Becker BK10... Hollow Tang???

T

T.M.A.

Joined
Jan 3, 2021
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Just picked up a BK 10 Crewman last week. Was really stoked on it until... I found out it was a hollow tang! Well, not really "hollow", per say, but more like, just the frame of a tang. I don't know what they call it...

Anyone ever had problems with it?? Seen some fail online...

Kinda thinking of returning it and going with an Esee 5 or even the Schrade schf38. I hate the grind on the Schrade, and neither have as sweet a handle as the Beckers, but that hollow tang just don't sit right with me...

What say y'all??
 
Esee 5 will give you the equivalent of our BK2. It’s a 1/4 inch blade. The BK10 is 3/16 thick. Will give you a different cutting experience.

You should not have any issues unless you are abusing the knife—strong blade, good steel.

Beckerhead #32
 
No worries. The breaks I have seen here were 1. People using the back of their hatchets, or even a hammer to baton with. Metal on metal is never a good idea. Also, if I remember correctly, they were striking the blade in the thumb ramp area. 2. There were some issues with Camillus era BK9's, (which I believe were solid tang) breaking along the roll stamp. 3. People using them for throwing knives. They are not heat treated for that. 4. Batoning knotty wood in extreme cold temperatures. 5. Inclusions in the metal/bad heat treat. More knowledgeable people than myself can better explain that.

I've literally beat the dog snot out of my Beckers with no issues.

Here's a few shots, a BK4, and BK9, skeleton tangs, while batoning:





And my Camillus era BK6, which I believe to be solid tang, but still, the stress it takes is awesome:



Use with confidence. :thumbsup:
 
The Warrior said:
No worries. The breaks I have seen here were 1., people using the back of their hatchets, or even a hammer to baton with. Metal on metal is never a good idea. And 2., there were some issues with Camillus era BK9's, (which I believe were solid tang) breaking along the roll stamp. And 3., people using them for throwing knives. They are not made for that. I've literally beat the dog snot out of my Beckers with no issues. Here's a few shots, a BK4, and BK9, skeleton tangs, while batoning:





And my Camillus era BK6, which I believe to be solid tang, but still, the stress it takes is awesome:



Use with confidence. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You ever gonna use those things? :D
 
Its just cutouts in the tang area where its not needed. Smart weight saving method. In my opinion, it makes it the better option and a wiser design.
 
The Warrior said:
No worries. The breaks I have seen here were 1. People using the back of their hatchets, or even a hammer to baton with. Metal on metal is never a good idea. Also, if I remember correctly, they were striking the blade in the thumb ramp area. 2. There were some issues with Camillus era BK9's, (which I believe were solid tang) breaking along the roll stamp. 3. People using them for throwing knives. They are not heat treated for that. 4. Batoning knotty wood in extreme cold temperatures. 5. Inclusions in the metal/bad heat treat. More knowledgeable people than myself can better explain that.

I've literally beat the dog snot out of my Beckers with no issues.

Here's a few shots, a BK4, and BK9, skeleton tangs, while batoning:





And my Camillus era BK6, which I believe to be solid tang, but still, the stress it takes is awesome:



Use with confidence. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

That is intense. Especially that last picture...


-T
 
bush-haus said:
Esee 5 will give you the equivalent of our BK2. It’s a 1/4 inch blade. The BK10 is 3/16 thick. Will give you a different cutting experience.

You should not have any issues unless you are abusing the knife—strong blade, good steel.

Beckerhead #32
Click to expand...

Okay, so playing the Devil's Advocate here:

Isn't the appeal of an Esee the fact that you CAN abuse the knife?? I mean, I get it -And I think a lot of people who abuse their knives, like, insanely are a little silly -But, logically, if one knife is "sturdier" than the other, wouldn't it make sense to get that one?? Especially since we all have the tendency to think of knives in the context of "I am in a survival situation and I need to trust my life with this thing when I'm falling off a cliff..." etc. etc.

