Becker BK-2, ESEE 5, or ESEE 6?

Blade Lover said:
I am looking for a good survival knife thats can do pretty much anything, and these three seem to be the most reoccurring in my mind :confused: . The all have upsides and downsides, but I just wanted some input :) .
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Any one of the three would serve well for the task. However, may I suggest a well-made tomahawk?
 
I'd go for the ESEE 6. Good for splitting and the higher grind gives it good slicing ability for finer work. Pair it with a folding saw and you're set. My current preference is to have one bigger knife like the Junglas, one smaller like the 3 or 4 and a bow saw, but you can get away with just a mid-size knife and folding saw especially if the weather isn't too cold. If you're facing very cold weather then you need tools that can process wood quickly, which means either extra large knives like the Junglas plus a reasonable size saw. Another option is a small axe but I find them less capable and portable in a wilderness setting, if you're camping out of a car however just bring a full size axe and you're set.
 
marcinek said:
Why? 'Hawks are designed as weapons, not really wood processors. They are not built the same as an axe.
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i agree. a nice woods axe would be better. i suggest a wetterlings wildlife axe

[video=youtube;3gqtiytTQSc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gqtiytTQSc[/video]
 
Wetterlings are a good bet, they will outchop any knife for sure. However for me this is not really an issue since I mainly use a big knife for splitting wood and use a saw to make crosscuts. In a wilderness setting battoning a knife is a much easier and safer way to split than trying to use a hatchet or small axe.
 
Hmm, :) I think it is easier to make a larger knife do smaller tasks well, than it is to make a smaller knife do larger tasks well. This is what works well for me. A modified BK9 or a modified BK7.






I have batoned the snot out of em after the mods. No issues yet. YRMV. :D
 
I love my BK2. That thing is a beast! And when the SHTF happens, I'm going to run straight out to my truck, whip open the toolbox, and dig around in the pile of stuff that I never use until I find it. Don't get me wrong. I love Becker knives, but if you run into a situation so dire that you need more than a BK16 to survive, you'd better say goodbye to your friends.

Your chances of surviving a situation where a knife will help are greatly increased if you're actually carrying a knife, and the chances that you're carrying a knife are greatly increased if it's easy to carry.

BK16. BK15. ESEE 3. All great examples of solid, sturdy, full tang knives from great companies that you can count on surviving your survival situation.
 
marcinek said:
Why? 'Hawks are designed as weapons, not really wood processors.

Neither are they designed to clean fish. . .
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Weapon-what weapon?


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The RMJ Shrike S13
I take mine out on daily excursions clearing branches overtaking my trails and it does do a decent job cutting wood. much lighter than humping an axe.
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First the ESEE 3 & then the ESEE 5 & then the ESEE 6 & 1 Fillet Knife & then 1 Pocket Knife (SwayBack Jack W/Wharncliffe Blade naturally & a Spey Blade just to play around camp with ) and then sit back a drink my ice cold Dad's Root Beer and then I get up and go to my Bedroom and go to sleep and think about camping next weekend ~~ maybe.!** About covers it.++
 
Same old, same old. Compose a post for over ten minutes and time out, you lose.

Simple and fast, ESEE Laser Strike. It's not heavy like the 5, fits in a sheath and carries easier than a 6. Spear point drills holes for actual field craft and wood working. Flat grind doesn't steer in the cut and is easy to sharpen. Plain handle doesn't have hot spots to create blisters that turn into injuries in the field.

Basically, it's the century old Kephardt pattern, and was used over 100 years ago for field use by people who didn't have sleeping bags, gas powered stoves, or 2 pound three season shelters. They also used axes to build substantial shelters, something stout enough to keep bears out. Nobody then expected a big knife to get that kind of work done. The fantasy of "survival" training was all too much the reality of what they really had to face.

If a real survival knife is what is wanted, looking back at what people who actually lived in the wilderness would lead to a better decision than relying on the marketing hype of commercial offerings that sell in tactical magazines.
 
tirod3 said:
Basically, it's the century old Kephardt pattern, and was used over 100 years ago for field use by people who didn't have sleeping bags, gas powered stoves, or 2 pound three season shelters. They also used axes to build substantial shelters, something stout enough to keep bears out. Nobody then expected a big knife to get that kind of work done. The fantasy of "survival" training was all too much the reality of what they really had to face.

