Tactical Knife

[Stuck2GunsandReligion]

I was looking into buying a Knife. Im wanting something that can do a lot. It doesnt need to be able to go as far as filleting fish. I would like to chop small limbs down, well more like branches not limbs. Im basically picturing a rambo knife but in realistic terms. Any ideas of a good knife?

[CLHC]

Maybe, possibly, one of the Mega Pounders from < Grayman Knives (http://www.graymanknives.com/gp.html) >?

Hope you find what you're looking for and Enjoy! :cool:

[SeriousStudent]

What is your budget? You have said what you wish to do with it, so that is half of the equation.

Are there any laws you need to worry about? Perhaps overall length, or dual edges?

[Neville]

Take a hard look at Kiku Matsuda's knives (http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/KikuoMatsudaKnife.html)- his steel is extremely hard and so the edge will last for any trip.

[Mark71]

Not sure what your budget is but it is hard to beat a Busse Combat knife

http://www.bussecombat.com/

http://bussecompanystore.com/

Or a cheaper alternative.....
http://www.scrapyardknives.com/

[No.6]

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/No_6/IMG_4030.jpg

CRKT Razel SS7 from

http://www.grahamknives.com/crkt_knives.htm

[SeriousStudent]

Not sure what your budget is but it is hard to beat a Busse Combat knife

http://www.bussecombat.com/

http://bussecompanystore.com/

Or a cheaper alternative.....
http://www.scrapyardknives.com/

A very large plus one! Mark71 gives you excellent advice. Busse's are famous for their ability to hack through a concrete block, and not damage an edge. :eek:

You also might want to Google SwampRat knives, they are also in the Busse "family."

It can be difficult to get one of Jerry's knives, but they are worth the wait. You can get a ScrapYard knife below $100, and you can pay up to $600 or more for a Busse.

The knife in my BOB and my GHB is a Busse. And I think I own over 100 knives. Probably more. I need to inventory them.

A Street Scrapper 6 from ScrapYard Knives is excellent for the money. I have three Scrapyard knives, and they all perform great. Patty and Dan make a great blade, with a superb heat-treat on the SR77 steel. That steel is used in jackhammer bits, so it has great shock-resistance qualities.

The "For Sale" forum at Bladeforums.com is a great place to track one of these knives down.

[RWK]

I was looking into buying a Knife. Im wanting something that can do a lot. It doesnt need to be able to go as far as filleting fish. I would like to chop small limbs down, well more like branches not limbs. Im basically picturing a rambo knife but in realistic terms. Any ideas of a good knife?

I feel like I've been pimping for RAT Cutlery lately... I recommend a look at the RC-4 or RC-6 -- http://ratcutlery.com/index.html

[Dave L.]

http://www.grahamknives.com/crkt_knives.htm

No.6,
Can you tell me where this knife is made, what type of steel, and if you own one?
Thanks,
Dave

[fabulous45s]

Big fan of the RAT's.
I'm a RAT-3 man, myself. Not fond of huge blades.
That's what a good Gransfors Bruks axe is for.
http://www.gransfors.us/

If you want a good, proven chopper, take a look at khukri style blades.
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/

[SeriousStudent]

Granfors Bruks is about the best axe or hatchet made. They are forged one at a time by real smiths, that stamp their name on each head. If there is ever a problem with one, the item is returned to the man that made it.

You will pass that axe onto your children.

I have a Hult Bruks, which is not as nice. It's a very good hatchet. But a GB is the best.

SA Wetterlings also makes a good axe at a lower price point. It is not the quality of a GB, but nothing else is.

Granfors Bruks sits on the far left hand side of the Chart. ;)

[fabulous45s]

Granfors Bruks is about the best axe or hatchet made. They are forged one at a time by real smiths, that stamp their name on each head. If there is ever a problem with one, the item is returned to the man that made it.

You will pass that axe onto your children.

I have a Hult Bruks, which is not as nice. It's a very good hatchet. But a GB is the best.

SA Wetterlings also makes a good axe at a lower price point. It is not the quality of a GB, but nothing else is.

Granfors Bruks sits on the far left hand side of the Chart. ;)

I'm a huge fan of the Scandinavian forest axe. I also like my small splitting axe, but it's a little more specialized.

