Becker BK-7

[Mistwalker]

Well…I think I may have found something to drag me kicking and screaming away from the urban environment for a few days. I just got another knife this morning. Mother Nature is not exactly cooperative today…and neither is photo bucket. These pictures are uploaded from my album here. This one is the Becker BK-7 made by Ka-Bar. It has an over-all length of 12.5 inches or 31.75 cm, a blade length of just over 7 inches or roughly 18 cm tip to handle, and it is 1.62 inches or just over 4 cm at the spine area between the thumb ramp and the swedge. It is made of 1095 CroVan steel

This is how it comes…

and even though I have long accepted globalization (didn't it actually start even before Marco Polo), it is nice to see this label does still exist in the world of production knives. However...neither the little utility knife nor the sheathe are U.S. made, but at least this partial globalization does still support American jobs and the key element of the set is domestically made.

It is a full tang design with the Grivory (not sure what that is yet) handle scales held on by three 5mm socket head bolts. It has a protruding tang that looks to be great for tasks such as breaking glass or plexi-glass, cracking skulls, or even batoning into ice to make a hole or gather ice to melt for water. The handle fits my hand near perfectly. I get a great grip in the conventional grip, the reverse grip, and in a rearward hold.

The sheath is made of Cordura and has multiple attachment points for carry options. It comes with a small utility blade included, and it also has a great cargo pocket that is a lot larger than most. The retention strap securely holds the knife in place and allows very little movement.

The cargo pouch is large enough that besides the utility tool, which has it’s own sheath inside the pouch, it will also hold a multi-tool, a magnesium firestarter, and an Army model Swedish fire steel. I could haven gotten a few thinner things into it such as sticks of fatwood if I’d thought about it. It has an elastic webbing band around the opening to allow the pocket to expand and contract as need which also serves as a good place to tie off the firesteel and firestarter to secure them in place.

 

[Mistwalker]

The knife comes shaving sharp…

and had no trouble whittling thin shavings.

It made very quick work of chopping through a 1 1/2 inch Hickory limb

and even after that and just repeatedly whittling and chopping off larger shavings from that hickory limb…

it is still shaving sharp, and I can’t wait to get it out in the field for a while and work with it some.

***NOTE***

The following four pictures are a part of another series of shots that have been added here just to get them near the front of the review because it rained so much while I was working on this review that there was more talking than working at first. There are more pictures in this series of shots on page four (see what I mean) that go into details about it.

Thanks Brian

Well…the rain finally gave me enough of a break to go out back and work with the BK-7 for a while today.

I found a nice seasoned Apple limb about five feet long and roughly three inches in diameter.

and proceeded to chop it into four pieces. It handled that very well and took about eight or ten minutes, I was just too glad to be outside to time myself. I am not sure how familiar any of you may be with Apple wood but while it isn’t the hardest wood in the world it sure isn’t the softest either once it has seasoned some.

Then it was time to see how it handled batoning. It took about six or seven licks to get through each piece, and the swedge did eventually do in the little mimosa baton I was using and for the last piece I had to use one of the pieces I had already split for a baton.

 

[milani74]

and even though I have long accepted globalization, it is nice to see this label does still exist in the world of production knives.

:thumbup::thumbup:
Nice review. Any ideas on how to tighten up the blade in the inner molding?

 

[dawsonbob]

Congratulations, mistwalker: that's one fine knife. The thing about Beckers is, the more you use 'em, the better you like 'em. I wouldn't give mine up for anything.

 

[kgd]

Good review so far...Can't wait to see the outdoor tasks in subsequent posts.

 

[Guille]

excellent review.... especially like the options made possible by the sheath.
makes me want to go out and get one now.....


sigh....

 

[TheGame]

I am looking forward to this review a LOT. I can't wait for the full on review, as it is great already! Thanks for the pics, and keep up the good work bud!

 

[WalterDavis]

Nice! How's the companion knife? Big enough to be useful, or...?

 

[coaldigger]

Nice Review 'Ol Bud:thumbup: I think the Becker line of knives are the best production knife's going for the $$$ I have the BK-9 & love it !

 

[Mistwalker]

:thumbup::thumbup:
Nice review. Any ideas on how to tighten up the blade in the inner molding?

Thanks..no clue yet...other than possibly making your own kydex liner...I'll look at it further later.

Congratulations, mistwalker: that's one fine knife. The thing about Beckers is, the more you use 'em, the better you like 'em. I wouldn't give mine up for anything.

