Recommendations for a medium woods knife?

S

ShooterMcgavin

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Jan 20, 2008
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I am looking for some recommendations for a medium length woods knife to be used for backpacking, mostly in winter (that's when I'd need an emergency fire most). I am thinking the length should be 7-8", but I am willing to hear your input on that too. I probably want 1/4" thickness, since I will want something good at splitting wood. I want to be able to baton and split wood up to 6" in diameter.

I live/hike in the Pacific Northwest, where it gets pretty wet on hikes for a lot of the time. That means, I am open to steel suggestions too. Right now, most of my fixed blades use 1095 (4.5" is my longest). I want something with a full tang and solid construction. I like micarta, but price is more important. I'd like to spend less than $150.

The Ranger RD-7 caught my eye a while ago. Not sure how it has performed since it came out. I wear a size large glove but my hands are kinda narrow. What can you suggest? :)
 
If you already know you like that size class, how about the Kabar Becker BK7? The BK2 also sounds right up your alley if you want something shorter/thicker. I favor the 7.

BeckerBK7018.jpg
 
try the RD7. IIRC, it's 1/4" thick and made of of 5160.
Or the Condor Hudson Bay - 8" long, taper ground 1075 with convex edge.
The ESEE5 & Becker BK2 are both 1/4" thick, but well below your 7" mark.
The BK7 or BK9 are "only" 3/16" thick, as is the ESE Junglas.
another thought would be the CS Recon Scout - with a 5/16" spine of SK5 steel.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
If you already know you like that size class, how about the Kabar Becker BK7? The BK2 also sounds right up your alley if you want something shorter/thicker. I favor the 7.
Click to expand...
I'm not positive that that's the size for me - I can still use input from all of you experts out there. The BK7 is definitely on my short list!! How do you/others like the handle material? Does it have good fit/finish overall?

Nathanial4 said:
How about an ESEE RC-4?

http://www.eseeknives.com/rc-4.htm

Seems to meet the specs!;)

Nathanial4
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That's a great knife! ...but one that I own already :) I want something longer now (7-8" blade length). Thanks.

1066vik said:
try the RD7. IIRC, it's 1/4" thick and made of of 5160.
Or the Condor Hudson Bay - 8" long, taper ground 1075 with convex edge.
The ESEE5 & Becker BK2 are both 1/4" thick, but well below your 7" mark.
The BK7 or BK9 are "only" 3/16" thick, as is the ESE Junglas.
another thought would be the CS Recon Scout - with a 5/16" spine of SK5 steel.
Click to expand...
I will have to look closer at some of those. The ESEE5 and BK2 are too small for what I want.
The CS Recon Scout was another interesting knife in that length. However, I don't like the "hilt" or hand guard extending out by the spine. It seems that it would interfere with finer woodwork. That's the only real drawback I find in that design.

Another question... Would I be better off getting something with a 1/4" blade, or would 3/16" save me some weight and do just as well when splitting??
 
The Becker BK7 is indeed a nice knife, especially given it's cost. For a little more dough, you can get micarta replacement handles and you should still be under budget.

I have had the hex-key bolts that secure the handle rust a little, but it has not impeded function. I do recommend loc-tite though as the bolts might pop loose with heavy use. I had to lash the handle on with paracord for the remainder of the trip since I didn't have a hex key with me.

The stock sheath isn't great, but it's better than nothing.
 
I've heard the top guard on the recon scout is easy to grind off with a belt sander.
1/4" full flat ground (FFG) blade will not weigh significantly more than a saber ground 3/16" blade of otherwise similar size.
OTOH, a saber ground 3/16" thick blade should baton & split wood as well as an FFG with a 1/4" spine
 
After long thoughts about a mid sized knife ideal for winter carry (I plan on going XC ski crazy this year) I decided on the Dylan Fletcher Hatchula. 3/16ths inch thick, but 2.5 inches wide- nice full convex grind and beefy working point. Combines a slicing edge with the beefyness of some heavy duty high carbon steel for muscle when processing cold, hard wood. I'd love to put it in a Martin Swinkel square horizontal carry sheath for easy on-the-go access when hitting the trails.
I think Vik has one of the best suggestions so far with the Condor Hudson Bay.
 
Esee
Entrek
Condor
I got a esee4, a 5 or 6 may suit your needs better. I also have an entrek javalina of similar size but Ray offers pretty good variety. All are 440C with a good ht. And I have a condor inca knife with a 10" blade more like a small machete but has done well in local hard woods for me. Kabar also has the short heavy bowie with a 7" blade. Seems tough enough but I haven't used it much
 
Not to get off topic, but S7, how do you like your Javalina? It's been on the want list for a while now. How do you like it compared to other quality companion sized survival knives?
 
I would go with the Grayman 7.5 Mega Pounder. I have one and I take it everytime I got out to the woods.

RP 558
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
..... I want to be able to baton and split wood up to 6" in diameter.
Click to expand...
Does the wood have to be split in half in one go (& therefore the need for a 7-8 inch blade)?

I ask this because you can still split up a 6 inch diameter log with a four inch blade by splitting off sections from the outside in :thumbup:



Kind regards
Mick
 
I would go with the RD-7 and try to find one that was made by Justin. I see them for sale in your price range. I have several Rangers and the RD-7 is one of my favorites.
 
I personally carry a GB mini or CS trail hawk. A knife isn't the only way to get things done and actually not the best thing IMO.
 
IMO you'd be better off going with the RD-9. It'll give you more room to breath for batoning those 6" logs, and be a better chopper.

If you're willing to go this route, you might want to consider a Himalayan Imports kukri.

The 15" Ang Khola would give you roughly 10" of blade, and squeak in under the $150 limit. You could also get a 18" Sirupate (which would yield about 12" of blade -- kukri are measured by overall length) in your price range.

They also come up with some more traditional (western) style knives, such as the Kumar Karda (bottom, it's a long version) or Bura bowie (2nd from bottom):
100_0061.jpg


Or the Ang Khola Bowie
100_0105.jpg


Their blades are hand forged 5160, and can be had in a mirror polish, satin (villager) or with the forge scale left on (true villager). Lesser finishes cost less.
 
Here are some photos of knives that might work for you

Some are above your price range--but will help you compare size to others

Picture504.jpg

Picture479.jpg

DSC05946.jpg

Picture001.jpg
 
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