Sorry, folks - I did not see a dedicated BFK thread, aside from sale threads and a couple of review ones. If there is such a thread and I missed it, please let me know and I will have this one merged.
In my mind, this knife feels a lot different than the FK2 - enough that I feel it warrants it's own thread for folks to share their thoughts, experiences, and the like. I wasn't going to get one of these knives at first, as I was certain that the FK2 fills that particular niche and does so superbly. However, the more I looked at pictures, the more I read of Nathan's thoughts and differing design elements - the more I looked at the BFK as being a separate knife and I figured that my modest assortment needed to have one in the mix.
I just got this one in today and I am happy that I decided to get one - I feel that my thoughts were affirmed and that it is indeed a knife that differs enough from the FK2 that it might be preferred or passed over depending on personal tastes.
I went with natural Micarta, versus the black that I normally favor, and it's nice to experience something different.
Aside from the obvious difference in the feel of the unbuffed canvas micarta versus the buffed linen on the FK2, the handles are pretty similar, despite the latter having more sculpting to it. I don't think I have a strong opinion one way or the other - as I think Nathan has mentioned, they are interchangeable and it's something I might play around with more later on.
The real difference between the two knives is the blade. The BFK is longer and that additional length follows a trajectory that results in the blade seemingly having a perceivable downward (or forward) cant. Interestingly enough to me, this changes the entire feel of the knife over the FK2. Some field testing is in order, I think, but like its intended purpose, I may be more apt to use this more heavily than I would the FK2. The FK2 is a quintessential belt knife - a blade that I would use similar to a Kephart, doing camp kitchen work and light camp chores. The BFK seems well suited to more brutish work and might serve that niche in between the FK2 and the HDFK rather well - if one were to be seeking that, of course.
The differences are a bit difficult to capture but hopefully you can see what I am referring to when it comes to its cant.
More of a closeup shot.
I am looking forward to putting this knife to more use but in conclusion for this evening, I would have to say that the BFK is a knife that I would be apt to throw on my hip for a lot of my outdoor choring - stuff that could be considered borderline knife abuse. Since the FK2 is a knife where I am more keen on preserving the integrity of its edge, it is a knife I would have at my side when hunting, fishing, or really any sort of outdoor activity that doesn't involve a lot of chopping, hacking, or cutting through stuff that could ding up the edge quite a bit.
It's a fine knife and I think it deserves a place in the CPK lineup. I hope this knife, and others that are being considered for this sort of price point, serve to be excellent sellers and even better knives to those that might use them.
Sláinte!