Becker BK-7 or SOG Seal Knife 2000

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
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Which on would you chose for camping, hiking, or outdoor survival and why? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each.
 
cucharadedragon said:
Which on would you chose for camping, hiking, or outdoor survival and why? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each.
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I can't comment on that particular SOG as I haven't owned one, but I do own a Becker CU/7. and I would take it any day over any SOG fixed blade I have owned. The Becker is a monster blade, feels like it could fillet a tank.

p.s. The Becker also comes with just about the perfect sheath for field use I have ever had on a production knife, and the Becker also seems amazingly light for such a big thick blade. The only drawback I would point out, is the handles on the Becker are better suited for large hands, but they are also very easy to make scales for if you have any skills at that at all., or take them off alltogether and cord wrap the blade strider style.
 
I actually got to handle both at the AG Russell store close to where I live and the handle is one thing that I liked on the SOG and disliked on the Becker, probably because I do have small hands. If the consensus was that the Becker was a better knife, I think that I could come up with something on the handle.
 
I have a BK-7, but havn't owned or handled the SOG you mentioned. I am quite happy with the 7. It's an excellent knife for the money spent. The only SOG (X 42) that I owned, cost twice what I payed for the Becker and it wasn't half the knife.
 
Get the becker and if you break it go get another!! You can't beat the price and the knife will do whatever you need it to without complaining. Wish Becker sold wives like his knives!!
 
I too say the Becker. I owned an SOG once but never used it because the edge was so thick. I am sure it would've cut but not in the same class as the Becker. Both of em felt good in my hand but for me the Becker seemed more knifelike whereas the SOG was a sharpened pry bar(which was what it was designed as).
 
The sharpened pry bar part surprises me. Visually it looks more like a fighter, so I assumed that it would be more of a slicer.

Also, would the Becker stand up to the water as well like in canoeing and water activities.
 
Here's another vote for the Becker BK7. Semi-sturdy knife (compared to Busses, at 1/5 the price of a Busse) that has proven IME to be a good slicer.

Like some of the others, I haven't owned or worked with the SOG Seal 2000. I do have a Becker BK7, as well as the bigger BK9. I think that the Beckers are the blade of choice in their particular price window due to the amount of "bang for the buck" you get.

If you search for reviews of Becker knives, you'll find that most folks who have used them like them a lot. Including me. ;) :D They get good marks for cutting and overall performance at a VERY good price point. What's not to like?

The most often heard complaint is on the handle ergos. Some folks love the Becker handle and others find it too slick or mismatched to their hand size/comfort. Seems to definitely be a subjective person-by-person issue, so YMMV.

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Review from Cliff specifically on the SOG Seal 2000.
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/seal_2000.html

SOG Seal 2000 summary:
The SOG is readily outclassed by the MPK-Ti, however the Mission knife is significantly more expensive and an argument could be made that a performance scaled by price would be favorable to the SOG. However Mission also makes the MPK in A2 which is significantly cheaper, and has improved edge retention, significantly more chopping ability, and a similar hardness as the SOG.

The performance of the SOG SEAL is also even readily exceeded by blades that are not significantly more expensive such as the Camp Tramp from Swamp Rat Knifeworks, a differentially hardened tool steel blade, and even by much cheaper knives such as the CU/7 from Becker Knife and Tool.
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Review from Cliff specifically on the Becker BK7 Combat/Utility-7.
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/becker_cu_7.html

Becker BK7 summary:
NIB the CU/7 has above average cutting ability for a knife of its class with no edge durablity problems and solid edge retention. The point strength is enough to handle even hard wood prying without damage and the durability of the knife as a whole was very solid. The only drawbacks were the slickness of the handle and abrasive nature of the grip holes.
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(edit to add) Around water and wet environments the Becker BK7, like other hi-carbon non-stainless steels, will rust along the uncoated edge. However, taking even minimal care to wipe the blade down and oiling it (same as other hi-carbon steels) should keep the corrosion at bay. Below is Cliff's comment on the BK7:
"The coating also held up well, and while the blade did rust if left wet, this rusting didn't tend to excessively remove the coating, nor induce heavy pitting."
 
