Becker BK9 vs Ontario SP51 (your thoughts)

S

smodtactical

Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
86
Look at these 2 knives, and I just wanted to summarize what I thought of them and get your opinion on which one I should go for. The price is very similar, $79 for BK9 and $84 for SP51 (although I have seen the BK9 drop to $62 when looking at amazon pricing history).

BK9
Pros
Full width and length tang
Well respected blade overall in most circles
Comes with BK13 possibly?

Cons
Thinner
Many reports of failure
Good steel but possibly inferior to 5160

Ontario SP51
Pros
Thicker blade
5160 steel possibly superior to 1095 Cro Van
No reports of failures

Cons
Tang is not full width and thus likely not as strong as the BK9
Kraton handle wrapped around thinner tang may be prone to loosening which will be hard to fix without returning to manufacturer

Common factors:
Sheaths - seem to be of about equal quality.
Price approximately the same.
Warranties seem about equal.
Company reputation similar although many might give the edge to Becker.

Thanks for your advice.
 
I have both, use both, and wouldn't worry about either one. I like the handle on the 51 better. If I had to choose one over the other I'd pick the bk9 due the tang. You listed the bk9 prone to failure ? Failure to what ?
 
smodtactical said:
Look at these 2 knives, and I just wanted to summarize what I thought of them and get your opinion on which one I should go for. The price is very similar, $79 for BK9 and $84 for SP51 (although I have seen the BK9 drop to $62 when looking at amazon pricing history).

BK9
Pros
Full width and length tang
Well respected blade overall in most circles
Comes with BK13 possibly?

Cons
Thinner
Many reports of failure
Good steel but possibly inferior to 5160 (...)
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Many reports of failure? What is this failure you speak of? :confused:
 
I know the bolts back out on the handels but I have never heard of the BK9 failing at anything. The 9 is the king of the knives for a reason and failing is not one of them.
 
smodtactical said:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/647925-Brand-New-BK9-Failure!
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=103695
http://www.knifetest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=851

Not a huge amount of complaints but definitely more than the Gen 2 SP line.
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The BK9 has been around a LOT longer than the Ontario SP51. Perhaps if they both had the same time line, we would have a better picture of the knives "toughness" in comparison to each other. But I think they are both FINE blades for the money.
Having said that I have seriously abused an Ontario SP51's edge, and although it dulled easily (on rolls of old carpet..nasty stuff) it sharpened easily to.
I was impressed with the knife after we were done spanking it.
I would bet my ass on either one, but I much prefer the BK9 in comfort and looks.

EDIT: I just read all 3 links...the third link is just a flame thread and has nothing to do with Becker quality, just some moron rambling on and on.
 
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gunknifenut said:
The BK9 has been around a LOT longer than the Ontario SP51. Perhaps if they both had the same time line, we would have a better picture of the knives "toughness" in comparison to each other. But I think they are both FINE blades for the money.
Having said that I have seriously abused an Ontario SP51's edge, and although it dulled easily (on rolls of old carpet..nasty stuff) it sharpened easily to.
I was impressed with the knife after we were done spanking it.
I would bet my ass on either one, but I much prefer the BK9 in comfort and looks.

EDIT: I just read all 3 links...the third link is just a flame thread and has nothing to do with Becker quality, just some moron rambling on and on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your insights man. Ya I think 5160 would dull faster than 1095 but it would be tougher. One thing I noticed is that the SP51 blade is a fair bit narrower than the bk9.

The 3rd link is in relation to Noss breaking the bk9 (camillus version) early in his testing (it didn't last long). And if they are roughly the same blade I think you can draw some conclusions. Especially because he also broke the usmc kabar very quickly. Whereas the cold steel gi tanto thats cheaper than the kabar lasted FAR longer and even withstood being hammered on while in a vice.
 
I'm afraid I don't put much stock in the above tester and his tests.

The others were replaced after a quick call to Kabar.

Plus, alots happened in the last 3 1/2 years in regards to Kabars continuing evolution.

Moose
 
I've got both, and like the BK9 a bit better. I'm not saying the SP51 isn't a good knife, it certainly is.

I just like the handle shape on Beckers more (plus they are easier to replace for something different if you want to), and I find the slightly higher grind on the BK9 makes it a better slicer. Also, the coating on the SP51 is a tad too coarse and drags on some materials (nothing that can't be sorted out with a little sanding).

The sheaths are of pretty much the same quality (I miss the ones that came with Camillus Beckers!).
 
smodtactical said:
Whereas the cold steel gi tanto thats cheaper than the kabar lasted FAR longer and even withstood being hammered on while in a vice.
Click to expand...