If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and read their little pamplet "The Axe Book". They tie a copy onto all of their axes. Here's a PDF:

http://www.gransfors.us/TheAxeBook.pdf

All sorts of little tips and techniques you didn't know you never knew.

[SeriousStudent]

Thanks for the link to that PDF! I had not read that before. Much appreciated. :)

A Wildlife axe is on my long-term acquistion list. That Forest axe looks really nice. I'd love to have one to keep in the truck.

I have one of their small circular stones for honing an axe, and it works very well.

I've had some good luck finding hatchet and axe heads on ebay. It takes quite a bit of digging, but you can find some old gems there, and clean them up. Fit a new hickory handle, and you are good to go. I got that Hult Bruks for three bucks that way. I found an old Collins Legitimus machete for about 5 bucks, IIRC. I got a Wetterlings for about 5 bucks, and gave it to a friend.

Congrats on your GB, may it bring you many years of faithful service.

How do you like the new Rat Cutlery knives, compared to the older Ontario models? I've got a RAT-7 around someplace, and it's decent for what I traded for it. I'd like to snag one of the new RC-3 or 4's.

[fabulous45s]

Thanks for the link to that PDF! I had not read that before. Much appreciated. :)

How do you like the new Rat Cutlery knives, compared to the older Ontario models? I've got a RAT-7 around someplace, and it's decent for what I traded for it. I'd like to snag one of the new RC-3 or 4's.

I've used the older Ontario's more than the newer ones. I gave the RAT-3 really high marks on a T&E we were doing. The only blade I gave equal marks to was the Gerber ASEK. (before anyone starts lobing rounds at me about not choosing Busse, TOPS, Reeves, etc., price, size, weight and ability to deliver large quantities were some of the eval parameters).
And no, I'm not an Ontario worshipper. I also tested the XM series folders and their ASEK...didn't care much for them.

[Jay Cunningham]

I was looking into buying a Knife. Im wanting something that can do a lot. It doesnt need to be able to go as far as filleting fish. I would like to chop small limbs down, well more like branches not limbs. Im basically picturing a rambo knife but in realistic terms. Any ideas of a good knife?

The Cold Steel Recon Tanto is a heavily built, rugged blade. At least they were when I bought mine back in the early 90's...

[SeriousStudent]

Thank you for the feedback. I think I will track down one of those RAT-3's in D2. I have always had good luck with that steel. The 1095 sure takes a quick edge, however.

I agree with the concerns about availibility. I think that is why more people are not familiar with some of the higher-end knives. They just never get a chance to see one, sadly.

[sdcromer]

Gerber LMF or Gerber Prodigy are good choices for a reasonable price.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Yjv1xqlVL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31r1fB8Sg0L._SL500_AA280_.jpg

I went with the Prodigy

[CLHC]

Lots of good recommendations here. . .

< Ranger Knives (http://rangerknives.com/Knives/index.html) >

Also the "newly" re[re]leased Becker knives from < KA-BAR KNIVES (https://www.kabar.com/product_search.jsp?categoryId=8&mode=category) >

[RWK]

How do you like the new Rat Cutlery knives, compared to the older Ontario models? I've got a RAT-7 around someplace, and it's decent for what I traded for it. I'd like to snag one of the new RC-3 or 4's.

Word on the street is that the quality of the knives coming from Ontario was slipping and that Jeff Randall took exception to overseas manufacturing by Ontario so, enter RAT Cutlery.

[Batt 57]

This is a steal....


http://www.ratcutlery.com/swat.htm

[SeriousStudent]

Word on the street is that the quality of the knives coming from Ontario was slipping and that Jeff Randall took exception to overseas manufacturing by Ontario so, enter RAT Cutlery.

Yeah, there was a loooooooong thread on Bladeforums about that. And Ontario tried to claim the RAT logo and name for themselves, which got ugly, early. Unfortunate business all around.

I do like the utility of their new MOLLE sheathes.

[SeriousStudent]

This is a steal....


http://www.ratcutlery.com/swat.htm

That is a nice knife, but I would look like such a poser carrying a knife with "SWAT" on the blade.

