Backyard Bushcraft

jhamer9

jhamer9

Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Messages
116
I'm by no means an avid camper. I may go twice a year, if even that much. Most of my time outdoors is spent in my back yard with my family and friends, BBQing and keeping the fire pit going.

I have an ax to process wood for the fire pit, but don't like using it all the time because my kids or dogs are usually running around our medium sized yard. I just think it's safer to baton a log than swing an ax with all the activity that's usually going on. I know I could just use a wood splitting wedge, but where's the fun in that!

If I don't split wood ahead of time or need to process more when everyone is outside, I usually just use a Ka-Bar next generation to split logs. I have had that knife since the late 1990's and it's served me well. However, I think it's time for a much needed update. The Ka-Bar is partially serrated and I have never liked the serrations, but have just dealt with them.

The next knife I buy would also be used for general purpose yard work, mostly hacking overgrown areas away after certain sections of the yard end up neglected after spring.

I think I've narrowed my selection down to either the BK9 or the BK2. I know the answer will most likely get both (and I may), but which should I get first?

Even though the BK2 has a shorter blade, I've read that's it excels in wood splitting.

Here's a normal scene around the pit. If anyone is wondering, I didn't baton on the glass table.

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I can't speak to the 9 (yet), but I've been very happy with my 2 for "backyard bushcrafting." It's like a tank and will chew through just about anything. Also enjoy my 3 for those purposes, but if serrations are a no go then it probably isn't for you.
 
Gotta go with the 9! It's my favorite big Becker. As a matter of fact, I don't even own a 2 anymore.

My 9 gets used nearly every weekend for the same backyard shenanigans as you'll be using it.
 
Semper Praesidio said:
I can't speak to the 9 (yet), but I've been very happy with my 2 for "backyard bushcrafting." It's like a tank and will chew through just about anything. Also enjoy my 3 for those purposes, but if serrations are a no go then it probably isn't for you.
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When I first started to buy knives other than SAK's, I thought serrations would be very useful, but after buying 3 knives with serrations, I kind of settled on plain edge. It didn't help that I trashed the serrations trying to sharpen them on my first "good" knife back in the day. A Gerber Rex Applegate fairbairn.
 
My vote is for the 9 as well. I know this may sound like blasphemy on the forum, but I generally disliked the feel and balance of my 2 (and just recently parted ways with it) The 9 on the other hand is fantastic in all aspects, and works great for around the house chores. For me, it was easier to control than the 2, and I found the extra girth of the 2 to be cumbersome. My camping/yard kit consists of the 9 and 16, which in my opinion complement each other perfectly. And if you do camp occasionally, they too can handle anything you throw at them. If you take a forum members advice, and decide to get both, go for the 9 and 16, you can always pick up a 2 later. If you are looking for a one tool option, the 2 is a fine choice.
 
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rkmoore said:
Gotta go with the 9! It's my favorite big Becker. As a matter of fact, I don't even own a 2 anymore.

My 9 gets used nearly every weekend for the same backyard shenanigans as you'll be using it.
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I think I'm leaning towards the 9. I've been reading up a lot on both, and thought the blade size may be too cumbersome, but from what I'm reading it has great balance. It would be nice if I could handle one, but New Jersey isn't exactly the meca of the knife world. Aren't backyard shenanigans great!
 
jhamer9 said:
It would be nice if I could handle one
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I was in the same boat, so I'd be willing to loan you my 9 for a test drive. Nothing worse then buying a knife and not have it be what you want.
 
Munzer said:
I was in the same boat, so I'd be willing to loan you my 9 for a test drive. Nothing worse then buying a knife and not have it be what you want.
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Hey Munzer, that's sounds like a great idea. I'd be worried about something happening to it though.

I am going to call a few local gun shops and see if they carry BKT products.
 
jhamer9 said:
I'd be worried about something happening to it though.

I am going to call a few local gun shops and see if they carry BKT products.
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I have no worries about something happening to it. After all, it's a knife. It's meant to be used. I wouldn't hold you liable if it gets damaged, I made the offer and understand the risks. My offer stands, just let me know.
 
I appreciate that Munzer. I was thinking more along the lines of something going screwy in shipping, but I will consider it for sure. I certainly wouldn't abuse it if it were in my own hands. Thanks.
 
For backyard/farm use, I use the heck out of my 9. IMHO, it batons better than the 2 because it (the 9) is thinner and longer. I find the slightly thinner blade to split pecan and mesquite easier, which is what I have the most of around here and are both extremely hard woods. I find that I can baton thicker chunks simply because the blade is long enough to stick out passed the edge of a larger diameter chunk and still allow for batoning the spine.

That being said, I will always have a bunch of 2s. Since the blade length of the 2 is within Texas carry limits, I can carry the 2 all day in town in I want. I also have one in each vehicle as a back-up,heavy duty, go-to knife. I don't have to worry about some over-zealous LEO having a cow about an illegal (longer than 5.5 inches) knife, even though it's not illegal to be transporting an "illegal" knife in your vehicle.
 
Nice redemption! Pics are always welcome.

Is the top front of the blade sharp, like the next generation and USMC?
 
go for the 9, Bk2 is too short for hacking vegetation. If funds permit I'll be getting one Bk9 too. I got the BK2 first because
we have lots of long blades (bolos/machetes) here. (BK's are hard to find and very expensive here!:D)
 
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