RAT-7 or BK&T CU7 for next knife buy

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Pietje010

Joined
Dec 30, 2005
Messages
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He guys,

I’m planning my next knife for April/May. I’m looking for a nice big (7inch blade) all-round camp knife/chopper. A hatchet, machete, hunting and survival knife in one. Close to the ultimate all in one knife (that doesn’t really exist IMO). Like the Ontario RAT-7 or Camillus BK&T Combat Utility 7. I have never handled one but after seeing some pictures of you guys and I really like the looks and performance of it. But which of the two is better and why or why not? Edge holding / prying / wood carving and chopper.

I also considered some knifes of Buss Combat Company and Swamp Rat. But in Europe they are to expensive and very rare. I can order one from the US but 30+ dollar shipment and extra taxes ….don’t think so.
 
Overall quality might be better with the Becker-which is made by Camillus-based on some reports in the forums. The Ontario is rumored to have some quality control problems. Frankly for the money, as in the same price,I'd go with a Ranger knife. Their 6 is actually a 7..a 7 an 8 etc...Better quality than an Ontario for the same price. The Becker is a better knife for slicing,small work etc due to the angle of bevel. I think the Becker Brute may be the best all around "Survival Knife" (a term I despise BTW...) there is for the money.
 
I have a BK-7 and I like it a lot. I thought once I got it that I would need a longer version because this one balances so neutrally, but I was wrong. It chops better than my hatchet. I am sticking with it. Oh and it really holds its edge too. I chopped up a sapling and it is still shaving sharp. For the price, I don't think you can beat Becker knives.
 
I have had and used both and while both were great knives I like the RAT 7 better. The handle on the becker was too big for my hand and could get very slippery even when I roughened it up a bit.

The micarta handle on the RAT 7 was much nicer and user friendly and can easily be reprofiled with a rasp and some sand paper to suit your grip. I also liked the full flat grind of the RAT 7 and the overall design. I have had no problems with the quality of any Ontario RAT knife I have had. I used the RAT7 hard for about a year, I carry the TAK on my webbing and use it very hard in the field and my gilfriend uses my RAT 3 and loves it. One of my mates at my unit also uses a rat 7 and feels the same way about it.

Either knife will serve you well, so get what you think is going to suit you the best and use it hard..
 
Either one is a solid choice.The handle on the rat is micarta and may feel better to grip,the becker handle is big but its bomb proof.Just get both.
 
This is a tough one. Both are good choices but, if price was of no issue I would pick the rat-7. In comparison both are pretty equal however, I find the Rat does better with carving and other more precise cuts while doing equally as well with choping.
 
Have you seen the new Rat 7 and RAt 3 in the AG Russell catalog? Satin finish with sheep horn handles. Very nice.
 
Price is the main difference..the RAT-7 is $150 in Ontario, the BK7 is $50.
I will probably get the Rat7 in D2 soon, but have the Becker for now.
They are both very good designs & builds..let the wallet decide.
 
FWIW, I have a BK71 (Same as a BK7 but in desert camo) and it's done everything I've asked of it. From brush clearing to splitting fire wood, it just performs. plain and simple.

I don't intend to go cutting cinder blocks in half and I have other knives for game dressing and fish cleaning.

If I had to say one thing bad about the Becker it would be that the smooth, hard plastic scales are prone to slipping when your hands are cold and dry or wet.

If I could trade up for a 7" Swamp Rat I probably would. That said, with a delivery time of about one week and a price of less than $70, a BK7 is very hard to beat when it comes to a user knife that just plain works.

Best of luck in whatever you decide,

Rupe
 
the becker is an enormous bang for the buck imo . i also have a ranger rd7 and it is now the knife i find myself heading into the woods more often with. cant beat the becker for the price though. good price, good steel, good design, and made in america.
 
perksy said:
I have had and used both and while both were great knives I like the RAT 7 better.
Click to expand...

Same here.

RAT7.jpg
 
I have a rat-7, rat-3, bk-1 brute, bk-2 companion, and a bk-7. They are all wonderful blades. I am waiting on a rat-7 D2, and a tak D2 until ontario starts shipping them again. All that being said, you can't go wrong with any of these knives. between the rat-7 and the bk-7 I think the rat chops a little better, I happen to really like the becker handles (I have meat hook hands though) I have ordered the micarta scales for the becker from camillus and will let everybody know what I think once i get them. The edge holding is fairly similiar between the rat-7 and the bk-7 I have the bk beveled more for slicing and the rat beveled more for chopping utility work so I guess not a good comparison just my feeling. I saw a great idea on another thread that a guy had done that I agree with wholeheartedly and have copied. He took a bk-1 brute (indestructible sharpened prybar chopper from hell) with its kydex sheath and attached a sheath for a fallkniven F1 (which I own and also love) together, these knives will do nearly anything you need to do in the woods or anywhere else. Best place I have found to purchase online is www.savsonswordsandknives.com great prices, and great service. Hope this helps you with your choice. You can't go wrong with either. If you can, I would try the bk-1 and f1 combo or bk-1 and some other small fixed blade. the two have much more utility IMHO than one 7" blade though you can get by with the 7" er okay.
 
I'd vote for the Becker. It has better steel and heat treat. Will hold an edge longer and it's tougher.
 
Yet one more vote for the Becker. It is a very functional knife which can handle light chopping too:thumbup:
The only caveat is that some people don't like the handle shapes and feelings. Handle first in person and buy only if you like it.

If your primary goal is chopping, skip the straight knives and get an axe/ hatchet or a khukuri (e.g. a Himalayan Import khukuri). All those will chop better than 99% of the large straight knives.
 
Becker, Only big knife I've seen that slices well (because it isn't a foot thick)

And regarding toughness I've used it to chop frozen logs with no damage to the knife just had to polish it back up on the sharpmaker, nuff said.
 
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