Becker BK2 or BK7

[oldschooljeep48]

So here is my dilema:

I am new to all this survival/bushcraft stuff and I am going on my own version of a squirrel hunting/survival weekend trip. We will be hiking into the woods for maybe 1 or 2 miles and setting up a "base camp" that includes a shelter we will be building. We are limiting ourselvs to very few items, including food, so we will need to clean and cook what we "harvest". So my needs are wood gathering, shelter building, skinning and cleaning small game, and general camp whittling.

For the above senerio, and hopefully more like it, which knife would serve me better? I also will have a hatchet, and small pocket folder.

Is the BK2 too larger to be used for small game prep?

Would the BK7 be a better all around choice? (then use the BK13 for the small stuff)

Or am I overlooking a key factor or overthinking this way too much?

Thanks!

 

[EMT_Lee]

I really like my BK7. I use it as a stand-alone blade. It will handle chopping, as well as finer work. :thumbup:

 

[dawsonbob]

I'd go for the BK-2, myself. It's a great all around blade heavy enough for chopping, short enough for camp chores. Since you have an axe and a small folder already, the BK-2 fits in perfectly.

 

[chminle]

the bk 2 is a pretty robust knife, the kind of knife i'd use if it were my ONLY survival/camping knife. If you're bringing an axe and small folder, the knife to fit the 'middle' ground would be the bk 7. personally, i think you should buy both. they are two great knives you'd be proud to have in your collection.

 

[oldschooljeep48]

say I change it up and eliminate the axe, so now its just the large fixed blade and a smaller knife....then what knife? Would it make a diffrence?

 

[dawsonbob]

say I change it up and eliminate the axe, so now its just the large fixed blade and a smaller knife....then what knife? Would it make a diffrence?

I'd go for the BK-2, myself. It's a great all around blade heavy enough for chopping, short enough for camp chores.

 

[BigNate]

This is just my $.02 worth.... If I'm packing the ax stays in the truck. I carry a folding saw and a knife. I usually also carry a multi tool. So in answer to your question, if you will be carrying a hatchet then chopping duties are well covered and utility is important and a smaller blade is way easier to use on small game.

 

[dawsonbob]

The OP already eliminated the axe/hatchet from the lineup. Now he's down to a larger knife and the small one he normally carries. The BK-2 is, IMHO, the best all around knife for this scenario. I do, however, agree about the saw. I don't go anywhere in the bush without my Silky saw.

 

[oldschooljeep48]

The OP already eliminated the axe/hatchet from the lineup. Now he's down to a larger knife and the small one he normally carries. The BK-2 is, IMHO, the best all around knife for this scenario. I do, however, agree about the saw. I don't go anywhere in the bush without my Silky saw.

im just saying i want something that can do well with all the above if needed or if my hatchet broke. i undestand i should get the right tool for the job but i want to have some overlap just in case, or be able to leave the hatchet behind to lighten my load and still be fine.

 

[EMT_Lee]

im just saying i want something that can do well with all the above if needed or if my hatchet broke. i undestand i should get the right tool for the job but i want to have some overlap just in case, or be able to leave the hatchet behind to lighten my load and still be fine.

Again, I'd rather have the BK7. The extra length is going to come in handy for chopping, and the thinner blade does a bit finer work. YMMV.

 

[dawsonbob]

im just saying i want something that can do well with all the above if needed or if my hatchet broke. i undestand i should get the right tool for the job but i want to have some overlap just in case, or be able to leave the hatchet behind to lighten my load and still be fine.

Then the Becker BK-2 is for you. There are larger knives (like the BK-9) that will chop somewhat better, and there are smaller knives that will handle delicate tasks somewhat better, but there is no knife, IMO, that does it all as well as the BK-2. If I could have only one knife when the smelly brown stuff hits the rotary air movement device, it would be the BK-2. Couple the BK-2 with a small folder and a folding saw and you're ready for just about anything in the outdoors. I've never tried to build a log cabin with one, but short of that, you're set.

