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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Bk-21 info
- Thread starter euroross
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 859
I'm not very good at reviews but I do keep the BK21 on my 4-wheeler and it has been really useful in keeping my trails cleared. It chops well but does have some weight to it and tires my arm quicker then my other larger knives but the blade is longer. The handle locks good in my hand whereas on my BK9 and once in awhile my BK20 I end up gripping the butt of the handle after a few swings.
For a dedicated chopper, I feel it is a good buy.
For a dedicated chopper, I feel it is a good buy.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 859
That was my first time using, last weekend but it chopped better than I thought it would, about as good as my BK20. The handle is cheap and digs into the heel of my hand a bit when swinging but not a bad knife for the price. Don't know how it will hold up but I just leave it at the camper on my hunting property so only time will tell as it gets used around camp by me and as a loaner for my hunting buddies.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2013
- Messages
- 7,205
The 21 is a beast, and requires a little adjustment in technique. It's not a blade you can (or should) "muscle"....it really impresses if one can find the right combo of grip and technique. I would liken using it to using my Fiskars X27 Super Splitter axe: if you try to force it, it won't work any better and you'll just tire yourself out faster. The 21 is a slightly heavier blade than the BK9 at 1.41 lbs. vs. 1.15 lbs....but with a good snap-cut technique and a looser grip (with a lanyard) IMO blows the doors off the 9 chop-wise (and I LOVE my 9). If the price appeals to you (whatever you've found for $) I'd venture to guess you won't be disappointed. I bought a second one, which is not my normal modus operandi as I tend to have users and.....other users, but the price for the second was more than worth it to me. I've got the VZ grips on my primary user (sadly, the 2nd is in the box still) and with a lanyard and a pair of gloves I don't find it fatiguing to use in the least. I certainly can't swing it at as fast a pace as I might my 9 or 4, but it hits hard....and I like it. The only downside for me is the stock sheath - it's abysmal....and I'm not that hard to please regarding factory sheaths. Most of Ka-Bar's stock sheaths and all of the other BK&T sheaths I find perfectly serviceable, but not the 21's, sadly. On the upside, however, it does protect the blade and protect you from the blade. I'll likely make my own at some point; it's not a sticking point for purchase, at least for me. Good luck with your decision making, and don't forget to post some pics after you get it 
('cause it seems like you're going to....).
Head to head with it's numerical inferior
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('cause it seems like you're going to....).
Head to head with it's numerical inferior
:
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
- 11,432
I'm beginning to appreciate the 21 more...
Initially, I wasn't terribly impressed; but that was largely due to the poor edge with which it arrived. It didn't seem all that bad to the touch - but it was as likely to bounce off as bite. Easily fixed. With some use, I came to realize that the "sweet spot"is a little farther back than I expected. And I agree with gsom that technique yields better results than power with the 21. I learned that the hard way, while beating on a log I wanted to make smaller. I switched hands, and - while I'm not ambidextrous - I found that I was making surprisingly good progress with the lighter blows from my left hand. I mimicked, then improved on, the technique with my right hand; and was much more effective.
I had been leaning toward selling/trading it; but now I'm going to keep it around and see bow it does now that I'm getting a better feel for it.
Initially, I wasn't terribly impressed; but that was largely due to the poor edge with which it arrived. It didn't seem all that bad to the touch - but it was as likely to bounce off as bite. Easily fixed. With some use, I came to realize that the "sweet spot"is a little farther back than I expected. And I agree with gsom that technique yields better results than power with the 21. I learned that the hard way, while beating on a log I wanted to make smaller. I switched hands, and - while I'm not ambidextrous - I found that I was making surprisingly good progress with the lighter blows from my left hand. I mimicked, then improved on, the technique with my right hand; and was much more effective.
I had been leaning toward selling/trading it; but now I'm going to keep it around and see bow it does now that I'm getting a better feel for it.
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,486
I have a bk21 and I've been very pleased with it. I have owned traditional Nepalese kukri for years and while the 21 doesn't compare directly with those it is still an excellent tool. I use it with the same "snap cut" technique and it cuts deep. Don't muscle it and it will work better for you.
