Best Kabar from the Becker line?

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
923
I'm looking at a few of the beckers at the moment. The becker companion (bk2), the becker crewman (bk10), and the becker combat utility (bk7). I will be using this as a camp knife, splitting kindling mostly. (I don't like carrying hatchets. Personal preference, that's all)

So I like the 1/4 inch thick bk2. But I like the size and thumb ramp of the bk7, and the bk10 is almost a cross of the 2. Which would be better for heavy use around a camp site? As I said, mostly splitting kindling, and making stakes because I tend to lose the ones that come with my tent. But I'll use it for whatever I see fit.

And someone down the line I plan on getting micarta scales to replace the slippery grivory.
 
The BK10 would be the middle ground and I believe the best choice. Ive owned and used the 2 and the 7, and I think the 3/16" stock is better for general camp use. The only issue Ive had with the Becker line is the little nub that is just past the handle on the BK7 and BK10. It makes choking up uncomfortable.
 
I've got the BK2, and the BK9 (like the bk7 in thickness and thumb ramp). And i find that the 3/16 thickness is totally fine for splitting/battoning. The extra length of the bk7 will make battoning much easier. The bk2 is excellent at battoning, but it is just too short for its thickness imo.

So personally I'd go bk7 or bk10 out of those options. But you might consider the 9, its my most used camp knife, and out chops my hatchet while still being able to make things like tent pegs easily.

And finally, the grivory isn't bad, at least give it a shot before you get the micarta, you might like it. I don't find it slippery at all. I will say for the 3/16in thick beckers, I add handle liners to make the handle thicker like the bk2.

Good luck with whatever you do :).
 
ocnLogan said:
And finally, the grivory isn't bad, at least give it a shot before you get the micarta, you might like it. I don't find it slippery at all.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Micarta is undoubtedly an upgrade to the molded factory handles, but slipperiness isn't something I'd be overly concerned about.
 
From all the bk models listed,
I wouldn't hesitate to pick the bk7.
Simply because of its acceptable weight, length and balance.
Having said that,
I would still prefer to pack along a smaller blade for finer stuff...
 
Bob W said:
BK9 perhaps?
Click to expand...

I would like the bk9, although I'm going to use this thing for everything, batoning but also carving tent stakes, and other smaller tasks. So I think I'm either looking at the bk7 of bk10. I wish there was a size between the two though
 
The thing I like most about the 9 is that it actually does most smaller knife tasks fairly well. Given, I've never tried to gut or skin anything with it (I'm not much of a hunter), but everything else has been just fine. From feather sticks, to tent pegs, to trap making type stuff.

Here is a review that I did of mine when I first got it.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-vs-KaBar-ZK-War-Sword-(PHOTO-HEAVY-and-EPIC)

And here is where I made the sheath it comes with fit a BK11 as well.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/922996-BK9-Sheath-mod-to-fit-BK11

And when I modded the sheath a bit more, to make it more compact.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1002608-BK9-stock-sheath-mod

And in addition to the BK11 that goes in the sheath, I also keep a good firesteel and a SAK farmer in the pouch on the sheath.

And its worth noting that the mods that I did to the sheath of the BK9 will both work for the BK7, as the sheaths are exactly the same other than the length. So if you decide you want to carry a smaller blade with you you can just throw it in the pouch, throw a BK13 in the built in piggyback sheath (what the small sheath is designed to fit), or mod it to fit a BK11/Izula type knife.

And to be clear, I think the BK7 is a great blade and it is definitely what I'd be choosing out of the ones you're specifically asking about, I'm just saying it might be worth looking into the BK9 to see if it might work for you.

And there is a Becker knife in between the Bk10 and the BK7. Its the BK12, manufactured by Rowen. Its a 6in high saber grind spearish drop point blade made from 3/16in 1095. It does have a thumb ramp actually. Its a bit more pricey though (~$125 IIRC).
 
