2 Beckers or 1 ESEE?

T

Toxie

Joined
Nov 5, 2007
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So I have a dilemma, I have a set budget I'm allowed by the boss to spend and I want a new camp knife. After doing a bit of shopping I see that I can get either an ESEE Laser Strike OR one of the Becker "tweeners" and a BK2. I like the LS sheath, scales (I really like micarta scales) and (explicitly stated, transferrable) warranty better, but adding the BK2 to the mix gives me a nice chopper/wood prepper which I don't currently have (but I would eventually want to buy a better sheath and scales for both).

Trying to decide between the better appointed knife, or the extra capability. It's not a "which is better, ESEE or Becker", so please don't devolve it to that, Im just having an impossible time deciding between one knife that's exactly as I want it out of the box vs getting two knives that I'll want to dress up and spend money on.
 
Toxie said:
So I have a dilemma, I have a set budget I'm allowed by the boss to spend and I want a new camp knife. After doing a bit of shopping I see that I can get either an ESEE Laser Strike OR one of the Becker "tweeners" and a BK2. I like the LS sheath, scales (I really like micarta scales) and (explicitly stated, transferrable) warranty better, but adding the BK2 to the mix gives me a nice chopper/wood prepper which I don't currently have (but I would eventually want to buy a better sheath and scales for both).

Trying to decide between the better appointed knife, or the extra capability. It's not a "which is better, ESEE or Becker", so please don't devolve it to that, Im just having an impossible time deciding between one knife that's exactly as I want it out of the box vs getting two knives that I'll want to dress up and spend money on.
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id probably go with the bk2 and the tweeners cause the bk2 is a bigger blade and you have more functionality with a bigger blade. add a pointed tweener and youve got a utility and a defensive pair of knives.
 
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Thats a stumper, Id probablly do the Beckers. The latest BK2 sheath is quite good as is the tweener sheath, granted not as good as that nice kydex youd get with the laser strike. Id go becker just because I dont like the handle on the laser strike, I wish ESEE would make a 6 inch knife with the Izula shape almost like a plsk 1.
 
Toxie said:
...I have a set budget I'm allowed by the boss...
I can get either an ESEE Laser Strike OR one of the Becker "tweeners" and a BK2.
I like the LS sheath, scales (I really like micarta scales) and (explicitly stated, transferrable) warranty better, but adding the BK2 to the mix gives me a nice chopper/wood prepper which I don't currently have (but I would eventually want to buy a better sheath and scales for both).

Trying to decide between the better appointed knife, or the extra capability...
Click to expand...
By "boss" I assume you mean "wife" or "parents" ;)

The BK2 with it's 5 1/4" blade is NOT a "chopper" any more than the BK16 or the Laser-strike (or a kitchen chef's knife). ALL can certainly be used to chop, but not with great efficiency, you'd be far better off with either a longer knife / machete or having a baton handy to generate the kinetic energy of a "chop". The "extra capability" of a BK2 is enduring stiffness and increased weight - it's a heavy knife that is stout enough to take a substantial beating... but the other two should be stout enough for most tasks and are a LOT lighter (read "easier to handle/cut with"). But you are right, buying 2 knives for the price of 1 gives you ~2x the capability (assuming equivalent quality). My recommendation - get a knife (not necessarily any of these 3) that feels good in your hand in use and sports features you will appreciate, be that handle design, materials, blade profile and geometry, ease of maintenance, etc.

Good luck with your choice!
 
I'd do the Beckers, however, instead, you might consider a BK9 and a tweener for a real chopper.

Erd
 
Toxie said:
. . .I like the LS sheath, scales (I really like micarta scales) and (explicitly stated, transferrable) warranty better, but adding the BK2 to the mix gives me a nice chopper/wood prepper which I don't currently have (but I would eventually want to buy a better sheath and scales for both).
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Better warranty than Becker | KABAR? Anyways, as already suggested above regarding the Becker line. Hope you decide and find what you're looking for!
 
HardTripper said:
Thats a stumper, Id probablly do the Beckers. The latest BK2 sheath is quite good as is the tweener sheath, granted not as good as that nice kydex youd get with the laser strike. Id go becker just because I dont like the handle on the laser strike, I wish ESEE would make a 6 inch knife with the Izula shape almost like a plsk 1.
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Ahhh the mythical Izilla , I think DPX pretty much beat em to it with the 6 " & 4'' HEFT knives.


OP -hard choice , but I think the Beckers have it. ( BK9 and BK15 )
 
I can't provide a firm opinion on the ESEE LS, as I've never handled one, however I do have both a BK2 and a BK9 and for wood prep (and loads of other tasks), they are hard to beat. Shop around and see if you can't find a BK9 and a BK15/16/17 (dunno which you like) and you can have a great wood prep/camp kitchen combo.

