An apology to the BK4 (and pics of my new Machax)

thrillbilly

thrillbilly

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I will admit I was one of the most skeptical consumers when it came to the machax...I didn't like the size, I didn't like the shape, I saw no greatness in the design. Then I arrived in TN and The Boss handed me a Becker box with a 4 inside. I asked him what he wanted me to do with it and he said ''wear it out'' so I proceeded to attempt just that for the next few hours, It was a blast to put it thru it's paces while the designer watched and laughed at my attempts to hurt it.

I actually LIKE the new 4 sheath, it is leaps and bounds better then the old 9 sheath.....MOLLE back, dangler D-ring, not sure but it seems more streamlined overall too. I will bend some kydex for it just because, but I may have found a nylon sheath I will actually use.

The new coating is TOUGH! I literally beat the holy snot out of my 4 all weekend, Hell I even let Moose try to break it (he's good at that lol) and I barely wore any coating off. There is a drawback, the stuff traps tons of material...I brought home about a pound of TN flora on my 4's blade. I aint sure if I will strip it or just smooth it off a bit, I want to see how long it will last.

The design is something that you just have to have in hand and use to appreciate, I literally had an ''oh sh*t'' moment when I started using it.

The edge on mine was Excellent, even and sharp right from the box, and held up superbly all weekend...overall F&F was just about perfect.

I am a very opinionated person, I say what I think......but I also know when it's time to shut up and eat crow. I humbly apologize for any taunts and slights I may have made on the Mighty Machax LOL

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If anyone has any action pics of me and my 4...I would love for you to add them to the thread.
 
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First of all TB, greta thread.. Peroslly I think the title is a misnomer since n applogy is really needed. To be eprfetly henst with you, I htouhg the same things about he Maxhaxe a few years ago Until I had some expericne with Kukri style blades- which the Machaxe is just a Beckerized verion of.. And a darn good one at that..:)

THe mst amazing thing about the MAchaxe is it's light wieght-14 oz vs it's choppong power. Couple that with the the Beckker handle ergos and it's just a neat knife. A few years ago Ethan was talking in an inerview wih Adam Franscis a E2E as to how the MAxhaxe is a lot like a Light weight "safety Axe"..

I remembered that a few weeks ago, I was messing around with my LE Bk4 in the shop and comparing it to a Swiss Army Hatchet I have .These pics that illustrate it well. The Maxahxe is HALF the weight of that hatchet and chops nearly as well, safer and more versatile in use. Choking up on the blade spine(as in an Ulu) you can use it as a skinner. It can be used as a draw knife our for close in carving up by the handle. They there is always the old "decapitate something with one swipe" move.. It's a Badass blade..

About the only thing I am less than impressed with is the sheath. While I agree the Molle back is cool and the sheath is very well made- the "D" dangler is not really a dangler. It is basically a pivoting upper sheath backer for the handle. I'll be darned if I have figured out a way to position the knife handle against it and snap it in with one hand while it is on the belt. I don't have that problem with any other Becker sheath ..

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Jim, I say ''dangler'' because I never use the snaps. I ran around all weekend unsnapped and never had an issue. I would if I was rappelling or climbing a tree...but for messing around in the woods I don't see a ~10'' blade falling out of a sheath. I would snap it if I had it strapped to a pack though.

I am trying to figure out how to use the factory sheath as a backer on a kydex sheath. I will report back with my findings LOL
 
TB,

I figured by your post you have might not have actually not tried to snap that sheath in with just one hand while on your belt..

If you figure out how to do it,please share it with the class. Really. I have pretty good manual dexterity and without growing a second right hand, have not figured out a way to do it.:confused:

It's a great sheath for Pack or baldric carry where you can manipulative the sheath / snaps with both hands..
 
Very well worded, I too am a bit skeptical about the machax, but I will be getting one for my birthday in about a month and a half so we shall see if I will find true love.

-orangish ducktape
 
I love my Machax. It’s my prized blade now. I have others that I can really use daily but I wouldn’t count on them like I would the BK4. It’s amazing!
 
jim62 said:
TB,

I figured by your post you have might not have actually not tried to snap that sheath in with just one hand while on your belt..

If you figure out how to do it,please share it with the class. Really. I have pretty good manual dexterity and without growing a second right hand, have not figured out a way to do it.:confused:

It's a great sheath for Pack or baldric carry where you can manipulative the sheath / snaps with both hands..
Click to expand...

