My first impressions of the BK5

t1mpani

t1mpani

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...are actually very surprising to me. You have to understand, though I'm not nearly as much of a "guess what I did with my knife today" forumite as I used to be, I've been around a long time and have watched Becker from the pre-Camillus days, and enjoy several Beckers in my collection from all of the makers. I seemed to have a very specific idea of what a BK5 was, but I'd never gotten around to procuring one. Still, so very often raved about, it was one of those that was just absolutely going to be added to the collection eventually. Well, I was already placing an order for another item from a dealer that carries Becker, and just decided that the time was NOW.

It's the Spyderco Military all over again---another classic pattern, one of the favorites of the "in crowd" of a great knife maker, and after two minutes of inspection I'd already arrived at the decision to sell it. In the Military's case it was an issue of ergonomics, while the Becker just feels...flimsly. Now, before you start, I know it's NOT flimsy and I know that knives don't have to be thick to be useful or even tough. I've often gotten along with nothing but a Russell Green River knife, which is even lighter, thinner, and certainly does not compare in terms of the blade steel. It's just that...somehow, a Becker isn't supposed to feel like this. Kind of like if Lamborghini produced a minivan; they could likely do it very well, but it'd just be wrong. :D

Tell me if I'm senile, but it seems like I actually did pick one up quite a while back (as in picking it up off a table, not buying it) and my memory was of a more substantial knife. Were the Camillus versions a little beefier? Of course, for the premium I'd likely pay for a Camillus in the collector's market, I'd probably do just as well getting Bill Siegle or somebody to produce sort of a "brute" version of it for me, incorporating the handle design changes that I'd planned on for this one.

I know the responses are going to be "try it" (along with a few who feel that I'm unfairly besmirching their favorite knife) and I understand that the knife is a fully capable tool, but I'll just be sending it on its way to somebody who'll appreciate it in some upcoming sale thread. I love the blade shape, but more rigidity and momentum in a swing is far and away my preference in a fixed blade for the outdoors, and the same holds true for general cutting---weight-forward moves and carves very naturally/accurately for me, whereas a more neutral balance makes the knife feel clumsy. As for the kitchen---well, it's not going to keep up with the other knives in my kitchen.

You're very likely asking yourself, "what's the point of this thread?" and in truth, there isn't much of one beyond the desire to commiserate with other knife knuts--even those who don't share my opinions on this particular knife--on the keen disappointment that comes from looking forward to something for a LONG time, finally succumbing, and then being underwhelmed just from the standpoint of your own preferences. No complaints about Becker--not for one minute do I feel like this is a lesser-quality knife than the other Beckers, nor again that it couldn't do a fine job in just about any task, it's just that it really is more of a black butcher knife than I'd thought. True, most of the pioneers who actually explored and settled the vast wilderness of North America did it with butcher knives in sheaths, but I've been at this long enough (and my knife collection is stupidly-huge enough) to know I prefer the cleavers to the dicers.

Anyway, I really wish I'd liked it---I was looking forward to the modifications I'd had planned for it. Oh well, there are far worse problems to have!
 
I understand, I think. The BK5 is a bit more of a finesse type blade than say the BK9, BK4 or the rest of the lineup. My wife loves her BK5. Honestly before my first Beckerhead gathering where Jerry Fisk walked us through a knife rodeo with BK5s, I thought much like you do. I'm not telling you to try it, it seems your mind is already made up. I'm just saying it is a lot more capable than first feel.
 
Murphnuge said:
I understand, I think. The BK5 is a bit more of a finesse type blade than say the BK9, BK4 or the rest of the lineup. My wife loves her BK5. Honestly before my first Beckerhead gathering where Jerry Fisk walked us through a knife rodeo with BK5s, I thought much like you do. I'm not telling you to try it, it seems your mind is already made up. I'm just saying it is a lot more capable than first feel.
Click to expand...

I think you nailed it Murph. It's not a BK9 or a BK4 but it is an incredibly versatile blade that excels at almost everything other than hardcore chopping and batoning - and it can still do those tasks without complaining.

We have two 15s and and a 5 love how they perform when it comes to actually cutting and slicing.
 