So why not buy a "gi tanto" and stop worrying about 5160, 1095 Cro-van, Beckers or Ontarios?
Seriously, I have never bought a knife to clamp down in a vise and beat on with a hammer. To me, that's just stupid. I wouldn't buy an iPhone to drop in a bucket of water. I wouldn't buy a hammer to grind with a bench grinder. You can listen to the legions who actually use knives for their intended uses, or watch one video and make an assumption.
 
SpikeHawk said:
So why not buy a "gi tanto" and stop worrying about 5160, 1095 Cro-van, Beckers or Ontarios?
Seriously, I have never bought a knife to clamp down in a vise and beat on with a hammer. To me, that's just stupid. I wouldn't buy an iPhone to drop in a bucket of water. I wouldn't buy a hammer to grind with a bench grinder. You can listen to the legions who actually use knives for their intended uses, or watch one video and make an assumption.
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I do have the GI tanto, its a great knife. I also have a 22 inch ontario heavy duty machete. But I felt was that I needed a blade in between. A large camping/survival knife that could essentially do tasks that both knives could potentially do and could be useful in scenarios where I don't want to bring a machete.

Your argument has been put forth by many but it is always responded by the fact that any 'destruction' test or endurance test is done not to mimic real usage per se but to show you how far beyond real normal abuse the knife can go. The further it can go the more confidence you have in the ability of the knife to withstand normal everyday abuse. To put it another way... if your knife withstood chopping concrete and being hammered through steel, you know that batoning through wood is a joke for the blade and you have that much more confidence in it (just my opinion).
 
While I understand your point re: confidence, the destruction tests really don't mean a whole lot to me. Does Noss test a random sampling of identical knives from each batch made? (more than one knife of the same model?) What about from different production runs? Is the same amount of force used while batoning through cinder blocks, scientifically measured, or is it just "I hit this really hard?" Was the hammer striking at the same angle for the GI Tanto as the Ka-Bar? Was the same kinds of bricks used, etc. What was the temperature? There are too many variables at play here.

Would you have more faith in your car to drive in the city at 30mph, if you saw someone drive it at redline, without oil in the crankcase, until the engine blew?
 
SpikeHawk said:
While I understand your point re: confidence, the destruction tests really don't mean a whole lot to me. Does Noss test a random sampling of identical knives from each batch made? (more than one knife of the same model?) What about from different production runs? Is the same amount of force used while batoning through cinder blocks, scientifically measured, or is it just "I hit this really hard?" Was the hammer striking at the same angle for the GI Tanto as the Ka-Bar? Was the same kinds of bricks used, etc. What was the temperature? There are too many variables at play here.

Would you have more faith in your car to drive in the city at 30mph, if you saw someone drive it at redline, without oil in the crankcase, until the engine blew?
Click to expand...

Your point about sample size is absolutely valid. You cannot really decide on quality based on 1 knife that was tested. Different production runs and improvements in heat treat or other production imrprovements is also valid. In terms of the other variables however although they will play a factor I think you can get a good sense of how knives compare to eachother even with some variation in things like temperature and swing force given how long he tests for and how many tests he conducts. If 1 knife breaks on batoning wood and another on batoning steel, I think there is clearly a quality difference there despite temperature and impact force variation.

If he was able to say test 10 knives of each brand at random intervals I think his tests would become infinitely more relevant.
 
I have a BK9 & an Ontario SP51. I LOVE them both. If i was ONLY batoning the SP51 would be my choice. If i had to pick one---BK9 no questions asked. It is the better all-arounder by a good margin. Why you ask? Well, it has to do with speed & feel in hand. The SP51 is HEAVY. Fatigue sets in faster, hands/arms cramp faster. Maybe it's because i am pushing 50 IDK. The BK9 is just so lively in the hand, quicker for snap-cuts. So, unless you think you NEED a 1/4" thick blade that large, go with the BK9. The Ontario is GREAT for vehicle camping & batoning firewood.

As far as steels go, it's 6 of 1 & a half dozen of the other, meaning i have never had an issue with 1095 Cro Van or 5160. ANYTHING can be broken if common sense is not used. I have batoned the snot out of my BK9 with no issues.

In closing, i would say get the BK9 first. Then later on, as money allows, get you a SP51 (no, i am NOT getting rid of mine-LOL:D) and do a head-to-head comparison & post up your findings.
 
