Ontario RBS(RD Bush)-6 or Kabar BK7

T

T_Bone1889

Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Messages
22
Hi folks,

First time on the forum and let me tell you from an outside point of you... there are some serious knives experts around here. That's why I'm here.

I want to invest in a great all around survival/bush/camp blade and for sure I want to abuse my knife, do some chopping, batoning, carving so I want to do a little of everything. I think a 12' overall knife would be good, nothing bigger for sure as I hike and snowshoe a lot. Don't get me wrong but if I want to cut a 100 years old Oak (which I won't), I'll use an axe, not a knife. I really can't get my head straight one that choice, it's driving me crazy.

I narrowed my choices at two:

The Ontario Ranger™ Knives - Bush Series RBS-6 Black Micarta with :

Blade Length
6.5 in (16.5 cm)
Blade Material
1095 Carbon Steel
Blade Thickness
0.19 in (0.48 cm)
Hardness
53-55 HRC
http://ontarioknife.com/ranger-knives-bush-series/rbs-6-black-micarta-detail.html
or

The ''famous'' BK7
Blade length 7"; Overall length 12-3/4"
1095 Cro-Van
Blade Thickness 0.188
HRC 56-58
(No link required, I did my research on this site)

Please take note that the only knives I purchased was a Gerber Prodigy Tanto and a BG ultimate whatever. I can get the Ontario for 78$ and the Kabar for 90$, I guess it's the price of being Canadian.

Again, thank you very much for your time and help.

Regards
 
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I don't know anything bout the Ontario, but I have had the BK7 and I loved it. It was a very stout heavy duty knife that held up very well through everything I put it through. Just holding it you can tell that it is a very well made and hardcore knife. The blade held an edge pretty well, and it took a good edge.
 
The BK-7 hands down. Just look at the handle. Flat and blocky or smooth and contoured. I have not owned the Ontario but have handled many and they felt clunky. The BK-7 is still one of my favorite knives.
 
As much as people hate Gerbers, I have the Gerber LMF 2 and I love it. It just feels awesome and tuff in the hand, and I have put it through a lot of shit and it pulls through like a champ every time.
 
Thanks Tankerwolf, I might go with the becker just becose Ethan reminds me of an uncle... I'm that crazy...

Hillbilly, what about the serrations on your LMF II? Mine got dull (prodigy tanto) after 2-3 batoning session, maybe a stainless steel issue? I use it for grouse hunting only from that day.
 
My serrations have held up very well. I do sharpen them often because I love sharpening my knives :-). But I have never had them go dull on me or grind down. I'm sure every knife may differ.
 
I haven't held an Ontario RD/RBS anything but from what I have seen they are quality knives. But I do own a BK7 and several other Beckers and I know they are great. Neither is going to chop much of anything of serious thickness very well as they just don't have enough weight in the blade. I would say wrist size or smaller or else you're in for a workout. A $25 Bacho Laplander would be and excellent companion and they are very light.

As others have said the Becker handle is very comfortable and well designed. The shape is comfortable for most and provides a secure grip even though the factory scales feel slick. The Ontario handles are micharta so that's a plus but some have complained about their feel and shape. I don't know how big your hands are but if they're on the small side then the RBS fine. It's usually the bigger hands that run into problems.


If you want a ~7" blade that can chop I'd say check out the Ka-Bar Heavy Warthog. Almost a quarter of an inch thick and a lot of weight in the blade. I have one of those too and really like it. They're also a tad cheaper too. I haven't done a head-to-head between the BK7 and the Warthog but I'd guess the Warthog would chop better than the BK7 and it's still OK for carving for a knife that big. I carry a Mora Companion for the finer tasks anyway and I highly recommend checking those out as well.
 
I have the RBS-6 six and had it for about six months. I'd say the ergos are generally better on the Beckers. However I personally require a finger choil on anything with cutting edge under 9". I find the choil gives better control for use of the tip of the blade or choking up on an outward slice. Oh and both have sheath rattle. I also have a RAT-7 wich I prefer over the 6 for camp tasks. For general "I don't know what I might get into" though I go with the RBS-6 all the time. The blade is broader than the 7.
I digress.....All this having been said. If you have small hands go with the BK-7. The scales on the 6 are quite large. These knives are near equally priced at the moment. What it came down to for me though was the scales. The RBS comes with micarta already on and with a Molle steath. I like the molle for virtical carry on my pack.
 
Both are excellent knives. Can't go wrong with either. Can you handle them in person anywhere? Grips are a personal preference, whichever one feels best in your hand.

Personally I prefer the Ontario (micarta, good sheath, feels good in MY hand). YMMV. Just my .02.
 
I would say get the Ontario for something you want to abuse. Nothing against Beckers but that skeletonized tang makes me a bit nervous, also I've read of some people experiencing their Becker's screws falling out when in use(though it's said this can also be remedied with some Loctite very easily and also note this problem might have already been remedied by the manufacturer themselves since they said they were looking into it). People have also said that the stock handles on Becker's can be very slick and Micarta handles cost an extra $40+ while the Ontario comes with stock Micarta. Also saving a bit of money is always a good thing. That all being said my next knife is still going to be a Becker 9 since I already have a large Ontario.

Edit: After this thread I am rethinking getting the Bk9 and might get the Ontario Rbs-9...
 
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immolatus said:
The RBS comes with micarta already on and with a Molle steath. I like the molle for virtical carry on my pack.
Click to expand...