"Gee, Grandpa, I did not know the old folks home had a tactical team!" :p

[BVickery]

I was looking into buying a Knife. Im wanting something that can do a lot. It doesnt need to be able to go as far as filleting fish. I would like to chop small limbs down, well more like branches not limbs. Im basically picturing a rambo knife but in realistic terms. Any ideas of a good knife?

Kukri or a small axe/hatchet would be pretty ideal.

[bundoc]

I do not have many experiences with fixed blades, but I am currently in the market for one as well; however, I have come across many reviews on youtube of knives from a guy named nutnfancy. The guy has a huge knife collection as well as many other things.

He has excellent reviews on knives and I am in the process of purchasing a knife (Cold Steel Recon Scout) based solely on his review to try it out myself.

Hope you find them as useful as I have thus far.

[Crusader]

STRIDER

[Mike Driscoll]

I was looking into buying a Knife. Im wanting something that can do a lot. It doesnt need to be able to go as far as filleting fish. I would like to chop small limbs down, well more like branches not limbs. Im basically picturing a rambo knife but in realistic terms. Any ideas of a good knife?

Ok, I'm not quite getting this. Do you want a "tactical knife", like it says in your thread title, or something you can actually do work with in the woods?

If its the latter, you want something with approximately 3-4" of blade. Much less and it won't be able to handle some of the general utility chores (try cutting bread with a 2" knife, for instance.) Much more and it often becomes cumbersome when trying to perfom most tasks.

You probably don't want a combo edge, as whittling and fine cutting tend to be done with the part of the blade closest to the handle. You'll also want a minimal lower guard so it doesn't interfere with cutting, and no guard or goofy stippling on the top edge near your thumb. A choil can be useful to choke up on the knife for fine work. Double-edged knives and clip points with sharpened back edges can be a pain, too, as you'll frequently be using the spine of the knife to rest your thumb on, or baton through lumber. As such, a drop or spear point usually works out the best, and flat, scandi, or convex grinds (http://backyardbushman.com/?page_id=13) tend to cut well. You might be tempted to get a thick knife, but they often turn out to less than useful when you're trying to slice something.

And don't "chop through branches". It's pretty inefficient, as is prying, digging, or a number of other things people generally do with survival knives. Try laying the knife across a small log you'd like to split, or across a branch, and tap your way through it with a baton, like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2iT7RHrqM8
The absolute best book that I know of in terms of how to use a knife is Mors Kochanski's Bushcraft (http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1551051222), but I like Ray Mears a lot, too, and some of his videos can be found on youtube. Here's an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVi4MlZmKfk

Of the knives mentioned, I like the RAT line. I have no experience with the Scrapyard knives, but some of them looked very appropriate to general woods use. There's also the Falkniven F1 (http://www.kingsley-hughes.com/outdoors/kit/fallknivenf1.php ) or Mora line (http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html).

Whatever you get, you'll probably want to give the handle a wrap of some orange tape, or otherwise make it easy to see if you misplace it, despite that not being tactical. ;)

[Gutshot John]

There is no "cut and dry" answer about large vs. small blade. It depends on your needs/wants. With the exception of carrying a short-sword I disagree with those that recommend smaller blades as insufficient to tactical/field use.

A large blade can usually do anything a small blade can. A small blade rarely can do things a large blade can. If you have to pick just one "tactical" knife go bigger but honestly I'd get two. A large fixed and a small folder.

For a larger blade the RC-6 is an excellent all-around choice for a reasonable price, though if it were me I'd go custom and talk to a knifesmith about YOUR needs and listen to his professional advice.

You'll spend less than you would on a new Glock. It blows my mind that some people will blow hundreds of dollars on every whizbang dohicky for their ARs, but they balk at spending real money on a blade that they'll probably get much more use out of.

[spider128]

Although they are pricey, Strider Knives are excellent. I have a Strider "AR" and carry it everywhere, including work (L.E.). Every time someone sees it they go "Oh my god, what the hell do you need that for!" But for a folding knife it is excellent, and I actually have trimmed a tree in my back yard with it before when I couldnt find the big clippers :)

They also make numerous fixed blades... Good luck!