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In reference to the BK5 feeling a bit more "substantial" I do believe it was made in a stainless version a time or two ago, and that might be what you are remembering.
 
My Bk5 really shines as a butchering or kitchen knife.
I know guys batton with them but I can use a 9,10 or 12 for that.
With micarta scales it feels great in the hand.
 
t1mpani said:
...are actually very surprising to me. You have to understand, though I'm not nearly as much of a "guess what I did with my knife today" forumite as I used to be, I've been around a long time and have watched Becker from the pre-Camillus days, and enjoy several Beckers in my collection from all of the makers. I seemed to have a very specific idea of what a BK5 was, but I'd never gotten around to procuring one. Still, so very often raved about, it was one of those that was just absolutely going to be added to the collection eventually. Well, I was already placing an order for another item from a dealer that carries Becker, and just decided that the time was NOW.

It's the Spyderco Military all over again---another classic pattern, one of the favorites of the "in crowd" of a great knife maker, and after two minutes of inspection I'd already arrived at the decision to sell it. In the Military's case it was an issue of ergonomics, while the Becker just feels...flimsly. Now, before you start, I know it's NOT flimsy and I know that knives don't have to be thick to be useful or even tough. I've often gotten along with nothing but a Russell Green River knife, which is even lighter, thinner, and certainly does not compare in terms of the blade steel. It's just that...somehow, a Becker isn't supposed to feel like this. Kind of like if Lamborghini produced a minivan; they could likely do it very well, but it'd just be wrong. :D

Tell me if I'm senile, but it seems like I actually did pick one up quite a while back (as in picking it up off a table, not buying it) and my memory was of a more substantial knife. Were the Camillus versions a little beefier? Of course, for the premium I'd likely pay for a Camillus in the collector's market, I'd probably do just as well getting Bill Siegle or somebody to produce sort of a "brute" version of it for me, incorporating the handle design changes that I'd planned on for this one.

I know the responses are going to be "try it" (along with a few who feel that I'm unfairly besmirching their favorite knife) and I understand that the knife is a fully capable tool, but I'll just be sending it on its way to somebody who'll appreciate it in some upcoming sale thread. I love the blade shape, but more rigidity and momentum in a swing is far and away my preference in a fixed blade for the outdoors, and the same holds true for general cutting---weight-forward moves and carves very naturally/accurately for me, whereas a more neutral balance makes the knife feel clumsy. As for the kitchen---well, it's not going to keep up with the other knives in my kitchen.

You're very likely asking yourself, "what's the point of this thread?" and in truth, there isn't much of one beyond the desire to commiserate with other knife knuts--even those who don't share my opinions on this particular knife--on the keen disappointment that comes from looking forward to something for a LONG time, finally succumbing, and then being underwhelmed just from the standpoint of your own preferences. No complaints about Becker--not for one minute do I feel like this is a lesser-quality knife than the other Beckers, nor again that it couldn't do a fine job in just about any task, it's just that it really is more of a black butcher knife than I'd thought. True, most of the pioneers who actually explored and settled the vast wilderness of North America did it with butcher knives in sheaths, but I've been at this long enough (and my knife collection is stupidly-huge enough) to know I prefer the cleavers to the dicers.

Anyway, I really wish I'd liked it---I was looking forward to the modifications I'd had planned for it. Oh well, there are far worse problems to have!
Click to expand...

Hmmm. A couple of surprises for me here. Being relatively new to Becker knives and having discussed my interest in additional knives for hiking, I have been humorously "pressured" to get the BK9. Others have spoken of the wonders of the BK10 (which I just ordered). Even the BK16 which I don't yet have is being lauded, but no one has urged the BK5 upon me. Undoubtedly that is because the BK5 is considered a Camp knife and not one ideal for hiking. In short I have never considered buying one, and no one has urged one upon me. I can't tell from your note why you thought this knife might be suitable for you Also, I can't tell what you do with knives or what you thought you might do with the BK5.