BK7 comes with a MOLLE sheath now too. Has for about a year or so. I don't know about the RD/RBS sheaths but the Becker sheathes are much higher quality than the sheath that came with my SP46


Aleous said:
I would say get the Ontario for something you want to abuse. Nothing against Beckers but that skeletonized tang makes me a bit nervous, also I've read of some people experiencing their Becker's screws falling out when in use(though it's said this can also be remedied with some Loctite very easily and also note this problem might have already been remedied by the manufacturer themselves since they said they were looking into it). People have also said that the stock handles on Becker's can be very slick and Micarta handles cost an extra $40+ while the Ontario comes with stock Micarta. Also saving a bit of money is always a good thing. That all being said my next knife is still going to be a Becker 9 since I already have a large Ontario.

Edit: After this thread I am rethinking getting the Bk9 and might get the Ontario Rbs-9...
Click to expand...

I hang out in the becker subforum a lot and I've never heard of one breaking at the tang, except for a BK2 that someone pounded on with the hammer poll of an axe. A piece of inner tube or some time with a soldering iron can take care of the traction issue but I prefer them as they come from the factory since I don't get blisters from them. I put lock-tite on my screws and never had an issue.

A member did a head-to-head with the RBS-9 and the BK9 and according to that review the BK9 is a much better performer. All I know from personal experience is that the BK9 is fickin' awesome.
 
Great advices guys thank you for your time. So after spending 3 hours on this website per day for a whole week (I'm not kidding) I just ordered a BK9 paired with a BK11. All the tests and reviews makes me want to become a Beckerman. Here's the message that says it all :


Hey Balding Eagle.....

Welcome to Blade Forums and welcome to the neighborhood......I am glad I got in here before I had to twist myself into knots trying to lead you gently down the path to Becker Knives past the temptations of Brother Jeff's almost as fine cutlery(LOL)......My current favorite combo is either a BK2 and a Necker or a BK9 and a Necker..... The Necker does all the little stuff very well and the BK9 is a dynamite chopper, splitter, clearer, etc, etc.......If the Nine seems too big for your taste then the BK2 is likely your best bet.....There is a reason the 2 has back order problems from time to time.....I use a BK11 everyday during the heating season and I have taken to using the Nine almost exclusively for batonning out fatwood (or rich pine) and oak splints.....I love the way the Nine slices thru saplings (we clear a lot of small (1-3 inch) pine on our place and the Nine makes it (almost) effortless.........

Hope this is of some help........Thank you for your interest and I hope you enjoy how the Beckers work for you and your son where it counts....in the bush......

All Best....

ethan
Ethan Becker


Thanks again for your time! I'll post pictures to my first expedition in the icy and cold Quebec outdoor!

T_Bone1889
 
BK7 all the way. It is big and beastly for tough tasks and yet feels very light and quick in the hand. I think it could be, and probably is, as a hunting knife it is so handy. I frankly think the thing would work well in a kitchen although the handle does not lend itself for that work...the blade sure does.

BK7 all the way!!! I know the Ontario Rangers are good knives but they are not up to par with Becker. Becker gets the little things right as well as the big things (steel, heat treat, geometry, balance).
 
Great choice T_Bone. Really couldn't have gone wrong with either but it's like everyone always says, the Bk9 is king. Just wanted you to be aware of some issues people have had in the past though like Bigghoss has said most are easily fixed. I read that head to head review after my last post and the Bk9 did seem to indeed outperform the Rbs9. So finally made my decision as well, ordering a Bk9 and CS Trail Master to join my Ontario SP50 in my lineup.
 
T_Bone1889 said:
Great advices guys thank you for your time. So after spending 3 hours on this website per day for a whole week (I'm not kidding) I just ordered a BK9 paired with a BK11. All the tests and reviews makes me want to become a Beckerman. Here's the message that says it all :


Hey Balding Eagle.....

Welcome to Blade Forums and welcome to the neighborhood......I am glad I got in here before I had to twist myself into knots trying to lead you gently down the path to Becker Knives past the temptations of Brother Jeff's almost as fine cutlery(LOL)......My current favorite combo is either a BK2 and a Necker or a BK9 and a Necker..... The Necker does all the little stuff very well and the BK9 is a dynamite chopper, splitter, clearer, etc, etc.......If the Nine seems too big for your taste then the BK2 is likely your best bet.....There is a reason the 2 has back order problems from time to time.....I use a BK11 everyday during the heating season and I have taken to using the Nine almost exclusively for batonning out fatwood (or rich pine) and oak splints.....I love the way the Nine slices thru saplings (we clear a lot of small (1-3 inch) pine on our place and the Nine makes it (almost) effortless.........

Hope this is of some help........Thank you for your interest and I hope you enjoy how the Beckers work for you and your son where it counts....in the bush......

All Best....

ethan
Ethan Becker


Thanks again for your time! I'll post pictures to my first expedition in the icy and cold Quebec outdoor!

T_Bone1889
Click to expand...

Yeah, guys like Ethan (the original Beckerhead!) is why I gave BKT a chance to edge out (haha!) Cold Steel and Ontario from my collection's spot as favorites! I have a 9, and also a 2 and 14 on the way with a 7 planned for the future!
That being said, I also have a Rbs9 on the way as well as an SP50, they're too good for me to pass up, and I like variety!
 
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