Recommendations for a medium woods knife?

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.

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Here, here, Becker gets my vote here.

To split 6" diameter logs, I would favor the blade to be longer - like 9" on the BK-9.

I have one and it's out of character for me but I love it and it's a great knife.
Takes a beating - and wet Doug' Fir logs are not that easy to split, especially on soft, needle-laden ground, so no axe for me in this situation, where anything you try to split is acting like a weeble regardless of the method. I spent three years on Fort Lewis, most of that time outside, all year. The 1095 in that Becker is just fine. There is absolutely no NEED for stainless steel in that environment, so don't waste your money. I carried and used a Schrade Walden Improved Muskrat - daily in that weather and I still have it. The blades did not rust away. Now, if you pack it away in your trunk in a wet sheath or rolled up in a wet tarp, that's another story, but I did three years in that soggy place and carbon steel is just fine. If you WANT stainless, then get something stainless, but the 1095 in the Beckers is tough, it's cheap and it can be kept up with minimal effort. They don't even need that coating on the blade either. I reviewed the BK-9 on Woods Monkey a couple years ago. I have been beating that knife through seasoned hardwood ever since and have not touched it to a sharpening tool yet. No, it won't shave hair, bjut iut would if I tuned it up and there are NO nicks or rolls in that edge. You will want to Loctite the handle screws/nuts though.

I wish I'd had one of these when I was stationed there. Perfect knife for the situation and reasonably cheap as well. I like my customs, but I like my Becker too. I am not a "big knife" guy but that Becker is one good, down to earth tool.
 
Jeff H said:
Here, here, Becker gets my vote here.

To split 6" diameter logs, I would favor the blade to be longer - like 9" on the BK-9.
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Thanks for all the input!!

I really don't want to get something as big as the BK9. I think the 7 is big enough. One thing that concerns me is the "plastic" handles. Are they good? They certainly look cheap.

I also prefer the FFG of the Ranger series. 1095 seems to be the standard, so I'm not sure about the 5160 from Ontario.
 
I have not read the other post, yet. I would check out stknives.com I have the backup ( blue G-10 ) on there website. It's been my EDC for about a year. Just puttin that out there, good luck ! If you have any questions PM me. I would be happy to help. They dont show it in all of there pic's, but you can get all of there knives in a drop point.
 
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Nathanial4 said:
Excellent catch!

I am looking forward to seeing what fits the bill on this one!

Nathanial4
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The Fallkniven A1 would be a good choice in that size range. A little shy of the 7-8 inch mark but hard to tell that by how well it chops and it's 1/4 inch thick. Its size belies how hrad it will work, and the A2 is a bit longer.

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Better for food prep minus the coating though and it is also offered in a satin finish.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=756784


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ShooterMcgavin said:
Thanks for all the input!!

I really don't want to get something as big as the BK9. I think the 7 is big enough. One thing that concerns me is the "plastic" handles. Are they good? They certainly look cheap.

I also prefer the FFG of the Ranger series. 1095 seems to be the standard, so I'm not sure about the 5160 from Ontario.
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Th "7" is every bit the knife the "9" is except that is just shorter.
Like someone else mentioned, you could split 6" sections with a shorter knife if you work around the circumference first. The wood you will find in your area (predominantly confiers) will soak up a lot of water once dead and it doesn't seem to "pop" like deciduous hardwoods when you get so far into the split. Sort of makes you baton all the way through unless VERY dry.

Like I said, the big BK-9 (or eventhe BK-7) is WAY out of character for me but I think it's a wonderful knife.

The handles are comfortable and durable, though they do loosen (Loc-Tite) after time. They look cheap, but so did the Remington Nylon 66.

1095 is a great no-frills steel and is just hard to beat. Inexpensive to boot.
5160 is probably no better or worse without getting into metalurgical details to the point of no real-life benefit to me personally. I would buy any knife that I liked if it were available in 1095. The "boutique steels" are great but don't make or break a knife decision for me unless it's just not right for the application. 1095 is not only cheap and great, but it is also appropriate for the application here with the inteneded use and the type of grind on the BKs.
 
Right at your limit, CRKS still has the s7 3/8" RD6 (about 6.5 tip to scales)....

Would be fun to own.
 
You MIGHT be able to find a used Fallkniven A2 for that. That's a good knife in that size range.
 
I have nothing but good things to say about my Becker 9. It's a great camp knife and chopper (it's one of the old Camillus models, though - I haven't owned one of the new Kabars, so I can't vouch for them).

I would also recommend checking out JK Handmade Knives (see the hosted forum in the knifemakers section). John makes a terrific camp knife at a very reasonable price. He uses O1 and is always open to customization suggestions.

He made me my favourite choper (a 7" Hudson Bay):

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and a dedicated snowshoeing knife, which has micarta handles and a patina to help with waterproofing:

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and, last but not least, my go-to camping and hiking blade, the ACEK:

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Let us know what you decide to go with!

All the best,

- Mike
 
Dr Bill, what's the knife in your bottom pic with the hatchet/short axe?
 
My son has the BK-7 and it rocks - would certainly do what you need. Honestly, I like my BK-2 better for outdoor stuff though 6" logs would be a bit of a challenge I suppose. Those handles are great too - very comfie, IMO and built to last.

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ShooterMcgavin said:
I want to be able to baton and split wood up to 6" in diameter.
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seems to me that what you want is a hatchet, not a knife.

a small Wetterlings axe or similar would be better than any knife for that sort of heavy duty work.

get a hatchet and a 4-6" knife and your set.

look at the Mora lineup of knives for a nice cheap blade of surprisingly high quality. if you're prepared to drop some more $$$, then look at the ESEE and Fallkniven lineups. Another option if the tried and tested (and abused beyond all belief) Ka-Bar USMC.
 
Check out the older "camp knife challenge" thread, too.

There's a lot of choices - custom and production - for that. I'd also look at Bruce Culberson's knives.
 
sambo. said:
seems to me that what you want is a hatchet, not a knife.
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I agree that a hatchet would be better. I have a small hatchet. However, when going out for a couple days, I'd rather save the ~10 oz and carry the knife. I will spend a little more energy to split wood, so I don't have to spend a little more energy at every step, while carrying the heavier hatchet.

Thanks for all the great suggestions, and for the great pictures too!!!

Mentor, that ACEK is gorgeous!!

In terms of edge retention, is there going to be much of a difference between Ranger's 5160 and Becker's 1095? How about compared to the 1095 of Ontario's RAT7 or other mass-produced knives?

When looking at the Becker BK7 compared to a blade with a full flat grind, is there a noticeable difference in performance? Maybe I am over-thinking this a bit too much? (of course, I've never done that before ;))
 
Hey Shooter -

I have a CS Trailmaster which is a bit larger than your specs, but it's little brother the Recon Scout would work admirably and fit your budget with some $ to spare. The Recon Scout has a 7 1/2" blade, 5/16" thick FFG blade, full-tang, a really nice sheath (wish my Trailmaster came with one like it), and an awesome no-slip-grip Kraton handle.

If you're into customizing, there are some great mods done to these knives that really set them apart from other factory blades.

I have really been rockin' my Trailmaster and i gotta believe the Recon Scout wouldn't be too far behind it! Before you say "yes" or "no" to a blade handle one if you can to experience the heft, balance and over-all appeal to you.
 
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