BK-2 Campanion Passaround Review Thread

Update. Sorry for the slight delay. I hope to post a review later on today and ship to the next participant later today or tomorrow. Been crazy busy with work and school. -DT
 
dttomcat said:
Update. Sorry for the slight delay. I hope to post a review later on today and ship to the next participant later today or tomorrow. Been crazy busy with work and school. -DT
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No problem here DT. I think I'm next so just drop me a PM or e-mail me at Rupestris at gmail and I'll get you my shipping info.

Hope you're feeling better.

Chris
 
Rupestris said:
No problem here DT. I think I'm next so just drop me a PM or e-mail me at Rupestris at gmail and I'll get you my shipping info.

Hope you're feeling better.

Chris
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It will go to DP Knives and then to you, Chris.

Glad to see you look forward to it! :D

Thanks for the update DT.
 
I sent a PM to dttomcat with my info so he has it. The weather is warming up some here so the timing should be perfect. Doug
 
cmdr249 said:
It will go to DP Knives and then to you, Chris.

Glad to see you look forward to it! :D

Thanks for the update DT.
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DT, DP, whatever... :p:D I knew I followed one of the "D"s. Probably should have checked page 1, huh? :o

I'll try to resist taking another knife out to the fatwood stump 'til the Campanion gets here.
 
One more quick update until I get a little more time to finally learn how to post pics and write a review (sometime within the next day or so, possibly by tonight). Knife is on it's way to DP. Overall impessions were definitely positive. The handle was quite comfortable. It was usable sharp when I got it and when it left. I think I'll let DP touch up the edge since he's the knifemaker. I have not yet fully mastered the Sharpmaker. Pics and a more lengthy write up shortly. Thanks again to cmdr249 for including me. -DT
 
I just got it in the mail. We are having very strong winds and heavy snow right now I will try to get some pictures of it with my two Camillus BK-2s today. My internet is acting up as well with the weather. Doug
 
Here is a couple of quick shots of my 2 Camillus BK-2s and the Kabar BK-2. These 3 will be used during the testing stages. The black Camillus BK-2 has a convex edge and my customized BK-2 has Padauk handles and a thumb ramp and has a standard bevel edge. This should be a lot of fun to play with all 3 of them. Doug

The two Stock BK-2s
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All 3 of them together.
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I have to thank cmdr249 for the chance to be in this pass around and for a chance to win this great knife. Having two Camillus BK-2s I was please to be able to get an opportunity to handle and use one of the new Ka-bars. I am happy to see that Ethan Becker was able to keep this line of knives and that not only are they made in the good old US of A, but still made in New York State.

I was not sure what I was going to do for a test during this pass around and the weather has been really cold here, but the timing could not have been better get this knife. So I figured I would just go out and grab a stick that I had here in my wood pile.

I started off by just trying to shave some of the wood off the sticks ( seeing as I am not well versed in making fuzz sticks). The stock edge did pretty well. It made some nice thin shavings. I did also use my two others, one has a convex edge and the other has basically the same edge as the Ka-bar. The convex edge did out shave the standard edge, but all did pretty well.

Next I figured I would just try to do some chopping with all of them. The Ka-bar did a great job and I did not work hard at it. Again they all did well and it seemed to me that the standard edges did just a hair better.

Once this was done I came inside and pulled out a piece of paper to test edge retention of the Ka-bar and it still sliced paper very well and still shaved the hairs on my arm.

In conclusion I was very happy with the Ka-bar BK-2. It is a very comfy to handle knife, it is well built and designed. Ethan Becker made a very good choice in hooking up with Ka-bar they have made a quality knife. Doug :thumbup:

The three before testing. Ka-bar in the middle in all pictures.
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Shaving wood test.
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After chopping
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After testing still slicing paper well.
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Doug,

Thanks for getting your review up! Good info in there.

Glad to see the comparisons of the various BK-2s. Thanks a lot!

I will get you the address of the next person ASAP. Watch your e-mail.
 
It is on its way to Rupestris. Cmdr249 thanks much for the chance to use this knife and I hope I win. Doug
 
Received in good order.

I'm thinking Ethan gave this one the wrong name. This one should have been the Brute.

I have some dry Black Walnut and some Fatwood that I'll be cutting on Monday. I'll see what I can come up with tomorrow.
 
Well my five days came and went. I shipped the Campanion off to Spooky today and he should be receiving it by Friday. Saturday at the latest.

As everyone knows, this blade is THICK. I don't own one that comes close so I had to borrow another 1/4" knife from a friend. A full flat grind Ranger RD9. In comparison, I think the BK-2 might be an even better blade with a full flat grind with a convex edge.

I had a piece of fallen, dry Black Walnut that I saved just for this knife. It was very dry and pretty much frozen. Shaving some curls in it was a bit difficult as they wanted to break off.

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For such a short blade, it chopped pretty good. Not as well as the RD9 but surprisingly well.

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I didn't get a chance to use it in the kitchen or see how it did chipping away at ice like I wanted to but I did spend my share of time with it. My son fell in love with it. He wanted to abuse it but, per the rules, I had to deny him his urge to dismantle a car with it.

I took one good swing at a 3" sumac tree and it sunk about an inch into it. Probably could have fell the tree with three or four well placed chops. Unfortunately the pic looked like crap so you don't get to see it.

Overall I'm impressed. I didn't think I'd like a short fat knife like the BK-2 but its a fun little knife. I touched up the edge with a fine lansky stone and it was making hair thin curls of paper. KaBar done good with the steel and heat treat.

Here are a couple glamour shots.
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Thanks cmdr249 for the chance to review this one. This was my first foray into the tradition of pass-arounds and I thought it would be much more hassle than it was worth. I gotta admit, I had fun. I'll be a little less apprehensive about the next one that interests me.

Thanks again,

Chris

EDIT: Forgot to mention, the coating on this one seems to be holding up much better than the coating my Camillus BK7 had on it. I was surprised to see that most of the coating was still in tact after being tested by all those that used it before I did :thumbup:. Good Job KaBar!
 
Thanks for the great review Chris. I appreciate you taking part as well!

My work has been very, very busy and in the middle of a 12+ hour day on Monday my mother had to have emergency surgery. She is doing well and actually home already.

I'm beginning to see the "love" on the blade in the pictures.

I'm glad you and everyone so far is enjoying it, even if it wouldn't be your normal "cup of tea". I think that's part of the spirit of the passaround too.

If you don't see me posting a lot, know I'm here in spirit, and I'll be back as quick as I can.

Lots of stuff going on with work right now. I'll be checking every few days.

I appreciate you taking the initiative on shipping it to Spooky, Chris.

Spooky - hope you enjoy what's headed your way!

Thanks to everyone so far for your honest inputs and reviews!
 
Companion arrived today! Looks great. Dear god this thing is huge, pics really don't do that part justice. I'm pretty sure I could use it to pry out the engine block from my truck. Guess that'll have to be part of the upcoming review! ;)

I'm in the middle of some exams, but will get some thoughts put 'on paper' sometime today or tomorrow. :thumbup:
 
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