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Ontario Rat7 or Becker BK7?
- Thread starter brians
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,523
First, let me say that the following is 100% my opinion. I don't have 200 pages of documentation to back up anything I say below. I am just giving my perceptions, observations, and conclusions as I see them in response to the question asked.
I have both and like both. They will both do a good job for you, and I wouldn't neccessarily call either of them "low end". The BK7 is less expensive than the RAT-7, has better fit and finish out of the factory than the Rat-7, and it is a little pointier. The handles on the BK7 are very large, and, though I like them, are sometimes not well tolerated. Contrast that with the Rat-7 micarta which has a much wider range of comfort (especially if you take a little sandpaper and round off the edges). The Rat-7 comes in a better sheath than the BK7. The Bk7 doesn't have a finger choil and the Rat-7 does.
ergonomics- Rat-7 (the finger choil does it for me)
toughness- dead heat
fit and finish- BK7 wins hands down
price- BK7
sheath- Rat-7
support after the sale- Rat-7 (Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin take care of anything that might happen to you, I don't know how their service was before, but I would think that with Camillus going under, that your chances of a replacement due to failure would be slim if they aren't being produced any more, though, I am sure that if Ethan Becker has anything to say about it, you would be well taken care of)
Perception by public- Rat-7 the BK7 just looks more menacing (asked wife, and four people over for a bbq, the opinions were unanimous)
After all that, if I could only have one of them for woods use, I would have to give the edge to the Rat-7...The finger choil makes a world of difference in the precision and comfort aspects when doing fine work with a large knife.
I hope this helps you out.
I have both and like both. They will both do a good job for you, and I wouldn't neccessarily call either of them "low end". The BK7 is less expensive than the RAT-7, has better fit and finish out of the factory than the Rat-7, and it is a little pointier. The handles on the BK7 are very large, and, though I like them, are sometimes not well tolerated. Contrast that with the Rat-7 micarta which has a much wider range of comfort (especially if you take a little sandpaper and round off the edges). The Rat-7 comes in a better sheath than the BK7. The Bk7 doesn't have a finger choil and the Rat-7 does.
ergonomics- Rat-7 (the finger choil does it for me)
toughness- dead heat
fit and finish- BK7 wins hands down
price- BK7
sheath- Rat-7
support after the sale- Rat-7 (Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin take care of anything that might happen to you, I don't know how their service was before, but I would think that with Camillus going under, that your chances of a replacement due to failure would be slim if they aren't being produced any more, though, I am sure that if Ethan Becker has anything to say about it, you would be well taken care of)
Perception by public- Rat-7 the BK7 just looks more menacing (asked wife, and four people over for a bbq, the opinions were unanimous)
After all that, if I could only have one of them for woods use, I would have to give the edge to the Rat-7...The finger choil makes a world of difference in the precision and comfort aspects when doing fine work with a large knife.
I hope this helps you out.
First of all: use the search option on the forum there are many threads whit the exact same question. Including one I started some time ago.
IMO the BK7 is the better knife overall. Cheaper, better steel, sheath, shape, fit and finish. The handle of the BK7 is easy to customise. I made the lower section more round and put some grip-texture on it. This way the handle is very nice for chopping and other grip positions, especially for longer periods of time. Very light weight for a knife this large. Also the edge is a little thinner what makes it a better slicer.
I Also got the small brother of the RAT-7, the TAK in 1095. Nice knife but for its size very heavy. The handle of the TAK is about the same as the RAT-7, and IMO not as nice as the handle of the BK7. The TAK is heavy so the RAK-7 will pull your pants down. I have to say I really like the Zinc Phosphate finish for coating and the no-BS utility-design.
It depends on what you are planning to do whit them and you wallet. You really cant go wrong with either. Both are fur sure not low-end. Dont let the price foul you.
IMO the BK7 is the better knife overall. Cheaper, better steel, sheath, shape, fit and finish. The handle of the BK7 is easy to customise. I made the lower section more round and put some grip-texture on it. This way the handle is very nice for chopping and other grip positions, especially for longer periods of time. Very light weight for a knife this large. Also the edge is a little thinner what makes it a better slicer.
I Also got the small brother of the RAT-7, the TAK in 1095. Nice knife but for its size very heavy. The handle of the TAK is about the same as the RAT-7, and IMO not as nice as the handle of the BK7. The TAK is heavy so the RAK-7 will pull your pants down. I have to say I really like the Zinc Phosphate finish for coating and the no-BS utility-design.
