Apples and Oranges?

Shorttime

Shorttime

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Oct 16, 2011
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I've been looking at larger knives lately, with the intent of putting together some tools for the woods.

Which of course, starts with the knives....

It seems to me that the Becker BK 2 and the ESEE 5 are nearly identical, especially after you spend the extra for aftermarket scales for the Becker.

I have never used either, and I am interested in the feedback of those who have. How similar are they?

And how are they different?
 
I like the BK2 for a couple reasons: it's inexpensive, comfortable in the hand, has a blade coating I can live with and is attractive to the eye. I dislike the Esee 5 because it doesn't meet any of those criteria for me. I think they are overpriced for a mass produced knife made of 1095, the handle is terrible and I can't stand the coating. Lots of people love theirs and swear by them, but I'd buy the BK2 10 out of 10 times.
 
I did read a great review on a Becker BK2, where the owner did all that he could to destroy it. He cuts steel bolts (hammered them), chopped metal tubing and wire cable, stabbed and cut circles in aluminum plate, cut a stove apart, and each time reground the blade to look just great. I think the BK2 is generally raved about by its owners, and it's pretty economical. I cannot find the link, but Wow!
 
Yeah, I've seen those reviews, too.

I wanted to know what the experts thought.

That means fellow knife knuts.
 
I was in the same spot trying to decide between these 2 too.

I went with the ESEE Laser Strike and really like it so far.

I will probably end up with a BK-2 as well,just a lot of knife for the money.

I also saw that video and it was pretty amazing the torture he laid on that knife,but in a good way!

I am sure you will like it.
 
The main differences between the two are the handle design, and where the primary grind starts. The ESEE 5 has a primary grind that starts about 1/2 way down the face of the blade (starting from the spine and going toward the edge). The BK2's primary grind starts closer to 1/4 of the way down. This means that at least in theory, it should be a bit "slicier" than the ESEE 5. That said, these are both 1/4in thick knives, and are never meant to slice like a chefs knife.

Handle design is mostly preference. I haven't held an ESEE 5, but I do find my BK2 quite comfortable.

And about the warranty, I'd say that Kabar's is also quite good.I don't think I've ever seen a becker knife turned down for a warrantied replacement. And to be fair, I've only heard of one BK2 ever breaking (the guy had used it as a throwing knife and had thrown it "hundreds" of times. And throwing hardened steel is a good way to get it to fracture and break, so I find that one to be pretty much user error).

Anyway, thats my two cents.

Good luck with whatever you do :).
 
Shotgun said:
Why are you looking at these knives if I may ask?
Click to expand...

I had the idea to put together a sheath which would carry all the basics (as I see them) of a bushcraft kit.

It turns out that such a thing has been done many, many times. I didn't know that at first, and I still liked the idea, even after I found that out.

Some research led me to settle on a short list:

1) Large knife, mostly for timber processing. There are fans of hatchets for this, as well, but I like knives.

2) Smaller knife, for food prep, and all the other chores which would find you holding the last four inches of a big blade.

3) Fire supplies, including some combination of: fire steel, lighter, matches, dryer lint, jute twine, and vaseline-soaked cotton balls. I'm sure there are more, but the point is redundancy.

4) Sharpening. One medium stone or diamond block to work on the big knife, and one fine stone/block to keep the small knife in shape.

5) A multi-tool. I would not have thought of it, but once a member on another forum suggested it, it seemed obvious.

I'm not much of an outdoors person, but I like the idea of having the essentials in one on easy package, in case I ever would want or need to spend a while in the woods.

I've pretty well decided on the 5 over the Becker, because I like the handle a little better. Either that or a full custom.

This is something I will not be doing for a long time, if ever, but I like it as a "thought exercise".

Thanks for the help, everyone!
 
Sonnydaze said:
I did read a great review on a Becker BK2, where the owner did all that he could to destroy it. He cuts steel bolts (hammered them), chopped metal tubing and wire cable, stabbed and cut circles in aluminum plate, cut a stove apart, and each time reground the blade to look just great. I think the BK2 is generally raved about by its owners, and it's pretty economical. I cannot find the link, but Wow!
Click to expand...