Your answer is Yes. They all are about the same in blade geometry, with length and other subtle differences. Like she says,look at length. Fine what works best in your hand. I like the BK10, and the 14 for smaller tasks, along with a 16 for kitchen and general camp tasks. But unless I want to pack all three, which I don't, I can do all of them with the BK16. Other can do all of it with a BK9. I probably could too, but not my thing.
Figure out your camping knife priorities an then buy for what you will do most. If you go big, buy a smaller blade like an 11,14,24, Izula, etc, for finer tasks IMO. Have fun with your new addiction.

Go to the Becker forum for lots more info.
 
Last edited:
Of the choices you have mentioned, I would say the BK10. The 9 would also be good, especially if you combined it with a smaller BK like the BK-16.
 
Some rambling thoughts to consider..... I have a BK-2, BK-15, BK-16, BK-7 and a couple of their neck knives. I seldom use the BK-2 and believe I would be much more comfortable with the BK-10. So, if you are thinking of something in this blade length, get the BK-10 rather than the prybar BK-2. I like the BK-7, but hesitate to actually carry it on a hike. But some really like to carry a larger knife. Neither the BK-2 or BK-7 is great for chopping, and both work just fine for splitting wood for the fire (batonning) and I think the added couple of inches of blade would be helpful for batonning up to 4" stuff. The BK-9 is better for chopping and probably just about as handy for smaller tasks as the BK-7.

What do I do? First I don't do any serious backpacking and most of my hikes are dayhikes, some longish, but still a dayhike. I carry my Condor Pack Golok in my day pack and occasionally on my belt if I intend on playing. But normally I have about a 4" fixed blade on my belt such as the BK-16 or BK-15. The BK-15 is new to me and I'm still trying it out. I always will have a folder with me, and the detailed stuff will be done with a folder.

I more often car camp and I take everything but the kitchen sink with me. That would include at least one saw (Silky now), an axe, a machete, a large knife (like the BK-7 or Condor Hudson Bay), my 4-5" belt knife (such as the BK-15 or BK-16), and a folder or two. The machete (Pack Golok) substitutes for any needed chopping with a blade and the axe is there if I want to really do some chopping. If I were going to leave a blade at home, it would be the BK-7. If short machetes don't interest you, then the BK-9 will work well enough for camping and you can do smaller tasks with it. You actually can do everything with a $20 12" Ontario machete as you would the BK-7 or BK-9. But it's a lot more fun with the Beckers. (I hate the 12" Ontario machete... own three of them.)

Where am I going with this??? Go with a multi-knife approach for versatility so you are not abusing any one knife (like batonning a folder) and you have a suitable replacement if you should loose or damage one, or simply let a partner use your knife. Almost everything can be done with a strong 4" fixed blade like the BK-16, BK-17, or ESEE 4. You don't normally need to split logs for a camp fire unless you're just playing.

Ask Ethan Becker what he prefers or his favorite Kabar Becker, that would be the BK-16. He also likes the BK-9 for fun stuff.
 
BK 9 is the best--it is great for battoning and is a decent slicer with slightly thinner blade. the Campanion is way too thick, and not handy for almost anything. Grivory grips are atrocious however, but I bought the canvas micarta ones off of ebay (which adds another $40), but they are great and its a very, very nice knife now. go with the 9.
 
I'm not a fan of the BK-2, it's my least favourite Becker. It's just too thick and heavy for it's blade length (for my taste, at least).

Are you going to be carrying everything on your back for a long time? I wouldn't take a knife as heavy as the BK-7 or BK-10 on a long trip on foot, I'd rather have something rugged but much smaller and lighter. If you want to stick to Beckers, then try out one of the 'Tweeners (BK-15, BK-16, BK-17).

If you're not hauling everything yourself, then try out one of the larger models like the BK-9 or Machax. In my opinion, the BK-7 is not small enough to benefit from the advantages of more compact knives, nor is it large enough to be able to perform as its big brothers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top