What is your idea of the ideal 7"-9" blade

pitdog said:
if you are going to be hiking then weight will be an issue.
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I have a friend that weighs 500 #..........I am amused when he complains about a knife weighing a couple ounces too much for him to carry.......

If a couple ounces make that much of a difference, get stronger !!

.
 
After 12 months of testing in some very common tasks, I have developed HUGE respect and admiration for the Ka-Bar # 1277 14" Bowie with 9" Blade.
I'll keep it simple:
- Overall Ergonomics and balance is excellent
- Grip geometry is excellent and exceeds that of many custom and other production grips for ergonomics & usability
- Blade geometry is excellent for both bushcraft and butchering (I used mine 3 times a week to butcher in the kitchen). 9" is the minimum for a good wind-up in chopping in and out.
Blade allows for an ideal balance between chopping (straight edge), boning, skinning and point work.
- The sheath is OK
- As an ergonomist and human factors pro, this grip design is IT.
All the fuss over blade steel types matters little if the action performed is not efficient. I like and need to sharpen a 'user' blade before each use. The simple Carbon steel makes this easy. The Ka-Bar 14" Bowie is my go-to choice for most big knife tasks. At the price, it leaves money in the Bank for your retirement too:D
I would love it even better if it was made in a stainless steel like VG10 or S30V etc. But then it would be more work to sharpen and steel.


valcas1 said:
Over the past several months I have been watching the forum and seeing various 7-9" blades- camp knives. Some I like, some I am not to fond of. I would like to ask everyone here there opinion as to what makes this blade useful. what design features do you look for. Most important ***Which one is your favorite, and remember pictures always help!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I am thinking of making one or having one made in this size to incorporate into my warm weather outings. I don't see it during cold weather because I don't believe it could effectively replace a axe. I would like to see if it will do everything I ask of it when it is accompanied with my Koster Bushcraft and my Victorinox Farmer.

What do you think this size blade can not do? if anything.

As always, thanks for your input

Paul
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Moodino said:
After 12 months of testing in some very common tasks, I have developed HUGE respect and admiration for the Ka-Bar # 1277 14" Bowie with 9" Blade.
Click to expand...

I really like the looks of it:
1277_large.jpg

And they have a 7.75" version as well:
1276_large.jpg
 
Fiddleback said:
If you're going up to 7 or more inches, its a mid to large knife IMO, and it has to be able to do stout jobs like chopping. Its not a finess knife at all, so you've got to pair it with something that can do fine cutting.

JMHO.
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SHE7.jpg
 
Thanks for the pics (I can't make attachments).
Take special note of the amount of space the grip leaves for your knuckles below. What separates an efficient chopper from a 'hacker' is this and the fact that the grip axis is parallel to the edge axis. Angled grip/blade relationships sure look sexy, but they are not as efficient at task chopping. Obviously, the Kukri and other angled blades concentrate energy further to the front of the blade. For a General purpose & survival blade I want no such canting! Take note also of the pinkie finger hook. That is very important as it maintains control and allows for a good snap on the down stroke. This makes chopping less tiring and more efficient too.

naked said:
I really like the looks of it:
1277_large.jpg

And they have a 7.75" version as well:
1276_large.jpg
Click to expand...
 
my favorite is a toss up between my Becker BK1 "Brute" and my Chopweiler,only pics of chopweiler are old ones...
IMG_1413.jpg

IMG_1412.jpg

IMG_1411.jpg
 
I guess mine would be the RAT 7
Split.jpg

It may not be a Busse, but it has proven itself more than enough for me for larger tasks. I just pair it with a SAK for smaller tasks if needed.
 
The RAT's are great knives I'm supprised it's taken this long for someone to bring them up !
 
MrCoffee said:
Well, for a blade that large, my RD9 is the only one I still own. I was clearing out earlier this year and sold off most of my big blades. But you cant go wrong with A RD9. I like Scott Gossman's large Tusker too. Very solid knife.



I aggree with this, but I have a friend who uses his SP8 for everything, doesnt carry a small blade. I have watched him make tinder sticks from matches with it.... amazing to see the skill with such a big blade.
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I'm curious about what people think about the relative usefulness of the Ranger RD-9 and RD-7. I can imagine that the RD-7 can actually do some respectable chopping, but could also be easier to control for smaller, more-usual cutting tasks. I know that for serious chopping the RD-9 would be far and away the better, but if what I'm after is something big-knife-like that would fill the 85%-cutting, 15%-chopping niche, would the RD-7 be the best bet? Or am I basically getting such an unwieldy, big knife either way that an RD-7 would be a dumb compromise, and the only way to go is to get a massive RD-9 and pair it with a Mora or such like for the little stuff?

Or, to put it another way, how useful is the RD-7 for general-purpose outdoor survival work?
 
