Too many choices for new guy

P

pghickster

Joined
Jan 31, 2007
Messages
6
Hi,
New here and to knives...
Looking to purchase a camp/defense/survial knife. This will be my only knife and will be for use around the camp, as well as making me feel a bit secure with young kids in the wilderness (we live in cat and bear area). I know, the bear and cat would probably kill me, but we'll all sleep better...
Any way... I've been looking at a number of knives from SOG, especially the:
Seal
Seal Pup
Bowie
But now I've also seen the Ontario line and the Rat-7

Any thoughts? advice?
 
Lots of talk on here about the RAT7, you won't go wrong with that knife,
I have a RAT5 on the way but for cats and bears the extra 2 inches would help me sleep better as well.
I would reccomend getting to know your knife well, and maybe even getting the kids a mora knife to use (great beginner knife, even have a version with a guard for kids, and bright colors) just in case, you never know.
A cougar wont be scared of a knife, be prepared to use it should the situation arise, god forbid.

RAT7
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449241

here one about knives for big kitties

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=448446
 
Don't forget about the Becker line. Economical as well as useable/abuseable.

-Lindey
 
I feel compelled to interject that if there is any real danger of bear/cat attack in your local area, arming (and getting training for) yourself with a firearm would be the most responsible option.
 
Look for a fixed blade between 5-7 inches in length. Full tang construction for strength. Look closely at the handle. It shouldn't be too small or too thin. The handle should fill your hand nicely, giving you a solid grip. Check the sheath, it should ride comfortably on your person. A knife is absolutely of no use if you cannot get to it, which is why the knife should be on the belt, not in the pack, truck,boat etc.
 
Certainly for bears, but for cats I think a knife would do just as well if not better. You'll probably never see the cat that attacks you until the attack begins. The cat will have its teeth and claws in you long before you realize you're being hunted by a predator.

Since the cat will be attached to you or your loved one, a knife should do quite well. Shooting a cat while its attached to a loved one risks overpenetration of your shot.

just my .02 - i'm no expert on wild animal attacks.
 
Ontario 12" machete, or Tramontina 14", and a frost mora, under 20 bucks for both, won't scare the natives and will do anything that I am aware of in the woods. Chris
 
I go along with SkunkWerX. The Mora and OH Trekker are both excellent choices for field knives and even though I have and prefer the Becker BK-7, the Rat7, according to most accounts I've read, is a very decent knife.

I didn't care much for the SOG that I bought. I sent it to a friend who wanted to send it to his son in Iraq, but when he got it, he didn't like it either so he sold it online and got a Becker 7 and sent it. His son loves it as a duty blade.

Once you have decided on the knife/knives for your $100.00, when you get and take into the field, sharpen up a stout hiking staff. It and the blade will give you much better defensive capabilities than just the knife.
 
$100 = Ranger RD7

Thats your knife. I trust mine with my life. RAT7 would also be good (I don't have one, but I have an RTAK II and love it).
 
Just bought a Rat-7 and like it a lot. I've only had it for 2 weeks now so I haven't put it through too much. I sharpened it hair shaving sharp then pounded it through a piece of red oak. I can still shave with it and so that impressed me a whole lot.
I bought it with the 1095 blade. Many people like the D2 also so I guess you just gota deceide. Here's a pic of mine right after I pounded it. All I had to do after was wash it with some soap and water and all that funk on the blade cleaned up.

Good luck and let us know what you get.
Rat-7.jpg
 
I really don't understand what yall do with those short swords in the woods :D but because you like them is enough reason.:thumbup:
 
You know... I want one for security. I'm a realtively small guy back packing with young kids in national parks. I don't need the cut down a tree knife... but I do want the cut dinner, pound in a tent stake, and god forbid fight someone or somehting to the death to protect my kids knife.

I've seen a lot of 4.5 to 5 inch blades... but wonder if 7 would make us all feel better.

On the other hand... another 2 inches probably won't make a difference in my ability to defend them against a mountain lion and a shorter blade would sure be a lot easier to strap to my hip for a week long hike.
 
Defense is another topic for another thread, do a search we've had some long discussions about it. Bear attacks and wolf attacks are pretty rare.
Mtn Lions also pretty rare, and, they don't allow you warning, they are stealthy and attack from behind and bite you in the neck.

If it makes you feel more secure, then maybe that is comforting, but if you really feel like you are in an area subject to wild animal attacks, a boom-stick makes more sense.

Being attacked by a pack of wild dogs is probably more likely than any of the above scenarios. And if you read some of those accounts, you'll wish you had .45 and spare clips.
 
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