A Tale of Two 7s *and a 5* (Pictorial Review)

[thrillbilly]

I have downtime while waiting on sheaths to cool and such, so I thought I'd take some pics, do a lil comparison between the KB1217 and the BK7...maybe it will be useful to someone.

They are very close in OAL length, the BK7 is just a hair longer.

A pair of patriotic stamps

Handles are about same length, way different girth and feel though, they are very different yet both are very comfortable.

Pommels, both look pretty effective.

Spines, the BK7 is thicker

Blades, the BK7 is a hair longer and much taller

In-Hand

Some lovely clips/swedges

The BK7 is overall more ''robust'' then the KB1217...but the 1217 is much more nimble and light. If I intended on batoning thru logs or heavy chopping, I would grab the BK7, but If I wanted a lighter use knife for long distance hiking, or god forbid a ''combat'' knife I would grab the 1217.

I like them both, great brother knives from a great parent company. Either one will serve me well I'm certain.

and some BK5 comparisons...via request. Not the greatest pics, I need natural light.

 

[Moosez45]

A 1217 will take some serious batonning sessions. I've split a dump truck's worth of seasoned hardwood for my stove with one of mine. It eventually broke, but it took 3 seasons and 6 ricks of wood to do it.

Moose

 

[thrillbilly]

A 1217 will take some serious batonning sessions. I've split a dump truck's worth of seasoned hardwood for my stove with one of mine. It eventually broke, but it took 3 seasons and 6 ricks of wood to do it.

Moose

I remember that fireside tale...which is why I assigned the 7 the heavy duty. I know the 1217 CAN do it, but I know the 7 WILL do it

 

[jim62]

Nice pics TB.

I have both of those knives and while I DO appreciative the history ,tradition and good looks of the KABAR- I feel the BK7 is the ultimate combat/utility knife .If our Defense dept had any sense ,it would be our current issue knife for all the armed forces. There is not much it does not do very well.

I still feel that the BK7 is much stronger in the tang area for a hard use knife . Also the 7 has the superior blade grind and handle design,IMHO.

To me the BK7 is to the KABAR what a modern SOCOM Sig 225 .45 is to a WWll m1911. The new tool is the better tool.

Thanks again for the thread and pics.. It was fun to look it over.:thumbup:

 

[MikeyJ]

Nice comparison, TB.

That 1217 is (as Moose put it) an iconic blade. Something about it speaks to me. I want one, just to have one, but I'm with jim62 on this one: the BK7 is (in my humble and often misguided opinion) the better combat/utility knife.

But that does not stop me from wanting a 1217...or a MK1...or a dog's head folder...or...or...

 

[K9-Handler]

To me the BK7 is to the KABAR what a modern SOCOM Sig 225 .45 is to a WWll m1911. The new tool is the better tool.

Ya gotta give the poor KaBar SOME credit for being a 75 year-old hunting design! Very much ahead of its time.

 

[Skystorm]

Just one question... how is it they both still have their coatings?

 

[CascadeSam]

Enjoyed the comparison.

 

[RogueBowie]

Thanks for the pics, never hurts to toss extra info up in these forums, you wouldn't believe the threads I've gone looking for that I didn't think would exist only to find detailed tutorials/reviews/comparison pics.

P.S. Sweet blades. The 7 has been moving up my to-get list lately...

 

[thrillbilly]

Thanks guys, they are both pretty knives..I just had to take some pics

Just one question... how is it they both still have their coatings?

I been busy LOL
The 7 will get the Ogre treatment soon enough...the 1217 is gonna be a display queen I think. *gasp* yes I just said that. Or I may beat it up and buy an ARMY model for display, since my Dad was Army. I dont know yet.

 

[EK20]

Thanks for posting the pictures. The 1217 seems like one of those knives everyone should own at some point.

 

[CascadeSam]

I'd like to see you do a comparison of the KB1217 and the BK5.

 

[thrillbilly]

I'd like to see you do a comparison of the KB1217 and the BK5.

Done, pics added to the OP

 

[CascadeSam]

Done, pics added to the OP

Thanks! Your BK5 with those grips look good. Where did you get those grips?

The BK5 and KB1217 are interesting in that on paper they seem sorta similar yet are very different. Same steel, a one-inch difference in blade length, blade thickness similar, etc. What do find the unique differences to be? Which would you prefer for various tasks?

 

[Boru13]

1217 ( 1219c2 ) and BK 7 , my two all time favorites

 

[Wolf_1989]

I have the Camillus version of the USMC combat knife and it's been through everything short of an actual battlefield and has served well for over 23 years.

That design is tougher than folks think it is.

 

[coote]

Very nice.

Up until now I was thinking that a BK7 should be what I'm aiming for. But I have to say that the BK5 looks to be very useful and attractive. I'd probably go for the 7 if I had to make a decision, but either of those would be very welcome.

Thanks for this thread.

 

[cjr7]

I'm happy to see the 1217 get some love here. It really is a great knife. And that leather stacked handle just feels so right, at least in my hands. Thanks for the review.

 

[MsNaughtyIrish]

I kinda really like the 5. Grrr. Maybe rethinking my choice. :grumpy: What are you going to do to the 5? What you feel is the best thing about the 5?

 

[K9-Handler]

I kinda really like the 5. Grrr. Maybe rethinking my choice. :grumpy: What are you going to do to the 5? What you feel is the best thing about the 5?

MS: Don't be in such a hurry to pick one. EVERYBODY on here has a favorite. If you start listening to all of them your neck will get sore from your head being whipped around in every direction! Listen to all the virtues being extolled, then make up your own mind on what model you'll get next.

Rest assured, you'll have ALL of them eventually...