BK 17 thoughts...

NCSlice

NCSlice

Joined
Feb 22, 2015
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So we know the 16 is very popular and the 15 has been getting tons of attention lately but what are folks' thoughts on the 17? I have an anniversary, father's day, and birthday all coming up soon within a week of each other and I'm moving this to the top of my list. I like the classic bowie shape and think it will look great stripped and will pair nicely with a recently acquired hawk.
I'm looking for your thoughts, experience, and of course lots of pics! Mods, sheaths, and in action!
 
meh ... the 17 is just a 16 with a clip point. I believe in a YT vid Ethan implied that the only reason the 17 exits is because some people just want a clip point.

It certainly gives the 16's blade a more 'combat' profile and would probably be preferred over the 16 if a 'self-defense' component was needed.
 
I've been the same way, Travis, until recently. Its the one tweener I don't have and the more I look at it the more I like it. After handling a USMC KABAR and picking up a short USMC off fleabay I'm betting I'll like it. I'm going for a distressed look and matching etching for it and a trailhawk. You can rest assured I'll post many pics! Probably not til July.
 
After straightening the clip, I can see the appeal (that curved clip just doesn't appeal to me these days). Its pointier than the 16, and for alot of things, that makes it more useful. Plus, it is of the saber variety and not fully flat ground, so you get a little more robustness with it. I have one that I regularly swap out with my saber 16 and honestly it works great. Good knife.

:thumbup:
 
NCSlice said:
I've been the same way, Travis, until recently. Its the one tweener I don't have and the more I look at it the more I like it. After handling a USMC KABAR and picking up a short USMC off fleabay I'm betting I'll like it. I'm going for a distressed look and matching etching for it and a trailhawk. You can rest assured I'll post many pics! Probably not til July.
Click to expand...

If you like the short Ka-Bar you'll love the 17 in comparison. Truthfully, the 17 is a short Ka-Bar with a full tang, and a Becker handle. The boss told me, "the 17... well... KaBar likes to sell knives that look like KaBars..." I believe someone said its in the line because many folks like clip point knives. Anyways... this

My boy using his LE signature series
 
DerekH said:
After straightening the clip, I can see the appeal (that curved clip just doesn't appeal to me these days). Its pointier than the 16, and for alot of things, that makes it more useful. Plus, it is of the saber variety and not fully flat ground, so you get a little more robustness with it. I have one that I regularly swap out with my saber 16 and honestly it works great. Good knife.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

That sounds interesting. How did you achieve that? I'm guessing you ground the hump and swedge? Need pics!
And thanks Rick! Finally a pic haha
 
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Always liked it. Main reasons I went with the 15 was the little bit extra length and the choil I could choke up on. Looks like I'll get one eventually.

Zieg
 
IMG_20150512_182835_278_zpsappueckq.jpg

I still need to give mine some proper use to be able to tell you for sure, but I like mine so far. Mine is getting reprofiled and a proper edge this evening. I like my Mark 1 a lot too.
 
The 17 was my first good knife purchase, and I'd guess my teenage exposure to the KA-BAR Fighting/Utility knife was what made it so tempting to buy in the first place. Plus I got a heck of a deal on it.

I'm a little embarrassed to say, I like the way it looks so much I've never really used it. I just take it out and oogle it from time to time. I've even thought about getting a second one to actually use.

I understand the love of the 16 for it full spine, and it is a great knife, but the 17 is sooooo much prettier in my eyes.
 
Here's mine. I've had it a few months and I'm looking forward to roughing it up a bit soon. Campfires at a friends house are a regular summer thing. I sold a BK2 to fund a backpack purchase. Then bought this 17 afterward. Don't regret that decision at all.
 
I loved my 17 but sold it and bought a 16--for the sole reason that the 16 is FFG, which I very much prefer. If the 17 was FFG, or at least a much higher saber grind, I would have kept it; I love Bowies/ clip points. Hell, I still may get one again.
 
Its a good knife if you want something terribly stout for its size, but the others cut better. It fills a niche in the lineup.
 
Aaaaaaaand it wouldnt take but a weeny bit of time to take the blade to a grinder and raise the grind and improve its cutting efficiency even more!
 
tobiism said:
Aaaaaaaand it wouldnt take but a weeny bit of time to take the blade to a grinder and raise the grind and improve its cutting efficiency even more!
Click to expand...

That's a bit above my capability but I like what you did with the clip and that's doable. I saw one that had all the grind angles rounded off and smoothed, it looked real nice. Thanks for all the replies and pics! So, I see the 17 does get some love! This is turning out to be a pretty good thread.
 
tobiism said:
Aaaaaaaand it wouldnt take but a weeny bit of time to take the blade to a grinder and raise the grind and improve its cutting efficiency even more!
Click to expand...

waaaaay easier to buy a 16 and turn it into a clip point.
 
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