Becker For an Expedition....

okay only one becker???

I'd bring the bk9, and my jeep :D

ETA: Seriously though you guys can say all you want about this woos but there's no way I'd be out in that jungle with gorillas on an extended stay, overnight is even highly unlikely with me and there would be NO sleep...

my wife been to cote d'ivoire africa and was there for a week or so I believe on a missions trip years back, and they have rats the size of large cats out there.. monkeys, gorillas, mamba, no way buddy.....

and BK doesn't make a machete so I'd just bring a small becker I suppose :), and I'd have an assortment of firearms no doubt.. each person would have to divide up their packs, 3 bring camp, 3 bring water/food, and 6 bring GUNS !!! :D
 
Last edited:
Machax- For hacking and choppin (and some fine or draw work )
Phat Bob- Skinning and smaller tasks
Head lamp
Extra Pair of dry socks
Hammock
Slingshot for smaller game (unlimited ammo)
Lever action rifle..... dont know much about guns :)
 
I really like BK5, it has the right balance and shape between the heavy and tough BK2 and the bigger brother BK7 &9. I live in UK so no idea on guns, I remember when I was a child my late father always had his side by side shotgun and a .38 when we went camping.
 
Two words: heavy jungle. The Machax is the ultimate woodsman's knife, and the closest thing in the Becker line to a machete.

Moosez45 said:
Why the Machax? What attributes does it bring that makes it your first choice?

Moose
Click to expand...
 
I would suggest a BK2 for tough jobs and a tweener (15,16,17) for evrything else! I would also suggest a squirt bottle of "lioness in heat" to well soak your buddy..... when the time comes.
As for a rifle--if you want some short range drop them now power--I'd go with a 4570 and some Buffalo Bores!! It will stop ANYTHING on the planet in probably 1 shot! maybe a large bore revolver.
 
These threads are always interesting, hopefully a Ratpacker can play:) First, I don't have a Becker, but would take my ESEE 6 if limited to what I own, which I believe would translate to the BK 7. So BK 7 it is. Being thick jungle and since the 7 would handle many heavy tasks, I believe I would choose a light weight machete in the 18" blade range. We don't know what sort of expedition this is, but I imagine Moose doesn't mean taking out a rebel camp, so I'm thinking it's exploration. I would normally want a rifle. I would lean towards the already mentioned scout type. I have a Remington 660 in .308, which is pretty much the original base model, so it should serve my needs. It is very compact and light, and hits hard enough to deter a leopard if used properly. Being jungle, I don't think the other Big Five are too much of a threat. I have to qualify this by saying I've never been to africa. All that said, I may not even take a rifle, as jungle is thick and doesn't give a lot of opportunity for anything but close shots. I have a beautiful custom Ruger Redhawk by Dave Clements. It handles .44 mag. 320 grain loads very well and just looks cool;). It would allow me to take game out to what I would believe are realistic jungle distances and packs enough punch to anchor very large game in an emergency. As weight is an issue, a small and very light .22 pistol or revolver might also be worth packing for taking small game and dispatching snakes. As for the gear which would actually be used more, I don't know. Water purifiers aren't near as fun to discuss as knives and guns! I'm absolutely sure someone who has been in the jungle would tell all of us how wrong we are, but it's interesting anyway. Thanks.

Here's a pic of the Redhawk and my then new ESEE 4.
M-43ESEERedhawk008.jpg
 
3-4 weeks?? Hmmmm....

Maxpedition Vulture 2, hammock, bug net, tarp (catches water in a pinch), klean kanteens (double as cookpots), katadyn filter, small med kit, firesteels, damn good pair of boots and some extra sockys, a hat, paracord, diamond hone, compass and map. Pretty much what I carry everywhere already.
Arms - Ruger super redhawk alaskan 44mag for up close and personal, You really do not want to piss a gorilla, that can literally rip your arms off of you, off with a glock or somesuch. 45-70 lever gun since it's a heavy jungle environment, short and should knock down most anything your likely to encounter. Which is pretty likely.

