Becker vs ESEE

I own a BK9 and a Junglas & they are both great tools. One thing I will say - for my own personal preference I had to have a special kydex sheath made and add micarta slabs to the BK9 to bring it up to the Junglas level. The Junglas sheath is fantastic right out of the box. I am delighted with both, it just took a bit more spend to get the BK9 where I wanted it.
 
I also have both Becker & ESEE knives and think both are good. With the Beckers you pay less, but if you want the Micarta scales and Kydex sheath then you pay more for those and end up with something similar to ESEE for a similar price. If you are happy with the grivory scales and leather sheath then Becker are cheaper.

At the top of my 'want' list is the ESEE Lite Machete - that's one that Becker doesn't make an equivalent of.

The 1095 CroVan that KA-BAR use to make the Beckers may be slightly better than the standard 1095 that ESEE use, but I seriously doubt the ability of anyone here to tell the difference in real world usage - especially with Rowan's good heat treat on ESEE blades.

I would recommend the OP buy an ESEE knife to try out the kydex sheath & micarta scales - I can't see you regretting gaining some experience with ESEE. Like Becker they make some real nice knives that are a pleasure to own. There is nothing to say that you can't own knives from different manufacturers.
 
BK2 - ESEE5

Both are good knives

BK2 has a little amount of storage in the handles, sort of like the HEST
BK2 has a straight spine, ESEE5 has a couple degree slight drop from the handle
ESEE5 has an exposed pointed (glass breaker) pommel, BK2 has a profiled tip to the handle
BK2 = flat grind, ESEE5 = sabre grind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grind

You can find BK2s for about $60, ESEE5s for about $100

As mentioned about the BK2
You can get different slabs
You can get different sheaths

They are very similar otherwise

Warranty:
ESEE - "No Questions Asked Warranty. If you screw it up, break it, or cut it in two with a cutting torch, send it back and we'll replace it. Warranty is transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away. We don't ask for a sales receipt, date of purchase or where you bought the knife - No fine print and no hassles. If you have a problem, contact us. "

KaBar - "KA-BAR Knives, Inc. (the “Company”) warrants, to the original purchaser of the knife only, that this knife will be free from defects in material and craftsmanship under normal use and maintenance for the lifetime of the original purchaser. This Limited Warranty does not apply to any failure of, defect in, or damage to the knife caused by normal wear and tear or by improper use, including throwing the knife, using the blades as a can opener, chisel, pry bar, screwdriver, digging tool, or for any heavy work for which the knife was not designed."
 
I dunno. I have a BK-2 on a wish list at one of the discount internet places. It's been on there for a while. I'm somewhat interested also in the BK-7.

After seeing this thread and going over to their forum (which I didn't even realize existed until I read this thread), I'm probably going to stick with ESEE. I was intrigued by those two Beckers, but the Becker forum seems like BK&T's own worst enemy. People talking about problems with sheaths dulling edges (which seems ludicrous to me, plastic dulling the edge of a knife), limited availability of micarta scales an their expense, etc.

For the price of a BK-2 with added micarta scales, you can get an ESEE-5, from what I've seen. And I'm not really buying that 1095CV is any better than ESEE's 1095 (if it is actually a different alloy anyway).

Not to pan Becker per se, since I don't own one. But a lot can be said about a product by what is written on a forum like this and theirs. The forums read like ESEE is a better knife system.
 
People talking about problems with sheaths dulling edges (which seems ludicrous to me, plastic dulling the edge of a knife),

I haven't noticed that with my BK9...but it's actually my main complaint about my short Ka-Bar... For a while I thought the steel was bad because it wouldn't keep a razor edge...But then I noticed it's very easy to rub the blade on the plastic sheath...it's very tough/hard plastic...I suspect it's rolling the edge.
 
That's what people are saying is the problem with the Becker sheaths. Or, maybe not all of them, but there were several people that mentioned it, perhaps all in one thread.

Just how fine does the edge need to be for plastic to roll the edge, though?! I mean, I've never found plastic tougher than kydex, except for maybe the true "bakelite" plastic, and I drag edges on kydex all the time. Shaving edges. And they still shave. Including ESEE's. Heck, I've dragged alloy edges against bone and they still shaved.

I'm sure Becker sheaths aren't made of bakelite. Or I'd certainly hope not.

I was truly disappointed in some of the things I read over there. I'm sure the Beckers are good knives, but the system sounds off, and no hint of correction in sight (other than making your own sheaths, or paying for a custom).
 
That's what people are saying is the problem with the Becker sheaths. Or, maybe not all of them, but there were several people that mentioned it, perhaps all in one thread.

Just how fine does the edge need to be for plastic to roll the edge, though?! I mean, I've never found plastic tougher than kydex, except for maybe the true "bakelite" plastic, and I drag edges on kydex all the time. Shaving edges. And they still shave. Including ESEE's. Heck, I've dragged alloy edges against bone and they still shaved.