A friend who lives up in Canada has been telling me I should get one for a long time now. He says his is the toughest knife he has ever owned. I always thought the handle looked uncomfortable in the pictures I had seen. I was pleasantly surprised to find out just how comfortable it is, it handles great!

Good review so far...Can't wait to see the outdoor tasks in subsequent posts.

I can't wait to get out in the woods for a while tomorrow to work with it. While this urban study does still have my attention and will for some time to come...it is somewhat depressing. Even my wife says I need a break for a while and I'm taking her up on the offer tomorrow

excellent review.... especially like the options made possible by the sheath.
makes me want to go out and get one now.....


sigh....

So far I think it's an awesome knife.and yes I really do like the options of the sheath, I like larger pouches and have usually had to make my own but lately more knives are coming out with them...I like the trend.

I am looking forward to this review a LOT. I can't wait for the full on review, as it is great already! Thanks for the pics, and keep up the good work bud!

Thanks...after the last week, I'm really looking forward to it myself.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice! How's the companion knife? Big enough to be useful, or...?

Yeah...definitely big enough to be usefull. think I'd much rather skin small game with it than the BK7, the BK9 comes with it too I think and I think it would definitely make smaller chores easier in that instance.

Nice Review 'Ol Bud:thumbup: I think the Becker line of knives are the best production knife's going for the $$$ I have the BK-9 & love it !

Glad to hear that, I think I'll be checking out the BK-9 sometime in the future. Now I really want to check out that BK-2

 

[jctrapper]

Yeah...definitely big enough to be usefull. think I'd much rather skin small game with it than the BK7, the BK9 comes with it too I think and I think it would definitely make smaller chores easier in that instance.



Glad to hear that, I think I'll be checking out the BK-9 sometime in the future. Now I really want to check out that BK-2

where did you buy yours? does those companions come with all the BK 7 and 9 knives or is it a special deal?

Thanks

 

[Mentor]

Nice review, thanks!

I like the look of that new KaBar sheath. The combined side pouch / mini-sheath seems really handy. My BK-9 (Camillus ed.) is my go-to hard use outdoors knife - it has taken quite the beating over the years, but the edge is just like new. The sheath, on the other hand, could use replacing, and if those KaBar sheaths can be purchased separately, I may have to look into one.

Does the back of the sheath have a loop for attaching a leg strap?

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Mistwalker]

where did you buy yours? does those companions come with all the BK 7 and 9 knives or is it a special deal?

Thanks

Actually this one was part of a deal I made. I think it may be something new as I see them online with and without...some are still shown in the older green sheath. Just do a search on it. Lol, you're not tricking me into another warning for "deal spotting".

 

[jctrapper]

Actually this one was part of a deal I made. I think it may be something new as I see them online with and without...some are still shown in the older green sheath. Just do a search on it. Lol, you're not tricking me into another warning for "deal spotting".

sorry, wasn't trying to trick ya, I just like what i see!! And would like to get a BK9 like that, can you email me at jctrapper at gmail dot com

thanks

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice review, thanks!

I like the look of that new KaBar sheath. The combined side pouch / mini-sheath seems really handy. My BK-9 (Camillus ed.) is my go-to hard use outdoors knife - it has taken quite the beating over the years, but the edge is just like new. The sheath, on the other hand, could use replacing, and if those KaBar sheaths can be purchased separately, I may have to look into one.

Does the back of the sheath have a loop for attaching a leg strap?

All the best,

- Mike

No loop, but it does have two holes at the tip end for a leg strap. A loop could be sewn on at the end maybe or just sew on the leg strap if you prefer.

 

[Mistwalker]

sorry, wasn't trying to trick ya, I just like what i see!! And would like to get a BK9 like that, can you email me at jctrapper at gmail dot com

thanks

Sure why not lol. Sorry...it's just that after getting fussed at for shilling and a warning for dealspotting all over the same knife in less than a half hour once I tend to watch what I say to whom now.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

That's a very handsome blade! There is a reason for their popularity no doubt.

 

[jctrapper]

Sure why not lol. Sorry...it's just that after getting fussed at for shilling and a warning for dealspotting all over the same knife in less than a half hour once I tend to watch what I say to whom now.

NP, i understand, thanks for your posts!!

 

[Mistwalker]

That's a very handsome blade! There is a reason for their popularity no doubt.

I really do like it. I always thought looking at the pictures that the handle would be too big and bulky, I had never seen a top view, it's a lot thinner than I thought and really comfortable! Has a great balance too, I'll have to post pics of that tomorrow as well.