Large Camp Knife Issue

C

cgmartin9789

Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
2
Hi all,

This is my first post and it is going to be one of inquiry. I have been looking into a large camp knife for some time now. Its main functions would be batoning and chopping, as I will have a small blade on me for any kind of detail work. Let me explain my situation that makes my question different from any other thread I have found about this particular inquiry. I am a pretty small guy 5’8 130 pounds, my hands are larger than most people my size but still small enough for me to question some of the large blades handles. I am looking for something of excellent durability, good warranty, a maximum 200 price point and a 7-10 inch blade.

I have been looking at:
Becker Bk7, Bk9 (micarta handles any different size?)
Ontario Rd7, Rd9 and NS9

Input on the handle size on these and any if there are any other suggestions they are much appreciated. Thanks!


CG
 
I have large hands and prefer the micarta scales on Becker knives. They fill my hand a bit better than the standard grivory handles. Here is a recent picture of my BK9 with micarta. It's a good chopper that handles jobs that are too big for my little knives and too cumbersome for my machete/khukri. The BK7 would probably work just as well for my needs, but I have no complaints about the BK9. Well balanced and well built knife.

bk9n2.jpg
 
The Beckers offer a full grip and I like them that way. They aren't overly large, but they are meant to fill your hand. I wear big mediums/small larges for gloves and I find the handle fits fantastically. The Junglas is also a pretty full grip but I think the overall diameter is less than the Beckers. Not a bad gig. The Condor Hudson Bay has a thinner grip that would fit 99% of people, though the Kumunga's is pretty danged large. The Speed bowie, Kabar Cutlass, Kabar Heavy Bowie and Kabar Khukri would be good choices. The Tooj style handles are great, indexed with a reasonable swell. I'd give those guys a good look too.
 
Check out the Ontario RAT 7, and the RAT 5. I have them both, and I think they are great knives. I liked the 7 enough to get another to put back in case I lose the first one. The RAT 5 is a great all around camp/hunt/trail knife, and the 7 will chop and cut well all day long. Blades on both are 3/16" thick at the spine, and for me that is plenty. The handles are just a bit thinner and flatter than the Beckers, and for me, more comfortable.

Note I am talking about the Ontario RAT 7, not the Justin Gingrich version of the ranger knife you referenced (the RD7). I have talked to guys that have used that RD7 though, and they tell me it is almost indestructible. Personally, I didn't like the handles.

I had a small issue with one of the scales on my RAT 7, and Ontario had me new scales in about a week. Limited lifetime warranty on their knives, and made in USA. Great customer support.

Good news is that you can get both knives in under your $200, or buy one and get other gear or another knife to test as well. You have to know you won't have just one camp knife.... right? :D

I would save a couple of bucks now and keep an eye out for my next purpose. Go to the next gun show in your area and handle as many knives as you can, and that will surely help. Finding that perfect knife can be a pretty personal thing.

Robert
 
Folding Silky saw is a tool I'd recommend, regardless what knife you get.

For large knives:

* ESEE Junglas (my favorite)
* Ontario Ranger series RD7 or RD9
* Becker BK9
 
Good grief! He said he has "small" hands.

Beckers shown have LARGE handles (except the one that is FAR from a "camp knife."). As much as I like my Beckers (Size XL gloves), they are just NOT the answer to every single need.

"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

_________________________________________________

Obama to Catholics: "'Freedom of Choice' means I am free to dictate choices for you."
 
Thomas Linton said:
Good grief! He said he has "small" hands.

Beckers shown have LARGE handles (except the one that is FAR from a "camp knife."). As much as I like my Beckers (Size XL gloves), they are just NOT the answer to every single need.

"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
Click to expand...

Just because the handles are large doesn't mean you HAVE to have large hands to use them. The size of the handles allows for different grip positions especially with a lanyard attached, there are many advantages to not being stuck coiling your hand around a 'just right sized' handle.
 
If I understand the OP correctly, he is of average build but with large hands, and is concerned with getting a knife with too big of a handle? I see recommendations for Beckers, and being a big fan of Beckers myself, I agree with those recommendations. However, I will say this. Beckers have the absolutely biggest handles of any production knives I know of, and if the OP is concerned with handles being too big, he might want to handle a few Beckers first before making a purchase. I'm a fairly big guy at 6'1" tall and average size hands, and I find Beckers to be quite a handful. Too big? Not for me. But definitely not small or even medium size handles.

For fixed blade knives with "average" size handles I would recommend looking at some of the offerings from Bark River. Many of those, however, will break the OPs price cap of $200.
 
I appreciate all the input. I definitely see whats known as beckerheads on here, i can see why, beautiful blades! Folding saw is definitely a good idea, only have buck saws which are fine for a car camp but not backpacking. I will take a further look at all the suggestions. Find one work from there and obviously end up buying more.. they call to me, which i know im not alone in that sentiment.

I will go by my local shop and handle a few, see whats the best, wanted to get as much input as i could.
 
I really like the Ontario RD series of knives, and hawks. The biggest problem though, is the blocky micarta handles. The edge's of the grips need to be rounded off, and some of the thickness can be reduced. But once done, these make great knives.
 
A few more suggestions.

You could take any of these full width full length tang knives and change the thickness of the scales (sanding them down), and that would make the handle feel smaller for you.

The BK9 has smaller handles than the BK2 because of the smaller tang. I am about 6ft and wear large gloves, and felt the need to add liners to the BK9 to make the handle feel like the BK2's because I felt it was more secure in my hand.

You could also look at the Kabar ZK line of knives. I have the War Sword, and its got smaller handles than the BK9 did without the liners.

Good luck.
 
ajbuckelew said "Rodent 9 or a Scrapyard 711 are worth looking at "

I would agree with that , however I think you might find the resiprene-c handle on the 711 more comfortable and a good fit . I have 3 knives with that same handle because they are so good .


..............................................
HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
I vote for the Scrapyard 7-11. I just ordered one myself. They are hard to beat for the price. The handles are definitely smaller than what you'd find on the Beckers and other similar knives.
 
Scrapyard 7-11 is awesome and should fit the bill for you, plus it's available now so no jacked up after market pricing.
 
Piling on. I also think the Scrap Yard 711 is the answer for the OP. The handle should be a perfect fit . . . not too big, not too small, and able to absorb shock. And Busse durability and warranty are the best in the business.
 
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