I will say that I think the handle design on the Beckers is brilliant -Just beautiful with that end swell. Don't know why everyone isn't doing it...
 
T.M.A. said:
Okay, so playing the Devil's Advocate here:

Isn't the appeal of an Esee the fact that you CAN abuse the knife?? I mean, I get it -And I think a lot of people who abuse their knives, like, insanely are a little silly -But, logically, if one knife is "sturdier" than the other, wouldn't it make sense to get that one?? Especially since we all have the tendency to think of knives in the context of "I am in a survival situation and I need to trust my life with this thing when I'm falling off a cliff..." etc. etc.

I will say that I think the handle design on the Beckers is brilliant -Just beautiful with that end swell. Don't know why everyone isn't doing it...
Click to expand...

You can abuse both the ESEE and Becker knives considerably before they will fail. They are both made out of tough steels--albeit they don't compete with other super steels. While ESEE uses 1095, Kabar uses 1095 Cro-Van (1095 with higher amounts of Vanadium, Chromium, and Nickel).

My point in the post was that you mentioned choosing between the ESEE 5 or the Becker BK10. They are not of the same thickness, the former being 1/4" vs 3/16" of the Becker BK10. Both are sturdy and can be used and abused. The ESEE 5 is comparable to the BK2--it's a great knife but it will never be accused of being a great slicer due to the 1/4" blade and wide obtuse grind geometry. The BK10 is thinner, making it more slicey, therefore more functional.

If you are going for a knife that can cut a Buick in half, go with the BK2. If you want a similar profile with a thinner, more slicey blade, get a BK10. Your initial concern of the skeleton tang shouldn't a concern. Kabar has done a ton of testing before putting these out in the world. You'd have to be hitting it with metal, baton and hit a rock or knot, or almost TRY to break it. They will fail, but use a knife to cut, and you're good.

We use Beckers harder than your average knife because we know they can take it. Note that we do this knowing we substantially increase the potential of failure. If it fails, you were probably knowingly taking this knife to it's breaking point.

And to your point about the handles, the Becker handles are fantastic for long-term use.
 
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You can abuse it (within view of reason).
A behavior that will crack a skeletonized tang like that will likely break a solid one too. Cracks start at the outside, usually, and propagate. Once they start you're screwed in either case. Now if you're REALLY worried, make sure the inner corners of the cutouts are nicely beveled.
 
Forget about the Schrade. They are not the same company as before, and produce substandard products.

Esee makes a good knife. That said (as mentioned earlier) they have poor cutting geometry compared to a BK10.

If I were you, I’d grab a 10, a set of micarta handles, and a Kydex sheath from Azwelke.

It’s a great package.7CB4E5EC-DD26-49EE-A208-09DDBF72C605.jpeg380C40BE-FA79-47F5-B979-6AFC12BFD2D2.jpeg119A2031-1EAE-4415-8EBD-286A76BA9AD4.jpeg
 
daizee said:
You can abuse it (within view of reason).
A behavior that will crack a skeletonized tang like that will likely break a solid one too. Cracks start at the outside, usually, and propagate. Once they start you're screwed in either case. Now if you're REALLY worried, make sure the inner corners of the cutouts are nicely beveled.
Click to expand...

Oooo... Sweet idea!

Never heard that before...

You mean, take the handles off and essentially round off the edges of the skeleton tang, correct?
 
MolokaiRider said:
Forget about the Schrade. They are not the same company as before, and produce substandard products.

Esee makes a good knife. That said (as mentioned earlier) they have poor cutting geometry compared to a BK10.

If I were you, I’d grab a 10, a set of micarta handles, and a Kydex sheath from Azwelke.

It’s a great package.View attachment 1497785View attachment 1497786View attachment 1497787
Click to expand...

Dude, yeah -I've been researching the knives for a long time (got a BK 10 in the mail a little over a week ago, actually...) and difference in the edge geometry is apparent. Becker wins for sure. Also Becker handle -Don't know why more people don't talk about that. That end swell is so obviously awesome...

Sweet package you got there!!
 
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