Backcountry Blades (Part 2) - My Favorite Survival Knife: the OKC RAT-7

[@thesensitive1811]

I AM a knife guy and own both the Esee 6 and the Rat 7 (along with tons of other high end wilderness survival, bushcraft and military blades) and this is one of the most entertaining and informative knife videos on KZbin!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Well dang! Thank you! Glad you liked it. :)

[@davebaker7343]

The rat 7 is my go to for hunt and bushcraft. It's a beast.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

For sure!

[@Daytonaman675]

“Survive for minutes” - I fucking died

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

;)

[@mastodonxrp5314]

My parents got me and my brother the cheapo camo version of the Rambo knife back in the mid 80s. I couldn't have been more than 10 years old, but WOW the Christmas morning I got it I was as happy as a pig in mud. A few other boys got one as well and after the Christmas break we brought them to middle school to show off. Imagine that happening today?!! I'm slowly becoming a knife guy and recently got the RAT-7 for all the reasons you pointed out in the video.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I'd pay $50 for that Rambo knife if I could find one new hahaha. I was so pissed at the knockoff I returned it. :)

[@anthonyschutz7201]

I would definitely recommend a smaller knife to go along with a large survival knife like the rat 7. I'm personally looking at getting the condor terrasaur and rat 7. A mora companion would work great for a smaller companion knife too.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You bet. See my other two knife videos for what I use. :)

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

“As a 12 year old, you would survive...minutes”. Awesome! Well done. Crow✌️

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks so much Crow!

[@BrewCityRider]

My thoughts exactly on the Rat 7 vs ESEE 6. In addition, I like the thicker handle scales of the Rat, but that is just personal preference.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Agreed!

[@HDSME]

Yes! The bigger grips Re great! And made more for mountainous snow forrest were you play round Got to chop wood fast now I use the rtak 2 for that! I think a rtak 1 or 2 and esse 6 is the world's Best combo ! But then I have to take the esse out of its frame lol

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah still feels good with gloves. :)

[@GABBERFER]

Thanks a lot for your video. I use the OKC RAT-7. Best regards.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Love it!

[@SeniorHiker77]

I'm not a knife guy either but love watching your channel.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks!!!

[@Otis010707]

All of which made me decide on the RAT 5! It does everything I could ask it to do!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Awesome!

[@cherokeefit4248]

I got this. I also got a custom kydex sheath for it too. I’m looking t it right now. It’s factory sharp too.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Awesome blade!

[@HDSME]

Great vedio the esse is better made cosmetically but there is more meat more gripe on the rat 7 my esse I keep in a frame and rat 7 is my go too They I would say equal supposedly esse has better heat treatment it is very pretty handy the rat 7 is a better chopper hammer If you make little stove fires esse is you boy fantastic nife but for more batoneing bigger wood I go with the rat 7 in my book esse is pretty and the rat is more beefy I consider them equal depending on what your doing its your chioce

[@wehrewulf]

video...grip...knife...

[@4deuce31]

The Ka-Bar looks like a potting spade 😆 but it is cool. My Rat 7 is my favorite.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Agreed! :)

[@valorsventures476]

Have been using the rat 3 for about. Year with a 50+ yr old survival knife as my bush craft knife, just bought the Rat-7 after watching your video! Absolutely love it! I went a little more with the wood handle and the leather sheath. But still 100$ cheaper than the Pathfinder Knife School Scorpion XL that I had planned on buying! Thanks for the video!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Awesome! Glad you found it before spending the extra $100!

[@firstlast2514]

Haha, that pic of the four knives is from "gideon's tactical" I watched that video when it came out and about 3 days ago. I just purchased the RAT-7 and the schrade schf52m as my back up. I also have a sog and the gerber prodigy and strong arm. Can't wait for my RAT-7. I'm litterally holding my schrade right now.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yup! I love his channel and I linked to that video in the description. I hope you enjoy your RAT!

[@firstlast2514]

Also I picked it up on walmart for 74 bucks and I looked on the ontario website and they have the rat for $130

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Whoa nice!!!

[@adods9824]

Bought it just now! Next payday - an RTAC II :-)

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Nice!

