Becker Comparison

bk14/bk11

the bk14 was a collab. between Mr. Ethan Becker and ESEE

Edit: ah read "what" not "how" I find the aforementioned knives perform similarly to the Izula/Izula 2 but for the bigger knives I have no idea
 
You simply can't go wrong with any Becker knife. I have 14 Beckers & not a bad one in the bunch.
 
I just jumped on the Becker bandwagon and picked up a BK-9 with micarta scales. The plan is to strip it, add a patina, and then cut the crap out of the front yard since I need to remove a bunch of scrubs and trees.
 
They are similar. Some like one more than the other. As far as toughness about the same. It really comes down to ergonomics of the handles, personalization (esee comes with micarta and better sheath at higher price, some don't want to pay a premium for accessories they plan on modding or replacing) and personal feelings of look and design. Either will do what you need and more.
 
You're going to have to be much more specific. What size? What function? What are you comparing?

Beckers and ESEEs have similar steel, similar warranties, similar performance, similar use cases and a similar lineup. The ESEE knives tend to have better sheaths, whereas the Becker knives tend to have a much lower cost. You won't hear me badmouthing ESEE knives, but I like Becker better - my best friend is just the opposite.

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Beckerhead #42
 
I own both, like both, and use both. ESEE definitely has the better OEM sheaths though.
 
Sheaths do not even play a part for me. Even the ESSE sheaths fall FAR short for what i like. Everybody likes something different when it comes to sheaths, so i think one that is barely adequate is best. No money wasted on something that you may not like anyways. Most are not willing to pay 2 or 3 times what the knife costs for a good sheath. Price point is important for many. & for sales as well.
 
I'm getting drawn to Beckers because how much there talked about on here. ESEE too, but $60 for the BK2 when a Recon scout is 115.. ooh, but then the ESEE warranty and you can get em' with the sharpened clip point if you want. A tough choice we will both have to make.
 
About the same. Pick the one you like best and you're good to go. The Izula 2 is tied for my favorite blade of all time. At the moment. :D
 
I feel like the actual blades are very comperable. The ESEE just comes with the "extras" already added, while the Becker doesn't to keep costs down.

The BK14 and the Izula compare well, as do the ESEE 4 and the BK16/17, the BK2 & ESEE 5 and finally the BK9 & Junglas.
 
As with most of us, you will probably end up with both (ESEE/Becker) at some point.
 
Can't go wrong with either brand. I use both ESEE and Becker. Pretty much comes down to user preference.
 
I think everyone need it here.....I have both brands... They are my favorites.....
Izula 2
Esee 3
Remora
Bk 16
Bk 7
Junglas
Kinda covers the basis..... But I am sure I will add more.
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The basic point as so correctly noted by previous posters is that both companies make really awesome knives. I have both, I use both, I love both, I will continue to be unable to stop purchasing more of both :D

The Beckers will cost less, but that's mostly because off the shelf they come with plastic handles and very simple sheaths. Most people are okay with the handles; many people HATE the sheaths (except the new Shorts line sheaths; very nice). The ESEE knives cost quite a bit more, but most come with micarta handles and pretty good plastic sheaths. The knives cost basically the same if you buy micarta handles and a kydex sheath for your Becker. ESEE has modular sheath systems that are really cool.

Both lines of knives are really well-made, absolutely dependable, and fun to use.

Both lines of knives are infinitely modifiable.

Both companies are headed up by designer/manufacturer teams that you can feel good about giving your money to.

Both lines are made in the USA.

Becker/KA-BAR and ESEE have great warranties... ESEE's is no-questions-asked, KA-BAR isn't quite there but still better than most.

Both lines of knives are well-designed. Most people tend to like the Becker handle shapes better, me included. I personally like the Becker pommel design much, much better than the ESEE's. I like the ESEE neck knives more, the Becker mid-size and large knives more.

Becker knives come black. ESEE sells a wide variety of colors, some of them awesomely ugly (I say this as a compliment).

There are a few niches only filled by one company or the other. ESEE makes a standard long machete that right now you can't buy a comparable Becker. Becker makes a pure chopper (the Machax, which in theory at least will be released any day now) that doesn't really have an ESEE equivalent (the ESEE Junglas is really a Becker BK9 analog) along with a demolition knife (the Bk3) which doesn't appear in the ESEE lineup. Note that Becker has several knives in the line that as of now have been discontinued and can only be found on Ebay for a lot of money.

Hope that helps.
 
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