Large blade knife - suggestions

riverotter said:
If you could only carry one knife.....which one would you choose .... all around large utilitarian, chopping, clearing, splitting, skinning, prying, edge retaining, slicing, kitchen, cutting, digging, craving, beat the heck out of tool, save your a$$, etc. knife?
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1. As noted above, I'd say the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp for an indestructo bombproof blade at a decent price (about $130).
2. If price is less of a consideration, I recommend a used Busse Steel Heart in INFI steel (about $300) or, if you can find one, a Busse Basic 7 in Modified-INFI (about $150).
3. If durability is less of an issue, the Becker BK7 Combat/Utility-7 model ($50).
4. If price is all your looking at, the Ontario and Kabar knives come into their own.

The common feature in these blades is that they are all in the 7" size range. That size is the typical compromise size that people will go to for a blade that is large enough to chop (often minimally) yet be small enough to be managable for cutting chores that require blade tip manipulation.

One often overlooked feature of a knife that can make a huge difference, especially for extended usage, is the ergonomics of the handle, since it is the mechanical interface between the knife and the user. If you will be counting on one blade for all your uses, be sure to handle is first. Check the comfort factor in YOUR hand in various postions like for chopping, cutting, drawknife position, upside down (as if opening a hanging animal's abdomen), etc.
 
I would carry an HI khukri. Seriously, hang out in the Himalayan Imports forum for a bit and you'll get the bug! I did and I don't intend on recovering :D

A khukri can be an axe, a knife, a chopper, a stabber. Each is painstakingly hand forged and differentially heat treated by artisans who go back hundreds of years. They come in fine scabbards from water buffalo leather.

Nothing finer for camping, survival, defense, etc., and you can collect a bunch without going broke.
 
I carry a Camp Tramp.

The resperine scales have to be tried to be believed.

I don't think you could hurt this knife.

You'd have to take heat, acid or a knife to peel the resperine off.

It's a "sharp" sharpened prybar.

I used mine a couple years ago when we were replanting perrenials in the yard just to test. Dug for more than an hour.

Dulled the finish a bit but sharpened right back up.
 
Well , I guess its time for me to do some more research and make a decision. I have a trip planned in late March and depending on what I get, I may have some wait time involved. Looks like most people favor the swamp rat, becker, and busse knives. I am sure I could get by with an Ontario or Kabar since I have been using a Camillus all these years, but I was really looking to get something that can be abused and I don't have to avoid or tip toe around functions. It will be strange having a larger knife along and not really knowing what it can do. I believe retiring the Camillus is long over due though. I want to thank all of you for your input and suggestions. You have been very helpful.

One more question if you guys don't mind......What about sheaths for these large knives? I would like to get a belt sheath that has a small pocket that would at least carry a stone if not a little more. Or do you guys prefer something other than a stone to sharpen your knives in the field?

Also, I have a buddy who comes with me from time to time on my wilderness trips that carries two knives, much like a lot of you recommend. He would like to find a belt sheath that can carry two knives...one about 6"-7" and the other is what he calls a neck knife. He would also like a small pocket for a stone. Any recommendations?
 
Simonich Crowfoot or Camillus mini-Talon for a neck knife -- both designed by the late Rob Simonich. The Crowfoot's Kamambit-like grip feels very nice in the hand.
 
I just got a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp myself and am very pleased. I owned one of the Livesay made RTAKs when they first came out and I was VERY dissapointed in mine....It felt and cut about like a lawnmower blade w/ a handle. The fit and finish wasn't very goods (not a big deal to me), the edge was ground at a very wide angle which wasn't much good for cutting anything. I could have reprofiled it w/ a lot of effort, but the straight heavy blade felt dead in the hand anyway so I passed it on to a family member who liked the look of it.
 
My camp Tramp is a pretty tuff knife, but I usually grab my Roger Linger Survial/Camp Knife when I need a larger knife.

 
I recently got a SR Camp Tramp - it would be an excellent choice. First choice even. However, if you don't have 6 weeks to wait you might be SOL.

But all of the above suggestions seem to leave out an obvious contender in the Cold Steel Recon Scout. By all accounts it is a fine hard use knife. Perhaps a bit thick. And some folks are less than enthused about company founder Lynn Thompson & his marketing tactics - but a good percentage of their products are highly recomended. The Recon Scout is pretty highly regarded from what I have read. I've owned a Trail Master for years & it has seen some tough work over the years.

For about $120 you can have a knife that is almost as tough as the SWCT, less balanced for chopping, better balanced for fighting, and have it by the end of the week if you need it ASAP.

Also, seems like you want a beater knife & who does that to a $300 - $500 knife? - I know, some do. But not me!

You said 7 - 10" blade range. So, I would list suggestions as follows:

1) SR Camp Tramp 7 1/2" blade (or Battle Rat if you like the 9")

2) CS Recon Scout 7" blade (or Trail Master 9")

3) Becker BK7 or BK9 respectively - although I would want to modify the handles of these knives more than likely (simply adding some 'grip tape' would do for traction if you have large-ish hands. Smaller hands might want to sand down the handles some from what I hear)

You said you don't care for Ontario, otherwise I would have listed several of their products in the 7" - 10" range. I think they make a good, relatively cheap knife. But to each his own.

