7" or 9"

[jzmtl]

So basically I'm looking for an outdoor fixed blade, and might as well get my hands wet on carbon steels. The two Im looking at are becker bk7 or bk9 since they are cheaper than their counterparts from ontario and rat. But would 9" work better in outdoor activities? Or would it be too big and heavy to luggin around? It'll be just around camp stuff and nothing serious like survival (at least I hope so!). I will have a 4" mora scout with me so there's no need for delicate work with it, in fact it probably won't even get used much since I'm not hardcore on outdoor stuff.

bk7: https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=BK7&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=New%20Products
bk9: https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=BK9&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=New%20Products

[Anthony]

If you're just going to have it at your campsite to split wood and snap dead branches off trees, then go with the BK9.  The Mora can do 90% of stuff anyways I think and is light as a feather to carry around.

I own an original BK7 and it's a great blade...I've read the new KaBar Beckers are just as good.

[jzmtl]

I may pack it for hiking as well, which is why I'm wondering about weight/size.

[Gareth]

For me I'd go with the 7" that way it still feels like a knife.  The 9" just seems over the top.  If all you are going to do with it is chop wood then get an axe. 

[jzmtl]

Yeah I'm leaning toward 7" as well, but the 9" is only two dollars more! And you guys know how it is with wanting the bigger one. 

[Anthony]

Yeah I'm leaning toward 7" as well, but the 9" is only two dollars more! And you guys know how it is with wanting the bigger one. 

The BK7 is a plenty big knife as it is..

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'd go for 7 too

I think 9inch is fine in a survival situation or a long term expedition, but it really is too much of a handful for day to day camp duties (say's me the Kukri guy )

[jzmtl]

Well looks like 7" it is. Now I'll find out how well does carbon steel hold up.

[WhichDawg]

and don't forget about Rangers! RD7 and RD9
I have the 7 and it's one of the toughest blades I have.

and Justin will make sure you like it.

[Sea Monster]

My girl won't come to the bedroom for less than 10"



I'm not your campy outdoorsy type, so I could be missing something, but I've got a blade just under 4 3/4" which I consider to be too bloody big to use.

The biggest knife I use for general duty(and cooking, if I'm pretending to be some wild man with no equipment out in the bush) is 3 1/4"


Someone please tell me what you need half a foot or more of blade for?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Spliting, choping, drawing, clearing, and everything else you can think off

The best analogy I've heard was that you knife is like a shopping trolley in the woods, if you want to get all the goodies, make sure you've a big trolley

[WhichDawg]

all Micky said! plus I like to have on me a tool that is multipurpose (this is the multitool forum!)
that I can do more with, from the big stuff to the little stuff.

I could have a dedicated axe and wedge and a small knife and pry bar, and more
but it is also nice to have one tool do it all reasonably well
(also lighter/less space) and a 7 or 9 inch blade does that.

[jzmtl]

I couldn't get to http://www.rangerknives.com/ , says forbidden.  Another google result is one stop knife shop but they have no price listed.

Anyway I went with bk7, should have it by next week. Kabar seems to leave their 1095 relatively soft compare to Camillus version according to specs, wonder if it reduce edge holding.

[WhichDawg]

ahh Ranger knives are now being made by Ontario knives company
and Justin said his warranty is the same.

Your BK7 should be fine, many like them, good luck and give us lots of pics!

[DoughDTD]

I agree the 7 is the way to go.  If you need to split wood, its plenty long to do some battonning, but not big enough to be unweilding to carry.  Good luck with it mate!

-Dough