tactical/survival/utility/fighting knives???

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mthall47

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Let's hear what your choice would be from among the following:
1] Ka-Bar Traditional or Next Generation OR
2] Ranger RD-7 or RD-9
3] Becker BK-9
4] RTAK (I have heard lots of negative on this one)
5] FF6 Tactical USGI


Of the above does any stand out in your mind as a really good choice?

THanks much for all the advice and patience. :confused:
 
I would prefer the Benchmade Nimravus. Though, you should hold one before you buy, because different people seem to find it more/less comfortable than others. I find it great for my hands.
 
I would take any Ranger: Justin is a stand up guy, and his knives represent incredible quality for the price.

The RD series are tough, well balanced, and have comfortable and secure handles.

The sheaths that Justin includes are very robust and functional.
 
the rd's are your best for survival...

if you remove the survival portion of the description - id probably go with a nimravus as well... those things have bueatifully thin edges...
 
The Ranger RDx will take a beating and keep going. I've pried and chopped and I havent rolled or chipped the edge the slightest bit once with my RD7. I've had it wedged into a log and leaned on it to get it out and never felt like it was going to break.

And Justin is a great guy to deal with.
 
The current Next Gen. Kabar uses 440A steel which is just OK, IMO, the original in 1095 steel is much better and even costs less.

For even less money you can get Camillus's USMC knife. Also uses 1095 steel and you should find them on-line for $35.

The Kabar looks and feels a little better but they both perform equally. In any case, dollar for dollar, these two USMC knives are the best value in a field/camp knife.

What do you plan on using this knife for?

Collecter
 
Becker for a large knife/small machetel, the flat ground RD9 for more focus on heavy chopping, prying, splitting and general heavier use.

-Cliff
 
To be honest, I don't quite know what I will be using the knife for.
Some light to medium chopping, something to carry around in the woods for just about anything I think I may need it for, except I don't plan to abuse the knife with super heavy duty pounding, chopping, or prying.
I wish I could actually see a Ranger. I have picked up and hefted the Ka Bar and the BK9 at my local knife specialty store, but the owner is not familiar with the Ranger series.
 
mthall47 said:
To be honest, I don't quite know what I will be using the knife for.
Some light to medium chopping, something to carry around in the woods for just about anything I think I may need it for, except I don't plan to abuse the knife with super heavy duty pounding, chopping, or prying.
I wish I could actually see a Ranger. I have picked up and hefted the Ka Bar and the BK9 at my local knife specialty store, but the owner is not familiar with the Ranger series.
Click to expand...
Ranger Knives isn't a big production company like Ka Bar or Camillus(Becker) is :)
Justin is the knifemaker/owner of Ranger Knives.
 
mthall47 said:
I don't plan to abuse the knife with super heavy duty pounding, chopping, or prying.
Click to expand...
The Becker will suit this well assuming you like the grips.

-Cliff
 
I may be headed over to the desert soon and was thinking of picking up a KABAR D2 Extreme fighting knife for the trip. Does anyone have any reviews?
 
i've read many times here that stainless is more brittle than carbon steel. that being said, i would recommend a carbon steel knife.

look at swamp rat...becker..kabar (carbon)..bark river....and others.
 
Definitely carbon steel for the sake of durability. I've got a RD9 and a BK9. Same length but two very different knives.

Desc:

BK9 - The handles happen to fit my hand well and the BK9-1 I own has the rough desert-tan grips. (I modified my other Beckers... see link BF Link .) The knife is light and quick. Solid and sharp as h*** out of the box. Also, inexpensive. You should be able to get one shipped at $50.

RD9 - The thing is a chopping workhorse. I don't know what I could do to damage this knife!! Thicker and heavier than the BK9 - I can't help but believe that it is far more durable of the two. But, again, a different knife from the BK9. Not as suited to the lighter work one could do with the BK9.


Humble and personal recommendation:

Survival - RD9... You don't have worry about it failing and costing you your life IMHO.

Utility - In general? RD9 for the same reasons ASSUMING your needs are heavy duty and not... :rolleyes: food prep.

Fighting - BK9. All right... I'm no "knife fighter" nor did any of my isshinryu training from years ago involving using knives... only taking 'em away from your opponent. (Sai semi-qualify, I guess, but I digress...) Anyway... due to the lightness, the BK9 feels a lot quicker. That's not to say that Justin doesn't make light, fighting knives. He has several that have met with rave reviews, but I have experience with and am discussing only the RD9 here.

Tactical - What's that? I can't differentiate "tactical" from the above three.

Sorry, I have no experience with the others on your list.

Buy both?? :D

Oh yeah... Justin and his wife Jen are awesome. He is very proud of his work and will do whatever it takes to "make things right." Truly a man of honor and worthy of respect.

Camillus (Becker), on the other hand, seems to have lost interest in the forums and their Collector Club has some pretty spotty reviews. The operator was helpful with me on the telephone, but you certainly won't get the level of personal service that you would find if you go thru Ranger directly or thru one of their largest distributors, like Sage Creek.

Search "Ranger" "RD9" and "Justin" on this forum and check out Ranger Knives forum on knifeforums.com. (I hope that last part is "allowed," if not, I apologize to the mod.) Justin's reputation is beyond reproach.




(edited to agree thx to Powell's catch :) KNIFEforums)
 
Paddling_man said:
Utility - In general? RD9 for the same reasons ASSUMING your needs are
Search "Ranger" "RD9" and "Justin" on this forum and check out Ranger Knives forum on bladeforums.com. (I hope that last part is "allowed," if not, I apologize to the mod.) Justin's reputation is beyond reproach.
Click to expand...
He meant "knifeforums.com" ;) :)
 
The Becker would be my choice.I used to own one,& it took a Beating and Came back for more.The grips are excellent for hard use,IMHO:cool:
 
Get a Ranger while you still can , He will get hella busy soon and then you will have to wait , I have one of his custom bowie in 7.5 blade and love it , nice sheath .Justin is a great guy and his work is very nice ,he allso makes his knives in D2 for a little more . :D
 
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