15, 16, or 17

W

wvknifeguy

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Feb 11, 2015
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Been carrying my 15 as my hunting knife, field dressed a deer with it this year. Just wondered, out of the tweeners what does everyone think the best hunting knife is? My 15 did fine, but would a 16 or 17 be better?
 
They're all three great hunting blades. Just depends on the user's preference of blade profile. Of all three, and depending on processing methods, I'd say the 17 would be the toughest now that the 16 doesn't come in saber grind anymore. Of course, those that have the saber 16s have no worries there.
 
The 16 flat grind is a excellent hunting, skinner. Its shorter blade than the 15. I also have a 15 and really like it, I generally keep in the kitchen and would be another excellent hunting knife.

Id get both the 16 & 15 as a pair
 
Between the 15 and 16, i prefer the 16. For kitchen duty FFG 16 is the way to go. The 15 will slice the hell out of a steak or roast, it's not as good as the 16 for veggies. The 16 has a more acute angle behind the edge compared to the 15. Of course everyone has their opinion. The 16 is one fine general purpose edc knife.

Don't have a 17 (yet) but the 16 fills all my needs.
 
Although it's my favorite around the house blade, the 15 IMO is a bit long for whitetail field dressing. The 16 is a handier size for that task. I don't own (yet) a 17, but that clippoint would seem ideal for making incisions compared to the 16.
 
Yetidayhiker said:
Although it's my favorite around the house blade, the 15 IMO is a bit long for whitetail field dressing. The 16 is a handier size for that task. I don't own (yet) a 17, but that clippoint would seem ideal for making incisions compared to the 16.
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This point is exactly what prompted me to start this thread. The 15 got the job done, but I think I would have preferred a smaller blade.
 
You could always mod the 15 into a shorter 15. Just a thought if you like the 15 shape and geometry.
 
wvknifeguy said:
This point is exactly what prompted me to start this thread. The 15 got the job done, but I think I would have preferred a smaller blade.
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Wvkg,

As you said the bk15 can easily handle that task, it's a fantastic blade for piercing and slicing and my favorite kitchen Becker (except on BBQ summer days when that bk5 gets used on the brisket), the bk15 has been written up on this forum at excelling on larger game like elk. I felt more skilled with the smaller bk16 blade. If you can live with the weaker clip point, it would seem to me that the bk17 would be an even better tool for deer
 
Pretty much in agreement that the 16 or 17 is going to be a handier deer hunting knife, now just have to decide which one. Before anyone says it, I know I know, just get both.
 
I prefer the 16 -- and if you find you need something a little more pointy, its pretty easy to add minor swedge or a slight straight clip.
 
1066vik said:
I prefer the 16 -- and if you find you need something a little more pointy, its pretty easy to add minor swedge or a slight straight clip.
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That's something I've been wanting to do on my bk16 whenever I finally decide to strip it. In fact, that probably the best idea if you need the knife to be a little pointier without going all the way to the clippoint. (Although that bk17 sure does look fine with that clippoint......
 
While I don't hunt, I do have experience skinning and cleaning. Of the 3 tweeners I would take the 16. But I think the 14/24/11 would be a better size. I like the control of a smaller blade better.
 
Last time I went to Kentucky fried chicken they asked me if I wanted crispy or extra crispy. That's not an easy decision when you are not expecting it. At least you have time to think about this decision.

So would you like that Becker knife pointy or extra pointy? I dont think we can tell you which one you will like more. :)

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If you guys think the 16 is great at game processing... try the 11. The 11 will give you ultimate control with the same geometry as the 16.
 
I love the 15 for deer. I have always preferred using trailing point type blades. Everybody field dresses, processes, butchers and wraps up deer in different ways. You just gotta find what tool or tools work best for you.
 
I don't have a 17.

The 16 is Ethan's favorite while the 15 is mine.

All of the Tweeners are great hunting knives but I am partial to the 15 because it can do it all in hunting: field dressing, skinning, boning and butchering. Unless unwieldy, which the 15 is not, a knife is not too big for deer hunting - especially if having one knife do it all is in play.

The 15 also excels at those often overlooked but ever present necessities of any deer camp knife - the ability make a PB&J as well as the significantly important functionality of slicing pepperoni and cheese! Lastly, the 15 is the champ of the three at food prep and, at least the way we deer hunt, fooding and eating are integral to the hunt.
 
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