Becker BK2 and ESEE Laser Strike Reviews & Pics

T

Toxie

Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
197
Hey guys, just got both of these last week. My first ESEE/BKT knives and I figured I would post a few of my thoughts and a few pics.
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ESEE LS:
+'s:
1. Fit and finish is superb (the logo looks sharp too).
2. The ergo's are almost perfect: It's relatively light, well balanced for a "camp" knife (balanced just behind the finger guard), and I like the scales.
3. I like the grip, it's versitile.
4. The finish is very thick/durable.
5. The sheath is very nice, just needs a tec-lok to make it perfect.
6. Came shaving sharp.
-'s:
1. The clip that comes with the sheath is cheesy and I dislike it.
2. They forgot my washer (not such a big deal, but still)
3. I would have preferred a strike area on the pommel.
4. I'm a lefty, so the bow drill hole is a tiny bit in the way. It's not bad, but again full disclosure :p.

Becker BK2:
+'s:
1. This thing inspires the "I can cut ANYTHING!" feeling.
2. The handle scales have good ergos*.
3. Butt has a strike plate built in.
4. Suprisingly sharp for a THICK knife.
5. Balance is just right for a hard use chopper.
6. Also suprisingly capable for a uber-thick knife.
-'s:
1. * The handle ergo's are good, but the handle gets a little bit slippery for my tastes (with no gloves).
2. The grind on my knife is uneven. By the choil it's even, but is ground steeper on one side then the other at the tip. Fine by me, but disclosure :p.
3. The finish is adequate but obviously less durable then the ESEE's.
4. The sheath is sub-par. I highly dislike cheesy snaps that you HAVE to use. probably mount a tec-lok to the sheath and buy a better leather one later.
5. It is a little heavy. Not a deal killer for my use, but she's a brick house :).



I got the LS for a camp knife/general user, and I got the BK2 for light wood processing/ "big" camp knife. The LS is quite a bit handier for carving, food prep and other "chore" type work, but the chopping ability is lightyears apart. The grind angle is more obtuse on the BK2, by about double by casual observation.
BK2 tip grind:
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The BK2 got this one in almost one chop! The black marks on the wood are some of the finish wearing off.

Both are sharp, but (as you'd probably guess) the ESEE is noticably sharper. The ESEE is a nicer knife in just about every way (IE, you CAN see where the extra money goes), but the BKT knife is an absolutely screaming awesome deal (IE, is the ESEE actually worth that extra money?). Couple of really quick shavings:
BK2:
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ESEE LS:
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In the end, I can't imagine buying a better knife value then the BKT. It's HUGE value for $64. The ESEE is everything the BKT knife is, just a bit nicer.
 
Cool review. I have both of these as well. I have almost the entire ESEE lineup at this point except for the Izula 2 and Candiru. The Laser Strike is indeed a spectacular knife. I love it. Like you said, the clip that they ship is cheezy and cheap.. but the sheath is excellent. I always recommend buying the molle back and pouch for 5/6/LS models. It really turns the knife into a complete system. I don't have that setup for my LS yet, but I do have a tek-lok on it, and you may be right there. It carries very nicely.

At first, I was interested in the LS... I really like ESEE's standard blade and handle shape and the LS just looked weird... but once it hits your hands - it makes total sense. It's a great knife. Mine did come with the washer, but there is a sticky over on the ESEE forum about the missing washer. Seems there was a batch that got shipped without it. They will send it to you for free... but it's probably easier to just go grab one out of the garage. :P

I also like my BK2 a lot. It was my first 'good' knife and what really got me started on Becker and ESEE blades. I would strongly urge you to spend the money on the factory micarta grips for the BK2. They make a tremendous difference. Also, you can cut those rivets on the BK2 sheath that hold that stupid nylon strap on there... and the 3 holes are spaced perfectly for the large tek lok... works much better that way and the sheath has plenty of retention itself.

Congrats on the blades!
 