 

[Bushman5]

Again, I'd rather have the BK7. The extra length is going to come in handy for chopping, and the thinner blade does a bit finer work. YMMV.

+1 BK7 is a GREAT all rounder wilderness knife :thumbup:

 

[dawsonbob]

+1 BK7 is a GREAT all rounder wilderness knife :thumbup:

There is no question that the BK-7 is a great wilderness knife, but the BK-2, IMO, is an even better wilderness knife. At 5 1/2 inches it's a little shorter but, because of the extra weight, it chops even better than the BK-7, yet handles smaller tasks better. Either way, you can't go wrong with a Becker.

 

[markv]

use the pocket folder for cleaning game.
the hatchet will take care of the wood for the camp and fire.
Make sure you have a good edge on the hatchet.
sounds like a nice trip to the woods. please post a photo or two for us home boys.

btw, a scandi knife like a Mora will do good service in camp
buzz

 

[Snake Dr.]

There both Excellent Knive's I have the BK7 with the BK7 and the BK13 that come's with It can Handle all your need's that little BK13 would be Great for Cleaning Small Game, And the BK7 for Chopping the Squirrel's up, And all other Camp chore's, Squirrel Season Opened here on the First of August, My Cur Dog Is Ready ! Good Luck on your Hunt, Squirrel Hunting Is The Best, What's even Better Is Eating Them !

 

[mp510]

Is the BK2 too larger to be used for small game prep?

Would the BK7 be a better all around choice? (then use the BK13 for the small stuff)

I believe that the BK-2 is definetely too big for cleaning small game, and I'm almost willing to say that the BK13 may well be too small for the purpose (though I've never seen/held on ein person). For squirrels and the like, I like knives like the smaller Mora's, Buck Woodsman, Kabar Little Finn, etc.... Don't let me disuade you from bringing whatever fun stuff you want for other camp work

 

[oldschooljeep48]

I believe that the BK-2 is definetely too big for cleaning small game, and I'm almost willing to say that the BK13 may well be too small for the purpose (though I've never seen/held on ein person). For squirrels and the like, I like knives like the smaller Mora's, Buck Woodsman, Kabar Little Finn, etc.... Don't let me disuade you from bringing whatever fun stuff you want for other camp work

See i am torn here. the BK2 seems to be a great indestructible knife. but it seems to be an awkward size, too small to split wood or chop up a small tree, but too big to use for cleaning game or smaller delicate task.

The BK7 seems like it might fit the bill better, as it would be better for chopping and splitting wood but still usable for putting a point on a stick for whatever, but the BK13 that comes wouldnt fill the gap either being too small. Not to mention that the sheath leaves something to be desired.

would i be better off with .....??? you tell me?

 

[dawsonbob]

See i am torn here. the BK2 seems to be a great indestructible knife. but it seems to be an awkward size, too small to split wood or chop up a small tree, but too big to use for cleaning game or smaller delicate task.

The BK7 seems like it might fit the bill better, as it would be better for chopping and splitting wood but still usable for putting a point on a stick for whatever, but the BK13 that comes wouldnt fill the gap either being too small. Not to mention that the sheath leaves something to be desired.

would i be better off with .....??? you tell me?

Actually, if you were to try both of them, you would find that the BK-2 — which is 1/4 inch thick, and heavier — is better at both chopping and splitting than the BK-7. If you search in the Becker forum you'll find other threads commenting on this. The BK-2 is also excellent at putting a point on a stick, or cutting notches for traps, etc.. The BK-7, IMHO, may be a better slicer for your food, but the BK-2 is a better all around knife — especially for your first Becker. Yes, it is virtually indestructible, but you don't get a BK-13 with it .

 

[cuphead]

hrm, I own a bk7, but imho it's not that great of a skinner, I'd say go with the bk2, its a better all arounder, you can still use that blade to cut cross grain on 2-3'' in diameter poles by battoning on it