Becker BK1

acwire_2125 · Mar 23, 2006

I have just ordered a Becker BK1. I would like to know if any one has tested this small machete. I will be using it for hiking and camping use. And also lots of bashing.

DISCO · Mar 23, 2006

Hi acwire 2125 i own a BK9 bowie and it's a quality knife for the price. I beleive the Brute is 1/4" thick and has a good reputation as a solid chopper.I think you should be happy with your choice.Let us know how you get on when you get it and give it a good bashing,pictures would be good also.

GoodGuy · Mar 23, 2006

I think you'll like your BK1, but I'm not sure I'd categorize it as a machete. It's a big knife that's suited for a lot of different tasks, but it might not serve you all that well for hiking and camping. It's heavy, so you might find it a chore to carry while hiking. It's thick, so it's probably not the best for camp "kitchen" use (slicing, etc.). With that said, it can certainly be used while hiking and camping (it's a good "chopper") and, dare I say it... it would probably serve a a good weapon.

bigbcustom · Mar 23, 2006

The BK-1 is called the "brute" for good reason. I love mine, it works as a hatchet, drawknife, machete, splitting wedge, and pry bar. Not as good at any of the aforementioned jobs as a purpose built tool, but will do a credible enough job that it will replace those tools when camping.

acwire_2125 · Mar 23, 2006

So from wad you guys just said, I conclude that BK1 is a knife that can handle "Brute" tusk? I am truly happy to know that I have had made a good decision. I will be using it Jungle trekking in the forest of Malaysia and Singapore. Is there any known problems with the knive so far?

bigbcustom · Mar 24, 2006

The only problems that I could forsee for some people (not me because I like the size and handle) are weight and some people think that the handle is clunky or too large.

I would recommend a marine tuff cloth from sentry solutions if you are going to be jungle trekking. Wipe it with the tuff cloth after heavy use and at the end of the day and you won't be having a rust problem (It is high carbon steel after all and will rust readily if not taken care of in a moist environment).

I would also recommend a portable round diamond rod sharpening device in coarse grit. The recurved blade is more easily sharpened with a round hone than a flat one (though it can be done with either) I recommend coarse because, by nature of the work that the knife is made to do, you don't need a shaving edge, and while whacking at things you may hit something that will bend/chip the edge requiring a sharpening/shapeing session that would be much more easily accompolished with a coarse hone than anything less. All that being said now lol, when I am in the woods (admittedly not jungle trekking) I carry my BK-1, a small fixed blade (usually a Fallkniven F1, or Ontario Rat-3), a sak tinker, and a multi-tool of some sort. The hone I carry with me is a flip type diamond hone with coarse on one side and fine on the other so it covers all the knives I am carrying.

acwire_2125 · Mar 24, 2006

Hey, is it necessary to carry so many knives at a time? I heard that it is best to carry a large knive and another small one. I really do not understand why! Can any one enlighten me on this? BTW, Ihave been bashing in the jungle with my trusty Wenger! haha! Hell lot of time doing so! You'll know the diffrence of bashing in a Tropical Rain Forest and a walk in the park!

bigbcustom · Mar 24, 2006

acwire_2125 said:
Hey, is it necessary to carry so many knives at a time? I heard that it is best to carry a large knive and another small one. I really do not understand why! Can any one enlighten me on this? BTW, Ihave been bashing in the jungle with my trusty Wenger! haha! Hell lot of time doing so! You'll know the diffrence of bashing in a Tropical Rain Forest and a walk in the park!

Truth be told, I could probably get by just fine with my Fallkniven F1. Probably best/minimal carry would be BK-1 and sak. I like to practice making snares, fish traps, deadfalls, etc. so it behoves me to have the multi tool for the pliers. So, in answer to your question, is it necessary? No. Is it more fun? YES!!! I like to have the right tool for the job and the weight of the little items isn't a big hardship for me, and it gives me tools for my idle hands when I am sitting in camp as well. My biggest problem is not enough time to camp/hike as much as I would like to.

acwire_2125 · Mar 24, 2006

Ok, So it really depends on what am I going to do right? I keep hearing many people talk about the weight of their knives. Can any one tell me why weight is taken into consideration? BTW, can anyone also tell me the weight of the BK1? (Please use Kilograms. Thanks!)

hwyhobo · Mar 24, 2006

acwire_2125 said:
I keep hearing many people talk about the weight of their knives. Can any one tell me why weight is taken into consideration?

How much gear are you going to carry? Every ounce adds up on longer expeditions/hikes.

BTW, can anyone also tell me the weight of the BK1? (Please use Kilograms. Thanks!)

According to Camillus website, it's 0.624 kg.

acwire_2125 · Mar 25, 2006

Whoa! That's less than a KG! that is light! Thanks! Hey btw, any one tell me how to maintain a machete like the BK1?

sodak · Mar 25, 2006

You'll love the brute. It's made with excellent steel, and is easy to maintain. I prefer diamond sharpeners, finishing off with ceramic. Since it's coated, only the edge is susceptible to rust.

Compared to all the crap I usually carry, a kilogram or two is negligible. I think it's light too. Enjoy!

Cobalt · Mar 25, 2006

probably the toughest of all the Big Beckers and a nice knife. Personal reviews have been floating arund snce the late 90's in the forums and never a bad review if I can remember, though I do seem to remember someone reviewing and having an accident with their hand slipping down the smoth handle onto the blade and slicing their thumb wide open. But this was a full power stab which I would not recommend with any knife not having a guard.

acwire_2125 · Mar 25, 2006

Wad can I do to prevent that from happenning? Putting in a para cord?

acwire_2125 · Mar 28, 2006

Hey, any idea where can I take a look at all the sharperners and all? I really am a noob at knife sharpening!

J.Davey · Mar 28, 2006

I highly recommend the Hewlette 3 Stage Jewel Stick. That's what I use on my BK1, and it does an excellent job! It's also easy to carry on hiking/camping trips.:thumbup:

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=HW123K

acwire_2125 · Mar 29, 2006

Hey! So you have a BK 1? So wad do you think of it? A machete?

J.Davey · Mar 29, 2006

Yep. I've had one for a couple of months now. I don't think it can be beat for the price! It's a very solid knife. More of a chopper than a machete (1/4 inch thick steel and steeper grind-I don't think it would work well for lighter stuff like weeds and tall grass, but it is a great chopper) The handle was more comfortable than I thought it would be, but very smooth, so I used a round file to put some gooves on it and than went over the whole thing with some rough sandpaper. Much better! Also, the handles are hollow inside, which worried me a bit (I'm anal-retentive about such things), so I removed them, filled in the hollows with some epoxy, and screwed 'em back on. It is definitely a knife I'd be happy to have in an emergency!:thumbup:

acwire_2125 · Mar 29, 2006

Oh! the handle is hollow? Any pics to show? An the Handle, can you show me the finished product?

J.Davey · Mar 30, 2006

The handle slabs are hollow, yet the material is quite thick and has reinforcing points. I have no pics of the hollows, but trust me, they won't cause you a problem at all. I'll try to get a pic up of my grooved handle. But I'll tell ya', it ain't fancy!