Ethan Becker designed the BK2 as the "one knife" to take into an Armageddon type situation if you could take only one knife. It is an excellent knife and I have two of them. But Ethan Becker has made a "system" of knives to do everything he can think of with a little more emphasis and finesse than the "one knife" the BK2. The BK7 might be closer to my ideal hiking knife, having a little longer and thinner blade than the BK2 -- more of a combat knife which feels good on a hike. I have one and I'm having a sheath made for it. I just ordered a BK10 as a knife which will do most of what a BK2 will do but will be a bit lighter (lighter is always good if you're hiking as long as you don't give up too much capability) and will lean a bit more toward a combat role than the BK2. I might at some point get the BK16 and/or the BK17. Both seem as though they'd make good hiking knives.

I don't really need the BK9 because it seems way too long for hiking; but it is closer to what I want in a knife than the BK5. I don't do any camping at all. My kids are all grown and I've outlived everyone I know who used to like to camp. I'm not above buying a knife that I really like the look and feel of (I'm not ruling out getting a BK9 for example), but I never considered a BK5.

I'll go off now and watch some Youtube reviews of the BK5 but doubt I'll be moved to get one. :yawn:

Lawrence
 
Lawrence Helm said:
Hmmm. A couple of surprises for me here. Being relatively new to Becker knives and having discussed my interest in additional knives for hiking, I have been humorously "pressured" to get the BK9. Others have spoken of the wonders of the BK10 (which I just ordered). Even the BK16 which I don't yet have is being lauded, but no one has urged the BK5 upon me. Undoubtedly that is because the BK5 is considered a Camp knife and not one ideal for hiking. In short I have never considered buying one, and no one has urged one upon me. I can't tell from your note why you thought this knife might be suitable for you Also, I can't tell what you do with knives or what you thought you might do with the BK5.

Ethan Becker designed the BK2 as the "one knife" to take into an Armageddon type situation if you could take only one knife. It is an excellent knife and I have two of them. But Ethan Becker has made a "system" of knives to do everything he can think of with a little more emphasis and finesse than the "one knife" the BK2. The BK7 might be closer to my ideal hiking knife, having a little longer and thinner blade than the BK2 -- more of a combat knife which feels good on a hike. I have one and I'm having a sheath made for it. I just ordered a BK10 as a knife which will do most of what a BK2 will do but will be a bit lighter (lighter is always good if you're hiking as long as you don't give up too much capability) and will lean a bit more toward a combat role than the BK2. I might at some point get the BK16 and/or the BK17. Both seem as though they'd make good hiking knives.

I don't really need the BK9 because it seems way too long for hiking; but it is closer to what I want in a knife than the BK5. I don't do any camping at all. My kids are all grown and I've outlived everyone I know who used to like to camp. I'm not above buying a knife that I really like the look and feel of (I'm not ruling out getting a BK9 for example), but I never considered a BK5.

I'll go off now and watch some Youtube reviews of the BK5 but doubt I'll be moved to get one. :yawn:

Lawrence
Click to expand...

The review that is most helpful for this thread is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0RHtnkagz0

In it we see Ethan Becker and Jerry Fisk discussing the BK5; which is Becker's handle coupled with Jerry Fisk's blade. Becker likes the knife but he didn't design the blade. At one point he said his knives operate more through brute force but Fisk uses more finesse. Also, it is interesting that like the OP above, Ethan Becker didn't initially like the design. It was only after trying out the knife that he changed his mind and became a fan.

Lawrence
 
It take to have that knife in hand to really appreciate it i think,i never planned on getting one,just came across a deal i couldn t pass,after a couple days using it,i couldn t imagine not having one.it became one of my favorite if not THE favorite of my becker.
 
I had one for a while and thought that it just might be my perfect knife. Then I went and gave it to a friend. I'm really glad that I gave it to him but I sure miss it. It is the only currently made knife that I regularly recommend to people.
 
Lawrence Helm said:
Hmmm. A couple of surprises for me here. Being relatively new to Becker knives and having discussed my interest in additional knives for hiking, I have been humorously "pressured" to get the BK9. Others have spoken of the wonders of the BK10 (which I just ordered). Even the BK16 which I don't yet have is being lauded, but no one has urged the BK5 upon me. Undoubtedly that is because the BK5 is considered a Camp knife and not one ideal for hiking. In short I have never considered buying one, and no one has urged one upon me. I can't tell from your note why you thought this knife might be suitable for you Also, I can't tell what you do with knives or what you thought you might do with the BK5.

