Looking for a heavy duty camping knife

F

fire-ballz

Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
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Newb here. I have been lurking around these forums these past days researching for a great heavy duty camping knife. I was planning to buy the Chris Reeve Project II w/out serrations because a lot of people were giving it great praise. But, dropping $350.00 for a new one seems a little to hard to swallow. So, with that in mind what other brands do you guys recommend that has the same style/design, features, warranty, toughness, durability, etc. but not the price. I don't mind spending that much money if there isn't a knife that is comparable to the Project II.
 
Fire-ballz:

Boy are you in for a lot of advice! Here is my 2 cents. I really like the new Ontario RTAK II. Its big enough to do any job a machete can do, but a bit thicker than most (3/16"). I also like the Becker Bk-9, the Ranger RD-9, Cold Steel ATC kukri, and Ontario Survival Bowie. None of these are over priced, but I think the RTAK is the best value for the money. Just my opinion. I own all those I have mentioned and more. I also have a Chris Reeve Green Beret, but I've never used it. Its just too pretty to scar up ($300.00 knife).
 
Order a Busse Badger from the company while you can! $227 for one of the best camp knives ever :)
 
I jusr ordered a Ranger RD6 today. From all the research I did you can't get a better knife for the money. Just my .02. Justin was great to deal with and answered all of my questions.
 
I second Ranger knives RD6 :thumbup: (there is Ranger knives forum @ knifeforums.com if you want more information)

rd6_in_hand.jpg
 
Each to his own, but I find choppers of limited use for camping -- an ax such as a 3/4 Hudson's Bay model is much more efficient. That and a smaller blade for cutting, whittling, etc., works better for me.
 
I prefer a bigger knife personally for around the camp. I always have a folder and smaller fixed blade in the truck for the other tasks. Too small for chopping wood and splitting it using a good swing and another log for a baton or cutting fish heads off and stuff like that. I prefer an 8" to 10" blade for that kind of stuff myself. Most of my 'heavy duty' camping tools are not the ones I'd take backpacking but simply have at the campsite.

STR
 
Graham knives who make the Razel's make a great big camper that has a nifty pot handle notch in the back of the blade. I didnt see its name on the graham website, maybe someone with one can help refresh my memory on the name.
 
Huugh, looks like you thinned the edge back a bit on the Ranger, temped to do that to my RD6. How is it holding up?
 
Ranger RD-7 ,or Becker BK-7, or both:D . The RD-7 is thicker and heavier. A better chopper. The micarta handle is great. I have spare bright orange handles too.The BK-7 has a better point and might be sharper. it has a more accute edge. My Ranger has a razors edge near the handle and a thicker ax-like edge at the sweet spot and near the tip. I don't know if he did that on purpose ,but I've seen big chefs knives in the kitchen, being that I'm a chef, that have a razors edge near the tip and and an ax-like chopping edge near the handle for splitting lobster and cocconuts and things. Like 3 knives in 1, about 13-14 inches long I think. But Over all I think the Ranger is better, and Justin is great. I emailed him, I wanted him to take the black off, put a satin finish on.Thin the edge alittle. put a long sharpened false edge on it, like a hog hunting knife, and etch the ranger lightning bolt on, and put texture of somesort, on the micarta. He wrote me back that same day and said he'd do the first 3 mods(satin finish, thin the edge ,and sharpened false edge) for $30 bucks plus return shipping. NOW THATS AWESOME!!!! What company is going to turn an allready AWESOME knife into your dream knife for $30 Bucks? Everyone should get a Ranger. Awesome tough knives, At a great price. A great guy makes them.
The Becker is a great knife, and a great price,don't get me wrong, but I'm pretty sure, but I'm not going to try it right now, but I'm sure that I could chop the becker up, litterally chop it in half, or to pieces, with the RD-7. Thats ''heavy duty''. and the Rangers look great all beat up and used. if that matters to you. And I really don't think it's possible to break this Ranger knife, like the way they sometimes break in Cliff Stamps knife reviews. That will not happen with a ranger, nomatter what you do, I don't think. Unless you got a lemon. Wich is highly unlikely from what I've researched.

I put my hand in so you could have a reference of the size. Numbers on paper are hard to visualize for me. That happens bad with Striders. It'll say 4'' on the site ,but when you handle it it's like a huge chunk of steel in your hand even though it is only supposed to be X inches. I don't know if it worked though, these pics suck.
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Nice pics, KillerSkill, beautiful blades. When I'm camping I'm never without my Leatherman Wave and usually keep my Puma White Hunter at my side.
 
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