Becker BK7 snapped while processing wood

L

LoganParisciani

Joined
Oct 8, 2016
Messages
28
DQjKmGE.jpg

jg3vLuf.jpg


I was processing some florida pine and my bk7 snapped. the piece as you can see is not very thick at all so it shouldnt have happened. has this happened to anyone else? and also does anyone have any recommendations on a medium sized blade (maybe a blade length of 5-8 inches) that can process wood and do other tasks and i wont have to worry about the blade failing? need a blade that can handle batoning and processing tasks. and dont lecture me on using an axe for wood processing im not carrying around an axe with me at all times so i need a blade that can do those tasks when i dont have one with me. thanks.
 
I used to have an article that explains how a perfectly good knife can be broken if batoning the wrong way !!
A heavier knife like my 24 oz Kukri or even a 16 oz knife will be much better.
 
Can you - would you - post a closeup of the break surfaces.

Generally, if it's all frosted grey it all failed suddenly. If some is rusted, there was a crack that propagated.
 
It was not rust. I keep my blades well fed. I've had this blade for probably 2 weeks so it hasn't seen any real use except for today
 
Looks like the blade got into a bind as the woodgrain curved. The point-side piece is angled one way; the handle-side piece another. I'm guessing it broke when you struck the handle side, yes?

If a mod doesn't move this to the Becker subforum first, you should try reposting there for a more informed opinion ...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/827-Becker-Knife-amp-Tool

Who knows, Ethan and/or Kabar may come to your rescue and replace it. ;)


If you do a lot of batoning, I'd go with the larger BK9 or BK20.
Or the shorter but nearly indestructible 1/4" thick BK2.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Can you - would you - post a closeup of the break surfaces.

Generally, if it's all frosted grey it all failed suddenly. If some is rusted, there was a crack that propagated.
Click to expand...

^this.

Blues Bender said:
Rather than opening a can of worms, why not contact the maker? Or does that make too much sense?:confused:
Click to expand...

But ultimately this^.

That breakage should not happen and in fact doesn't happen often enough to be a concern. Contact BK and I am sure they will take care of you. Lemons happen.
 
LoganParisciani said:
DQjKmGE.jpg

jg3vLuf.jpg


I was processing some florida pine and my bk7 snapped. the piece as you can see is not very thick at all so it shouldnt have happened. has this happened to anyone else? and also does anyone have any recommendations on a medium sized blade (maybe a blade length of 5-8 inches) that can process wood and do other tasks and i wont have to worry about the blade failing? need a blade that can handle batoning and processing tasks. and dont lecture me on using an axe for wood processing im not carrying around an axe with me at all times so i need a blade that can do those tasks when i dont have one with me. thanks.
Click to expand...
"processing wood" that is a new phrase for me. :) As for not lecturing you about carrying an axe, I fully understand you can never know when a life and death "wood processing" situation will strike down there in Florida.
 
To process wood I use this thing called an axe. Works great. Just a husqvarna
 
As others have said, a close up photo looking at the "inside" of the break will be helpful.

That said, I have a few main comments.

  • I've said it before, but any mass produced knife can have the chance to have defects. There is really no way around it (even statistical process control, six sigma, etc, allow for small percentage likelihoods of things like this). If you look, you can find almost any knife manufacturer has had a knife break. The true measure of the company though, is how they handle the breakage.
  • Kabar has a good warranty. I've seen other Beckers broken, and they've always been replaced under warranty. You should either contact them directly, or go to the Becker subforum and post about this. Ethan Becker (the designer) is a regular, and I've seen him contact people personally about this in the past, and wouldn't be too surprised to see something like that again. I think they'll handle it well, based on previous cases like this.
  • I've not done any searching, but off the top of my head, this is the first laser engraved full size Becker I've seen break. The older roll stamped ones (particularly the Camillus produced BK9's) have seemed to be the ones I typically see broken. Now, I'm sure newer kabar made laser engraved ones have broken, but I can't recall any I've seen.

If you are looking for a wood processing knife in that size range (which is not the theoretical replacement BK7), I'd maybe go for something a bit thicker, or with a wider chord, or both. At the cheap end of the spectrum, look at the Cold Steel GI Tanto. Its crazy tough (at the price of edge retention and other knife like attributes), and super cheap. Then look at the BK2, ESEE 5, BK12 (which is actually made by the same manufacturer as ESEE, with the same warranty), or perhaps a swamprat or scrapyard knife.

Good luck getting this all sorted out :thumbup:.
 
Hey Logan,

Don't let the snark get you down. Beckers have a reputation for being tough bush knives and it's actually well-deserved. Stuff happens sometimes, though. I'm sure Mr. Ethan Becker would be interested in examining your broken knife. Reach out. He is a heckuva a guy! :thumbup:

-Brett (BH#255)
 
And if you don't have an axe, leave the poor wood alone.

And no starting fires with flint and steel.

No brush shelters. Use a tent.

For G's sake, no improvising. It's hard on the economy. (I just bought two more axes.)
 
Moved to the Becker forum.

Batoning or a saw is safer than an axe. Lighter to carry, too. What's even easier is having someone to go with you to carry the axe. I don't think any of these axelovers are volunteering. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top