yeah the RC4 does seem maybe a bit more useful - but I like the 'cut out of an airplane' kinda knife - maybe I've just been watching too many movies

Thanks for all your suggestions, much appreciated

JCK

EDIT: that knifesshipfree website looks pretty good, thanks for the link
 
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