Outdoor/Survival Knife Choices Hell

HandofCod

HandofCod

Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
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Hey guys - yes this is my first post, let's hope I manage not to make a complete fool of myself.

I've been going around in circles and think it's time for some expert opinion. I'm keen to get back out to the bush as I'm stuck in an office about 45-50 hours a week. I won't a very decent outdoors/survival knife to go with the Kabar Short USMC I purchased about a year ago. I'd want to be able to prepare a fire with it and other general tasks. So here are my thoughts so far:

RAT-7
Pricey but very good quality. About as long as I'd want to go I think. Sheath is absolutely useless though compared to what I'm used to with Kabar. No retention = unsafe and I prefer hard shell sheaths generally.

Kabar Heavy Bowie
Much cheaper but also not quite as good quality either. Sheath not great.
This vid also didn't inspire confidence despite some great reviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED5RrOx2cpw

RC-6
More expensive than the RAT7 which isn't a deal breaker, much better sheath but looses some thickness and length on the RAT7. Not sure if it's the right tool for the job.

Anyone used all three? Or just one but had to depend on it? Anyone know if ESEE plans on filling the gap between RC-6 and RTAK 2 (or whatever they plan on calling it, Junglas or something)?
 
The KaBar Becker BK-7 might be along the lines of what you're looking for. The sheath isn't great but it will take just about anything. Or you could go with a full size KaBar, that'll match the short one perfectly. Just a couple of extras for you to consider.
 
+1 to the bravo 2 its a amazing knife, also look at the kershaw outcast if your thinking chopper.
 
Hey thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely look into them.

I just found the Cold Steel Recon Scout (the demo vids on their website are so over the top rotfl). Anyone owned one of these?
 
Its more of a prybar and for your intended uses it would not be a very good choice.

Look in the exchange for swamp rat and scrap yard, very good knives at reasonable prices.
 
I was going to recommend the RC-6, but since you already have a pretty similar sized Ka-Bar, it would just be redundant to carry both (5.75" vs 5.25" cutting edges, if my memory serves correctly). In that case, and sticking to your list, I would go with the larger RAT-7 as its companion.

But... even with this larger knife, I'm not sure that extra length is enough to be worth carrying. That little Ka-Bar can do a LOT, don't underestimate it. It will certainly build fires and handle most camp tasks with relative ease. Its only real weak point is its chopping ability.

So, if you don't mind the weight, I'd either get a MUCH larger knife, or an axe. I'm thinking like a 9 or 10" blade (the new ESEE made Junglas, perhaps? :D) to go with that Short Ka-Bar, or a nice 15-19" pack axe to take care of your big chopping and fire / shelter oriented tasks.

Or you could just leave the Ka-Bar at home and grab that RC-6 as your "does everything" knife, if weight is a concern. It will baton like a champ, chop pretty well for its size, easily gut fish (what knife wont?), prepare food, build shelter... hell, you name it, the RC-6 has done it. Well, mostly. The only thing I haven't been able to do with my RC-6 is skin game - the knife is simply too big for it to be an enjoyable experience. It's also a bit big for carving... but I've managed. I find the 6 to be a great all around camp knife if you don't plan on hunting or making your own spoons. :p

Decisions, decisions. Trying to decide what blade to use is some of the most fun found in this hobby!
 
The first question you need to ask yourself is "do you want a survival knife or a bushcraft knife".
For survival you need an all around bigger knife, like the SRK, Kabar, Gerber LMK.
For bushcraft a smaller knife like the Bark River, Fallkniven F-1 or S-1.
If you get a good bushcraft knife you can always get a larger bowie or hatchet for chopping.
That is just my opinion but I could be wrong, yet I have never been found needing another type of knife when I needed a knife.
 
HandofCod said:
Hey thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely look into them.

I just found the Cold Steel Recon Scout (the demo vids on their website are so over the top rotfl). Anyone owned one of these?
Click to expand...

Haven't owned any Recon Scouts, but I have owned 3 Trail Masters and they are very good knives that will last you forever.

The Recon Scount is just a smaller Trail Master with a 7 1/2" blade instead of a 9 1/2" .
 
Little more info please...whats your location?

If its in the bush in the high sierra deserts then that would necessitate something different than the glades of Florida or outback in Alaska.

Without that info I just put an order in on a ESEE RC6. great knife, it is light and has a good cutting length for general purpose, its not an amazing chopper, its not an amazing skinner but overall it is a well sorted, amazing knife.
 
The Kabar you already have is going to do just about anything a knife should be expected to do.

Thin out the egde a bit and it'll cut even better.

Maybe you need a nice hatchet or a decent machete. I have a Gerber SportAxe that i'm quite pleased with.

If you are going for a bigger knife, You ought to try the KaBar Becker 7 or 9
 
The recon scout is a great knife, don't listen to all the negative's...who cares about LT...just the product please.

I have used a trailmaster hard for 4 years and my recon for only a few months but I like it. They are tough, sk-5 is a good carbon steel similar to kabar.
Good concealex sheath and the nylon dropper keeps the handle low.

If your chopping and woodprocessing a lot go for a recon, trailmaster or bk-7 or 9
I do agree that a bk-7 might be right up your alley but no kydex sheath.

If you are doing more slicing, carving and some chopping the RC-6 is just about perfect, that wide drop point is awesome. Gets an edge like a lazer with the full flat grind.
 
the RAT7 and RC6 are two totally different knives, made by different manufacturers. You aren't paying for a sheath with the RC6-you're paying for better 1095, better fit and finish, hair splitting edge and a lifetime no-bs, you break it we send you a new one guarantee. the RAT7 wouldn't even be a consideration in my book. The Becker series by Kabar is outstanding, I have a BK7, BK11 and BK13. Superb designs. Also check out the Condor Rodan (20 dollars) and the new Condor lineup, and Mora of Sweden. Most outdoors enthusiasts use a two blade approach, a beater and a slicer, or a big knife and a companion sized knife. Thicker isn't always better, it generally takes more force to split with a thick blade than a thin one. Thinner blades with thinly ground edges generally stay sharper longer than thick blades with thick grinds. Personally I use a RC-5 and a Mora-style scandinavian puuko for my outdoors combo, but there are hundreds of good combinations of outdoors knives you can find for relatively cheap.
 
Several really good comments above.
Here's another one that may interest you at the current price: Spyderco is currently heavily discounting its beautiful bushcraft knife, which should cover your needs pretty well. It(s important to know that this offer is because there will be (or will come) cracks in the handle, which one could fill with some kind of wood filler. So it depends how much you mind this. I ordered one.

As mentioned above it's indeed good to add a thinner knife such as a light Mora.
 
BTW, there's guys who you could probably get to make you a hard shell Kydex sheath for any of those knives, and for not too much $. Also, nice find Mr. Dagon.
 
Fallkniven a-1, s-1
rc-4, 6
buck nighthawk
benchmade csk- II, rant d-2
cs srk
Anything 4 to 7 inches is about all that is needed. Most people who want a chopper, are looking to chop wood.
 
If you have an RC-6, a folder, and a good quality machete you can do just about anything you could possibly want. :)
 
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