stumped on survival knife

B

blue morpho

Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
6
First time posting - interested in getting a fixed blade survival knife on the smaller side - say 3.5 to 6 inches. I've already searched endlessly on this forum, so it's not like I haven't done my homework. The knives I am considering are the Fallkniven F1, Doug Ritter RSK Mk3, RAT-3, Becker
CAMPANION™ #BK2 (amazon claims to have them - but it seems a bit heavy), Benchmade 151, Cold steel MASTER HUNTER, could go on, but that's the gist of it.(and don't want to spend more than 175.00) So just looking for some educated opinions, as well as any suggestions of reputable dealers if not buying directly from the manufacturer. Thanks for the help. (By the way, I'll be in the amzon for a few months, (if that helps), I'll be taking a machete as well - doing jungle survival training down there!

KDA
 
I will forego the swamprat bandwagon (howling rat lm would be excellent) as I am sure there will be plenty of that later. I have all of the knives you mentioned except the Ritter rsk mk3. All of them will do a good job for you, as would the Ontario TAK, Rat-5, and Rat-7. If you are going to be in the amazon for a few months, you might be interested to know that the designers of the Rat series run jungle survival training down there in Peru and elsewhere. You might even sub their RTAK for your machete. What jungle survival training course you taking? As I recall the army school used to be in panama. Or are you doing a private course? You might post on the Randall Adventure training forum at www.ontariorat.com and click the forums link.
 
Yea i bought a RAT-7 love it, ... then i bought the RAT-3 love it too. You could buy both those knives for under 175$
 
I recently went through that exercise and ended up with a Mora since it's only a backup knife. Light enough to carry as a spare and cheap, I ordered three from Ragweed Forge and put the one I liked the best into the survival kit. The others are getting yard duty.

Gordon
 
I've been looking at the Spear Point by the Graham Brothers. It has a 3" blade and is 7" OAL. Choices of steel include 154 CM, S30V, CPM 154 CM. Handle choices are also available. For survival, you may want to consider the orange G10.

I think there is a lengthy wait on delivery from the G Brothers. They have a great reputation.

Good luck.
:)
 
RAT line of knives will do what you are looking for and do it very well at an excellent cost.
 
And as for dealers, there are many excellent ones.

You could try New Graham, Chestnut Ridge, or even...dare I say it...Sparks' own One Stop Knife Shop (1SKS). They'll all 'do you right.'

And even at $175.00 you might find a high quality custom blade. There are a lot of really skilled makers who post on BladeForums -- check out the Custom Knife Forum.
 
Agonize over the Swamp Rat Howling Rat LM, Swamp Rat M6, Ranger Knives RD-4, and Ranger Knives RD-6. Anything else is time better spent agonizing over those four.
 
Actually for once I would have to disagree with Thom (personal preference only of course). All of the once he listed are too wide and thick for my liking. This is of course also a matter of what you are looking for in survival knife but in the size range you are looking at, I would prefere something a bit slimer and more "nimble" such as the Aurora, Foxriver or even the Settler (or for me personally, particularily the Settler) from the BRKT line.
 
Do you have any fixed blades in that range already to help you form opinions about what you like/dislike? If not, I'd also suggest going with a couple of Moras and seeing if one fits. I recently went through a similar hunt, though on a much tighter budget, and ended up ordering a few from ragweedforge, and love them. They're simply highly functional blades.

You could always get one while deciding, and at least have a 'spare' to keep in the pack. And if it's helpful, I'm really interested in picking up the F1 and a BRKT Fox River as good outdoor fixed blades, down the road.
 
That RTAK II is bad ass!!! Alright, you guys have convinced me, I am definitely going with The Rat 3 and/or 7 or the Tak I. I could see how this could quickly become a dangerous obsession...knife collecting, that is...thanks again. By the way, I'll be hiring a boat to go up the amazon for about a week, if anyone's interested...
 
I remember Jeff Randall used to have a glowing review of the CS SRK on his website before he came out with his RAT line. Though at the limit of your size range I think it's still a good choice. Saves you some money too. That said though, as long as you'll have a machete along for the heavy stuff I think something around 4" or so like a CS Master Hunter or TAK-1 would be much more useful/handy to have around.
 
I have most of the knives you mentioned and like most of them. I'd give that Ritter one a shot if I were you. Or the Rat 3 with sheep horn scales.... Actually you could get the Rat 3 and 7 for that money, as Jarlaxle mentioned
A dozier would also be nice especially because of the way they are carried in an angled cross draw, making them very unobtrusive. Hard pressed to get one under $175 tho.
 
All good knives mentioned. Another option I have carried and used a Randall model 15 O1 steel in Montana and Alaska for over 30 years and has done everything I asked of it and more and never failed. Can look at AG Russell and Nordic Knives for Randalls if you dont wait the long waiting period from the factory
 
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