Are Beckers popular w/our troops?

T

tmayberry50

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Apr 23, 2009
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I want to get my nephew (101st Airborne) a field knife, thought about the BK2 to go along with the Leatherman I got him. Are the Beckers popular over in the sandbox?

Thanks.:)
 
I'm deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq right now, and sad to say, they don't sell them in the PXs. They have other Ka Bars, Boker, SOG, Cold Steel and Gerber, also lots of folders, but no Beckers. I only discovered them by accident a month ago. I will tell you this, I love what I have so far, and I have a BK2 and a BK9 on the way. If he is infantry, he may like the BK7 better just because it has a little more heft to it, but it depends on his command if they let them carry a certain size blade on their IOTV. I wouldnt see any problem with the BK2, but commanders are crazy.
 
I would say that a bk7 would be a better choice for a soldier. The Bk2 would be a less effective stabber w/o the swedge.
 
slapper said:
I would say that a bk7 would be a better choice for a soldier. The Bk2 would be a less effective stabber w/o the swedge.
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If it gets to that point, it really doen't matter as long as it has a point and is sharp. If he is using his knife for combat, he has already gone through 270+ rounds, and as infantry probably a couple grenade rounds. At that point anything that cuts is good enough. What we use knives for is for fieldcraft and for utility work, i.e. motorpool and such.
 
I was under the impression that the 7 is lighter than the 2. I have held them both, but haven't weighed them.
 
slapper said:
I was under the impression that the 7 is lighter than the 2. I have held them both, but haven't weighed them.
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i believe your right because the bk2 is 1/4'' and the 7 is 3/16'', which would make it lighter. i have also heard the same. but if i am wrong please feel free to correct me.
 
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slapper said:
I was under the impression that the 7 is lighter than the 2. I have held them both, but haven't weighed them.
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I would say go with the BK7 also.

Its alot lighter then the BK2 and there is alot more blade...
 
Honestly, a BK11 or BK14 would suit him just fine. If he's infantry, I would say a BK7 would fit the bill.

Tell your nephew, thanks for his service.

Moose
 
moosez45 said:
Honestly, a BK11 or BK14 would suit him just fine.
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This, those guys are carrying a bunch of weight already. Something small that cuts would be good. A lot of times they aren't even permitted the big stuff.

Example, my brother. We gave him this in 2005 based on a recommendation from someone qualified. He said he mostly used it to open beer in norfolk.


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What he ended up carrying in the field was a 3" folding knife.
 
Thanks to everyone for their input. My nephew is in Iraq now as a combat medic. I have him covered on a folder and Leatherman. I appreciate your time.
 
tmayberry50 said:
Thanks to everyone for their input. My nephew is in Iraq now as a combat medic. I have him covered on a folder and Leatherman. I appreciate your time.
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You might ask him what toolage he wants/ needs. I mean a BK 7 / BK2 is a great tool, just make sure he can use it. Just being practical is all. I mean i bought my wife a shopvac for christmas. so .02
 
As a former soldier myself, i just gotta put this out there. A blade like the BK7 only in 1/4" thickness would be ideal. Many soldiers (like me) use thier knife for things that most would say is abuse, which i say is BS. In a combat zone, if you reach for your knife as a last resort (for whatever reason, even prying something), the last thing you want, is for it to fail. I would have gladly carried a 1/4" thick, wide bladed knife. I have broke a few bayonets to be sure. Now that i have a much better knowledge of what is avail, there is no doubt that a BK2 would NOT have broke. The BK2 tip is not the best for penetration, which is why a 1/4" thick BK7 would be perfect. IMHO anyway.
 
I would think that an ESEE 3/Ontario RAT 3 would be a sure shot for a knife in the sandbox, I feel a 5'' knife is a little oversized for day to day tasks..
the ESEE 3 has nearly a 4 inch blade and works great at really every task you could ask, plus the glass breaker pommel could come in handy if using it as a service tool... theres really very few things a 3 inch blade can't do.. I know when i put on a pack for a hike sometimes my larger knifes feel more cumbersome .. honestly its all how the individual feels..
 
i'd think an Eskabar or BK11 with scales would be the ideal knife gift... small, sharp, wear on neck or a variety of places. just darn handy.

if they were clearing out rooms and buildings, a BK3 might be more than handy, but he's not, medic right?

probably an EMT knife with zipper notch (aka an actual working seat belt cutter) might be handy.

a box of EMT shears as well. headlamps. batteries.

and for laughs, maybe a zombie knife :)
 
Ok, I talked to my friend here who is a medic and asked what size blade is ideal for him. He said personally he doesn't carry a blade, he carries medic sheers that can cut through a penny!! I thought that was impressive! He said if he were to choose one though, it would be no longer than 4 inches. I feel your best bet would to go with the BK11 and throw in some Micarta handles for it. He will appreciate the gift and it will last him through battle! Just my $.02.
 
My vote is for the Rowen produced Ritter/Becker RSK MK2.
RSKMk2_beauty2_600w.jpg
 
Been there done that, here's my take. Medic, if a knife is needed at all I would say a Necker or Esky. As stated before, they have shears, so really all he may need is something small, light and pointy. I carried a Machax during my first tour of Iraq(OIC invasion). I loved that knife, but for that region it was overkill and was mainly used as intimidation. The second tour(Fallujah) I carried a Crewman. This to me was the perfect knife. Between that and my Leatherman I never needed another blade. A bigger heavy knife is excellent if you're in a wooded are, medium sized for anything else. There are always exceptions to every rule. I saw only a few Beckers while I was deployed in 4 and 1/2 years. However, those that carried them swore by them . Those that carried something else, probably didn't give much thought to what was on their hip anyway. DISCLAIMER: I served as Marine Infantry from Jan 22, '01-May 21, '05 so these are just the observations of a hard-headed grunt and not necessarily the views of this forum.
 
Murphnuge said:
Been there done that, here's my take. Medic, if a knife is needed at all I would say a Necker or Esky. As stated before, they have shears, so really all he may need is something small, light and pointy. I carried a Machax during my first tour of Iraq(OIC invasion). I loved that knife, but for that region it was overkill and was mainly used as intimidation. The second tour(Fallujah) I carried a Crewman. This to me was the perfect knife. Between that and my Leatherman I never needed another blade. A bigger heavy knife is excellent if you're in a wooded are, medium sized for anything else. There are always exceptions to every rule. I saw only a few Beckers while I was deployed in 4 and 1/2 years. However, those that carried them swore by them . Those that carried something else, probably didn't give much thought to what was on their hip anyway. DISCLAIMER: I served as Marine Infantry from Jan 22, '01-May 21, '05 so these are just the observations of a hard-headed grunt and not necessarily the views of this forum.
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Thank you for your service Marine.
 
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