Wy the Bk17 is not that popular as the well known bk16

Kentwood33

Kentwood33

Joined
Mar 13, 2015
Messages
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Hello guys, quite new in this forum but actually I am a enthusiastic fan of pretty much all Ethan Becker's knives, owning a good number of these, and for some reason never being interested at any other brand, so making long history short ,I would like to know wy such beautiful knife like the bk17 is not that popular in the forums as the bk16, thanks in advance guys
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I love the looks of the 17, but I'm more of a drop point person.
 
I think most of the "less loved" is due to the clip point, as it seems less universal.

The stabbier shape is maybe too spezialized in a knife, where the sole purpose is "universal use".
I'ts not a fighting knife, its not a utility knife, so people don't expect it to work as good as a 16.

Well I have to admit, I got the 17 for it's looks but never missed the drop point while using it, quite the reverse, its very easy to stab a notch or drill a hole into a piece of wood.:thumbup:

Its by far my most beloved outdoors knife:)
 
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The Boss prefers the 16, and it's a much better cutter. I bet that has something to do with it. :-)
I've owned both and prefer the 16 as well. The 17 IS a looker, especially when the clip is straightened, but I find the 16 works better for me.
 
I plan on picking up a 17, because I like the clip point. I'm a sucker for anything that looks like a Bowie.

But I have to admit that the 16 is one sweet piece of steel. I love mine.
 
I love its looks and if I ever buy a Becker knife for a friend or relative, the 17 is the one I'll pick. I'm thinking my brother needs one. (I'm happily married to the 15.)

Zieg
 
Drop point is a little more versatile for all around use. An upswept clip point like the 17's is good for piercing but at the expense of tip strength. The full flat grind of the 16 makes it slice better than the flat saber grind on the 17, although the 17 should theoretically be stronger on that front. But I suspect if a Beckerhead wants more strength to the blade, they/we would just go with a full size Becker instead.
 
Actually I'm in love with both due to the way they perform, but a little bit concerned since the clip one is the less loved , i will keep using them and looking forward to get me a bk15,that's the one missing in my Becker's family
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I have a 16 and.a 17. I prefer the drop point over clips. Just love that blade shape. The 17 I gave to my wife who prefers a clip point.
 
Im also surprised the bk17 isn't more popular. Every beckerhead wants one of the rare saber grind bk16.

but I believe the reason kabar stopped doing the saber bk16 and moved to FFG is because the bk17 was saber and they didn't want to have two knives that similar.
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
I have a 16 and.a 17. I prefer the drop point over clips. Just love that blade shape. The 17 I gave to my wife who prefers a clip point.
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I wish my wife love my knives as I do, but she is a fan of big slicers, that's the reason I will get me a bk15
 
When the tweeners were first announced (BK15/16/17), I was sure the BK17 would be my favorite.

I got to test a pre-production BK17 as part of a beckerhead passaround, and I discovered... that I really liked the BK16 more for using. It turns out that I don't need the clips finer point for... basically anything, and prefer the FFG on the BK16 for... basically everything.

Still the 17 is a great knife though.
 
I bet it has a lot to do with the full flat grind on the 16 vs the Saber on the 17. Plus people seem to gravitate towards drop points for general mid size knife usage. There are also other knives in KA-BAR's stable that are "similar" to the 17 as opposed to their few drop points. All of this being said if I had to pick between the two I'd probably grab the 15... ;) either way though, they are all fantastic knives.
 
I'm actually quite surprised that the 15 is disco'd instead of the 17. There's a lot of threads on the 15, lot's of love. It would surprise me that the 15 is a slower seller than the 17. Nonetheless, it's a good looking blade, and if you want a Saber 16, there's always the 17. It would be a fun project to fully convex the lower part beneath the flat and have a scandi Becker of sorts. Hmmm.. Thinking :)
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
I'm actually quite surprised that the 15 is disco'd instead of the 17. There's a lot of threads on the 15, lot's of love. It would surprise me that the 15 is a slower seller than the 17. Nonetheless, it's a good looking blade, and if you want a Saber 16, there's always the 17. It would be a fun project to fully convex the lower part beneath the flat and have a scandi Becker of sorts. Hmmm.. Thinking :)
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I dont remember the bk15 getting much love at all until they discontinued it. The bk16 has always had the spotlight over the bk15 and bk17

When the price went down on the bk15 everyone bought one and found out its a sweet blade. Then the love poured in on the forums for the bk15.
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
I'm actually quite surprised that the 15 is disco'd instead of the 17. There's a lot of threads on the 15, lot's of love. It would surprise me that the 15 is a slower seller than the 17. Nonetheless, it's a good looking blade, and if you want a Saber 16, there's always the 17. It would be a fun project to fully convex the lower part beneath the flat and have a scandi Becker of sorts. Hmmm.. Thinking :)
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That's exactly what i did with my ffg 16 since I wasn't that happy with the factory edge
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
I'm actually quite surprised that the 15 is disco'd instead of the 17. There's a lot of threads on the 15, lot's of love. It would surprise me that the 15 is a slower seller than the 17. Nonetheless, it's a good looking blade, and if you want a Saber 16, there's always the 17. It would be a fun project to fully convex the lower part beneath the flat and have a scandi Becker of sorts. Hmmm.. Thinking :)
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I'm also surprised at this, for the same reasons given.
It would just seem to me, that the 17 would be the next one to get the axe, given that you see so many less of the compared to 15s and 16s.

I wonder if it has something to do with the majority of Becker fans (at least the ones I see here)
not really being into "tactical" blades, but more bushcraft/fieldcraft type stuff.

And say what you will about clip blades, they have a STRONG fighting heritage, and the saber grinds won't be nearly as "slicey" as a 15 or 16...
Just my two cents.
-JT
 
JTmisterknifeguy said:
I'm also surprised at this, for the same reasons given.
It would just seem to me, that the 17 would be the next one to get the axe, given that you see so many less of the compared to 15s and 16s.

I wonder if it has something to do with the majority of Becker fans (at least the ones I see here)
not really being into "tactical" blades, but more bushcraft/fieldcraft type stuff.

And say what you will about clip blades, they have a STRONG fighting heritage, and the saber grinds won't be nearly as "slicey" as a 15 or 16...
Just my two cents.
-JT
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I own the ffg 16 and d the saber grind as well (first production run) but for me the bk17 rolled stamped is the one that rocks , what a sexy looking blade !!!!!
 
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I think there both great knives . The 16 slices a little better . The 17 cleans fish better . That pointed tip sometimes is very useful .
 
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