Not trying to be a dick, but I do NOT understand the issues you seem to be having? I never said I didn't try out/use the snaps....I was admittedly drunk a few times this weekend so I thought maybe my memory was suspect, so I just went and belted the 4 on to test. I can snap and unsnap it just fine while on my belt, I even tried it left-handed and can do it with zero problems. I just prefer how it rides unsnapped and dangling. Perhaps your LE4 sheath is slightly different?

I would not have been as enthusiastic about the sheath if I couldn't operate it 100% one-handed on my belt...I detest and loathe nylon sheaths anyways, so for me to say I MIGHT use this one is very high praise LOL
 
Regarding the one-handed sheath snapping thing, I noticed that the handle of my Machax will occasionally snag a seam of sewn nylon right near the lip of the sheath - it looks like it is in the sheath completely; but it actually has about another 1/4" or so it can be moved down. In this position (not fully down), snapping the stock sheath with either the Grivory or micarta handles is almost impossible. I occasionally have to lift the handle over that seam to get it to move all the way down. Once I do this, it snaps easily.

Not sure if that is the same problem you are having; but it might be worth looking at.
 
To TB and AIO,

TB, I know your are not trying being a "di&k" and neither was I.. I just stated a fact from my perspective. It's real simple- using one hand I cannot swivel the bottom of that sheath around to get it lined up with the backer AND have enough fingers left over to snap the snap closure. That's the only reason why I asked. I truly wanted to know how you figured that out. I guess I'll give it another shot.. It happens.:)

AIO, as to your tips thanks and That could be the problem.. like I said, I'll give it another go.;)
 
I may still get one soon. Waiting for my Godspeed sheath and my 14 handles I thought would be here today. I'm like you...I've never seen, much less held a Machax. But I reserve judgement because it seems to be damn popular. I just gotta tidy up some other areas of my kit first...the last three paydays went to knives and knife parts.

My question: When I look at the sheath online, it looks weird to me. It looks like a dangler, but with straps that tie the handle to the dangle part...Soooo....If it's on your belt and the retention straps are strapped, wouldn't it it hang crooked??
 
C_Tanner said:
My question: When I look at the sheath online, it looks weird to me. It looks like a dangler, but with straps that tie the handle to the dangle part...Soooo....If it's on your belt and the retention straps are strapped, wouldn't it it hang crooked??
Click to expand...

That is correct, IF it is snapped into the backer. Otherwise it acts like a dangler..

AND this just in- NEWS FLASH-

I figured out the one hand closure deal. I must have been trying to snap the top snap first. If you twist the sheath bottom with your hand and do the bottom snap closest to the blade, it's doable.

Mt experience today with the Maxhaxe sheath reminds me of a favorite "Farside" Cartoon..

There is a kid in front of a school straining to push the Door open.

The school is named the "Millwood School for the Gifted"..

and the Door says clearly says "pull" on it...LOL
 
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I just took some pics and took a vid, if I can get it to post the vid should explain how

Yeah, u almost HAVE to do the bottom snap FIRST
 
thrillbilly said:
I just took some pics and took a vid, if I can get it to post the vid should explain how

Yeah, u almost HAVE to do the bottom snap FIRST
Click to expand...

TB, now that I figured out the one hand belt closure, I stand corrected- you are right- The Machxe sheath is nearly PERFECT..;)
 
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Good Stuff Thrillbilly!
I am really diggin my BK4. After adding micarta its even SWEETER! I took it over a buddies house the other night to show it off, and pulled out some birch tree parts I had taken off of a job site, we sectioned them up for the fire pit in short order! What I like about the BK4 is that it is still a great camp knife and not just a chopper.
It handles all the chores I do well.
I took my edge to a new level 2 nights ago, while I was bored...man, its scary sharp now.
 
This is the second killer review of the 4 today. I have yet to play with one, but you both seemed thoroughly impressed by it. If I weren't unemployed at the moment, I would certainly give it a whirl. They're reasonably priced and appear to be quite capable...
 
VIDEO

If u click it, you should go to a page where u can watch it


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on belt snapped

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back view snapped

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on belt unsnapped

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back view unsnapped

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range of motion

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As u can see it's a very nice position/hang when unsnapped.

I have an idea, I think it will make the sheath about perfect for my needs. I will try to get it made as soon as I can
 
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