New Rat 7 - opinions?

neffarious · Dec 23, 2015

I just got this big boy the other day . I traded into it, not knowing it was D2. The picture was a little blurry. When I opened it I did the happy dance. I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet, but i have read a bit about it. I'm not sure, at the end of the day, if it will be the right knife for what i wanted it for. Any owners out there (of the 7) want to chime in. Is it really the master of nothing? The handles area bit blocky for me. I'm looking for a camp knife. I have a BK15 already and a Mora Companion. I was looking for something for the bigger chores, wood working and such. Would I be better off trying something else instead? It's a hard to find duck these days, and if I do decide to get rid of it, it will be worth more in it's current condition than used.

bull223 · Dec 23, 2015

Rat-7 D2 is one of my favorites. Had mine for years stays on my camping ruck. It's my American express of knives. You did good.

craytab · Dec 23, 2015

I wouldn't be able to stand the sheath. In my bigger blades I wouldn't want D2. Good old 1095 is great as well as other options like A2, sr101, INFI, or 3v.

My Esee 6 is just about the perfect jack of all trades. Upgraded scales, excellent heat treat/fit finish, great sheath, and a stupendous warranty. Sure it costs more but you get more. You're the one who has to use your knife, might as well get what you want. If this RAT-7 is it, then good for you

neffarious · Dec 23, 2015

I don't know if it's it for me or not. I traded for it, and now I am having second thoughts once I handled it. This is why I am asking for opinions on it. It's in that middle size, where I am not sure whether or not it's going to give me any more than my BK15 will from a utility stand point. It's two inches more blade, but are those two inches useful? I don't want to ask on the Becker forum if I should get a Bk4 or 9 because I already know the answer. I don't want to ask in the Ontario forum, because, well Ii already did and no one responded. I am not a collector. I am already not a fan of the handles. I am looking for positive input that will help me decide should i keep it or sell it and get something else that will more suit my purposes. At this point I am leaning towards selling, but i might be missing something.

mec003 · Dec 23, 2015

Never handled this knife, but I would say to go with your gut and move on from this one. If your not feeling it, don't waste your time. I would second the esee as a great option. The 6 is big for me, but I am not a big dude. I have handled the esee 4 and its great.

craytab · Dec 23, 2015

neffarious said:
I don't know if it's it for me or not. I traded for it, and now I am having second thoughts once I handled it. This is why I am asking for opinions on it. It's in that middle size, where I am not sure whether or not it's going to give me any more than my BK15 will from a utility stand point. It's two inches more blade, but are those two inches useful? I don't want to ask on the Becker forum if I should get a Bk4 or 9 because I already know the answer. I don't want to ask in the Ontario forum, because, well Ii already did and no one responded. I am not a collector. I am already not a fan of the handles. I am looking for positive input that will help me decide should i keep it or sell it and get something else that will more suit my purposes. At this point I am leaning towards selling, but i might be missing something.

I have had a BK 15. For me it was a bit too small for what I want in a jack of all trades master of none. The handles on that 7 look exactly like the stock handles on the Esee 6. They are flat. The TKC handles vastly change that but add cost. The BK handles are not flat but they are plastic. You can get TKC scales for them but it adds cost. I will also say the BK 15 sheath is far superior to other BK sheaths so don't bank on getting that level of quality with the others. For me I would need to upgrade the sheath on any becker besides the tweeners or the larger knives I wouldn't belt carry anyway, which would add cost.

And like mec003 said, trust your gut. Don't settle for anything but satisfaction that you have an acceptable knife for you. I don't believe there is the perfect knife but you can get damn close. If this one doesn't get you close don't waste time and money on it.

bore · Dec 29, 2015

neffarious said:
I just got this big boy the other day . I traded into it, not knowing it was D2. The picture was a little blurry. When I opened it I did the happy dance. I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet, but i have read a bit about it. I'm not sure, at the end of the day, if it will be the right knife for what i wanted it for. Any owners out there (of the 7) want to chime in. Is it really the master of nothing? The handles area bit blocky for me. I'm looking for a camp knife. I have a BK15 already and a Mora Companion. I was looking for something for the bigger chores, wood working and such. Would I be better off trying something else instead? It's a hard to find duck these days, and if I do decide to get rid of it, it will be worth more in it's current condition than used.

I've found it to be the best all around knife I've had. Done all kinds of chores around the yard. Limbed poles for fencing, cut trees and branches for our goats food, cut up a deer this fall. Just the perfect size and weight to be a chopper and everything else. My Rtak is still like new. I took the BBQ paint off so it's easier to sharpen. No black stuff gumming up the stone. And I like the look of steel. The sheath is perfect. Dries up quickly and has a pouch for fire steel and a folder. Lots of options to attach it to a pack. No complaints at all. Go ahead and use the heck out of that knife. It's way to pretty

WilliamsBuiltBlades · Dec 29, 2015

I have never liked the finger swell so pronounced in a knife handle, particularly when used for chopping. RTAK and now ESEE seems to have stuck with that design. I find it does not fit my ergonomics. But if that's not an issue for you, I'm not aware of any other deal breakers. I wish that wasn't an issue for me, because they seem to be great blades otherwise.

Bill1170 · Dec 29, 2015

neffarious said:
I don't know if it's it for me or not. I traded for it, and now I am having second thoughts once I handled it. This is why I am asking for opinions on it. It's in that middle size, where I am not sure whether or not it's going to give me any more than my BK15 will from a utility stand point. It's two inches more blade, but are those two inches useful? I don't want to ask on the Becker forum if I should get a Bk4 or 9 because I already know the answer. I don't want to ask in the Ontario forum, because, well Ii already did and no one responded. I am not a collector. I am already not a fan of the handles. I am looking for positive input that will help me decide should i keep it or sell it and get something else that will more suit my purposes. At this point I am leaning towards selling, but i might be missing something.

Unless you are confident you can modify the handle to suit your hands, better to sell it. An uncomfortable handle is a deal breaker.

blade dude · Dec 29, 2015

My input. You don't want to have to use an uncomfortable knife for more than a few minutes and if as you say it's a work knife it's best to be comfortable

neffarious · Dec 29, 2015

I found some kryptoglow scales on eBay for a steal the other day. Going to give those a whirl before I make my final decision. They should be waiting at my house when I get back from vacation.