[@derekrobbens5355]

Well done good video just needs to be longer 20/25 minutes would be great,however thank you

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I have plenty of longer ones! :)

[@robertleach230]

yeah had the "rambo" its what started me buying knives

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I mean, how can it not??? :)

[@datalore7311]

I picked up one of those drop forged Shrades a number of years ago ( SCHF1SM). That's the closest I've had to a Rambo knife. But, hey, it had the hollow handle with crap you could shove in it.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Sounds cool! Even Rambo had a different knife in every movie haha.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

Ahhhh. The Rambo knife. Now remember gang some came with the wire saw key rings seated up near the compass/pommel. $14 at the San Jose Flea market in 1984. I was 12. It affixed to my bed near the headboard. The look wouldn’t have been complete without my homemade Japanese flag (I took Shotokan) made at grandmas with red crayons, aluminum foil and an iron. Different story. And here’s one to make some readers eat their hearts out. Even though I was a West Coast kid, I managed to find myself at Asian World of Martial Arts in Philadelphia. Anyone who read Black Belt Magazine knows what a big deal that was 🤌🏼--->⭐️🥴

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

LOL! AWMA was my *jam* back in the day (all mail order - but they were the only ones who accepted cash through the mail and I wasn't old enough for a credit card or checking account LOL!).

[@brianfischer5609]

What's mercada? I've never heard of it before. And I thought those handle scales were micarta.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

That's the southern pronunciation. ;)

[@EzraDaymude]

0:49 probably minutes lmao

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Accurate. ;)

[@8626John]

Good review. I have a Rat 7 on the way from Midway for about $63, which seemed like a screaming deal. I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Nice! Great deal! :)

[@theathletesmedia]

Flea Market specials! Loved cheap survival knives.

[@trail_possum4652]

I had a few of those no way survival knives when I was a kid🤣

[@johnheller5786]

Yep! Had the Rambo knife as a kid. Checked the mail everyday till I got it. Broke the blade the first day! Have to go with the esse over rat. Better heat treat and warranty. Plus not a fan of ontario knives, because of the shit pilot survival knife the issued us in air force. Gear vid! Keep up the good work.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Well I hope you at least got a couple commies for your mommy before your blade broke! I give Esse the nod as well, but for the price I feel good about the OKC. That sucks about your AF experience though. Thanks for watching!

[@davidandmoose8885]

I have a Rambo knife from before Rambo was even born. 9 1/2 inches long with a 5 inch blade. Saw teeth on top, solid metal handle wrapped in leather, all in a leather sheath w sharpening stone. No hidden compartment in the handle, instead a hexagon shape butt end you can use as a hammer. So heavy you could never carry it backpacking. But, it's 40+ years old and still cool.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Sounds awesome!!!

[@navigator1372]

Off all the knives i have in the 6 to 7 inch range the rat 7 feels the lightest and most nimble. Love the way it fill the hand compared to esee 6. The only 3 things esee 6 has is the warranty, looks, seems a tad thicker and more texturized micarta. I like the extra half inch rat 7 has, the way it fills my hand more than esee 6, more nimble and i think lighter than esee 6. This knife feels right in the hand. It may not be my first choice in dependability. I tryst the bk7 more but theres no choil, it has a stupid thumb ramp, and its kinda ugly. Its a batoning beast due to sabre grind. Id libe to see a rat 7 in sabre grind.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I looked at the BK7 too and yeah it seemed more like a machete haha. But yeah for beating the crap out of it would work though!

[@jamessherburn]

The RAT 7 is 1075 and not 1095 I think.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I've read that 1075 on a couple of places but I thought the more authoritative sources said 1095. OKC says "either 1075" but doesn't finish the "or" statement haha. Now I don't know but you're probably right. Thanks for the heads up!

[@jamessherburn]

@@BackcountryPilgrim Yes, I've seen that 'either 1075' comment/typo. OKC seem to be being deliberately vague! Their prices would suggest that it's 1075. They should be clear, probably they would be clear if it was 1095? I was looking at RAT 5s but but shelled out for the ESEE 5 and 1095. I'd likely be happy with 1075, at the much reduced price, but the uncertainty about the steel put me off buying OKC as much as anything. Stamp the steel type on the blade OKC!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Right on!

[@HEBI.RAIDEN]

Useful review, thanks :)

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You bet!

[@HEBI.RAIDEN]

@@BackcountryPilgrim one of your subscriber :D

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Awesome!

[@PileofBrass]

Too big to be considered a Bushcrafter but fits right into survival, camp, hiking blade.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

You think so? I thought it was pretty much perfect.

[@PileofBrass]

@@BackcountryPilgrim True Bush"crafting" knives are usually around a 4" or shorter blade and designed to be used as carvers and smaller, fine task knives. Camp knives are bigger with broader blades like the 7".

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Gotcha!