It depends on what you are planning to do whit them and you wallet. You really cant go wrong with either. Both are fur sure not low-end. Dont let the price foul you.
Piet,
I have to agree with you in that, the TAK is a pretty heavy knife for its size. However, it does not carry over to the RAT 7. I actually feel the RAT 7 is a pretty light knife, considering it carries a 7" blade. Good handling for such a large knife.
I have to agree with you in that, the TAK is a pretty heavy knife for its size. However, it does not carry over to the RAT 7. I actually feel the RAT 7 is a pretty light knife, considering it carries a 7" blade. Good handling for such a large knife.
Almost forgot the ‘’integral inline hammering pommel’’ from the BK7. Very usefull to open hard shelf (coco)nuts and for any other hammer work (be careful whit it because missing a nail when hammering can really ruining your day and hand)
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JohnnyO,
I never hold a RAT7 next to a BK7 but did this numerous time whit my TAK and BK7. IMO the RAT7 is a lot bigger than the TAK so it would be even more heavy. On the other hand the BK7 is build as a light weight 7inch combat/utility knife. So it not a fair comparison between the RAT7 and BK7 but a persons own preference.
I have to say the only really weight differences is in the handle part of the knife: Micarta or some plastic (GV6H) handle, full tang or full-tang whit space between (what is the correct name?).
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Did you noticed any differences in how the steel/edge holds up?
The RAT7 Micarta and the BK7 GV6H are both easy to modify. Whit sandpaper to make the more ergonomic and a file or saw to make some grip-texture.
The coil is useful on a knife this size. But when you need to use the coil for finer work, consider a small folding knife can do that a lot better.
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Brains,
Were are you ganne use it for and what pro’s and con’s do you prefer?
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JohnnyO,
I never hold a RAT7 next to a BK7 but did this numerous time whit my TAK and BK7. IMO the RAT7 is a lot bigger than the TAK so it would be even more heavy. On the other hand the BK7 is build as a light weight 7inch combat/utility knife. So it not a fair comparison between the RAT7 and BK7 but a persons own preference.
I have to say the only really weight differences is in the handle part of the knife: Micarta or some plastic (GV6H) handle, full tang or full-tang whit space between (what is the correct name?).
---
Did you noticed any differences in how the steel/edge holds up?
The RAT7 Micarta and the BK7 GV6H are both easy to modify. Whit sandpaper to make the more ergonomic and a file or saw to make some grip-texture.
The coil is useful on a knife this size. But when you need to use the coil for finer work, consider a small folding knife can do that a lot better.
---
Brains,
Were are you ganne use it for and what pro’s and con’s do you prefer?
if you like the bk-7 but are hesitant cuz there is no choil, that is easy to modify with a drill and small drum sander that fits into the drill. i have the bk-7, chops well, holds edge well, easy to sharpen(for me anyway). i replaced the handles with ash wood scales(check the camillus forum for pics).
other knives i have tested that are good for camp use are the kabar warthog and kabar short heavy bowie. i actually like the kabar short heavy bowie better than the bk-7. my 2 cents.
other knives i have tested that are good for camp use are the kabar warthog and kabar short heavy bowie. i actually like the kabar short heavy bowie better than the bk-7. my 2 cents.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
- Messages
- 18
I own 2 Becker fixed blades and they are literally close-to bombproof! They are dirt cheap and carry a lifetime warranty. My BECKER Companion is the only fixed blade camp knife I will use aside from SOG's seal 2k. They take a marvelous edge that can perform small tasks as well as chop and hammer and pry! Great knives...
I have a BK7, and as WEB2 mentioned, I did grind a finger choil into it. I liked the knife before, but now I REALLY like it. I am in the process of fashining some thinner handle slabs for it out of 5/16" kydex, and will then make a kydex sheath for it. The RAT-7 has always intrigued me, and I'm sure it is just a matter of time before I pick one of those up. But for the $$, you can't beat the BK7.
Thats true and you have to keep that in the back of your mind when modifying it. I mad some grooves from about 0,7 mm and used sandpaper to make the lover part of the handle at the back-end about 1mm till 1,5mm thinner. With this small customisation the hollow handle will still be strong enough.