If a real survival knife is what is wanted, looking back at what people who actually lived in the wilderness would lead to a better decision than relying on the marketing hype of commercial offerings that sell in tactical magazines.
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Very nicely put!!! :thumbup::thumbup:
 
ugh, out of your choices go for the esee 6. bk2 and the ESEE 5 are just useless IMO. unless you really just get your jollies from having knives that don't really do anything well. though I'd rather have something sized like an ESEE 3 or 4 for basic survival or outdoor recreation.

friends brought the bk2 camping recently and it performed laughably. sure, it didn't break, but neither did my spyderco military or Swiss army knife, both of which performed cutting tasks way better...

there's just no conceivable reason to have a blade that short be so damn thick. it's more of a wedge than a knife.

quality was fine on both. just a stupid design, IMO.
 
I find the esee 6 and Ritter RSK MK2 ( bk 12) lightweight to wear and easy to use while out in the woods. I have been using them a lot clearing some family land here lately, alternating almost daily. I made a 2 inch drop dangler for my esee sheath and it is very comfortable, and I often forget it is there. My personal favorite setup is the esee 6, leatherman multitool in the pocket and a good 3 inch folding knife. Honestly, I am not real happy with the sheath on my Ritter and an trying to find a better setup for me. I love the knife though.... love it.
 
it price isnt super important you can check out blind horse knives. I have a bushcrafter from them and its great.

I also carry a custom khukuri for big chopping and splitting

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that tomahawk seems a lot less useful than a nice hatchet for woods work. I would imagine the hammer side of the hatchet could be used for many tasks compared to that long spike on the 'hawk.

I mean, when I'm camping it's very rare that I desperately need to skewer a mannequin head with a long spike... :rolleyes:
 
Marcinek, must you always ask the same questions for these type of post to satisfy some weird need of yours?

OP, go to a knife store, or order from a quality source that accepts returns, and touch and feel both. Everyone here can give you 1000 reasons why to buy either for a reason: they're both excellent brands. I have some of each, and like some things about each. Whichever brand you choose, you'll want a small blade to accompany your larger blade, as you want to do 2 totally different sets of tasks, heavy and fine. A folder or small fixed will be better for fine tasks, and a larger blade for the heavy tasks. A lot of folks will pair their Becker or Esee large blades with a BK14 or Esee Izula for the little stuff. Or a SAK.
 
WJC01 said:
marcinek said:
Why? 'Hawks are designed as weapons, not really wood processors.

Neither are they designed to clean fish. . .
f1d0sj.jpg

dh94q9.jpg

auck7n.jpg



2ajp1t0.jpg

Weapon-what weapon?


jkw1w7.jpg

The RMJ Shrike S13
I take mine out on daily excursions clearing branches overtaking my trails and it does do a decent job cutting wood. much lighter than humping an axe.
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Nice Fish cleaning skills with that hawk. That's why many hawks used to have removable heads, to do just that. Plus, apparently a good tool if you meet up with a crazed redhead in the wild (totally possible, btw).

Makes me want to get out my hawks and sharpen my hawks to be able to do those things.
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jimh0220 said:
Marcinek, must you always ask the same questions for these type of post to satisfy some weird need of yours?
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If knowing what someone wants to do with a knife before I recommend one is weird, then yes I do. I'd rather ask than make a random suggestion based on what I think an OP is asking for. (Or just blurt out the same knife for every thread.) As a knife user and enthusiast, I happen to think not all knives are the same.
 
retzius said:
For outdoor recreation I would get an ESEE 3. You seem to like their stuff and I think it is one of their best blades because:

1. It is thin so it really cuts well
2. It is light so you are likely to carry it
3. It is very capable and pairs well with a hatchet, saw, or larger blade if you need that kind of thing

The thing about large thick heavy blades that can chop and "baton" is that they are large thick and heavy and once the coolness wears off they arent so fun to carry on a full day hike and they often end up being left at home...

A knife like the ESEE 3 cuts really well and is so light and small you will take it with you on all your adventures.

For example, the Becker BK2 weight a hefty 16oz. You can carry a ESEE 3 (5 oz.) and a Bahco folding saw (7oz.) and have much more versatility and capability for less weight.

Have fun.
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This. I never carry a big chopper anymore and I have yet to really miss it at all.
 
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