As a side note, I have seen BK9s used to prep food with ease, I'm just not sure you'd want to do both on the same trip unless you carry the means to clean it real well. :)
Beef and beans is always better without the tree sap, imo.

With a nice convex edge though, even the BK2 (1/4" thick!) can be used to gracefully slice tomatoes. *shrug* In the end, I think it's all about what YOU want to do. Seems to me, they'd all do fine.
 
I personally like the Beckers better because they have a handle that fits my hand. I can't grip the ESEE because the handle is to small. Example the RC3+RC4. Take something small and work with it for a while you will see what I mean. It's to bad because Becker saw the nitch and came out with the tweener line. Yes I have handled the Beckers and ESEE and chose the Becker.
 
chiral.grolim said:
By "boss" I assume you mean "wife" or "parents" ;)

The BK2 with it's 5 1/4" blade is NOT a "chopper" any more than the BK16 or the Laser-strike (or a kitchen chef's knife). ALL can certainly be used to chop, but not with great efficiency, you'd be far better off with either a longer knife / machete or having a baton handy to generate the kinetic energy of a "chop". The "extra capability" of a BK2 is enduring stiffness and increased weight - it's a heavy knife that is stout enough to take a substantial beating... but the other two should be stout enough for most tasks and are a LOT lighter (read "easier to handle/cut with"). But you are right, buying 2 knives for the price of 1 gives you ~2x the capability (assuming equivalent quality). My recommendation - get a knife (not necessarily any of these 3) that feels good in your hand in use and sports features you will appreciate, be that handle design, materials, blade profile and geometry, ease of maintenance, etc.

Good luck with your choice!
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It doesn't chop as well as the BK9, but with the proper technique, it chops very well. That's seasoned oak.

20110212ac17.jpg


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Beckerhead #42
 
For me, the general rule of thumb is to get one of something I really like rather than two of something I kinda like. So it really depends on how much you like the ESEE. FWIW, I've heard great things by those who've owned it.
 
I will go against the flow here, but just based on what the op wrote - "...deciding between one knife that's exactly as I want it out of the box vs getting two knives that I'll want to dress up and spend money on."

get the esee then. I'm a fan of both, and have more beckers than esees, but if this is how you feel then go for it. I have a feeling that eventually you will get all of them anyway.
 
dave mastrianna said:
I personally like the Beckers better because they have a handle that fits my hand. I can't grip the ESEE because the handle is to small. Example the RC3+RC4. Take something small and work with it for a while you will see what I mean. It's to bad because Becker saw the nitch and came out with the tweener line. Yes I have handled the Beckers and ESEE and chose the Becker.
Click to expand...

When did he mention the RC3 or 4? Yes, they have dinky little handles, but the LS doesn't, which is the focus of the thread.

The Laserstrike is a great knife, with a perfect sheath. I've been using mine since they came out, and it's the "missing link" between the ESEE-3, 4, and 6, the only one that combines the best features of all the knives into 1.

Get the LS, then get an axe for chopping stuff...
 
Both great companies that make great knives.
Both ran by great people.
Both have solid warranties.
Both made with 1095.

Set budget. One knife or two...
I've been in almost the same situation afew times.
Now I own 7 Beckers. lol
I myself have enjoyed modding the Beckers to make them my own.
It gives me something to look forward too when I get a little extra cash.
I have come sooooooo close to buying ESEE. I'm sure I will sometime in the future.
But for me personally, I just think Beckers give you more bang for your buck.
Plus the BK&T sub forum is an awesome place to hang out!

Look at it this way. Would you regret choosing one over the other?
If so, then go with your gut. It does not matter what we think. Right?
Either way your going to get a great knife. Or two. lol

I've tried to reply as impartially as possible.
Good luck Toxie. Decisions, decisions...
 
Im with Johnny1280 you can get one really good knife or two really good knives, I want an Esee 5 but I am sure Ill have another BK2 first. There really is somthing to making them your own, if you in to that.
 
ESEE-6 + a $20. Condor Rodan for the dirty brute work + a Mora Companion MG in Stainless for food prep and intricate stuff...

esee-6.jpg

CTK237-6HC.jpg

860MG-Sml-2.jpg
 
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By "boss" I assume you mean "wife" or "parents"
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Yup, that's the wife. She told me that I could "waste" the OT I'm going to get for working the 4th on whatever I want. THat made up my mind.

I bought the ESEE LS and with my OT, I'm going to order a BK2! I don't NEED a BK2, but it looks like fun to use :). I'll actually use a knife the size of the ESEE way more for my camping, so I figured I may as well spend the bulk on that.

Thanks for the help gents.
 
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