BK-16 quality

[fatherhudson]

So my very first becker came in the mail today and i'm not sure what to think. My first impression was that it looks a lot handsomer than it did in the pics. I thought it was just going to be bare bones ugly utility but it's actually bare bones pretty utility. The sheath, on the other hand, is just as ugly as it looked in the pics. Way too bulky and militaristic looking for my taste. But my real problem with the knife is the edge. It's dull as a butter knife (can't even slice card stock cleanly) with an edge angle somewhere around 25-30 degrees a side (or more?). I'm in the process of reprofiling it to ~17.5 degrees with my sharpmaker but it's taking forever (especially the tip which looks like it barely touched a grinder). I also have to say that it's the roughest grind i've ever seen (as in it was sharpened at an extremely low grit). Is this what you get when you buy a becker or am i an exception? I expect at least a working edge from a $60-70 knife. Gotta say i'm still in love with the knife though.

 

[Moosez45]

I think you might have gotten a rough one.

Mine have all been hair cutting sharp, not, popping, but it will take hair.

So far, through my store and my personal endeavors, I've had my hands on probably about 80 of them, from proto's to one's made last week. Some have less than razor edges, others, are sharp as hell.

That sharpmaker will eventually do the job, but its gonna take some time, and be careful with that tip, Sharpmaker reprofiles have claimed more than one point in their day.

I threw a 40 degree inclusive on my BK16FFG two days ago, took me about 15mins.

Sorry to hear that you got a dull one, but no, its no the norm from Kabar.

If you are unhappy feel free to contact Kabar, or me, and you will be taken care of. One way or another.

Moose

 

[Chameleonbear]

When making thousands of knives, every once in a while one will slip through the cracks. You are definitely an exception as well.

Most of my Beckers while not showing up "hair whittling" sharp will DEFINITELY cut, and are definitely sharp. I've been nibbled on plenty of times.

 

[cjr7]

I have never received a Ka-Bar that wasn't sharp enough to shave hair. I have been super impressed by this because I have received some pretty dull knives from other makers that were far more expensive.

 

[Level headed]

"Gotta say i'm still in love with the knife though." you saved yourself there! sorry about the knife

 

[fatherhudson]

I probably should have mentioned this in the original post but i bought the knife off the exchange as 'new in box'. I've bought stuff from the same guy before and it's been good but i guess he could have been testing it on car doors or something? 'cept the blade looks new. I can't think of much that would dull it so completely but leave it looking good. FYI i've got some aftermarket stones for my sharpmaker so it shouldn't take that long to get it sharp. I could send it to richard j (or the kindly moosez) but it's probably better to just sit down for 45 minutes and do it myself after I get in a little more whining on the forums

If you are unhappy feel free to contact Kabar, or me, and you will be taken care of. One way or another.

Moose

Thanks for the offer!

 

[Moosez45]

I probably should have mentioned this in the original post but i bought the knife off the exchange as 'new in box'. I've bought stuff from the same guy before and it's been good but i guess he could have been testing it on car doors or something? 'cept the blade looks new. I can't think of much that would dull it so completely but leave it looking good. FYI i've got some aftermarket stones for my sharpmaker so it shouldn't take that long to get it sharp. I could send it to richard j (or the kindly moosez) but it's probably better to just sit down for 45 minutes and do it myself after I get in a little more whining on the forums




Thanks for the offer!

You're not whining, you have a legit complaint. You paid for a knife, and it should be sharp out of the box. I don't think there is anything that you can cut that would dull it and leave the finish intact. More than likely, the person edging it, was having an off day, or just plain old screwed up.

Just watch that tip on the Sharpmaker though, I've seen some butter knives come off that thing.

Moose

 

[RogueBowie]

I've received Benchmades, Kershaw's, and other Ka-Bar models before which have had dissapointing edges (still no dull Spydercos, I'm either lucky with them or their final sharpening stage of production is on tight lockdown) it just happens once in awhile. I will continue to buy from those companies because 90% of the time they show up hair popping sharp, once in awhile an off one just slips out of the factory. If you're going to own knives you're going to have to know how to sharpen them yourself anyways (or live near a cutlery store that has cheap sharpening services).

Sound like you didn't let that ruin the knife for your which is a wise choise IMO, cheers and enjoy the new blade!

 

[ahmukilu]

I had the same issue with my bk16. Thing was dull all hell but I used my friend's gatco and it made quick work of the crappy edge

 

[fatherhudson]

I seem to remember a few people on youtube saying the same thing about the tweeners edges. Not that a couple youtube videos is a good representative sample.

I got the knife with the intention of just trying it out to see if it did it for me and damm does it ever. I'm gonna invest in a new sheath pretty soon and when i have the money i'd like to get some nice wooden scales for it. I think it strikes the perfect balance between good functional quality and still being inexpensive enough for someone like me to use it hard.

 

[TwinStick]

We all need the practice, suck it up & put an edge on it ! That is all. LOL In a perfect world.........wait, sorry, i was dreaming outloud again ! LOL