Thanks for the info. Along the same lines, but off the subject a little. I have also been looking at the Becker Companion and Crewman. They look a little thick to do much slicing and the Crewman specs show it to weigh more than the Companion. Any comparisons on these 2. I know that the chopping ability would be less than the BK-7 but for shorter hikes the smaller size might be an asset. I would have to assume that the reliability and quality would be the same as the other Beckers. Also, has anyone tried modifying or replacing the Becker handles for a better fit?
 
**Has everything you need and a real warranty unlike the others.**


Which SRat do you recommend and do you know about the wait time? I've heard that you have to wait a couple of months to get one. How are the handle's. I'm not sure that I would like the rubberized material.
 
Here is the vote for the SOG Seal. I have never laid hands on the BK-7, but I have the Seal and really like it. I've chopped, battoned and abused it in many other ways and it has never let me down. I really don't like the sheath though, so it is often carried in my pack or stapped onto it. I also have it's cousin the Government model and that is a great lighter knife. Never tried the Seal pup, just don't care for the design, but I may take another look at it in the Revolver set-up, might be nice parred with a saw in one package. Hopefully I will get a new sheath for the Seal soon, but I plan to keep using it as much as possible, until I decide to pony up and get a bushcrafting knife.
 
i dont think the modern SOG knife is made for anything but combat, its size, weight, and shape are designed for slashing and stabbing. the becker seems a very good knife for survival, big, strong, cheap, and built tough.
 
I have a Becker Companion and like it a lot. Its not designed for delicate work but it will cut, chop, dig, pry and hammer just fine.
 
saw the SOG Seal for 99.99 and the Seal Pup for 49.99, in the Cabelas 2005 catalog. Is that a good price for either? Should I get the Seal for my camp pack, and the Seal Pup for my bug out bag?
 
cucharadedragon Which SRat do you recommend and do you know about the wait time? I've heard that you have to wait a couple of months to get one. How are the handle's. I'm not sure that I would like the rubberized material.[/QUOTE said:
Judging by your first post you are looking at a 7 inch size of blade so the Camp Tramp will do everything you need of it. The Howling Rat is a better smaller blade if you like the BK Crewman.

The rubber grip must be felt to be believed and is also under warranty. It impervious to everything save a lasting flame. SRKW's rubber grip is beyond any other rubber grip I have ever tried. If you are against rubber then look at the Ratweiler as its canvas micarta but more money.

YOu wont be dissapointed in this blade or any SRKW blade I promiss you. ;)

Read Cliff Stamps review for more thoughts on the CT and its durability.

As far as waiting, it depends on the model and when its in the production cycle. These baldes are not mass produced and stamped out by the 1000's like most. If I want a good tool I can bet my life on, a little waiting is no big deal for quality.

Skam
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silenthunterstudios said:
saw the SOG Seal for 99.99 and the Seal Pup for 49.99, in the Cabelas 2005 catalog. Is that a good price for either? Should I get the Seal for my camp pack, and the Seal Pup for my bug out bag?
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If you can go to your local knife store, you should at least be able to get your hands on them to feel the weight. I don't mind tossing my seal in the pack, but I really didn't care for how the pup felt in my hands. That is why I went with the Government model, and yes that one does life in my bag. I could have gotten my seal on-line and saved about $20, but instead I got it at a knife store so that I could see what I was buying and make sure that it had a good edge on it right from the start. I have heard of too many people getting dull knives when bought on line (I am making no generalizations here folks, a lot of people have also gotten knives that are perfect right out of the box "let the buyer beware"). But that is just my opinion, take it as you will.
I told myself that I was going to lay off the knife buying for a while after but I just saw a nice little mora on EBay.... Heard sooo much about them, must try one out.
 
riverotter said:
skammer, Are the scales on the Swamp Rats removable? If not, will they customize them to do so?
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No the scales (one piece rubber) is permanently adheared to the full tang. There is no slipping or leakage under the handles so cleaning under them is a non issue. They feel and act as one sold piece with the blade.

You can cut them off I guess but why would you? The grips are as impressive as the blades themselves. They are an ergonomic dream. Out of curiosity why would you want to remove them?

Skam
 
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