3 knife kit, which tweener?

[UNCLEDAN]

I'm building up a couple 3 knife kits (big knife for wood chores, small knife for finer carving/utility work, and medium/belt knife for everything else around camp and on day hikes). I've got big knife (bk9), and little knife (bk11) taken care of. Now I just need my belt knife, and the tweeners are an ideal size for me, and the perfect way to round off the trio. I think it will see a lot of food prep work around camp as well as some general utility. It will probably taste less wood then the other two but I don't want to rule anything out. Also, while I'm not a hunter I intend to be someday, and skinning will be a possibility in the future. Since I have a drop point and a clip point, I thought the 15 might be a nice addition. Plus in a video Ethan called it the worlds best steak knife, so it's gotta be a great camp food knife. On the other hand I love the look of the 16 as a belt knife/skinner.

Please anyone who has any or all of the tweeners chime in and let me know what you think.

Knife for:
1) Food prep
2) Utility (cord cutting and such)
3) Skinning (someday)
4) Woodwork (spoon and s'more stick carving)

15, 16, or 17?

Thanks

P.S. My other 3 knife kit is a khukuri, a karda (small utility knife that comes with a khukuri) and a beefy quarter inch thick, 5 inch blade with a full tang handle also made in nepal.

[DJG097]

I think the 17 would work best for your situation. Pointy for skinning good at food prep and IMO the best tweener.

[Wolf_1989]

Nothing beats the BK-15 for skinning and food prep. It's essentially a high powered carving knife.

[JWL]

+1 on the BK15. Best food prep knife like evarrrr.

My version of this kit is a BK4 Machax, BK15, and a Spyderco Tenacious folder. Machax gets used for wood processing and big tasks. Spyderco folder is EDC and good for small tasks (yes I tried the BK11 and BK14 but the handles are too small for me). BK15 gets used in the kitchen and for anything that the folder can't handle, unless I need a big knife.

[madhappy]

BK15 get's my vote also.

[crimsonfalcon07]

I can't fault the logic that you've got a drop and a clip already, so you should try the trailing. I vote 15 as well (I was going to vote 16, just to be ornery, but hey).

[Eero]

Based on the criteria and use that you posted I'd recommend the BK15. I own all three and use it for food prep but also find myself using my 15 to carve and whittle because of the wicked point and it's so easy to choke up on the choil for better control/less wrist fatigue. Just my 2 ¢

[tradewater]

Sounds like a broken record, but 15 would get my vote as well.

[rkmoore]

16 All The Way!!! It's the only one I own and therefore it must be the best.

[TwinStick]

Bk-15.

[tincansurvival]

BK15. You can round out your different types with a Trailing Point.

[mac_heath]

I like both the 15 and 16, but I'd go with the 16 for camp chores. The 15 will be better for carving meat, and some other food prep tasks (slicing). I find the 16 sturdier, better for woodcraft (where the 9 is too big), and it's significantly shorter and easier to carry than the 15. I EDC the 14 and 16. I tried carrying the 15 daily and just found it too large when I'm sitting a lot.

Your experience may differ depending upon your body shape and sheath system you use. I use a kydex sheath with a g-clip to the belt. The sheath does not have a lot of room to move and accommodate my position.

[UNCLEDAN]

Sounds like 15 will be the way to go because food prep is going to be a major role with this knife. I think a 16 is in the future as well. That knife just looks awesome.

[emperorvince]

Hands down...BK15

[Wolf_1989]

While the 17 and 16 are stronger blade designs, the 15 is tougher than you might think. It is a Becker after all. Unless you plan on doing some heavy duty prying, it will take on just about anything.

[SaturatedShadow]

I say get the 15, as well.

But, as I always say in the tweener for skinning threads, I think you'll end up preferring the BK-11 for skinning. The smaller blade is just more manageable, but the 15 will be great when cooking.

[TheWambo]

while I'm more than a little biased to my 16 the 15 is a sound choice and would round out the kit pretty well

[Shotgun]

Try just using the 2 blade system for a while. IME the medium belt knife is completely useless when you have the other two. There's a reason your Kuk comes with just 1 small knife and not a small and a medium. The medium belt knife is a waste of money and adds unnecessary weight. YMMV.

[Silverthorn]

One is none and two is one, so three is actually two.........

[Wolf_1989]

Try just using the 2 blade system for a while. IME the medium belt knife is completely useless when you have the other two. There's a reason your Kuk comes with just 1 small knife and not a small and a medium. The medium belt knife is a waste of money and adds unnecessary weight. YMMV.

I have an oddball khukri (H.I. 20" Sirupati) which has TWO karda knives instead of the usual karda & chakma combo.