Becker Knife and tool

[Jpgohan]

I am looking for a good side knife and came across the BK10.

The New BK-10 CAMILLUS BECKER KNIFE & TOOL CREWMAN UTILITY KNIFE - Practical yet Portable. Survival knife expert Ethan Becker designed the aptly named “Crewman” for servicemen who need a smaller version of the Combat Utility-7, but are unwilling to sacrifice performance. Crafted from the same tough 0170-6C and utilizing the trademark Becker ergonomic handle, the 5.5” blade Crewman is the perfect fit for pilots, tankers, and other professionals working in cramped corners. It is a big knife in a small package with a stout .188” thick clip point blade and a built-in hammerhead tang for prying and striking. An OD kydex-lined propex nylon sheath is standard equipment.

Also is there other knives that anyone can recommend that I look at?

Thank You
JRP

 

[cerberus]

You cannot go wrong in that price range. If you have extra cash to go around, look into the Swamp Rat knives. I have a camp tramp which is an abasolute beast. If you need the bigger blade go with the battle rat. I have had every knife mentioned and none have ever failed me in any way. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

Then there is the Battle Mistress from Busse Combat. Step over to the Busse forum and join the maddness!


Cerberus

 

[Zip06]

I am having the same internal conflict as you. I need a knife but which one? I'm outdoors a lot, hike, camp and generally spend as much time as possible in National/State forests. The answer, I believe, lies in the definition of what you want the knife for. For example, do you need a chopper? How long a blade? I have read persuasive arguments for over six inch fixed blades and a couple of discussions about the attributes of just under five inches. Similarly, blade thickness and the range of options seems to run from the BK2 Companion which is described as a 5 inch prybar with an edge to the Mora 2000 which is sports a thin blade. Look at the products of the sponsors...all of them are excellent and the products reflect the fact that the answer to your question is not easy and probably will not be satisfied by just one blade.

 

[SALTY]

The Swamp rats certainly would be on my belt. Nothing against the Beckers however as they are good knives as well.

 

[RokJok]

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Originally posted by Zip06
The answer, I believe, lies in the definition of what you want the knife for. ...the answer to your question is not easy and probably will not be satisfied by just one blade.
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Zip's answer is on the mark. First define the job(s) you need the knife to do. That list of needs will direct your search toward an appropriate blade.

Since affordability is a need too, you will eventually determine the price window for your search. My personal recommendations in rising price windows for fixed blade knives are:
<$50 window:
- Frost Swedish Army model Mora knive (<$10 at Smokey Mtn Knife Works)
- Frost Boat Deck Mora models (stainless)
- any Frost Moras in hi-carbon steel if you're willing to keep rust in check
- Cold Steel Bushman or mini-Bushman
- Cold Steel SRK seconds (6", about $30) but definitely handle one first to insure you can live with the handle ergonomics
$50-$100 window:
- Swamp Rat Howling Rat or Bandicoot (both 4.5" blade)
- Becker BK7, BK9, BK10, or BK5 Magnum Camp if you can find one (they are discontinued)
- Spyderco Moran Featherweight models (4")
- Gerber Yari (more tactically oriented 4.75" blade)
- Cold Steel Recon Tanto (7") ditto handling as on SRK re: ergo's & be sure the limitations of the tanto point aren't show-stoppers for your needs
$100-$150 window:
- Swamp Rat Camp Tramp (7.5") or Battle Rat (9")
- Busse Basic 5, 7, or 9 if you can find one this cheap
- any other Busse knife you find for sale in this range
- any Bob Dozier knife if you can find one this cheap

Above about $150 you start finding customs where you can have your own parameters built into the knife. You might check for local makers to work with on getting just the knife you want.

One word of advice on getting a non-standard, non-commercial, or not-in-stock knife model, do NOT pay the entire price of your knife to the maker or vendor up front. Put down a deposit (maybe up to 25% of total price) when you order the knife and pay the balance upon delivery of the finished blade. If you pay the total price up front, you have no leverage and the maker/vendor has no motivation to keep the project moving if & when they start slipping delivery dates to you due to putting other projects ahead of yours or they have a show coming up & feel a perceived need to make/procure a few more knives to put on their table there.

The only reason I give this advice is that it's happened to me in the past and I've got a couple of paid-for blades with current indeterminate delivery dates. (Yes, I'm a slow learner. ) Both my orders are with well-respected makers of quality blades so I'll continue waiting, because I know the quality will be good when I DO get the knives.