However, if you really need a machete, that is what you should get. Combine it with your AFSK, a folding saw & a leatherman tool and you are good to go.
 
Roger Linger made the knife and you would have to ask him where he got the micarta for my knife
 
Some great advice here...first, avoid the saw back options. A small SAK saw blade or even the Gerber folding saw will be a much better investment. As to the blades, James Green Dragon provided some great options...I would only add the Ranger Knives RD7 and RD9 to the list...great prices and quick turn-around. Opinions from my own collection...

Busse Steel Heart II (older A2 model)..Not INFI, but a very stout blade
Chris Reeve Project 1.......................Excellent blade and hollow handle
Swamp Rat (Desert) Camp Tramp.......One of the best deals out there
Mission MPK (A2 model)....................A little lighter, but fighter oriented
Randall #14....................................A nostalgic, function piece...long wait!
TOPS 107E Steel Eagle.....................Good, but overpriced
Ranger Knives RD7...........................Excellent custom/user for the price!
Fehrman Fire Strike..........................Great blade...but a long wait

All are great knives, of course some more expensive and longer wait times. For my deployment knives, I really like the Mission MPK, RD7 and Swamp Rat CT...all have some unique features, but all are "relatively" inexpensive, easy to obtain and great performance (I have to consider that they'll be stolen, lost, destroyed or confiscated when deployed).

For my personal/family backpacking trip (when I take a big blade), I really like the Fehrman Fire Strike.

Regardless of your choice, don't forget the rest of the family. A good folder, maybe a SAK or multi-tool, folding saw (I really like the Sawvivor) and a good small fixed blade (like M2K, Nimravus, Camillus Talon, Gohrmann, Helle, Spyderco Moran...etc.)...of course I also like a good hatchet (GB Wildlife, Roselli or Firestone). A good blade can do a lot, getting the right tools will always provide better, quicker (safer), and more efficient results...

ROCK6
 
Thanks all for the vote of confidence in the RD series. Just wanted to say that while the Bowie was and is a limited run there are a few still available. Thanks again.
 
James Green Dragon & ROCK6, I fully agree that a saw or hachet would be more ideal than a knife, but I simple do not have room for them. On my wilderness trips, I only take a knife and what can fit into my two back pants pockets. I'll have to admit though, between you guys and a buddy of mine, you have made me start to think about bringing a backup knife such as the Ranger SHIV. Know any good double knife sheaths with a pouch? Also, I have been thinking of bring a canteen and metal cup combo too. Getting water is always my main concern and it would be much easier if I had a pot to boil water in. Or maybe I'm just getting to old.....
I really do want a knife I can beat to death and it keeps on ticking. I dont mind paying extra for a knife I can depend on especially since I am relying on it as my main tool to keep me alive. I do like a saw blade not for sawing but more for rasping functions, but it is not necessary.

The only reason I am gun shy about Ontario products is that I purchase a Ontario survival machete and it broke on me while I was splitting wood. Thats when I decided to get a good knife and thought I would ask you guys for advice.

Also, what do you guys use to sharpen your knives in the field?
 
Myakka, can you provide some specs on that knife? Looks like a great field design.
 
i would suggest a HI Import Chiruwa AK--one heck of a knife will never let you down and the warranty is unreal--bend or break it and you will get two free--i carry mine daily--and if their is ever a knife i want to have by my side in a time of need this is it :eek: :) :eek:
 
tknife,

The knife is made by my friend, and custom knife maker Roger Linger. Here are the specs.

Camp/Survival Knife
OAL: 10 31/32 inches
Blade: 6 1/8 inches
Blade Width: 1 3/4 inches
Spine Thickness: .230 inch
Weight: 11 1/2 oz.
Blade Steel: 1075
Blade Hardness: 59–59.5 HRc
Pins and or Lanyard Tube: Nickel Silver
Handle: Green Canvas Base Micarta
 
Thanks for the info. Did you design it? I like the design alot, and he does some very nice work. Your site is great too, you've been on some great training classes.
 
Well, minus having my Randall #14 and Fehrman on hand...here's my general purpose blades:

BigBlades.jpg


Nice to see Justin here, and he makes a great knife (the RD7)...finally have some time off with an extended weekend, and I plan to take a few photos doing some chopping and battoning.

Sure you could get by with just "one" knife, but your efficiency in some areas will be greatly decreased...here's a few hatches and saws I like to use:

Axes-n-saws.jpg


When they're folded up...they don't take up much room (the saws), and are pretty light weight...

Foldedup.jpg


The sheath on my GB Wildlife hatchet is from Dwayne at Armoralleather, which is a great belt sheath for the Wildlife.

If anything, make sure you've got a good folder or multi-tool:
Folders.jpg

Multi-tools.jpg


As for sharpeners, DMT makes a great mini or larger duo-fold diamond sharper (the mini fits in the slot behind my Leatherman Charge Ti in the belt pouch). Also, EZE-Lap has a good (but heavier) diamond rod. Although it takes a up a little more room, I like the AG Russell Field Sharpener ...and their's Gatco's little triangular ceramic rod which is good as well.

ROCK6
 
Rock6, you have some excellent gear there. Must be a tough choice when you head out to the field! :cool:
 
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