Becker necker

S

sachmo7

Joined
Feb 7, 2010
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Hi all. I'm looking to purchase a Becker Necker to use as a dedicated neck knife.. My research has shown three different versions of this knife. The first and least expensive is the coated US made 1095 tool steel one, the second is made from San Mai and coated black also, the third is uncoated and also of San Mai construction.Both of these are made in Japan.The last version is the most attractive showing the wavy San Mai line between the carbon and stainless steel. It is also the most expensive version. I would be interested on any comments pro and con regarding these three knives which will be used in the field. I am interested in durability of course but most important is edge retention and cutting ability. It should be noted that the uncoated San Mai version is over double the price of the 1095 version.Thanks.
 
the san mai will likely have better edge retention, but will also be harder to sharpen.
I'd go with the 1095 if you just want a user. if you don't like the coating, you can always strip it off. With the coating on, rust isn't an issue.
If you really like the looks of the uncoated blade, and have room in the budget, then there's nothing wrong with spending the extra $$. If you don't have to have the shiny, pretty model, the money you save can go to other parts of your kit.
 
I dont believe there is a black coated san mai BK11. Just the ugly stainless/gray ripples version. I'd get the 1095 version (o wait I've already got one), because it has the better balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening.
 
I have the 1095 becker Necker, IMHO it's a good knife for the money. The only issues I have with it is that the handle is a bit short (I can only get three fingers on it at a time).

It's easy to sharpen to good razor edge, but it does not seem to hold the edge for long. don't know if its just because of the sheaths but all of my 1095 knives get dulled, (visibly so at the edge) just by taking them in and out of their sheath a couple of times. :mad:

If you do get it you should also take a look at the TDI belt clip. It's made to fit perfectly on the beckers sheath and gives you the option of clipping your knife to your belt, or to anywhere you want. :thumbup:

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Great neck knife. can't say I have had any complaints about the blade getting dull faster than usual. sold more than I can remember and never had a complaint and/or a return. I really like that belt clip instead of hanging the knife from my neck.
 
I love my becker necker, i carry it lashed to my belt with 550 chord, its performed all kinds of tasks from widening a camelbak port to accept a radio antenna to whittleing. i love 1095 steel, i think that it is among the top choices for cutlery. :thumbup:
 
I have the 1095 version and can't recommend it enough. As a small outdoor utility knife or an edc blade it really shines. Put it through the roughest use you can think of and it will bounce back for more.
 
GlockMonster30 said:
I have the 1095 version and can't recommend it enough. As a small outdoor utility knife or an edc blade it really shines. Put it through the roughest use you can think of and it will bounce back for more.
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i am with above poster on this one....
 
Thanks for the info guys. I think I will go with the 1095 version. As far as the black coated San Mai its on Cabellas web site. Maybe it was a special production run for them.
 
I'm pretty sure that both of the Becker Neckers 1095 and SanMai are made in that USA by KA-BAR. Also Becker is coming out with a Becker/ESEE knives collab basically a Becker Necker blade with a Izula handle. For your wrapping pleasure :p
 
Is there any advantage, or disadvantage, for the current 1095 version compared to the earlier BKT made by Camillus?
 
I've got the regular 1095 Ka-Bar one, and I'm quite happy with it. I stripped the blade and convexed it, it cuts much better now.

My only complaint is the sheath. It's a bit bulky and, while it holds the knife securely, it rattles a bit.

Sorry for the crappy pic.

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I seem to see this happen to mine too but I just keep sharpening it. It seems to just get dull in the sheath sometimes. I still love it because the edge comes back after a few strokes on the Sharpmaker and strop. The edge never gets beyond usability and I blame the sheath or sheath material more than the knife. I have had similar experiences with Kydex but not as bad.

BryFry said:
It's easy to sharpen to good razor edge, but it does not seem to hold the edge for long. don't know if its just because of the sheaths but all of my 1095 knives get dulled, (visibly so at the edge) just by taking them in and out of their sheath a couple of times[/IMG]
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Reeek said:
I seem to see this happen to mine too but I just keep sharpening it. It seems to just get dull in the sheath sometimes. I still love it because the edge comes back after a few strokes on the Sharpmaker and strop. The edge never gets beyond usability and I blame the sheath or sheath material more than the knife. I have had sinilar experiences with Kydex but not as bad.
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Glad I'm not the only one!

Funny the same thing happens to my Ka-Bar USMC knife, and it has a soft leather sheath!

Oh well, like you said at least they are easy to re-sharpen. :)
 
Yea, the sheath seems to be a problem sometimes. I've sharpened my Necker to scalpel like sharpness (sliced through paper like hot butter), couple times in and out of the sheath... not anymore. Gunna get a custom sheath one of these days. especially when the Becker/RAT collab comes out.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Yea, the sheath seems to be a problem sometimes. I've sharpened my Necker to scalpel like sharpness (sliced through paper like hot butter), couple times in and out of the sheath... not anymore. Gunna get a custom sheath one of these days. especially when the Becker/RAT collab comes out.
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I'm on the Becker/RAT collab too ;)
 
I bought the Necker so that I could make sheaths for it, for my customers....

sheath-bk11colors02.jpg


And it sho' 'nuff sturdy!

I would like to see the new version, with the ESEE handle.

Until then,
Marion
 
Has the problem with the sheaths dulling the knives been addressed and fixed by the factory?

If not, is there an easy fix for the do-it-yourself person?

Im thinkinig of getting one!
 
ricklee4570 said:
Has the problem with the sheaths dulling the knives been addressed and fixed by the factory?

If not, is there an easy fix for the do-it-yourself person?
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Yeah, ..learn how to sharpen and expect to do it alot! :)

I don't think anything has been changed on the factories end. These are great knives for the money and do take a beating. You just have to touch them up alot if you want to keep a shaving edge on them is all. :thumbup:
 
I think they are working on a fix but it's not there yet. Easy fix - I cut a small bit off an old bicycle inner tube and glued that in the throat of the sheath. No more rattle - as a deer hunter, that's a big deal to me.
 
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