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2015
- Messages
- 4,867
The 21 is a beast, and requires a little adjustment in technique. It's not a blade you can (or should) "muscle"....it really impresses if one can find the right combo of grip and technique. I would liken using it to using my Fiskars X27 Super Splitter axe: if you try to force it, it won't work any better and you'll just tire yourself out faster. The 21 is a slightly heavier blade than the BK9 at 1.41 lbs. vs. 1.15 lbs....but with a good snap-cut technique and a looser grip (with a lanyard) IMO blows the doors off the 9 chop-wise (and I LOVE my 9). If the price appeals to you (whatever you've found for $) I'd venture to guess you won't be disappointed. I bought a second one, which is not my normal modus operandi as I tend to have users and.....other users, but the price for the second was more than worth it to me. I've got the VZ grips on my primary user (sadly, the 2nd is in the box still) and with a lanyard and a pair of gloves I don't find it fatiguing to use in the least. I certainly can't swing it at as fast a pace as I might my 9 or 4, but it hits hard....and I like it. The only downside for me is the stock sheath - it's abysmal....and I'm not that hard to please regarding factory sheaths. Most of Ka-Bar's stock sheaths and all of the other BK&T sheaths I find perfectly serviceable, but not the 21's, sadly. On the upside, however, it does protect the blade and protect you from the blade. I'll likely make my own at some point; it's not a sticking point for purchase, at least for me. Good luck with your decision making, and don't forget to post some pics after you get it
Head to head with it's numerical inferior
Anyone not happy with the stock sheath, 710's sheath from KaBar is off the hook. The best value and quality sheath for the 21 hands down. IMO
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2015
- Messages
- 4,867
To be more clear KaBar stocks and sells a few Kydex sheaths made by 710 Coustom Sheaths. The price and quality of the sheath for the 21 can't be beat unless you make it yourself. If you get a 21 check out that sheath. It's on KaBars website. I Guess the sheath is made of Boltaron and not Kydex
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I finally got a chance to take my new BK21 that I got over the winter out into the woods. I've been so freakin busy this spring I haven't had much dirt time. Of course I live in the woods so I didn't have far to go. There was an ash tree growing crooked that within a decade would have been in danger of falling on the house. At its base it was about 5-6" in diameter, so I thought it would be a fun challenge for the RBK.
The tree was on a small but steep slope, and access to it was slightly awkward, but still, the BK21 with the factory KaBar edge worked its way through in about 10-15 minutes of slow, methodical, wildly inaccurate and out-of-practice chopping. My arm felt like it had been working, but the snap cut technique with a good lanyard lowers the stress considerably. The factory edge was a bit bouncier than I like, but it mostly bit pretty well. At some point I will convex the edge like I do with most of my other blades, and I imagine it will be better.
Man is this thing an awesome chopper! As has been widely discussed, this is sort of what I was expecting when I originally ordered the Machax, and it turned out to be smaller. Now, of course, my convexed Machax with wood handles and a leather sheath is my go-to woods knife. But it's absolutely awesome to have the BK21 in my arsenal.
Also, definitely another plug for 710's sheath. It is the best sheath I own.
Sorry for the lack of pics.... my digital camera is on the fritz and I've managed to avoid buying an iZombie. When I get a chance (after I've convexed & stripped the BK21) I plan on doing a post on my go-to woods trio: BK16, BK4, BK21.
The tree was on a small but steep slope, and access to it was slightly awkward, but still, the BK21 with the factory KaBar edge worked its way through in about 10-15 minutes of slow, methodical, wildly inaccurate and out-of-practice chopping. My arm felt like it had been working, but the snap cut technique with a good lanyard lowers the stress considerably. The factory edge was a bit bouncier than I like, but it mostly bit pretty well. At some point I will convex the edge like I do with most of my other blades, and I imagine it will be better.
Man is this thing an awesome chopper! As has been widely discussed, this is sort of what I was expecting when I originally ordered the Machax, and it turned out to be smaller. Now, of course, my convexed Machax with wood handles and a leather sheath is my go-to woods knife. But it's absolutely awesome to have the BK21 in my arsenal.
Also, definitely another plug for 710's sheath. It is the best sheath I own.
Sorry for the lack of pics.... my digital camera is on the fritz and I've managed to avoid buying an iZombie. When I get a chance (after I've convexed & stripped the BK21) I plan on doing a post on my go-to woods trio: BK16, BK4, BK21.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2013
- Messages
- 7,205
Probably didn't hurt to have so much experience with the 4....similar technique, IMO. Glad you had a chance to get into the woods for while. We missed you at the NE Gathering....Jim Bensinger put a hell of a convex on my 21 there.....and my 20, too. A definite improvement, even tho I was pretty happy with my 21's factory edge. Hella better, now.
Yeah, totally a similar technique. The BK21 has so much more length and power though....
Envious of your convexed 21.... would love to see what JB would do. Post pics?
JB did a full convex of a Machax a while back that I thought was gorgeous....