Becker BK7

S

SpecialK

Joined
Nov 4, 1999
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I've lurked this puppy for almost two years now (and posted maybe two or thre times, mainly queries about tuf cloth). Have enjoyed absorbing the knowledge ever since (trolls and all). Wish I had more to offer. Anyway, I finally have a question worthy of you forumites. The BK7. I'm going to order one, but does anyone have any profound insight as to it's ultimate performance? As you can see by my knife preference (Cold Steel SRK), price is defintely of object.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Al
 
That's a great choice. If you run a search you will find that quite a lot has been written about this knife.;)
 
I've handled other Beckers and I'm confident that the handle is definately better than the SRK.
IMO I'd trade off the SRK any second for a BK7.
 
Hi..

Welcome to the forums...

The Becker will,, Out chop, out Slice and do qwuite a bit more than the SRK could ever dream of...

We are talking about stock knives,, no changing of edge geometry...

The SRK is a great knife.. Just a very thick edge,,making it a little harder to do certain things that the Becker will breeze through...

The Edge geometry and size of the Becker is enough to do the job better..

ttyle

Eric...
 
Well, my experience with the CU 7 has not been as great as the others.

First of all, the steels are very close in performance...

The Becker has no finger choil, which I found disappointing. I ground in my own. The edge on the Becker was the same as on my CS Recon Scout and CS Recon Tanto. Obtuse. In order to get the Becker to cut well, I had to thin it out considerably. The grips are too thick for my hands, and it's too light to be an effective chopper. I do like the extended tang, however.

The SRK has a much more comfortable grip, and doesn't pretend to be a chopper when it's not. You can still baton either one effectively.

Of the two, I much prefer the SRK. I think the blade has excellent ergonomics, and it can really take an edge. And yes, I thinned the edge on this out also.

The Becker overall is a good knife, but I don't think it compares favorably to the SRK.
 
i have both knives and I like both knives, but the BK7 is much more knife than the SRK IMHO
 
swede79 :

The edge on the Becker was the same as on my CS Recon Scout and CS Recon Tanto. Obtuse. In order to get the Becker to cut well, I had to thin it out considerably.
Click to expand...

This isn't the norm based on what I have seen and read. The edges on the CU7s are thinner and more acute that what Cold Steel and most other tacticals run. The Becker offers higher cutting ability with less durability. The other Beckers like the Machax have very thick and obtuse edges. Of cource variances do happen and some edges will be thicker and more obtuse than others.

The grips are too thick for my hands, and it's too light to be an effective chopper.
Click to expand...

The grips are the right size for me, but too slick. They are a lot more durable than the Kraton grips though which I found to breakdown after months of heavy use. I agree about the chopping, it is too neutral in balance. You have to use a partial grip to get any momentum and then you lose precision accuracy and drive.

The BU7 is a very solid utility knife, assuming of course the handle fits you well. It doesn't have the balance for chopping, but if this isn't one of the primary goals I would bet most would be pleased. The more neutral balance also makes the cutting chores easier as you don't have to constantly fight to keep the blade in hand, or resort to using a choked up grip

-Cliff
 
Cliff,

I was surprised also. When I used my Edgepro to sharpen it, it was WAY off the scale, which indicates an edge of well over 50 degrees (total). That is why I am amazed when people talk about it being such a great cutter. I was going to sharpen it, and I ended up taking it down to about 35 degrees total, and I'm going to slim it down further.

I think comparing this knife to an SRK is kind of apples and oranges. A better comparison would be to a Kabar, which this knife was designed to replace. I also think this knife should be priced more like a Kabar, but that's a different issue altogether.

It makes a great truck knife, but I personally don't think it's very good for the camping that I do, and I usually look for a camp/hiking knife. The SRK is smaller and lighter, and works much better in that regard for me, other people might have different experience with it.
 
swede79 :

... an edge of well over 50 degrees (total)
Click to expand...

Mine was ~0.036" behind the edge and sharpened at ~16 degrees per side. You definately got one of the heavier ones. I have seen Cold Steel blades that had more acute edges.


-Cliff
 
Originally posted by swede79
The Becker has no finger choil, which I found disappointing. I ground in my own.
Click to expand...

Swede, in addition to utility, I'm sure you know a military combat knife may have to be used as a last-ditch CQB weapon, or a sentry removal weapon. I like a good blade choil on utility knives, yes, however:

A choil on the blade, when stabbing, tends to get hung up on clothing, gear, bone, and flesh, when you're trying to pull it out -- making for a less than hasty blade extraction. It literally can act as a hook or barb, keeping the blade inside the body. This has happened more often than not in combat environments.

Guaranteed most people, with the huge adrenaline rush, will stab to the hilt in a combat situation. That's why there is no choil on well-designed knives that may have to be used as a weapon. In a hairy combat environment, if you get stuck to your opponent in hand-to-hand, his buddies will likely be shooting at you to save their comrade -- and you'll be a nice stationary target for them. You need to stay as mobile as possible, and keep your knife (especially because if you're using it, it's the last-ditch weapon, and so you don't wanna give up your only advantage). So, with no choil, you're more likely to extract your blade in a hurry and be able to E & E.

Best,

Brian.
 
Hi All

I sold my SRK to buy the CU7 and now regret it. The SRK is much mre concealable and a better all-round knife in my opinion. The CU7 is of course great for its price point - but if I were doing it over I would for sure keep the SRK and add a Swamp Rat 7" instead of the CU7. I'm sure it would be worth the extra.

Kallisti.
 
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