SOG NW Ranger or Ontario SK-5 blackbird?

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Waldamir

Joined
Jun 30, 2012
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In terms of durability, ability to baton, hold an edge and sharpen in the field which would be a better choice?
 
Waldamir said:
In terms of durability, ability to baton, hold an edge and sharpen in the field which would be a better choice?
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I'd say about equal on paper. Can't speak for true performance though.

Just looking at specs they both seem good. However I suggest investing the little bit of money for a hatchet and carrying that too to split wood. Battoning is just unwise.

Edit: WAIT UP!!! Hit wrong knife! Sog is aus 8... Sk5 will always be better. Haha hit the one below it.
 
TantoFan said:
I'd say about equal on paper. Can't speak for true performance though.

Just looking at specs they both seem good. However I suggest investing the little bit of money for a hatchet and carrying that too to split wood. Battoning is just unwise.

Edit: WAIT UP!!! Hit wrong knife! Sog is aus 8... Sk5 will always be better.
Click to expand...

I will have a Fiskars x7 with me but I have more experience batoning then I do with a hatchet. Plus if I get my self in a pickle and loose, break, etc, etc.. I could use the knife as a backup.
 
Waldamir said:
I will have a Fiskars x7 with me but I have more experience batoning then I do with a hatchet. Plus if I get my self in a pickle and loose, break, etc, etc.. I could use the knife as a backup.
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Haha just don't break it :) seriously, you will likely take good care of it if its keeping you alive.

You'll do better with a hatchet you know nothing about than a knife in my opinion. Why not get 2? Seriously they're 6.99 at (not allowed to list)....oh yeah, rules :D check around. You'll find some cheap camp axes
 
TantoFan said:
Haha just don't break it :) seriously, you will likely take good care of it if its keeping you alive.

You'll do better with a hatchet you know nothing about than a knife in my opinion. Why not get 2? Seriously they're 6.99 at (not allowed to list)....oh yeah, rules :D check around. You'll find some cheap camp axes
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The fiskars x7 is only $6.99? Can you message me the location?
 
Actually I can't. Literally. I don't have that "privilege". Got an email? That I can do. Btw it's not a fiskars but it is a cheap hunk of steel that works ok.
 
The SK5 Ontario is the product number not the steel. It's 154cm and we've had complaints from two people here at BF about chipping of the blade on wood during batoning. high carbide stainless steels have great wear resistance, good corrosion resistance but aren't that tough. It is designed more for cutting, food prep, processing game or fish if needed, though there would be better for this. It's not designed for batoning wood, or similar impact or prying type uses. It is a good knife at what it is designed for. I like mine and would use it for camping but not survival uses with only 1 knife and no axe.

Joe
 
I dont have a Blackbird but i do have a NW Ranger. The NWR has a really fine clip point that might break off if you baton too hard with it. The jimping on the spine is super sharp. it will become painful to use for fine bushcraft tasks without gloves on. All in all, the NWR is ok. I would personally choose the SK5 if I had the choice.
 
H does every knife post that involves the word batonning end up a 'buy a hatchet' answer? I prefer a hatchet myself, but that wasn't the question! Who unlocked the Hawks and Axes forum door and let those folks out lately? Some people just want knife opinions! Go back and play with your hafts.
 
I just got the NW Ranger, it's a really great knife. I actually like it a lot more than my Swamp Rats and other high end knives. Yes the jimping and guard notches are a little aggressive, that was resolved in about 5 minutes with some course sandpaper. The handle is super comfortable. It's an outstanding cutter and the heat treat is perfect. Do not be misled by it's use of AUS8, it's an outstanding stainless to use where toughness is concerned and takes a very keen edge. Check out the vids on YouTube showing the NW Ranger being battoned and heavily used. However, I wouldn't use it to batton anything large, while it's not a weak knife I'd say it's on par with a Kabar in terms of tang and handle toughness. I would never chose 154cm for a wilderness stainless, instead go a little lower in hardness and have a safer and tougher blade.

I plan on using mine heavily this weekend and will report back.

Also, if heavy batoning is really important to you and you want to stay with a stainless knife, check out SURVIVE GSO's. A lot more money than the two you mentioned but probably the toughest stainless fixed blades around right now.
 
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