Are you referring to this:
Parts 1 & 2: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ting-the-BK2-to-the-test-so-you-don-t-have-to
Part 3: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/839944-BK2-test-the-final-part-(LOTS-of-pictures)
 
You can't go wrong with either one. Both are proven knives from great companies. The ESEE is going to come with canvas micarta scales and have the ESEE warranty behind it, and the BK will be cheaper, and comes with a higher RC rating for the heat treatment. I tend to prefer a axe given a choice, but there is nothing wrong with a large fixed blade. Other things to consider, ditch the multitool for a small tarp or poncho that can be used as a tarp. A tarp will give you an easy way to make shelter if needed something that you might otherwise waste a great deal of effort on. In a pinch it will also give you a way to gather water, but you may consider a collapsible bottle or waterproof bag for that purpose. Also a steel container to boil your water in, or some other method to purify your water.
 
They're both made of good tough steel with good HT.

Out-of-the box, I find Beckers to be much more comfortable in hand than ESEE's. The Beckers have injection-molded plastic scales with nice contours and swells, and no rough edges or corners; every ESEE I've seen and handled has very roughly-cut, very flat micarta scales that are barely chamfered on the corners, much less rounded over.

That may or may not be a big issue for you; replacement scales are available for both companies' knives, and they are both pretty easily modified to suit your tastes. The Beckers I own are modified mostly because I have large hands, so I built my own scales for them.

Many will point to the fact that coarsely-finished canvas micarta as found on the ESEE knives is "grippy"... which is true. But I will point out that coarsely-finished canvas micarta is also absolutely awful about absorbing moisture and nasty stuff like blood.

I do not know why ESEE charges significantly more across the board for what are essentially the same designs.

ETA: in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I'm friends with several Beckerheads, have met Ethan Becker several times, and consider him a mentor. That may cause some folks to take my opinions on this topic with a grain of salt. :) But I'm callin' 'em as I see 'em, regardless of the fact that I genuinely like the guy.
 
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You are going to find that there will be some folks that intend to talk you out of buying a quarter inch thick by five inch long piece of 1095. They will probably tell you that a thinner smaller knife is better, you should use an axe, or just get a machete. BUT.... I am here to tell you the honest truth. The BK2 is an excellent blade. I have had one for awhile now and it is always a knife that you can rely on. I have used it for everything from battoning to skinning a rabbit. From carving to food prep. Its a really good blade. However, dont expect it to shoot out lazers and glitter and pat you on the back or anything, its a knife and its a 5 and some change inch long blade at a quarter inch so it is not going to do some tasks as well as other knives, but I have yet to find a task it cannot do. I have always looked at it as a very short hatchet that can carve well. Which at its design it kind of is. Oh and by the way, none of this The Becker is more comfortable stuff is a lie. The Becker handles IMHO are probably some of the most ergonomic and comfortable on the market. You will not be disappointed. Either way whatever you decide, get what you want, use it, gain experience, and make changes and improvements built upon that, not upon what some may say.

By the way, you can get a BK2 in a stock nylon sheath that has a pocket in the front to put all those goodies in. The pocket has plenty of room for a Leatherman Wave, a sharpening card or rod, and a ferro rod, or it can fit a altoids tin fairly easy. Just as an FYI. The model is a BK22 from KA-BAR.

Good Luck!
 
iwouldhurtafly said:
You are going to find that there will be some folks that intend to talk you out of buying a quarter inch thick by five inch long piece of 1095.
Click to expand...

My general philosophy is "Thin is In, Light is Right", and I lean heavily toward the "one small knife plus one really big knife" school of thought when it comes to heading out to the boonies.

Having said that, I absolutely agree with you that a really solid, heavy-duty medium-size knife can indeed perform almost any task at least reasonably well.

Long story short... I'd buy the BK-2 if I had to pick just one stock, off-the-shelf production knife for an outdoorsy-type hunting/fishing/camping/survival setup, and couldn't make my own. :thumbup:
 
james terrio said:
My general philosophy is "Thin is In, Light is Right", and I lean heavily toward the "one small knife plus one really big knife" school of thought when it comes to heading out to the boonies.

Having said that, I absolutely agree with you that a really solid, heavy-duty medium-size knife can indeed perform almost any task at least reasonably well.

Long story short... I'd buy the BK-2 if I had to pick just one stock, off-the-shelf production knife for an outdoorsy-type hunting/fishing/camping/survival setup, and couldn't make my own. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yah I have come to find the same just as you. I like some thinner blades like the BK5, BK15, mora's, etc etc. Big knife paired with a smaller one. I seem to use those a bit more than the thicker heavier ones. But yah, Something like the BK2 wont let you down in a pinch, and if you really had to rely on something it would do perfectly well.

Good post James.
 
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