Ethan Becker designed the BK2 as the "one knife" to take into an Armageddon type situation if you could take only one knife. It is an excellent knife and I have two of them. But Ethan Becker has made a "system" of knives to do everything he can think of with a little more emphasis and finesse than the "one knife" the BK2. The BK7 might be closer to my ideal hiking knife, having a little longer and thinner blade than the BK2 -- more of a combat knife which feels good on a hike. I have one and I'm having a sheath made for it. I just ordered a BK10 as a knife which will do most of what a BK2 will do but will be a bit lighter (lighter is always good if you're hiking as long as you don't give up too much capability) and will lean a bit more toward a combat role than the BK2. I might at some point get the BK16 and/or the BK17. Both seem as though they'd make good hiking knives.

I don't really need the BK9 because it seems way too long for hiking; but it is closer to what I want in a knife than the BK5. I don't do any camping at all. My kids are all grown and I've outlived everyone I know who used to like to camp. I'm not above buying a knife that I really like the look and feel of (I'm not ruling out getting a BK9 for example), but I never considered a BK5.

I'll go off now and watch some Youtube reviews of the BK5 but doubt I'll be moved to get one. :yawn:

Lawrence
Click to expand...

Well, let me pause here for a second and please do correct me if I'm wrong here but... you don't have a 9 OR a 5?

Dang...







All kidding aside, even though I love the 9, and the 16 and the 16, and the smaller Beckers and all the others...(sheesh) I think the 5 is a very well balanced knife and it has gotten a special place in my collection. It gets used quite often as well. I think the knife takes a bit more skill as a camp/hike knife since you can't rely as much on brute force (as with the 9) but you need to get a feel for it and get the hang of a few cutting techniques. I haven't gotten this level of expertise with the 5 yet, at all, but I still enjoy it and I'm sure I will enjoy it even more when I get to practice more and more with it. IMO, it'd be a great belt knife for hikes as well as camping.
If I recall correctly, it's design is based on fur trapping knives from a century or two ago. With that in mind, I see a lot of puzzle pieces fall into place.

One of, if not my most favourite of the Becker line. Not my most used, but definitely up there.
 
Lawrence Helm said:
I can't tell from your note why you thought this knife might be suitable for you
Click to expand...
Oh, about a decade of breathless admiration from various forumites. :D

Like I intimated, I don't think people are incorrect to admire it, but it's about the lightest, most flexible/bendable .188" knife I've ever encountered. I realize that there are people out there that truly HATE thicker, heavier knives and so I can fully understand their appreciation of the Magnum Camp. My uncle was a butcher in younger years, and his do-everything hunting/outdoors/ranch knife is an old Fiskars fillet, complete with a fabricated duct-tape belt loop for the plastic blade cover (turning it into a "sheath"). Does it do everything Uncle John needs it to do, from picking splinters to cleaning birds to skinning to making cute little chicken statues out of bars of soap? Yep. Do I want to trade in my knives for a $12 fillet knife? No.

My favorite Becker will always be the BK10--in fact, I think it's twice as good as the 5. ;)
 
_BK-05%20Magnum%20Camp%20-%203%20Generations-2005x953.jpg


yeah, there's a few differences in the three generations of the magnum camp...

yup
 
In response to my asking "I can't tell from your note why you thought this knife might be suitable for you, t1mpani wrote,
t1mpani said:
Oh, about a decade of breathless admiration from various forumites. :D
Click to expand...

Right. I hadn't thought of that, but I should have. In discussing knives suitable for Armageddon-type scenarios over on the "Anthropology and Becker knives" thread, I mentioned the preposterous thought I had after reading about the Yellowstone volcano where for states around people are going to be covered in ash. I immediately thought to myself "what knife would be good for that." I scoffed at my foolishness and posted the note. Then a few moments later found myself thinking, maybe I do need a 9.

Lawrence
 
Hey T1,

Sorry to hear that you were less than impressed with the 5...
That's how it goes with knives though.
For me, I find that when I hold a new knife I either love it, hate it, or have a feeling of "ehh..."