[@powers1776reset]

Pretty silly. What’s the difference between bushcraft and survival? And, hiking blade?!🤨 I guess I’ve never heard a designer/maker, label anything as a “hiking blade”. When I go out to the wilderness, I just take my knife with me, and then it does all of those things, while additionally earning the labels “truck knife” and “tent knife”.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@powers1873reset Not official designations, I was just referring to use preferences. :)

[@1984duck]

I'm ony 2nd( first was stolen) and I love it.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Too bad Esee doesn't replace stolen knives!

[@richardhenry1969]

I enjoyed your video and how you explained your choice. I’d like to offer a opinion but first let me say I totally agree with everything you said. I was trained that a 6-7 inch knife is the best all around tool. Now I would suggest you try a BPS knife they have 2 models I really like. The adventurer and the other one is B1cs . Both are amazing knives around $35-39 in beautiful leather sheath. They are really good backpacking or camping knives that don’t break the bank so your not scared to use them. I really don’t understand the knife market nowadays. I personally can’t go out in the woods carrying a $300 knife in a $300 backpack and not worry about losing it damaging everything. Really doesn’t sound like fun. I’m a poor old Boy Scout ex military I like cheap stuff since I’m used to equipment that comes from the lowest bidder. I’m really a fan of Ontario and I have the Kabar cutless machete that is part of the warthog line. That is a really amazing knife you have. I guess really everything depends on what you do in the woods. I went camping for years with nothing more then a pocket knife. I always have a saw blade ( make a bow saw) and a tomahawk. So really tool selection depends on what you do. The thing about the rat 7 it is capable of doing many things. I nowadays always have a big knife and a small knife. Never came across something I couldn’t do with both of them. Anyway sorry for the long tale but I love outdoors. Especially during these crazy times it’s good to unplug.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

What a great comment. If everybody took the time to write like this our community would be the best! Thanks for your opinion which I agree with 100% and for giving me another knife to buy! (One I won't be afraid to use!)

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

If you had to use only one of those models, which would it be and why?

[@richardhenry1969]

@@BackcountryPilgrim I generally carry 2 knives in the woods. I’m a hike to camp type of camper. I can’t hike very far bad knee’s from the army. So that first off let’s you understand I usually do wood stuff and fishing. So my knives I carry are camping cooking knives. I love the BPS adventurer been carrying that a lot then my other knife is my chopper ( play toy) my last trips has been the cutless machete by kabar. It’s just the right size for me. I use it to clear the camp and chop small stuff. It’s the Taiwan kabar but it was one of the sharpest big knives I’ve ever gotten. If I’m doing a lot of fishing I really love green river fishing knife $16-20 it’s the knife that discovered America. Another little tip ,I always carry a saw blade with 2 cotter pins. It weighs nothing and a bow saw is fun to make. In the old days I was taught to put the saw blade in your pack frame. Most don’t use those packs anymore. Thank you for the wonderful reply . I hope my rambling helps someone. I’m a very budget camper, but I’ve never been unprepared. Fun should not mean you need a second job. That’s one thing I think a lot of KZbin people forget. Some seem like they just wanna show off gear. Which is fine but they act like they know all about it and only been in their yard. That’s why I enjoyed your video you approached the knife buy the way I try to. take care.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks! I've been nerding out over BPS all day haha. Future video in mind I'll probably quote your comments. :)

[@richardhenry1969]

@@BackcountryPilgrim I'd be honored

[@fgallogallo7]

Definitely rat 7 for me. Esee knives are OK but I cannot justify paying 60% or more. I’m a simple guy so I get the knives that work they don’t have to look pretty.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

In this case at least there's almost no trade off! :)

[@buckwild6587]

I had one or two of those knives lol

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Can't have too many!

[@MiscMitz]

Lol. I was a foster kid so no knifes for me

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Oh man you got some catching up to do! :)

[@MiscMitz]

@@BackcountryPilgrim definitely

[@joeamerican3947]

It's 104.99 @ cabelas now

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks!

[@howardvarley8795]

I find it interesting that how much it costs is a criteria. You couldnt justify the price!?? Thats how cheap you value your life?? 30 To 40 dollars makes the difference, yes?? You come pretty cheap.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

As with any gear review, the purpose of pointing out the price difference is to show what that extra money goes toward. If I thought it made a relevant difference in quality I would spend more, but I don't.

[@dirtydogvideo]

how does the coating on the blade hold up?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I haven't used it a ton as I am not a really bush crafter, but so far so good. :) It's marred but hasn't scratched off.