Becker combat 7 idea, opinions?

cbach8tw · Jun 23, 2008

I just had a crazy thought run through my head, and Ethan Becker, if you are out there somewhere, or if someone can pass this along or give your thoughts, I would appreciate it. Becker knives will be made by Kabar,I was wondering how the Combat utlity 7 (great knife at a great price as it is) could be changed, what do you think? I thought the blade thickness could be increased to 1/4 inch, the GV6 handles could be made with grooves for texture. The blade would be resistant to breaking at the tip with more steel behind it, although I really do not want to see it become a sharp crowbar. I know micarta scales are available but are hard to come by so increase the handle's traction. What will the steel be in the Kabar version? It was 0176 carbon steel, so even 1095 would be good steel, since most of the Rangers and TOPS knives are still made with it. What do you think? The drawback to this would be to make it more expensive when it was a good price before.

orca8589 · Jun 23, 2008

Speaking for myself, I can't say what the changes will be, if any (other than different steel, of course), but I can't wait to see those KaBar Backers.

My only issue with the Camillus BK7 was the smooth grips. I solved that problem with an edge file & a hacksaw blade.

thx - cpr

cbach8tw · Jun 23, 2008

Just read on another knife forum, posted after the news bulletin about the collaboration of Becker and Kabar, that the older models will be coming out in Sept 2008, but what really got me was someone stated that they received an email from Kabar that new designs will be made in another nation. I sincerely hope that new designs are not made in Communist China! If so, I hope they clearly state it on the site. I cannot wait for the new versions and designs for Becker, I think it can be a real success story.

sdt11670 · Jun 24, 2008

cbach8tw said:
I just had a crazy thought run through my head, and Ethan Becker, if you are out there somewhere, or if someone can pass this along or give your thoughts, I would appreciate it. Becker knives will be made by Kabar,I was wondering how the Combat utlity 7 (great knife at a great price as it is) could be changed, what do you think? I thought the blade thickness could be increased to 1/4 inch, the GV6 handles could be made with grooves for texture. The blade would be resistant to breaking at the tip with more steel behind it, although I really do not want to see it become a sharp crowbar. I know micarta scales are available but are hard to come by so increase the handle's traction. What will the steel be in the Kabar version? It was 0176 carbon steel, so even 1095 would be good steel, since most of the Rangers and TOPS knives are still made with it. What do you think? The drawback to this would be to make it more expensive when it was a good price before.

The bk7 was designed to be an affordable knife for men and women in the armed forces and if it were to go through these changes it would no longer be affordable at least not as affordable. You could always have Ethan make you a custom

cbach8tw · Jun 24, 2008

Thank you for your thoughts, I just wanted to get some opinions and it is great to discuss ideas. What kind of steel do you think the new Beckers will have?
Also, I had someone ship me Micarta scales for the Bk 7, which may fit my companion as well. They were made for the Extreme I believe.

bigbcustom · Jun 24, 2008

I hope they are made here in the USA. I am pretty much done buying anything from China that I don't absolutely have to. I have several of the Camillus made Beckers and really like them......I don't want to support China any more than I have to.

Morales · Jun 24, 2008

The steel on the Beckers will be 1095 'cro-van'. Sounds good to me. Ethan said something in the interview with Doug Ritter bout making handles smaller IIRC. I'd leave the design as it was and let the people customize the handles themselves. I have one knife from KA-Bar made in China...just terrible. If they have to go overseas, let it be Taiwan, the Bowies from there are really great.

chewbacca · Jun 25, 2008

It has been a while since I saw that interview that Ethan did with Doug Ritter at the SHOT Show, but I am pretty sure that Ethan said the knives would be made in the US.

If they do move to China, I will definitely be buying a RAT Izula instead of a Becker Necker, and a RAT RC-3 instead of a Campanion!

EDIT: The SanMai Necker is going to be made in China, I just read a short article in Blade about KaBar's appearance at the Shot Show last spring...disappointing.