Arclite vs. BM 160 Tether

topgunpilot20

topgunpilot20

Joined
Oct 21, 2003
Messages
120
I'm looking at these two blades for neck knife to be used for utility/SD when carrying anything bigger wouldn't be practical. It may also be carried on the belt on occasion. the BM would be the 440C version.
 
Can't provide any input on the BM, but I am particularly pleased with my arclite in D2 (available only from A.G.Russell for about $50).
 
I had the chance to handle one arclite this weekend and gave up thinking about geting one. I´m not impressed by it. Found it too thin and weak. But, most important the sheath wasn´t securely to use. hanging around the neck a had some trouble to get the knife out. Puttting it back into the sheath, the kydex get apart, so the tip might break through.

It is cheap as nothing, but i won´t buy it.

Maybe i got the chance to handle the tether in spring.
 
Thin and weak? It's 1/8" thick, and stronger than any folder with a blade of that thickness.
Also has a good tip that is strong and still relatively "pointy", and cuts very well by virtue of it's recurve, and grind.
I regret selling my D2 ArcLite, but still have a custom.
Great knife that carries well, and can actually take the place of a full-size knife, which many "neckers" cannot.
 
Look at the Camillus Becker BK11 neck knife. The blade is reasonabley thick and the carbon steel alloy combided with the blade width make it particularly strong.
 
OK, thin means: It cuts in the hand while gripping (the corners). I thought i would have to get some scales for it.

Weak: I could easily bend it.

I gonna have a look at the tether. It is not much thicker.

Is the custom sheath better?
 
I see what you're saying. I had to do some work on my ArcLite to get it "right".
Rather than go through the whole spiel, here's a link:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=175629

btw, the custom sheath is actually quite similar, though nicer. It is CF pattern concealex, and has brass(?) eyelets for the neck cord instead of just holes. I drilled out the holes on my production ArcLites sheath so it could take 3mm or 550 cord.
 
All i can say is, they really look nice and maybe the one with the scales is more comfort to the hand.

Do i see that one in your avatar?
 
Yes, top knife is a CF ArcLite in D2M. Wonderful little knife. Old scan-I don't have any good pics:(
I liked the production version fine once the edges were rounded, but it was great with cordwrap, too. Sold it, since I liked the custom enough that the Camillus version was never getting carried.
The ArcLite is one of my favorite designs. The 4" ALB(ig) rocks, too :cool:
 
For $20 the Arclite is a great value. The sheath on mine holds pretty well and it's FLAT. At the same price point CRKT has bulky zytel, not kydex. 420HC isn't the cat's meow for edge holding but it is very resistant to corrosion. This may be important if you carry around the neck, maybe less so if you carry openly on the belt. The grip can be helped by a simple cord wrap while still keeping the whole rig under 3/8" thick. With the Tether you will get better steel but you'll give up close to an inch of blade. For the price of a Tether you could get two or three Arclites. One for the car, one in your BOB, one in your pocket. A prybar it's not, but it'll cut.

Frank
 
Well, the tether is no prybar aswell.

I can´t say anymore, until i handled one tetther by myself.
 
if you cord-wrap the Arclite it is a pleasure to use. It's also very lightweight, I have worn it for days camping and not noticed it was there until I needed it.
 
I really like the Arclite. I have the cheap version, so I might have to get the D2 version in the future. Weak? Thin handle? It's a neck knife, not a combat bowie. It's plenty strong for its purpose.
 
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