One Becker? that's tough, but considering the environment and critters you would likely have to deal with I would take my RBK. It's light for its size and makes quick work of clearing paths, camp chores, slithering slimy snakes and makes one heck of a weapon on its own if needed.
If it has to be a current model for the scenario, then the BK-4. The BK-9 does chop a little better overall but I find I can chop a lot longer with the 4. Plus I don't plan on building huts or shelters but more likely to be clearing paths, vines and the like which the 4 excels at.

And I'm sleeping up in the trees, way up, with the bug net tied on both ends.
 
Wow that sounds like a great trip, a real adventure!! Have fun there. I think many of us, like me, would appreciate to share that experience.

The BK7 (with stainless nyloc nut) would be my choice next to a Mora and large SAK/multi-tool. For bush-clearing I recommend a cheap decent machete, something like a Tramontina, Condor or Ontario. Perhaps the locals can recommend a local tool company that makes good stuff. They will know for sure what to use and buy. (do bring a sheet of course sandpaper to trim the handle). By traveling in a group you mostly walk one path, not everyone will need a heavy machete.

Tools with multiple uses will be recommended. Keep the weight of your pack down to carry extra water. You will need it; depending on terrain, climate and season.

Staying healthy is of greater importance than the spare gear. This step start’s months before takeoff. Visits your doctor and dentist for a checkup, enjoy all recommended vaccination, prepaid a well thought out first-aid-kit, work your fitness & outdoor skills, prepare all your gear with attention to failure, read travel reports/reviews of the area and enjoy of the beautiful things to come!

I have lil knowledge about guns. Light weight, reliability and multi-uses in one package just comes in mind. Army- specs, something that can hit at long-range and still be useful in critter self-defense.

And off course:
- visa & travel documents
- mosquito & malaria prevention
- study local gun law
- navigation, radio and sat-phone (backup plan)
- multiple ways of water purification



Have you though about writing a gear review when you return? It would be great to read how the knives, especially the BK7, will perform in a trip like this.

What kind of terrain and climate is the destination?
 
Last edited:
I would use my current hammock although I would throw a wool blanket underneath. It's a GI jungle hammock so it has the netting and roof for rain already. I would also bring a tarp.

As for beckers I'd have my 13 on my neck, and I'd be carrying a 7.

As for arms, I'd be carrying my grandfather's old FN over-under. It was MADE for it. It was a 22LR on top and a 12ga on bottom.

Would it be walking only or would vehicles be around? I would be carrying probably 2 canteens of water, along with more purifying tabs.

I'd make sure I had a compass along with a topo map of the area I was going to. I'd make sure I had a fire steel, and a honing steel or strop of some sort. Plenty of deodorant and good boots.
 
My BK9 is the winner here, it will do anything I need it to.
My Glock 21 with 50 rounds
and either my FN FAL or one of my trusty 30-30 lever guns
firesteel, and a small survival kit I carry
 
Sam Hell said:
Bk-9 and bk-14 and canteen and cup along with Under Armor underoos to keep me chafe free.
8b32942f.jpg
Click to expand...

Gentlemen, I believe that you have (or maybe have) an idea about knives but as far as Africa is concerned (even Central Africa) you have to learn a lot….
I have read many ideas without a knowledge. It is ridiculous to say somebody “in Africa with a .22 rifle….”. Somebody else (Monoflectch) is insisting that a lever action buffalo rifle is enough…..
I found anyway some exceptions, of course, from “Kabarcamper”, “Ospreybucks” with the confession: … kon’t know much about guns.
Somebody else (jdk1) is insisting that only leopard is a possible threat (in his words: …, I don't think the other Big Five are too much of a threat).
Only one gentleman (.357) reported that a heavy rifle is necessary - indicating the .375 caliber as a proper one.
Please mention that Africa is a special and peculiar place. African game and animals are not pheasants of American antelopes, but (some of them) the toughest in the world!
I would like to propose and suggest that you (gentlemen) have to read some books or to hear some opinions of other people, more experienced than you.
For example there is a book from the late American writer Robert Ruark “Use enough gun” speaking about African hunting and environment. The title of the book speaks alone.
Also you have to find the late Elmer Keith’s (a famous American gun writer) book: “Keith’s rifles for large game” or Graig Boddington’s “Safari Rifles”. And you have to know that Safari = Journey/Trip in Kiswahili language…… not – necessarily – the African hunting.
 
