$50 fixed blade revisited

W.T. Beck said:
....Actually, I prefer ANY handles to the Becker handles. They are too slippery, and in my case this lead to accidents. However, it is said that sandpaper will cure the slipperiness, so I guess that is not a reason to reject the Beckers outright.
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I've heard that too. My BK7 is older and could be considered a little slippery. The newer ones I have feel a lot more like micarta in my hand; they're still plastic, though.
 
They are plastic - but it's a very tough material. I haven't handled any newer Beckers but I have heard reports similar to yours. My handles were originally very slippery feeling. I had a pair bead blasted for one Becker and that made a big difference. I had another pair sand blasted for several minutes - maybe longer, these feel exactly like canvas micarta. I now consider my Becker BK7 a very near perfect knife. The new Extreme could be perfect, I'll have to hold one to know.
 
I have a Crewman, and I think the value of the knife is outstanding. Beefy, strong. I would perhaps prefer an alternate sheath for the non-tactical wearing of the knife, though.

The BK2 Companion might fill this role well. A bit smaller - spear rather than clip point, no protruding thumb stud, and a kydex sheath.

http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/bk2.htm

Regards,

Jeremy
 
I have the Becker Crewman and it's a lot of knife in what seems to be a fairly short package. It might actually be more knife than most people need for regular camping chores and I found that it chops equally as well as it's longer sibling the BK7.

I liked the the Rant Drop Point but didn't like the cordura sheath. Instead, I bought the Rant Bowie. It's blade is 4" and the sheath is very well constructed and fits perfectly. The sheath on the Rant Bowie rides high and tight to your body making it very descrete to carry. I read a previous reply that said the Rant was flimsy, I disagree. I'm a very discriminating knife enthusiast and I assure it's not flimsy or cheap. I didn't like the etching that said "taiwan" so I simply wet sanded it off with 600 grit paper. It's totaly gone and looks perfect. The knife comes apart with an allen key for cleaning. I think it's an incredible value for $40.

The sheath on the Crewman is well constructed but IMO, very ugly! It hangs the knife low from your waist and looks tactical. I made a custom leather sheath for mine which looks very good.

If you already have something bigger for chopping such as a 12" machete or small axe. I suggest the Rant over the Crewman. If you want one knife for most of your camp chores, slicing food, chopping, wood carving/whittling, batoning to split wood, easy to carry, etc...then the best $50 knife is the Crewman. I just consider it more of a back pack knife than a belt knife.

I'm really a combo knife person. Rant Bowie on my belt, SAK Soldier in my pocket and a 12" machete in my pack or a variation of three.

Collecter
 
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