Here are some of my own random musings on the BK5.
When Bought my first Becker, (the BK11) and found the BK&T forum here, I knew I wanted to pick up a few more. The BK2 followed shortly after. After viewing the entire BK&T line up and listening to praise and reviews of the different models I knew that the BK5 was at the bottom of my list. I didn't care for the looks of it and I thought that the design would not offer what I needed in a knife.

Fast forward a bit. I won a BK4 from one of Bladites giveaways. Awesome knife!
I ended up picking up a 7 and 9. The 9 is great, but the 7...ehh. Lol. So I can can relate about getting a new knife and just not loving it. The 7 does absolutely nothing for me. And it's too bad because I've always liked the size and design of the 7. It seems like it would be a jack of all trades type of knife. But after owning 3 BK7's, and trying to love it, I know that it's just not for me.

So...shortly after procuring the 7 and 9 I was at a local gun show and found a booth selling Beckers! Fantastic! I figured I'd pick up the 5 just to see how it felt. My initial feeling was extreme awe. I couldn't believe how good it felt in my hand! The balance, the quickness, the incredible feeling of "use-ability" amazed me. This long trade looking knife that I thought had no part in my collection just rushed to the forefront of being " next on the list". Had I known how much I'd love the 5 I would have purchased one sooner. To me it is a pleasure to use. Like a lot of the others, I use mine for a lot of food prep. But it also excels outdoors. No I don't pound on it like I might a BK2, but I never find myself wishing it was bigger, thicker, stronger. I like the BK5 just as it is. To me it is such a well designed knife. It's fun to use and the slicing and slashing ability of this knife always seems to amaze me.



 
Jonny1280 said:
Hey T1,

Sorry to hear that you were less than impressed with the 5...
That's how it goes with knives though.
For me, I find that when I hold a new knife I either love it, hate it, or have a feeling of "ehh..."



Here are some of my own random musings on the BK5.
When Bought my first Becker, (the BK11) and found the BK&T forum here, I knew I wanted to pick up a few more. The BK2 followed shortly after. After viewing the entire BK&T line up and listening to praise and reviews of the different models I knew that the BK5 was at the bottom of my list. I didn't care for the looks of it and I thought that the design would not offer what I needed in a knife.

Fast forward a bit. I won a BK4 from one of Bladites giveaways. Awesome knife!
I ended up picking up a 7 and 9. The 9 is great, but the 7...ehh. Lol. So I can can relate about getting a new knife and just not loving it. The 7 does absolutely nothing for me. And it's too bad because I've always liked the size and design of the 7. It seems like it would be a jack of all trades type of knife. But after owning 3 BK7's, and trying to love it, I know that it's just not for me.

So...shortly after procuring the 7 and 9 I was at a local gun show and found a booth selling Beckers! Fantastic! I figured I'd pick up the 5 just to see how it felt. My initial feeling was extreme awe. I couldn't believe how good it felt in my hand! The balance, the quickness, the incredible feeling of "use-ability" amazed me. This long trade looking knife that I thought had no part in my collection just rushed to the forefront of being " next on the list". Had I known how much I'd love the 5 I would have purchased one sooner. To me it is a pleasure to use. Like a lot of the others, I use mine for a lot of food prep. But it also excels outdoors. No I don't pound on it like I might a BK2, but I never find myself wishing it was bigger, thicker, stronger. I like the BK5 just as it is. To me it is such a well designed knife. It's fun to use and the slicing and slashing ability of this knife always seems to amaze me.



Click to expand...

Interesting story. The only knife I've hated since I've begun acquiring Beckers is the Schrade SCHF10; which I had to check out when I saw a 2 or 3 Youtube reviewers imply it was as good as the BK2. In my view it wasn't even close. I hated it and just a few moments ago gave it to my son who doesn't seem to hate any of the knives I give him.

Earlier I commented to T1 that some people had urged the BK9 upon me but no one had urged the BK5. Since that time a few people have made up for that.

My wife is a semi-invalid and I do all the cooking now. I'm not very good at it, but I'm learning. While reading your note I had a mental image of myself standing in the kitchen whipping a BK5 out of its sheath. :cool:

Lawrence
 
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