Ontario RAT7 V.S. Kabar Becker BK7

B

bramley02

Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Messages
62
Get them both, here is some quick thoughs:

1. Pommel/Rare Bolster Design. BK7 fits better for three fingers grip, good for chopping, if you chop by a 7 inch blade. Otherwise, RAT 7 pommel equally good. BK7 +1.
2. Finger Choil. A whole finger is able to be positioned nicely in RAT7. No idea why the choil in BK7 is so tiny. RAT7 +1.
3. Tip Thickness. as picture tells, RAT7 +1.
4. Sheath Design
4.1 Length. RAT7, just right; BK7, the sheath chamber is mysteriously 1 inch longer than blade inside.
4.2 Handle Strap. RAT7, secure + extanable strap; BK7, just tight length, and I don't understand the use of tear tape behind the handle strap.

Conclusion: Different aesthetic design and features approach. Get them both while still available at current price, especially RAT7 ($80). BK7 at $124, as of posting date, Jun, 2023.








 
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I like both of them and very much enjoy my Ontario SK-5 Blackbird but am a dedicated Beckerhead largely because the The man himself, Ethan Becker but also because of the handles on Becker knives. Many/most knife makers use stiction and/or friction between the hand and the grip material to provide purchase and control. This works and there's nothing wring with it.

Ethan's background is that of a chef and extended use periods present themselves in commercial level food prep. The handles on Becker knives use ergonomics to provide the purchase and control needed to effectively (and safely) use a knife. This approach is more comfortable for extended use sessions - particularly so if do the harder work of chopping, splitting and outdoors/camp tasks.

The finger choil on the RAT-7 is a useful feature. IIRC the BK-7, was designed for the military - an everyday soldier's knife contra to the BK-9 which could chop well enough to clear forests, the BK-5 (my favorite) which slices and dices like no other camp knife or the the BK-2 which is for skinning Buicks and doing other things that you probably shouldn't be doing with knives, like batoning through woods that doesn't want to split.

Lastly, while I cannot speak to Ontario's customer service/warranty I can say without reservation that KaBar's is stellar.

Both knives are "knice" and you probably couldn't go wrong with either one but, for me, I'd go with the BK-7.

No disrespect to either company but both knives are candidates for custom sheaths.
 
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SALTY said:
I like both of them and very much enjoy my Ontario SK-5 Blackbird but am a dedicated Beckerhead largely because the The man himself, Ethan Becker but also because of the handles on Becker knives. Many/most knife makers use stiction and/or friction between the hand and the grip material to provide purchase and control. This works and there's nothing wring with it.

Ethan's background is that of a chef and extended use periods present themselves in commercial level food prep. The handles on Becker knives use ergonomics to provide the purchase and control needed to effectively (and safely) use a knife. This approach is more comfortable for extended use sessions - particularly so if do the harder work of chopping, splitting and outdoors/camp tasks.

The finger choil on the RAT-7 is a useful feature. IIRC the BK-7, was designed for the military - an everyday soldier's knife contra to the BK-9 which could chop well enough to clear forests, the BK-5 (my favorite) which slices and dices like no other camp knife or the the BK-2 which is for skinning Buicks and doing other things that you probably shouldn't be doing with knives, like batoning through woods that doesn't want to split.

Lastly, while I cannot speak to Ontario's customer service/warranty I can say without reservation that KaBar's is stellar.

Both knives are "knice" and you probably couldn't go wrong with either one but, for me, I'd go with the BK-7.

No disrespect to either company but both knives are candidates for custom sheaths.
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agree, get them both. And, it would be even better for BK7 to:
1. add finger choil.
2. shorten the sheath inner chamber by 1 inch.
3. add extendable sheath handle strap like OKC. I quite fancy the current sheath, which add an 2 inch slot for an addtion knife, I am thinking of a Becker neck knife, before price jumps again.
 
I have an old BK-9, and I've found the handle scales on it a nightmare. Not only were they slippery like an ice skating ring, but they transmitted vibration to my hand when batoning, and that was the knife primary use for me. Installing the micarta scale on it, which fitted right on thankfully, solved both of those problems, but it is an extra expense(I had paid very little for the knife since it was so cheap then, so I didn't mind, but it is considerably more expensive now).

As to finger choil, no thank you. They make no sense. Yes you can bring your hand closer to the work by putting a finger in it, but if it doesn't have it you just... Bring the work closer instead since you don't have wasted blade space. And they make cutting rope annoying because they snag.
 
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bramley02 said:
It would be better for BK7 featuering a proper sized finger choil then.
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Some like them. Others don't. There isn't a general "it would be better."
Floatingby said:
As to finger choil, no thank you. They make no sense. Yes you can bring your hand closer to the work by putting a finger in it, but if it doesn't have it you just... Bring the work closer instead since you don't have wasted blade space. And they make cutting rope annoying because they snag.
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This exactly, and for that matter, I'd do away with the sharpening notch as well. I prefer an edge that goes all the way to the ricasso so that things don't get snagged.


bramley02 said:
3. Tip Thickness. as picture tells, RAT7 +1.
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What does the picture tell exactly that makes this such a +1 for the OKC? Just like the choil issue, it's a matter of preference. I don't see a thick tip as a decisive advantage at all. Some prefer a thicker more robust tip. Some prefer a pointier tip that can penetrate more easily. it all depends on the end-user's intended use of the tool.

bramley02 said:
4. Sheath Design
4.1 Length. RAT7, just right; BK7, the sheath chamber is mysteriously 1 inch longer than blade inside.
4.2 Handle Strap. RAT7, secure + extanable strap; BK7, just tight length, and I don't understand the use of tear tape behind the handle strap.
Click to expand...

Ontario's cordura sheaths rate a very enthusiastic "meh" with me, as to Kabar's. I, and I know many others, consider the sheath to be a "giveaway" rather than a substantive part of the purchase. If I buy a knife like these, I always buy it with the assumption that I'm also on the hook for an aftermarket sheath. Notable exceptions among the competition in that range are ESEE, TOPS, Condor and Joker, which all provide very good sheaths.
 
Quote: "2. Finger Choil. A whole finger is able to be positioned nicely in RAT7. No idea why the choil in BK7 is so tiny. RAT7 +1."

I watched Etan Becker in an interview. He said he purposely designed his knives without a finger choil because he didnt belive anyone should have their finger that close to a sharp blade. he said his are not a choil but (I believe) just a break from the back of the edge.
 
Finger choil on blade of such size is kinda wasted space, but comes handy if all you carry is one knife. So I like it on my ESEE6.

With these two... I'd pick BK7 over Ontario.
Handle ergonomics. Fit and finish. Blade grind (in case you want to split something).

Both are good and capable knives and you won't go wrong with either.
 
My Rat 5 has been a "minor" disappointment. Primarily because it will not sharpen easily. I have to really work the metal to get a somewhat decent edge. I have sharpened knives since childhood, so I am experienced. Perhaps the heat treat is sketchy. I am considering re-beveling it using my Norton 220 stone, then on to my 1000 for final touches. Could be my next project. I dyed the scales a dark green, and it looks nice. But when I take it camping it disappoints, due to the lack of a crisp edge and the ability to retain an edge. I may have bad 1095/1075 steel here. will learn more after the re-beveling.

The finger choil is not necessary, but I do not dislike it. The scales are squarish and boxy to my touch. Could be much better. And as others have mentioned, the sheath is an afterthought, but it does work adequately. Nothing special, however.
 
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