15 as a woods tool?

Creaky Bones · Jul 22, 2013

[/url] photo.JPG by creakybonespics, on Flickr[/IMG]

I know, that's a picture of a 16, and this is a post about the 15. Let me explain. I have a BK2, although it lives in my shed. I have a 9 for campfire prep, and because everyone needs a 9. Besides, this is the Becker forum, so I don't have explain to anyone here why I have a 9. I have a 14 and an 11, although I'd love them more if the handles were a wee bit longer or my hands were a wee bit teenier. I have a 7 that I thought I wouldn't like, but got on sale and love it, but my most used Becker is my 16. I really do love the 16, but lately I've been gazing longingly at the 15 like a stray dog at a BBQ. I use my knives for standard camping/hiking type stuff. Carving utensils, not because I forgot them, but just because I can. Bow drill fires in case I wake up on "Naked and Afraid" in Borneo and need to cook a sloth, slicing the steaks that I trapped at the grocery store, etc. The 16 does all of these things like a champ, but that 15 is just so damn pretty! So I'm looking for some "why I love the 15 more than the 16" stories to help me decide if the 15 is just as good as the 16 at all of this stuff. Anyone?

TwinStick · Jul 22, 2013

I like choils. Period. I find them useful. The BK5 & BK15 are the only stock Beckers with choils. Any thing that is sharp, will cut stuff. One of my most used kitchen tools is a SS scraper that i sharpened the end on. It cuts & scrapes now. One tool for onions & potatoes. I like the 5/15 because of the choils & the upswept blade design. Excellent for food prep, skinning & a multitude of camp duties, including light batoning.

I have even choiled, jimped & fire steeled my BK9.

Zuluninja · Jul 22, 2013

just buy it. What's one more BK? enjoy them all! the 15 is longer and pointed...it might help to fish out the last pickle on a tight jar...you will find out what is it good for. I bought the 15 & 16 at the same time and so far the only use for both has been carving pieces of palm branch into a guitar and a flower, go figure...

LostViking · Jul 22, 2013

Just recently snagged the 15, so far, so good!

iwouldhurtafly · Jul 22, 2013

The 15 is an excellent blade and a hell of a crafting knife if that is what you are after... Just carved out a figure 4 trap today for the heck of it while piddling around in the back yard. I EDC my 15, I like larger blades for EDC and I could not be happier. You really wont be disappointed at all. Something that it is good at that is not always mentioned is the snap cut. It is far from a chopper but I have found with a little edge work it sinks really deep with relative ease by choking out on the handle. I have used mine for just about anything and the only thing I want to change about it is to upgrade to micarta since I carry it everyday, it might as well have some nice scales. Out of the box it is an elegant blade. The design is from Jerry Fisk who I am sure we all know about. He is one amazing knife maker and designer and he really put his foot in the 15...

If you have the dough pick it up. You will love it.

Creaky Bones · Jul 23, 2013

LostViking said:
Just recently snagged the 15, so far, so good!

You had me at this. Anyone want to trade a 15 for a used 2 and a 7 year old brown dog who eat crayons?

And just in case no one notices that I wrote the part about the trade in "humorous" font, I'm kidding so please don't send me another infraction email telling me I'm on double secret probation. I'll happily buy my own 15. I'm not really trying to trade. Joke.

bsmith_shoot · Jul 23, 2013

The 15 is, hands down, my favorite Becker. I've used it heavily as a woods blade, and its been flawless.

wasatchdan · Jul 24, 2013

The 15's thin blade and narrow point can do notch work Better than any of the other Beckers. But despite this, you can still baton, and even cross baton, with no problems. It's a damned tough knife, even though it looks elegant and dainty compared to any of the other Becker knives.