What separates an efficient chopper from a 'hacker' is this and the fact that the grip axis is parallel to the edge axis. Angled grip/blade relationships sure look sexy, but they are not as efficient at task chopping.
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That is a very intersting statement. I was thinking the opposite. Can you explain further your thoughts on this. I think a slightly canted or angled handle would be a much more relaxed hand position for chopping. It also seems like most large choppers have incorporated this feature. I appreaciate and look forward to hearing you expand on this.

This is stuff that I was looking for before I design or buy a large blade.

Thanks

Paul
 
This thread has some AWESOME pics!

Nice combo Guyon. I'm hoping for a SAR to put into service...
 
naked said:
I really like the looks of it:
1277_large.jpg

And they have a 7.75" version as well:
1276_large.jpg
Click to expand...

By the way, the Ka-Bar "heavy bowie" line is one that I, too, think is underappreciated. I've done a lot of woodchopping with one, and have yet to have any problems. The flat grind makes it good at slicing. If one felt a need for a sharp-false-edged fighter, that long clip point seems like it'd lend itself to that VERY nicely--more so than the steeper, shorter clips on other blades. It's actually a much lighter blade, or at least it seems that way to me, than on lots of other Bowies, such as the Ontario Marine Raider or the Solingen big Bowies from the 1960s. I'm surprised at how easily people seem to disdain these Ka-Bars.
 
Return of the J.D. said:
I'm curious about what people think about the relative usefulness of the Ranger RD-9 and RD-7. I can imagine that the RD-7 can actually do some respectable chopping, but could also be easier to control for smaller, more-usual cutting tasks. I know that for serious chopping the RD-9 would be far and away the better, but if what I'm after is something big-knife-like that would fill the 85%-cutting, 15%-chopping niche, would the RD-7 be the best bet? Or am I basically getting such an unwieldy, big knife either way that an RD-7 would be a dumb compromise, and the only way to go is to get a massive RD-9 and pair it with a Mora or such like for the little stuff?

Or, to put it another way, how useful is the RD-7 for general-purpose outdoor survival work?
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That's a good point you raise. With any knife choice it's all about compromises,there is and never will be a perfect knife for all tasks. The reason I opted for a Chopweiler and not say a Dogfather was because I wanted a more all round knife that is to say not a pure chopper but one with chopping ability but still versatile to use for other finer tasks.
I would say a 7" blade is the minimum you could effectively use as a chopper but also the maximum size you could use for finer tasks...JMO !!!
 
pitdog said:
That's a good point you raise. With any knife choice it's all about compromises,there is and never will be a perfect knife for all tasks. The reason I opted for a Chopweiler and not say a Dogfather was because I wanted a more all round knife that is to say not a pure chopper but one with chopping ability but still versatile to use for other finer tasks.
I would say a 7" blade is the minimum you could effectively use as a chopper but also the maximum size you could use for finer tasks...JMO !!!
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PIT(AS USUAL) IS CORRECT:thumbup:

THESE ARE SOME OF THE SIEGLES I HAVE(OR HAVE HAD)

CLICK BELOW--THEN CLICK FULLSIZE

http://www.putfile.com/pic/7059995

http://www.putfile.com/pic/7606164

I KEPT THE ONES THAT WORKED WELL FOR ME--

I HAVE HAD RANGERS(STILL HAVE SEVERAL) AS WELL AS CAMP TRAMP/BATTLERAT/DOGFATHER LE,ETC....ALL ARE VERY GOOD KNIVES

THERE IS NO PERFECT KNIFE----THERE ARE SOME PERFECT ONE'S FOR YOU THOUGH.

TRY AS MANY DIFFERENT ONES AS YOU CAN--AND SEE WHAT ONE WORKS FOR YOU.

AND LISTEN TO PEOPLE LIKE PITDOG AND TEXAS--AS WELL AS THE OTHERS ON THIS FORUM.

IGNORE ANYONE TELLING YOU THAT ONE MAKER OR ONE BRAND IS ALL YOU "NEED"----ONLY "YOU" CAN DETERMINE WHAT YOU NEED --THROUGH TRIAL AND TESTING.

KEEP US POSTED ON WHAT YOU GET

DR.BILL
 
Thank you for the input. I have seen several ideas that I like and there was a good exchange of info.

It looks like I am going to have to sketch out my ideas and see if Justin form Ranger Knives can make it happen. I may actually grind out the profile out of some cheap steel to see how the knife will feel in hand. I will post up on the this thread for comments.

If anyone has spesific things they like aobut there favorite let's hear them. Choil/ or not legnth of handle, handle contour.

Thanks again

Paul.
 
This is my biggest knife and is just shy of 7 inches. I have been thinking about trading it, but I have only found a few things I like in its class. I have been eyeballing the Fehrman, Swamprat and Fallkniven larger blades.

I still have to get some of my own pictures, but this one will do for now. Its a Burchtree BUSK and Its very practical and extremely well built. The extra long handle makes it really easy for choking back for huge chops.

busk.jpg
 
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