-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
(2) of the Best Bang for The Buck! in 1095
- Thread starter TinyDog
- Start date
Ooo, fancy.
That is the BK39? I think I can just barely see the laser engraving on the blade in that first shot, but I'm not sure. It also looks like you added liners (I do that with mine, after having the 1/4in thick BK2 first, the 3/16in thick BK9 felt too small for my hands, the liners makes it feel "just right" again). For those that haven't heard, the "BK39" is just a normal BK9 with a clear coating, a different laser engraving, and green handle scales. Makes it look less "tactical" I guess.
And the Orange on the Junglas looks great.
And chance you'll give a more in depth talk about why you like each one, and for what purposes?
Enjoy the new steel
.
That is the BK39? I think I can just barely see the laser engraving on the blade in that first shot, but I'm not sure. It also looks like you added liners (I do that with mine, after having the 1/4in thick BK2 first, the 3/16in thick BK9 felt too small for my hands, the liners makes it feel "just right" again). For those that haven't heard, the "BK39" is just a normal BK9 with a clear coating, a different laser engraving, and green handle scales. Makes it look less "tactical" I guess.
And the Orange on the Junglas looks great.
And chance you'll give a more in depth talk about why you like each one, and for what purposes?
Enjoy the new steel
.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2015
- Messages
- 1,153
Both are very suiting for my use. I love to baton at the camp, It allows me to think I am a Caveman using a tool to survive.... However, it seems natural to me as well as just plain fun, Is it practical? maybe not so much but seems as natural to me as putting a hotdog on a stick and roasting it over the fire.
The Becker BK39 and Esee are both great for batoning, and great choppers. Not to say anything bad about plenty of others, but these two seem to be about the maximum usable thickness, length that I would choose to carry. Anything more and it is just not practical for me.
There are thicker knives, and longer knives in this class, however its my experience that although a thicker knife in this size has better chopping capabilities, it comes with the extra weight that can wear one down much easier if there is a lot to do. It also can be said that Thicker blades Baton better, I agree... I believe they do. But a knife in these lengths can do just about any reasonable size batoning with a slightly narrower blade, perhaps not as well as the thicker ones, but with minimal extra effort. All said it will become personal preference as well as the type of use that is at hand.
The differences? Sure there are:
LIKES/DISLIKES:
Becker: I like the Becker for its cost/value overall, I will not speak of sheathing on either of these. I also like the gimping that so many hate. Both of these guys are minus a finger choil which is good for usable length, but poor for detailed control. The gimping is something that is favorable for me when it comes to bigger knives, so the Becker has some which is useful for me. I also like the appearance of the knife itself, to me says lets work, and it can do that. It is a great design. One of opposing dislikes of the appearance is in the form of the Heavy swedge at the end of the blade. It looks great! However it is not as easy on the baton. If one is using a knife with this kind of length for larger cuts of timber the extra length is only partially appreciated. The down swept spine cannot be totally used at its full length. And although the handle ergos are fine. I do prefer the extra weight and more of a solid fastening of the handles to the Blade.
Esee: I do like the blade style of the Esee, mild drop point that one can utilize to the maximum for batoning. However, with this blade length it is almost too long overall for me. It is huge although it may not indicate it in the pictures. So I would prefer the blade style of the Esee with the length of the Becker. The handles are more preferable than that the Becker. Not so much the color, but the solid feel, and the longer length. Both Becker and Esee have great ergo's But the Esee one can really choke back on for maximum chopping capability. These for me are also better fastened with the flat head screws vs. socket head cap screws of the Becker. The Flat head screws do a better job of equalizing the hold of the handles to the blade. Although I think the Esee has a favorable fit and finish over the Becker, It comes at a heavier price point as well. Almost too much..
Overall Conclusions: Both are "Sweet" Which one for anyone considering will depend on there budget, use, and Cosmetic Preferences.. For myself, both of these will do more than they are expected to do, and easily. Yes they do come with heavy carbon steel that will rust. But easily sharpened for your next outing. If anyone one individual could wear out either of these knives in a lifetime.... Well I would call them..... I won't Say:yawn: These are the only (2) I will ever need, and I really only need (1)
PS: I bought the BK39 in favor of the handle color, It seems to me that I loose too many big knives...
TD
However, it seems natural to me as well as just plain fun, Is it practical? maybe not so much but seems as natural to me as putting a hotdog on a stick and roasting it over the fire. The Becker BK39 and Esee are both great for batoning, and great choppers. Not to say anything bad about plenty of others, but these two seem to be about the maximum usable thickness, length that I would choose to carry. Anything more and it is just not practical for me.
There are thicker knives, and longer knives in this class, however its my experience that although a thicker knife in this size has better chopping capabilities, it comes with the extra weight that can wear one down much easier if there is a lot to do. It also can be said that Thicker blades Baton better, I agree... I believe they do. But a knife in these lengths can do just about any reasonable size batoning with a slightly narrower blade, perhaps not as well as the thicker ones, but with minimal extra effort. All said it will become personal preference as well as the type of use that is at hand.
The differences? Sure there are:
LIKES/DISLIKES:
Becker: I like the Becker for its cost/value overall, I will not speak of sheathing on either of these. I also like the gimping that so many hate. Both of these guys are minus a finger choil which is good for usable length, but poor for detailed control. The gimping is something that is favorable for me when it comes to bigger knives, so the Becker has some which is useful for me. I also like the appearance of the knife itself, to me says lets work, and it can do that. It is a great design. One of opposing dislikes of the appearance is in the form of the Heavy swedge at the end of the blade. It looks great! However it is not as easy on the baton. If one is using a knife with this kind of length for larger cuts of timber the extra length is only partially appreciated. The down swept spine cannot be totally used at its full length. And although the handle ergos are fine. I do prefer the extra weight and more of a solid fastening of the handles to the Blade.
Esee: I do like the blade style of the Esee, mild drop point that one can utilize to the maximum for batoning. However, with this blade length it is almost too long overall for me. It is huge although it may not indicate it in the pictures. So I would prefer the blade style of the Esee with the length of the Becker. The handles are more preferable than that the Becker. Not so much the color, but the solid feel, and the longer length. Both Becker and Esee have great ergo's But the Esee one can really choke back on for maximum chopping capability. These for me are also better fastened with the flat head screws vs. socket head cap screws of the Becker. The Flat head screws do a better job of equalizing the hold of the handles to the blade. Although I think the Esee has a favorable fit and finish over the Becker, It comes at a heavier price point as well. Almost too much..
Overall Conclusions: Both are "Sweet" Which one for anyone considering will depend on there budget, use, and Cosmetic Preferences.. For myself, both of these will do more than they are expected to do, and easily. Yes they do come with heavy carbon steel that will rust. But easily sharpened for your next outing. If anyone one individual could wear out either of these knives in a lifetime.... Well I would call them..... I won't Say:yawn: These are the only (2) I will ever need, and I really only need (1)
PS: I bought the BK39 in favor of the handle color, It seems to me that I loose too many big knives...
TD
Last edited: