Becker BK15 or ESEE 6??

xICEMANx

xICEMANx

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Oct 24, 2012
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Looking for a new fixed blade. My current fixed blades are a Kershaw Camp 10 and Becker bk14. I'm looking for something inbetween. The 10 is a great chopper but a rather large knife. Looking for something bigger than the 14. I thought the 6 inch blade range would be perfect. It would be used for camp chores, food prep, etc. I was set on the 15 but once I add the micarta handles I'm right at the price of an ESEE 6. I just sold my Becker BK2 as it weighed barely less than the Camp 10! Thoughts?
 
Dramatically different blades for dramatically different purposes. Not even comparable. I love them both, but the 15 is really more of a utility blade that you can use in the kitchen or butchering than a woods knife. It certainly can be used as a woods knife, but there's better choices in my opinion. The 6 is a great all purpose woods knife in my opinion.

Again though, really figure out which size range you want, because those are way different.
 
I have a BK17, BK9, Izula II, ESEE 3, and a Junglas. I prefer - keyword prefer - the ESEE. All of them are fine blades, highly capable in the own right, and will accomplish everything that you ask of them. The ESEE work better for me in terms of the ergonomics and how they feel in my particular hands. I like my Becker blades a great deal but if I want to go do work I will grab the ESEE.

That being said - Ethan Becker is an awesome guy. He is a presence here on the forums and I've seen him be extremely involved. He stands behind his product 100%. There is also a really cool BK community. They are a company that is worth supporting. I think ESEE is also good- but haven't seen them in the same way.
 
ESEE 6 is a a great camping knife. Better and cheaper option than the team gemini. Then again it doest say busse on it so it shouldnt be considered a great knife or useful and really doesnt exist as a realisticly priced. reliable camping knife. I say get argon assault or mfnhfgkdwbm of the two you asked for help deciding on.
 
Szilard said:
That being said - Ethan Becker is an awesome guy. He is a presence here on the forums and I've seen him be extremely involved. He stands behind his product 100%. There is also a really cool BK community. They are a company that is worth supporting. I think ESEE is also good- but haven't seen them in the same way.
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ESEE doesn't have a forum here anymore, but from what I've read they are stand-up guys. They have their own forum now, which is absolutely worth reading.
Also Jeff Randall and Ethan Becker understand each other quite well, I think I even saw pictures of Jeff at a Becker meeting at Ethans house.
So even IF you can baton an ESEE5 through a BK2, just buy the one which you like better, you can't go wrong with either.
 
#1 ~~ the ESEE 5 & #2 ~~ the BK2 ~~ ?<<<< who knows. I like them both but the 5 has a small lead and also like the #3 & #4 of the ESEE's.***
 
Ended up ordering the BK15. I"m sure I'll pick up a 6 in the future but I think the 15 is more the size I"m looking for.
 
I think you made the right choice. The 6 is a great all-rounder, but you already have a large chopper, so you don't need an all-rounder.
The 15 is a good size for food prep, skinning, and anything else you'd want a full handle and blade for.
 
You will come to love the BK15 more than you thought you would. Yes, it is that good. Also, be prepared to buy another as a gift for the women folk in your life. They love them as well. It is one i refuse to let my wife use unless she is prepared to buy me another, as i have no doubt she will want it permanently in the kitchen, LOL :D
 
WyoRidgeRunner said:
I would get the ESEE. My reason behind that is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwVznVHrwM&feature=relmfu After seeing this i would say Kabar is slightly behind ESEE
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Harder steel doesn't always mean better. A lot of great woods knives are slightly softer. But, if you ever want to gauge how good a knife is just watch some moron beat it through a piece of 1095 steel.:confused: Just in case one of your camp chores involves battoning through steel.:rolleyes:
 
I would not choose the BK-15 for a general 'tweener' knife. I would suggest in the KaBar Becker line that you consider the BK-16 or BK-17 (4" blades) which are fantastic knives or if you want something a bit larger, go with the BK-7. I have the ESEE 4 and I know they are good knives. So, the ESEE 6 would serve your purposes nicely if you prefer to go with the ESEE line.

My only thought is that you already have a big blade, and you may be thinking a bit too large for your middle size. The BK-7 and ESEE 6 are big knives to me. I prefer the BK-16 or ESEE 4 for a more regular use knife in the woods for camp chores and everything short of chopping trees down. Of the two, I would choose and prefer the BK-16 because it's lighter and has thinner bar steel. You already know about the BK-2 which is a beast.
 
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