hunter55 said:
Gentlemen, I believe that you have (or maybe have) an idea about knives but as far as Africa is concerned (even Central Africa) you have to learn a lot….
I have read many ideas without a knowledge. It is ridiculous to say somebody “in Africa with a .22 rifle….”. Somebody else (Monoflectch) is insisting that a lever action buffalo rifle is enough…..
I found anyway some exceptions, of course, from “Kabarcamper”, “Ospreybucks” with the confession: … kon’t know much about guns.
Somebody else (jdk1) is insisting that only leopard is a possible threat (in his words: …, I don't think the other Big Five are too much of a threat).
Only one gentleman (.357) reported that a heavy rifle is necessary - indicating the .375 caliber as a proper one.
Please mention that Africa is a special and peculiar place. African game and animals are not pheasants of American antelopes, but (some of them) the toughest in the world!
I would like to propose and suggest that you (gentlemen) have to read some books or to hear some opinions of other people, more experienced than you.
For example there is a book from the late American writer Robert Ruark “Use enough gun” speaking about African hunting and environment. The title of the book speaks alone.
Also you have to find the late Elmer Keith’s (a famous American gun writer) book: “Keith’s rifles for large game” or Graig Boddington’s “Safari Rifles”. And you have to know that Safari = Journey/Trip in Kiswahili language…… not – necessarily – the African hunting.
Click to expand...
I did not throw down a whole list including guns because i have better things to do then cut/paste quotes off the internet to show how smart i supposedly am....ok Hemingway?? Alright??? I merely put a handful of items that would be on the top of my suggested list....this i why i dont even bother posting anything up on here anymore because some knowitall newbie to the woods mall ninja types who have watched a survival lesson or 2 on boobtube think they have to be the bigger and badder person and use people as an example and make people out to be ignorant... I have hunted big game and have done some pretty miraculous things in my life and im pretty dang sure others have done the same who occasionally get on here to shoot the sh**. There are a lot of people on here who dont need to say everything or include everything bevause we have better things to do then impress people...this was a what if question by the moderator and it was done for the sake of having a little fun.
8b32942f.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have not replied specifically to Sam Hell. I am sorry Sam Hell and excuse me.
My reply was referring to all the contributors in the specific thread. I have read some strange opinions as well I found some right opinions - exceptions in the whole package and for that reason I decided to write something. I have hunted big game in Africa, sometimes, and I know what I am saying / proposing to others. At least I am not trying to "show how smart I supposedly am"...
 
Yellow Fever innoculation. Go mine.
And you guys call yourselves preppers? *sheesh*

Id take my 5 cause that's what I've got, plus a smaller knife of my own.
Guns? My .30-30 with a couple boxes of 180gr handloads, cause that's the biggest I've got. Besides, the biggest game animals are generally illegal to shoot without spendy permits. At least its short, fast, and reasonably light. Pistol? My .357 blackhawk is an easy to feed and maintain fav, but heavy. Maybe that stays at home in favor of more rifle ammo.
 
The contributors on this forum are soldiers, woodsmen, adventurers, as well as fishermen and big hame hunters....we all have our own way of doing things, this sets us apart from the rest of the masses, and we may all use different gear to what we see fit and for what occasion. There are even some of us who have enough skills and talent to just get by with a single knife and nothing else.
8b32942f.jpg
 
I would have to go with my BK9, a Henry Big Boy in .44 mag and ........hmmm idk maybe some bacon too! :D
 
Becker ? For the jungle ? My RBK of course. Carbine? ....Hmmmmm I am leaning towards http://www.rossiusa.com/product-details.cfm?id=190&category=15&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=
Because of the size of some of the game in Africa I might have to bring along something larger to really cover my bases, but I'm not an expert there.
I think 45 long colt to 3 inch 410 magnum slugs or buckshot would cover most of my bases. Its short, light accurate, and versatile. Ammo isn't particularly large or heavy either.
I am sure someone who knows better can tell me that I need a .340 or .460 Weatherby Magnum or something, but my understanding is that 45-70 and 45 long colt are both very effective even on large predatory game, and having 5 shots rapidly available has its benefits. I will defer to the experts though. Its fun to think about, might be more or less fun to actually execute.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top