BK-14/24 Warning!

Rebel Nimrod

Rebel Nimrod

Joined
Jan 23, 2014
Messages
740
Warning, do not get a 14/24 without also getting grips/scales! I ordered one of the sterile 24s (my first BK neck knife) and was immediately disappointed with shape of the handle, hard to pull from the tight sheath, didn't fit my hand very well and didn't seem very controllable. I quickly ordered a BK-11 to see if the more shapely profiled handle fit me better. Also went ahead and ordered the factory 24 handles to see if they could salvage the 24.

The 11 arrived and...........much better! I could get a much firmer grip and it was more usable to me 😃👍

What about the 24 scales you ask? Well I screwed them on with reservation and in grabbing the handle the heavens opened, Angels started singing and I had a vision of Ethan Becker's face beaming down and saying unto me "take now this 24 throughout the lands and share what you have learned with others and this knife w/scales will multiply upon the face of the earth!". That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Seriously, spend the $14 and get the scales, I think you will like them!
 
I def prefer the scales as well. I did fine for a long time with a good paracord wrap. I haven't tried the inner tube like Uncle E has on his 11 but I can see how the 11 is better than the 24 in that regard.

I made these leather scales and still use them on the 14.



Didn't like those 15 scales so I made a second set...
Much better...


And matched the 5 as well...



Back to the 14/24.

The wrap served very well and I really had no issues with it...




The only reason I upgraded is because I picked up a few that came with extra scales so I've since removed the wrap. After using with the scales, I do prefer them to the wrap. The small izula scales are OK, I have them on a 24, the factory black and orange are better IMO. No pics of the izula.


Love the micarta on the 11.


Another has wood which is nice as well but something about the micarta just feels a bit better


Gotta agree with the heavens opening. Seems to me that scales transform these from just a necker back up blade to a more functional knife that I can pocket carry if I can/want just one knife
 
Wow Slice, love all those cool mods and how you made all those knives "your's"! Another nice thing about the 14/24 factory scales is that they are not too thick and light weight so its still comfortable for neck wear. I didn't realize Mr. Becker had the inter tube on his 11, I'm happy with mine now, but will try that. Heck, who am I kidding, I'll eventually get the micarta too because all I hear is good things about them!
 
Scales do make a difference.

I like the grip and feel of paracord wrap but it can get funky.

I really like the 11, 14/24 and have to agree that scales do make a difference.

An enterprising person could make a cottage industry out of some cool grips for the 11, 14/24.
 
I like the paracord wrap myself. I love building friction fires and like the excuse to carry an extra 3 feet of paracord with me.

I have had to replace it a couple of times but I have been using this one cord wrapped for years now.

I have 3 feet of cord for carrying it around my neck and the 3 feet on the handle is just for emergency backup.

DSC03514_zpsutlfiqup.jpg


DSC03511_zpsfrtvbgto.jpg
 
Hmmm, I didn't have the experience you described with my first 14 when I got it. I did a paracord wrap with a fob that extended below the handle so I could fold it over and create a thicker grip when desired. Have a set of cocobolo handles I've been working on, off and on, for a bit, but not because of any issues with the knife, just because I wanted to try it out.

But I found even the bare, skeletonized handle to be useful and comfortable in a knife this size.

Semper Praesidio - "Always On Guard"
 
Maybe I was expecting too much and the sheath was very stiff to extract out of until it broke in a little bit, regardless...I am very happy now and recommend the scales highly! Other than the $14, so far I haven't found any disadvantages, I think that's a bargain. Some of the aftermarket scales look pretty good and appear to have some nice contouring, they are a good bit more expensive though and I wounder how much weight they would add.
 
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The sheaths are very tight at first but if you spend a evening in front of the TV inserting and removing it things will loosen up nicely.

Clark
BH# 244
 
Could just as easily be 'Warning, don't buy scales for BK 14/24 if you want a thin flat fixed blade.' I prefer the Izula II in that size if I'm gonna fatten it up with scales.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Yes, if flat is your primary concern of course no scales. I own an Izula II with scales and it can feel a little chunky when carried around the neck at times. Plus the Essee (and 11, 14) has the rough texture where the 24 is smooth, another factor to consider. Becker scales are thinner than the Essee's, so too thick isn't a problem to me. The new "safety" latch on the sheath is more of a thickness issue than the scales, I'm plan on removing mine. For my hands, if I wanted to go flat, the 11 would be my choice anyway.
 
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I could see the wrap working too! Would it get grimy in use though? Especially if working with game? Guess you can re-wrap it when it gets to that point easy enough.

cut it out, do you have any pics of yours you could share? I have enjoyed the photos everyone has posted in this thread so far, thanks guys!
 
I have got my cord wrap quite bloody processing fish and game and yes it will start to smell after a while. It is cheap and easy to replace though.
 
bearfacedkiller said:
I have got my cord wrap quite bloody processing fish and game and yes it will start to smell after a while. It is cheap and easy to replace though.
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Toothbrush and soap works for me. The scales are nice too. I do have both. No wood though. And I am starting to really like wood handled traditional pocket knives, but only own two (wood) so far.
 
NCSlice - really nice pics. We need to get together some time. But one question. NCSlice quote "...knife that I can pocket carry if I can/want just one knife." Really? Just one?
 




Totally agree about the scales. I put wood on mine. Also Got some factory orange and black ones I used for a while too.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
kenash said:
NCSlice - really nice pics. We need to get together some time. But one question. NCSlice quote "...knife that I can pocket carry if I can/want just one knife." Really? Just one?
Click to expand...

Yeah, in my pocket...
The other 4 or 5 might have to stay in the Jeep or work van lol. But yeah...at work the Mauser sheathed 11 rides in my pocket. Don't usually hip carry since I'm in a company uniform and dealing with the sheeples.
 
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