Becker Knives....Do You Like Them??

[newknife]

Like I said, I don't see the fascination with them, especially the handles. The black handles don't seem to offer much grip and they seem a little to wide.

 

[cpurcell]

Newknife, the handles are wide. They won't work for everything, however for people with large hands, they fit great. One of the best qualities in regard to the beckers are the construction and blade steel. If you need different scales, you can make them, or commission someone from here to do so. There are plenty of benders on here that make custom scales or mod the blades. Ending up with a quality knife that will last is all about what you started with. And starting with a Becker to mod, means ending up with quality product

 

[newknife]

Newknife, the handles are wide. They won't work for everything, however for people with large hands, they fit great. One of the best qualities in regard to the beckers are the construction and blade steel. If you need different scales, you can make them, or commission someone from here to do so. There are plenty of benders on here that make custom scales or mod the blades. Ending up with a quality knife that will last is all about what you started with. And starting with a Becker to mod, means ending up with quality product

I'm sure they work well for people with large hands. However, even if you have large hands the handles don't seem like they'd offer much grip if they got wet or bloody.

I'd love to know how to make different scales. Hopefully one day....

 

[GingivitisKahn]

Yep. They're fantastic.

Really, it's too big for a neck knife. I got the belt clip for mine.

I EDC my necker all the time. After market sheath makes that even more convenient.

I'm sure they work well for people with large hands. However, even if you have large hands the handles don't seem like they'd offer much grip if they got wet or bloody.

I can see where you'd get that impression - they *look* slippy... but they aren't. If anything, they feel a bit grippier when your hands are wet - no idea why but they do.

The stock handles are super comfortable but for people that prefer micarta - it's out there and easy / relatively inexpensive to buy.
---

Beckerhead #42

 

[Chameleonbear]

I EDC my 14(Necker with Esee handle) with the Zytel scales. IF that is too big for you, try the Remora(13) it will easily drop into your key pocket on your jeans. I actually started keeping it in my wallet. It fits perfect in the billfold.

As for large blades, I have the 10 and the 5. IF you are looking for something for camp duty including cooking, I'd recommend the 5 as it will be cheaper and easier to get a hold of, along with being plenty stout for whatever you need to do. I do LOVE my 10, it is a great knife. I need to do a little sanding on it as there is some surface rust but it is NBD to get off.

If you are looking at the tweeners (15, 16, 17) They ALL are great knives. If you are looking for kitchen/food prep the 15 is the way to go. It's the baby 5. The 16 is great for bushcrafting, it's a sturdy enough size and metal that I've seen it batoned into wood then twisted to break it apart (Understand this is NOT generally an acceptable practice for splitting wood.) The 17, I had to get cause it just reminds me of a fixed Buck 110 that my grandpa left for me when he died. I'm in the process of modding it to look like the 110 actually.

 

[Blunt Forged Edge]

As for large blades, I have the 10 and the 5. IF you are looking for something for camp duty including cooking, I'd recommend the 5 as it will be cheaper and easier to get a hold of, along with being plenty stout for whatever you need to do.

Here's a video on that BK-5 Magnum Camp and it's uses featuring Ethan Becker and Jerry Fisk.

[video=youtube;p0RHtnkagz0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0RHtnkagz0[/video]

 

[DougB2]

Newknife, the stock BK-7 grips worked fine for me when my hands were wet or sweaty (never got lots of blood on mine). But, I have large hands and the large grips fit me just fine. Having said that, I've made micarta scales for my 7 as well as for my DivTul and my BK-2 just because I like the feel of micarta more than the stock grips.

Freedom of choice...

 

[newknife]

Newknife, the stock BK-7 grips worked fine for me when my hands were wet or sweaty (never got lots of blood on mine). But, I have large hands and the large grips fit me just fine. Having said that, I've made micarta scales for my 7 as well as for my DivTul and my BK-2 just because I like the feel of micarta more than the stock grips.

Freedom of choice...

Where can I learn to make handles? Any good online resources?

 

[Psyop]

I like them quite a bit.

 

[TwinStick]

They are well made knives and very popular. Most folks think they are underpriced for what you get. Great warranty and a great community.

They go a little counter to some of my preferences in a knife, but right with them in others. Regardless of the nit-picky things I'd change about them I'd be happy to carry and use anything with the Becker name on it, and think they represent an excellent value.

I'm sure kabar does make a profit thats what they are in business for after all. Taking that as a given, for a knife in the 50 to 100 dollar range they deliver excellent quality and good ergos. Yeah they could use micarta or better sheaths but then the price shoots up fast and the grivory and sheaths they come with are very useable. If you want to spend a bit more get a swamp rat or scrapyard or esee. If you want to spend more the options are pretty much limited by your imagination and wallet.

So yeah I think they are a bargin.

All of these things and more.

My Beckers: BK2-BK4-BK5-BK7-BK9-BK10-BK11's-BK13's-BK14-BK15-BK16's-BK17. As for the OP of this thread, i strongly suggest a BK5-BK15 combo, for your purposes. BK7 would be good as well.

 

[ocnLogan]

Its always going to be personal preference about if you "like" them or not, but I doubt that you would find anyone around here that would say that Beckers are not good quality steel with a solid reputation and warranty. I think that says quite a bit about them.

I can say that personally I've never had a problem with the handles being slippery, but then again, I've never had the handles soaked in blood (i'm no hunter). They seem to me the perfect blend of traction and comfort. I've never gotten a blister from a Becker, and I've used them for upwards of 2 hrs at a time chopping, batoning and carving which also says a lot to me. I have medium - large hands, and I love the full size beckers handles. I actually needed to add liners to my BK9 to make it feel as good in my hand as my BK2. The BK17 I held felt a bit small to me in hand, but once I added liners to it it helped quite a bit.

The best part with them is that you can give it a try, see if you like it. If you don't, they hold their value pretty well .

Good luck man.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

While there are a few small things I'd change about the line if I were able, the handles are quite comfortable, even for folks like me who have small hands.

 

[DougB2]

Where can I learn to make handles? Any good online resources?

I'm sure there are many out there, the only one I know of immediately is at North Coasts Knives (http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_tutorials_fulltang.htm). For something functional and not too bad looking, I just removed the scales from my knife, got some micarta, and went to the garage. Sandpaper, files, drill or drill press, and a filter mask, and I was in business.

This is my BK-7 and my first micarta scales.

These pictures are my Becker DivTul, with my own scales. Not tough, just have to take your time when getting started.

Good luck!

 

[22-rimfire]

I just ordered a BK-2. I want to try one out. It's a shame I have to spend $70 to try one out.

 

[Guyon]

Yes.

 

[mitch_mckee]

Yes.

You are obviously obsessive-compulsive, but I can relate!!!

 

[pillowhead9]

I have done the same with my BK11 as I have with my BK2. Great knives!

 

[JustAFleshWound]

Yeah, they're okay I guess...

 

[22-rimfire]

What is that mystery meat?

Guyon, that was a pretty apt response to my buying a single BK-2 to try out. I should have it tomorrow.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Yes.

I hope they rerelease that kukri model. I'm not normally a fan of kuks for my uses (though I appreciate them) but Becker nailed it with that profile. I'm not 100% sure of the name of that style, though.