Great pics and nice review. I have some from both companies. The finish in the ESEE's is tougher. I have beat the crap out of my Junglas and have only worn the finish slightly along the cutting edge. Both steels are nearly identical. I like em both!
Cheers
Balding
 
Toxie said:
2. They forgot my washer (not such a big deal, but still)
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This is from the ESEE site. "We made a mistake and shipped some Laser Strikes without the handle removal washer. If you are missing a washer e-mail ESEE Knives at info@eseeknives.com and we will mail you one. "
 
Nice review, Toxie. The LS looks like a decent knife. If I didn't already have four Tweeners that fit the same work niche as the LS, I'd grab an LS in a heartbeat.

As far as the smooth grips go, I feel your pain. Get yourself a tennis racket sleeve and cut it to size, or buy a cheapie soldering iron from Harbor Freight and stipple your scales. I prefer the stippling. It'll make a world of difference in how the handle feels, and you'll come to love the Becker grivory.
 
Thanks for the write-up. I was just going to let you know they are mailing out those washers...

A comparison of the FFG BK16 to the LS is probably more apples-to-apples, but the value of the BK2 is huge. It's one of those "one knife" situation winners all the time.
 
Nice review, thanks for taking the time.

The 2 is still the boss-hoss champion though! :)


I mean no offense, and this is tongue-in-cheek..but I am amused by talk of coatings in all the reviews I read. To me, discussing which coating is better is like discussing the boxes the knives come in.
 
thrillbilly said:
I mean no offense, and this is tongue-in-cheek..but I am amused by talk of coatings in all the reviews I read. To me, discussing which coating is better is like discussing the boxes the knives come in.
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Just wait until the new powdercoat starts coming on all the Beckers, especially the big batoning models. That powdercoat is just as tough as the Esee coating, and just as much of a PITA. Great for rust prevention, but man does it cause me heartburn when I try to use my Tweeners on things like wood. SO much clean-up required to get the shrapnel out of the pores.
 
wasatchdan said:
Just wait until the new powdercoat starts coming on all the Beckers, especially the big batoning models. That powdercoat is just as tough as the Esee coating, and just as much of a PITA. Great for rust prevention, but man does it cause me heartburn when I try to use my Tweeners on things like wood. SO much clean-up required to get the shrapnel out of the pores.
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I have the new coating on my 4. It is indeed a PITA. I understand why they coat them, and I reckon some folks like the Tactical black look....but it is a necessity to me personally that they get a stripper bath.
 
thrillbilly said:
I have the new coating on my 4. It is indeed a PITA. I understand why they coat them, and I reckon some folks like the Tactical black look....but it is a necessity to me personally that they get a stripper bath.
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I'm glad that the new coating is being applied to the Becker line. Hard-core users may not be all that excited about it, but in my experience, the powdercoat will take a lot of abuse and still clean up good as new. This will appeal to many buyers who prize tacticool, rust-resistant blades. I'm planning on keeping my EDC Tweeners' coating intact, just to avoid rusting issues. I can rust a knife without trying, and I like the thought of a knife being carried next to my body not having those problems. So far my 17 hasn't had any problems at all.

Believe it or not, I actually prefer the look of the FFG16 with the coating than without, but my Sabered 16 looks way better Cliched.

I'm glad I got the pre-production Machax with the old finish. The coating was so thin it flaked off in a bunch of spots the first time I took it out. I still need to strip the thing. I just like how messed up and used it looks right now. :cool: It lets people know that my 4 isn't some safe queen. But I would like to strip and Clich it, too. So maybe I need to get one of the new 4's and then mod the crap out of the stamped 4.
 
Thanks for the kind words! Both knives exceed expectations, but the BK2 has "personality" just oozing out of it.

On the washer, I already put two garage specials on there. I figure I can eat the $.14 (more postage the the parts cost, /care), just putting it out there. The bk2 is a winner, and I'll (eventually) be getting the micarta or wood scales and a nice leather sheath.

On the coatings I discussed 'em because they're on there and of quite different quality. I'll be honest, I would love a bare blade/coated handle but I'd rather have a coating then not. It's easier (for me) to strip a coating then add (a good) one. I could care less about the color of the coating. I would actually like tan so wood blends more.

I know that it's apples and oranges but being the only two of the brand I own, I figured some is better then none. Tons of BK2 stuff out there, but the LS stuff is still trickling in.
 
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