TwinStick said:
I have a BK9 & an Ontario SP51. I LOVE them both. If i was ONLY batoning the SP51 would be my choice. If i had to pick one---BK9 no questions asked. It is the better all-arounder by a good margin. Why you ask? Well, it has to do with speed & feel in hand. The SP51 is HEAVY. Fatigue sets in faster, hands/arms cramp faster. Maybe it's because i am pushing 50 IDK. The BK9 is just so lively in the hand, quicker for snap-cuts. So, unless you think you NEED a 1/4" thick blade that large, go with the BK9. The Ontario is GREAT for vehicle camping & batoning firewood.

As far as steels go, it's 6 of 1 & a half dozen of the other, meaning i have never had an issue with 1095 Cro Van or 5160. ANYTHING can be broken if common sense is not used. I have batoned the snot out of my BK9 with no issues.

In closing, i would say get the BK9 first. Then later on, as money allows, get you a SP51 (no, i am NOT getting rid of mine-LOL:D) and do a head-to-head comparison & post up your findings.
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Thanks for your post. Pulled the trigger on the BK9. Came to $85 after tax (free 2 day shipping). I do feel bad spending that much on a knife... hope its worth it. The one thing that helped convince me is I emailed kabar about my warranty extending to Canada if I move there after I buy the blade and they responded really fast saying absolutely it would. Seems like they have great service. I emailed ontario with a similar question and they still have not replied 3 days later.

1 question, do you think the stamping of their symbol will weaken the blade? I wish I could get the laser etch version, but I wanted to order on amazon to get free 2 day shipping.
 
smodtactical said:
Thanks for your post. Pulled the trigger on the BK9. Came to $85 after tax (free 2 day shipping). I do feel bad spending that much on a knife... hope its worth it. The one thing that helped convince me is I emailed kabar about my warranty extending to Canada if I move there after I buy the blade and they responded really fast saying absolutely it would. Seems like they have great service. I emailed ontario with a similar question and they still have not replied 3 days later.

1 question, do you think the stamping of their symbol will weaken the blade? I wish I could get the laser etch version, but I wanted to order on amazon to get free 2 day shipping.
Click to expand...
No, it will not weaken the blade. I think that on the internet, amongst the "survival" fanatics, and to some degree on BF, there is this atmosphere of "IT HAS TO BE INDESTRUCTIBLE. ..JUST IN CASE!". Caps intended. The steels that are used these days will far exceed any normal task you put the knife to, even the most onerous, provided you use common sense. Any piece of steel will break under the stress of being beaten with something of equal or superior hardness, or when used as a prybar with too much weight. Feel confident that the BK9 can more than take on any chore, same as I would say for my Junglas. Unless, of course, you prefer cutting through concrete or other knives with it on a regular basis.
 
smodtactical said:
Thanks for your post. Pulled the trigger on the BK9. Came to $85 after tax (free 2 day shipping). I do feel bad spending that much on a knife... hope its worth it. The one thing that helped convince me is I emailed kabar about my warranty extending to Canada if I move there after I buy the blade and they responded really fast saying absolutely it would. Seems like they have great service. I emailed ontario with a similar question and they still have not replied 3 days later.

1 question, do you think the stamping of their symbol will weaken the blade? I wish I could get the laser etch version, but I wanted to order on amazon to get free 2 day shipping.
Click to expand...

Most likely your BK9 will be the laser etched one. They sell lots of them at the river store. Come on over to Becker land and show us pics when it gets here.
 
smodtactical said:
Thanks for your post. Pulled the trigger on the BK9. Came to $85 after tax (free 2 day shipping). I do feel bad spending that much on a knife... hope its worth it. The one thing that helped convince me is I emailed kabar about my warranty extending to Canada if I move there after I buy the blade and they responded really fast saying absolutely it would. Seems like they have great service. I emailed ontario with a similar question and they still have not replied 3 days later.

1 question, do you think the stamping of their symbol will weaken the blade? I wish I could get the laser etch version, but I wanted to order on amazon to get free 2 day shipping.
Click to expand...


Glad i could be of help. KaBar customer service ROCKS !!! :thumbup::thumbup: I have met Toooj in person. He stands behind their products, is a plethora of knowledge & is just a GREAT guy all the way around. IMHO, that speaks VOLUMES in & of itself about the company. Tomar's KaBars is also a great place to get your BK&T fix. Oh yeah, once you get the BK9, open it up, grab the grip & heft it, you will have a smile from ear to ear. That smile will only get bigger once you use it. It will be the best $85 you have spent on a blade & you will NOT regret it one bit. :D YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !!! It will NOT be the last Becker you buy. Yes, they are THAT good !!! :D
 
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