Low Budget Survival Knife

roma kid

roma kid

Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Messages
73
Which survival type knife do you all think would be better for someone on a low budget; the RTAK or the Becker BK9?
Thanks
 
I think either one would be a great choice. They're both tough as hell and a great deal. I have heard nothing but good things about both knives. I have a BK-7 and I've been wanting an RTAK for a while now, just because it's a great value. Maybe someone who has both can chime in with some details.

-Jared
J.M. Place Handmade Knives
 
I'll have to echo Jared. The BK-7 is an excellent piece of equipment, and the BK-9 is all of that and two inches more :p Depending on what specifically you're going to do with it, the BK-7 might even be big enough.
 
It might help to set some parameters of what tasks you might be required to do in a survival situation in your locale or wilderness areas you frequent. For example, what types of wood (if any) will you be needing to cut? What types of animals (fish or small game, big game, etc.) will you be needing to dress out for eating? What is the water situation like? In some forested areas, you can pick up enough small sized dead wood to make need of a hand-axe type knife unnecessary. In others, no. In some desert areas, there is no wood bigger than you pinky. Will you be needing to hack or cut into cacti and succulents to obtain water? If so, you want a long blade. There are "one size fits all" survival knives, but, often, you can tailor one to your particular locale and it can be better for you. The BK-9 seems to be the best "one size fits all" that would be good for most survival situations. But, you might want to take a look at the plant life and animal life in the areas you frequent and think how well it would work to render them into food, fuel, tools, and shelter. In other words, "see" what you might need to do and you will "see" the knife you need. Even if you have to spend a few more bucks, it's worth it to have the right tool for the job when the job is staying alive. Hope this helps.
 
The Rtak blade was mainly designed as a jungle blade and it could fill the short-machete department. Both knives are excellent but I can see bk9 as a better chopper due to it's wide profile and 1/4 thickness. It would make a better survival knife of the two and I think it costs less. Can't beat that.
 
RTAK is great...but before using your money on it...look at Swamp Rats knives! They're very great for money and there is only 40$ difference between a RTAK and a Camp trail from Swamp rats...
www.swamprat.com
 
The BK-9 IMHO is a better knife than the RTAK as produced by Ontario. Ontario has shown that its' heat treatment is less than optimal YMMV.
 
When you say "budget survival" there can be only one: Becker. It just also happens to mean top value in this case. For my priorities, I carry a BK7 for hiking and such with a BK9 stuck in a log at camp, unless it's still in the truck. If I KNEW I was gonna get lost, I'd take the BK9. You might get both for the cost of the RTAK!

By the way KTP, very good post.
 
As long as you match the blade length to the tasks you feel you will need to acomplish, I don't see how you can go wrong with one of the Beckers. They are inexpensive, tough, well made, and a whole bunch of other good things. The only negatives I've heard about them is that:

-I think Cliff Stamp was pretty dissapointed with the Patrol Machete, but I also think he was REALLY abusing the crap out of it (I don't remember the details)

-Some people complain about the handles being too slippery, but I haven't read anyone who said that it was an ACTUAL problem, only people who thought it COULD be a problem. The handles are smooth to lessen blisters, but they're shaped to LOCK the knife in your fist. That it does very well.

That's about it as far as 'down' sides.

I've owned both and I like the BK9 much better. I can see, though where the RTAK would make a much better tool in the Jungle, but I live in Philly, I'm lucky if I can find a forest, let alone a jungle...

Good Luck.

I hope this helped,

-John
 
The Becker 7 is best. The BK9 is to much knife for most people.

Good luck :)
 
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