Whats a good 7in fixed blade knife

M

Maccool

Joined
Apr 26, 2007
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I have been looking and searching on here and but haven't found what I've been looking for. So I'm looking for a good camp knife that is very tough and down with whatever I throw at it. I have been looking at the kabar d2 and the ranger rd7 and was wondering if any one had anything else around this price range(75-125), and if not which one of these would you pick?
Thanks, Neil
 
How much do you want to spend? I have a Randall Sportsman's Bowie with a 6" blade that I have carried on camping trips and hikes for over 40 years and it is the best that I have ever encountered. But it now costs about $250 from Randall and there is a long wait to get one. You could probably get one from elsewhere quiker, but you will pay more for that.
 
Maccool said:
I have been looking and searching on here and but haven't found what I've been looking for. So I'm looking for a good camp knife that is very tough and down with whatever I throw at it. I have been looking at the kabar d2 and the ranger rd7 and was wondering if any one had anything else around this price range(75-125), and if not which one of these would you pick?
Thanks, Neil
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First of all welcome to blade forums:)

Now, my choice of knife in this regin is a Becker BK7, one of my favorite knives, though, you'll have a hard time finding any (look on the camillus forum, I found a few sites, started a thread) But, a ranger RD7 has allways been a knife I wanted, If I were you, thats the knife I would go for, semi custom, and an awsome user. :thumbup:
 
Maccool said:
I have been looking and searching on here and but haven't found what I've been looking for. So I'm looking for a good camp knife that is very tough and down with whatever I throw at it. I have been looking at the kabar d2 and the ranger rd7 and was wondering if any one had anything else around this price range(75-125), and if not which one of these would you pick?
Thanks, Neil
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If you add a bit you may buy excellent MPK-S10 from TAD Gear. On my opinion the best in this class in terms of ergonomic, plus A2 steel, plus TiAlN Coating.

And I guess I may mention that MPK is good enough for Navy Seals...

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I would go for the Ranger (actually, I DID).

Whatever you choose, if it's for a camp knife I recommend you go with some carbon steel rather than D2.
 
I like the Fällkniven A1 a lot, although it's not actually 7 inch, but more accurately a bit over 6 inches (160 mm). A1 has an excellent VG-10 laminated (stainless) blade. It can take very heavy use.

If you're aiming for something cheaper, then I might as well suggest the M.95 J-P Peltonen Sissipuukko (or ranger knife, as it tends to get called in English). Ugly as hell, but gets the job done. Hand-forged carbon steel blade with a teflon coating, and very good sheaths with a retention roll mechanism that allows them to be worn upside down.
 
cybrok said:
I would go for the Ranger (actually, I DID).

Whatever you choose, if it's for a camp knife I recommend you go with some carbon steel rather than D2.
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I agree, IMO D2 works best in 3 to 4 inch blades, maybe 5 inches, as Dozier uses it.

As for 7 inch blades (7 inches 'more or less') The Ranger (it's made of 5160 spring steel) is a great suggestion; so's the Ontario RAT 7 in 1095. And there are a couple of others too, for example the Swamp Rat. You can find it here: http://www.swampratknifeworks.com
 
ok if not the kabar D2 then how about the Fallkniven A1 that Elen recommended compared to the ranger rd7? And I wanted to thank every one for all the help you have given me
 
I would second the RAT-7 in either D2 or 1095, it is really more like 6.5" but still a great knife. In a shorter lenght <5" D2 is a clear winner, 5-7" either has merrits but above 7" 1095 is my choice.

The Chris Reeve series has a few 7 inchers but are in a different snack bracket.
 
Ranger 7 is a great knife. But if you want something tough, it's hard to beat the Yard Hook, Yard Guard or Scrapper 6 at http://www.scrapyardknives.com you'll find the specs. The Yard just had a sale so you could pick one up on the Blade sale forum and I've seen one on ebay. At .280 THK. and SR-77 steel, these knives are as tough as they come.
 
Maccool said:
ok if not the kabar D2 then how about the Fallkniven A1 that Elen recommended compared to the ranger rd7? And I wanted to thank every one for all the help you have given me
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Fallkniven A1 is a great knife according to just about everybody; I haven't tried one personally.

There are many, many posts on BladeForums extolling the virtues of the A1 (along with other Fallknivens).
 
Maccool said:
ok if not the kabar D2 then how about the Fallkniven A1 that Elen recommended compared to the ranger rd7? And I wanted to thank every one for all the help you have given me
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The Ranger RD7 has a blade about an inch longer than the Fällkniven A1. The 5160 steel used in the Ranger knife is very good, but, it's non-stainless - this may or may not be a concern to you. VG-10 used in Fällkniven knives is stainless, and can take frequent use in even salt water without dying of rust. The RD7 is notably cheaper than the A1, so that may be another deciding factor for you. Personally, I'd take the Fällkniven over the RD7 any day. I don't like the shape of the RD7 very much at all, with that huge curved ricasso ruining things for me and reducing effective blade length. Your mileage may vary, of course. Ideally, you would try out both before making the decision...
 
Busse SFNO.
Swamp Rat Camp Tramp.
Swamp Rat Ratweiler.
Camillus Becker BK-7.
Ranger RD-7.

Those fit your criteria of "very tough and down with whatever I throw at it."

However, the only two that meet your price range (nowadays) are the Becker and the Ranger. Since Camillus went under, Beckers are harder to find at that price point. The Camp Tramp listed at $129, I believe, but $200 or more would be a bargain now if you could find one.
 
Fehrman First Strike also fits the toughness criteria but not the price range. List price is $280.
 
I wish I could buy something more pricey but what ever one I chose to pick up I have to buy 2, my son is 14yrs. old and pretty much gets 1 of every thing I get so if I buy a knife at the $125 mark I'm really spending $250, I spoil him but its just me and him so some one has to.
 
Get two Ranger RD-7s. They're bullet proof, and Justin will customize them a bit if you want things a little different. At $100 base price, that's the best, toughest deal going. http://www.rangerknives.com/Knives/index.html

Warranty: "Are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for life. No questions asked. If it fails for any reason send it back and it will be fixed or replaced at no cost to you."

You won't get a warranty with the Becker. Camillus is kaput.

RD-7.jpg


Others have mentioned the Ontario Rat-7. That might be a good blade, and it comes in under $100. I've given them a look at Chestnut Ridge Knives. But I just don't know as much about them.

RAT7.jpg
 
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