Survival Knife

Oli's right !
Swamprat BattleRat is backed by the best warranty in the business. It's the most knife you can buy for the money. You break it , they replace it. Period.
No weaseling about abuse, etc.
The 9 1/2" blade chops about as well as a machete & outchops most hatchets. You can choke up on the blade & when the 2nd finger is in the choil, it becomes very neutral balanced & can be used for fine chores quite easily. Hammer tent stakes with the spine or side of blade, you won't hurt it.
Recently skinned a squirrel with mine , no problem. Gutted a trout, easy. Chopped up firewood to cook 'em, fun!
Checked the edge when finished with the chores, still shaving sharp.
If you just want 1 knife that can do it all,
Here it is :

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives.html
 
Amen Slices!

Since I got my Battle Rat I found the perfect survival knife! yeah, some might say it's big, but actualy I can handle small camp task with mine, I use it on my fishing trips, on my hunting trips, it's never too big, never to small, just perfect, and as you say slice, this Battle Rat actualy outchop most of the Hatchets I own!:D
as for the waranty, If you broke one, you got a new no question asked! Who say better?:rolleyes:
 
I have been stranded on an island with a BK7. Well not stranded exactly as I could have paddled home any time I wanted. Let's say voluntarily stranded. The Becker is as strong as I'll ever need a knife to be and I'm sure it's serving it's new owner (the maggot who stole it) just as well.

I'm currently putting a RAT7 through it's paces. I like it a lot.

Both are in your price range.
 
If you're gonna leave it in camp, the Brute would be great. If I had to tote it around, I'd want my man Friday around.:D The Becker Bowie would suit your needs and you'ld have enough left over for a one way ticket to the island of your choice! The BK7&9 are the best value around bar none. Nothing else even comes close. If you triple their price, then you could get a marginally better knife. I use my 9 more than the 7 lately as it's always in the truck. I think I actually prefer it as the BK7 is kind of a tweener.
 
Within your price range I would add my voice to those recommending the Swamprat Battle Rat. I can also highly recommend the Ontario RTAK.

If you are willing to go into the $300.00-$400.00 range I would look at the Fehrman First Strike or Final Judgement. Also the Busse Battle Mistress or Steel Heart. INFI is a hard steel to beat.
 
The RTAK was an option I considered.

Stich why can't you tote the Brute around? Is it too big...it's only half an inch bigger than the BK9.
 
As some mentioned above the BK7 or BK9 would be great choices, and under $100. I have a BK7 and it is awesome.

I have been threatening to buy a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp for some time now, and I still want one, I just have several other projects going. Maybe after Christmas.
 
I'll also chime in forr the BK9! IIRC, Ethan Becker mentioned that the Combat Bowie was meaner leaner version of the Brute. The brute is a nice knife no doubt but IMHO, I feel the blade geometry and design of the Combat Bowie is much better.

11833082-17dc-02000180-.jpg
 
I like the design of the Brute a lot better. I owned a crewman and loved it but it was too small IMO. The only thing keeping me away from the BK7 ot BK9 is the sheath. I'm not crazy about it. I would have to probably get a kydex from Survival Sheath s or someone else, I would rather a cordura or canvas sheath but the stock sheath I feel is a POS and I don't like the two tone I'd rather have straight up black. Yup, I know I'm picky :) Hell, I might by a BK7 as well as the Brute.
 
I had a Recon, didn't care for it and I equally despise the owner but we won't get into that.
 
I will chime in with Bill Siegle. I have one of his camp knives that comes in at your price range. Very solid, well made knife. I also have the SwampRat Camp Tramp, Battle Rat and Howling Rat. As stated before, you cannot go wrong. Every now and then I see one of the old Busse Basic-7's on the sale board in your range. You cannot go wrong there either. If you see one, jump quick, they never last long.

If you can up the price somewhat, pick up something from the Busse E-Series, you will not be sorry. I have a BA-e en-route soon and I can't wait 'till it gets here. You may want to look into Peter jensen and jenseneliteblades.com. I think they may have some there for you too. I have a JEB waterdog that I plan on flogging over the Christmas holidays at the in-laws property.


Enough for now


Cerberus
 
"use for hammering, chopping, cutting, digging whatever"

You have too much money or you just want to try to break a knife!

Camillus has a USMC in their closeout section for $26.00...it will do everything all the other knives will! Spend another $75 on a Gransfors Bruks axe and save the remaining $99 for beer.

If the either breaks, you still have the beer!

Collecter
 
Joe, that was a tongue in cheek remark about the Brute. In the past I have prefered the smaller end of large knives as a survival option because I hike sometimes for days and carrying gear wears on my old ass. So I have knives like the A1 and Nighthawk, and while they cut the musturd, they aren't really choppers. The BK7 is a step in the right direction, and I thought I had settled on it, but now I'm leaning to the BK9. When we go on the Appalachain this spring I'm gonna tote the A1 and I'll let my son tote the BK9.;) The sheaths are only adequate as you suggest. I certainly like the Brute, and the sheath looks good and sturdy, but I'm not lugging it around. Off the top of my head it weighs ~24oz, 6 or so ozs more than the BKBowie.
 
Joe2150,

Well I should have said why I like the Cold Steel knives. When I bought them the Swamp Rat knives weren't being made, nor were the Becker knives mentioned in this thread.

What I like about the Cold Steel knives is the fact that both have double guards. I am sure the Swamp Rat knives would be better cutters and perhaps better in other respects. Maybe the Beckers are better cutters too, but I hate the slippery handles on the Beckers, and won't buy them for that reason.

Anyhow, I prefer knives with traditional guards, and would still choose the Cold Steel knives over the others for that reason, despite the fact that the others are probably better in other respects.
 
I will not buy CS products because of Lynn Thompson's business practices and ethics.

If you don't know what I am talking about, don't bother asking me. Ask Lynn.

And to stay on-topic, my vote is for Becker as well (BK7 or BK9).
 
Originally posted by collecter
"use for hammering, chopping, cutting, digging whatever"

You have too much money or you just want to try to break a knife!

Collecter
Click to expand...
Haha no not at all, I just want something that can handle ANYTHING.

Stich, I hear what your saying, it's a tuff choice. I really like the recurve on the brute. I also agree it might be a little too large. They should make a Baby Brute with Kydex. Then I would be psyched.

Shane, I couldn't agree with you more. Lynn is a load and he has some balls saying what he says about good people in the industry. He even has a phony balogna martial arts trainer on his team. What a dick!
 
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