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Becker BK2 Purchase

J

Java_Dude

Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Messages
104
I am going to buy a Becker BK2 for bushwork, etc... but not really sure which is the better one to buy. The first release of the second . Would appreciate board members input. Also looking for a quality built leather sheath with attachment for firestarter/sharpener and leaning towards the BK-2 Survival Belt Sheath #1 by skystorm plus grips with better scales. All comments are welcome.

Thank you.
 
First release or second?

I think the very first line of BK&T were produced by Blackjack. They're probably a bit scarce now. If you're talking about Camillus and KaBar, the Camillus versions had thicker blades and would probably be marginally tougher, but I know from experience sharpening them that KaBar's 1095CroVan steel can be made a bit sharper than the Camillus versions. Edge retention between the two are too close for me to call. IMO KaBar has better fit & finish; some of the Beckers from the last days of Camillus looked like they were ground by trained circus monkeys.
 
Welcome aboard!
Grab a BK2, convex the edge, slap some micarta or wood scales on it and you will love it. Oh and grab one of Skystorms sheaths, but I might be a bit biased on that part.
 
Welcome to the Becker forum and Bladeforums, Java, glad you stopped in.

The Gen 1 BK2 doesn't have an extened pommel, but does have a solid handle area. The Gen 2 has the skeletonized handle, and a pommel exension.
My preference is the Gen 2 for bushwork. It give you the ability to point drive the knife, thus giving you more functions in the same package. I also thin the balance on the Gen 2 is much better and will afford you less hand fatique when you are using it for extended periods of time.

Plus, the Gen 1's are getting scarce now, and are only gonna be found on the secondary market, or in a shop where product doesn't turn over very much. The Gen 2's have been out for a few years now, and are pretty much the standard you are gonna find.

As for leather, we have several makers here, and I don't envy you having to choose, the all do fantastic work and are great guys.

Good luck, let us know what you wind up with, and once again, welcome.

Stick around, and hangout, its a good community to be apart of.

Moose
 
Wolf_1989 said:
First release or second?

I think the very first line of BK&T were produced by Blackjack. They're probably a bit scarce now. If you're talking about Camillus and KaBar, the Camillus versions had thicker blades and would probably be marginally tougher, but I know from experience sharpening them that KaBar's 1095CroVan steel can be made a bit sharper than the Camillus versions. Edge retention between the two are too close for me to call. IMO KaBar has better fit & finish; some of the Beckers from the last days of Camillus looked like they were ground by trained circus monkeys.
Click to expand...

KaBar are full original BlackJack thickness at .250 inches

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-(Knife-Specs-and-Data)?p=8961783#post8961783

some of the Camillus had "thicker paint" but thick varied a bit over the years. esp if you strip them.

afaik :)
 
Re: scales

I was expecting to be underwhelmed by them but I find them very comfortable and visually harmonious with the rest of the knife. I'd hold off on buying aftermarket scales until you have the BK2 in hand.

Just got mine in today (my first Becker). Love it. Visceral thrill to hold. Makes me want to leap through a plate glass window head first with the knife in my teeth.
 
I have the second generation BK2 and enjoy the extended pommel. Most of the ones you will find will probably be the second generation anyway.
 
ddml said:
Makes me want to leap through a plate glass window head first with the knife in my teeth.
Click to expand...

That sounds really dangerous. I think the prudent thing would be to go feet first swinging from a rope :D

But I can share the sentiment and appreciate the visual :thumbup:
 
It's like all cool and stuff. Huh huh huhuhuh huh huh.

cornholio.gif
 
Thank you all for your comments. I went ahead and bought a BK2 second generation along with the ESKABAR and think that I will wait until I get it first before I decide on any extras.
 
Java_Dude said:
Thank you all for your comments. I went ahead and bought a BK2 second generation along with the ESKABAR and think that I will wait until I get it first before I decide on any extras.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good plan. Let us know what you think, when you get it.

Moose
 
I prefer the weight in the handle of the Gen 1 myself. Makes the Blade seem light and more nimble up front while still being a thick chunk of steel.
 
hoffmanmark said:
If you're wanting a leather sheath take a look at Paul Scheiter's site @ www.hedgehogleatherworks.com I can vouch for his craftsmanship as I have one for his designed Blackbird SK-5 survival knife. Awesome!
Click to expand...

How do you like that sheath? I was looking into some leather for my SK5 and the thing seemed pretty busy.

On topic: hedgehog is a pretty good buy although VERY spendy. Honestly I'd hit up mywifethinksimcrazy, bg leatherworks, or skystorm. We have some very talented leathercrafters here.
 
Yippee! My KABAR Becker knives came in the mail today. I really like the solid build of the BK2 and it fits my hand well. The balance is a little forward but it should perform well when it come to chopping tasks. As for the sheath, I would have to agree with the opinion of others that it is not up to par with the knife. It is to difficult to remove from the sheath for my liking. It should be a smooth one hand operation without having to really yank it out, haven said that, it will be ok for now as it will go into my bug out bag until I decide what to replace it with. I really like the leather sheaths but given that I live in a very wet and damp climate it may be better to buy a better Kydex with Tek Lock or I may even try making one myself.

As for the ESKABAR knife. It is very well made, sharp and light weight. It is now hanging from my neck as we speak and is pretty comfortable to wear. It comes wit a Kydex sheath and a long para-cord for neck carry and enough additional material to wrap the handle with. * see my images.

DSCN0226.jpg

DSCN0223.jpg
 
For that stock sheath, you can remove one of the eyelets near the mouth of the sheath, and that will make it easier to remove without losing all the retention. Drill it out, take some side snips to it, or use a dremel.
 
If you want to loosen up the stock sheath a bit pull the 2 out halfway so the sheath is spread out then hit it with a heat gun. Mine initially took both hands to get out before I threw it away.
 
DerekH said:
For that stock sheath, you can remove one of the eyelets near the mouth of the sheath, and that will make it easier to remove without losing all the retention. Drill it out, take some side snips to it, or use a dremel.
Click to expand...

This is the way I did mine. I didn't want to chance bending the sheath out to much with the heat.
 
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