I'm sure Becker sheaths aren't made of bakelite. Or I'd certainly hope not.

I was truly disappointed in some of the things I read over there. I'm sure the Beckers are good knives, but the system sounds off, and no hint of correction in sight (other than making your own sheaths, or paying for a custom).

I think you've missed about 99.9 percent of what happened, and focused on one thing. Easy to do when it's right in front of you, as in a prominent thread.

A few (very few out of all the thousands of people who own the BK-2 — the knife/sheath combo in question) people complained that the sheath was dulling their blade (I don't see how it could, but if they said it did, then I'll accept that). As soon as Toooj (Paul Tsujimoto: head engineer and quality man at KA-BAR) caught wind of it, he simply said "send it back so we can find out why it's doing that, and we'll send you a new sheath, knife, or both, to fix the problem." The fact is that 99.9 percent of the knives sold don't have that problem, and the few that did were fixed or replaced.

That seems pretty easy to me, and Toooj is examining the sheaths in question to fix the problem in the future.

Your comment about "no hint of correction in sight (other than making your own sheaths, or paying for a custom)" seems a little off base to me.:D

KA-BAR puts out a very high quality product in the Becker line of knives (their others, too, of course), and works hard to make sure any problems — which can occur with any manufacturer — get fixed, period.
 
KA-BAR puts out a very high quality product in the Becker line of knives (their others, too, of course), and works hard to make sure any problems — which can occur with any manufacturer — get fixed, period.

I was following that thread, and I can say I agree with this 100%. Becker (Ka-bar) stands behind these 100%, and if something is not right, they will fix the problem for you.
 
I've been known to wear a BK9 on my right hip while wearing an RC4 on my left. It's all good!

Heber
 
I love both companies and use both products. Can't go wrong with either of them. :thumbup:
 
I think you've missed about 99.9 percent of what happened, and focused on one thing. Easy to do when it's right in front of you, as in a prominent thread.

I did miss most of what happened. And I'm glad you pointed it out and corrected me. Maybe I'll get on o' those Beckers yet. :)
 
I like big knives. The Becker BK9 fits my hand better than the Junglas and after putting on the micarta scales, the BK9 becomes pretty sporty, although the Junglas sheath is vastly superior while clearly adding to the cost.
 
I like big knives. The Becker BK9 fits my hand better than the Junglas and after putting on the micarta scales, the BK9 becomes pretty sporty, although the Junglas sheath is vastly superior while clearly adding to the cost.

I do like the looks of the Junglas, though. If it only had the Becker grips...
 
I do like the looks of the Junglas, though. If it only had the Becker grips...

Hiya dawsonbob.

Interestingly enough, the grips are one of the things I don't like about the newer Beckers (KaBar and Camillus). My favourite knife of all time is a Becker Machax (made in Cincinatti) and the grips, while the same shape, are made out of a different material, and feel vastly better than the current offerings.

As to the original topic, I have both Becker and R.A.T. (don't have an ESEE knife yet, but I like the 6 and Junglas, and who knows, maybe one day I'll have some money, again :o ) and they are all quality pieces.

BTW, rockspyder, Jeff Randall did a review in Tactical Knives of the BK-2 and he gave it great marks.

Doc
 
I find the ESEE sheaths to be a little better as well IMO.

Scale to blade fit is better, scale material is better, ESEE warranty and customer service (not just "you get a new knife" but the manner you are cared for as a customer) can not be beaten for the money IMO.
 
Hiya dawsonbob.

Interestingly enough, the grips are one of the things I don't like about the newer Beckers (KaBar and Camillus). My favourite knife of all time is a Becker Machax (made in Cincinatti) and the grips, while the same shape, are made out of a different material, and feel vastly better than the current offerings.

As to the original topic, I have both Becker and R.A.T. (don't have an ESEE knife yet, but I like the 6 and Junglas, and who knows, maybe one day I'll have some money, again :o ) and they are all quality pieces.

BTW, rockspyder, Jeff Randall did a review in Tactical Knives of the BK-2 and he gave it great marks.

Doc

Hi, Doc.

I love the Becker grips — they fit my hand like no other.

Just FYI, the Machax is going to be manufactured again, so you can try the new one, too. Don't ask me when, though (probably before my Becker folder hits the market :D).
 
Ford vs Chevy both are great. I Don't need two SUVs but I do need beckers and esees. That's why I have both!
 
Just FYI, the Machax is going to be manufactured again, so you can try the new one, too. Don't ask me when, though (probably before my Becker folder hits the market :D).

Don't give up hope on the folder! You know we all want one ;)

As for the Machax.. I really hope I can wait for this to come out. Been wanting one ever since I first saw one in person. A great blade.
 
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