BK-5 vs BK-7

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Sep 15, 2011
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Hello!

Could you enlighten me on BK-5 and BK-7 differences, please?

I was considering getting some 7-8" knife, right now I have CS Recon Tanto for that purpose, but I think an addition won't hurt ;)

Thanks in advance!
 
Of those two, I much prefer the 5.
It is lighter, a better cutter, a surprisingly good chopper, and is basically a modern "Trade knife" which is the blade that practically the entire new world was traveled, and won with.
It has an upswept tip for better slicing/slashing although it can also be stabby, not as strong a tip as the 7, but really more than strong enough for all normal camping duties.
It has a choil which lets you choke up for better control on fine tasks, and feels like a much smaller knife in the hand, while working like a larger knife where you want it to.

The 7 is more (in my eyes) a survival/combat knife, where the 5 is truly a camp/all rounder. Its not the best for some bushcraft tasks (Ie drilling and things of that nature), but it works for it, and excels in many other areas.
 
Why not both? But seriously that is a tough decision. What are your intended uses for the knife?
 
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I really like the Bk5.
I think the bk7 is a stronger knife. But I would choose the bk5 over it any day.
 
Of those two, I much prefer the 5.
It is lighter, a better cutter, a surprisingly good chopper, and is basically a modern "Trade knife" which is the blade that practically the entire new world was traveled, and won with.
It has an upswept tip for better slicing/slashing although it can also be stabby, not as strong a tip as the 7, but really more than strong enough for all normal camping duties.
It has a choil which lets you choke up for better control on fine tasks, and feels like a much smaller knife in the hand, while working like a larger knife where you want it to.

The 7 is more (in my eyes) a survival/combat knife, where the 5 is truly a camp/all rounder. Its not the best for some bushcraft tasks (Ie drilling and things of that nature), but it works for it, and excels in many other areas.


Nicely said sir and not much I can add to that. The 5 is a surprisingly versatile knife.
 
The five, in my opinion, is one of the best designed and built knives available. There are very few things that it doesn't do well.
 
Two great knives. You won't go wrong with either.

The 5 is the knife that tends to get the most love from me. I've been very impressed with the performance of mine for the last year and a half. It's not a huge chopping knife, but it'll do a lot of the things you'd use a machete for, and it's a great cooking knife. I've started several fires with mine, using the 5 to baton smaller pieces of wood. It's a surprisingly good whittler, thanks to the generous choil and the thin grind. I even built a shelter with mine that proved to be rain and wind-proof.

It took me a while to warm up to the 7. Since I already had a similarly-sized 5 that I was using, my 7 got thrown on the shelf and ignored for many months. It wasn't until I actually took it out and used it that I began to admire the robust way it will baton and chop so well for its size. It will do small chores easily and well. And even though the self-protection aspect is often ignored, the 7, when held in the proper grip, is very fast, stabby, and accurate on the thrust; long enough to provide proper reach and penetration, yet not so long as to get in the way when carried. It's a great do-it-all knife.
 
Both would be awesome. I have yet to break in my 7 but am looking forward to the additional chopping power over the 4-5" blades I usually carry in the woods. Either one will be awesome though.

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More people need to buy and try the 5 so they can see what they have been missing.
For some reason its sales are not what they should be, and I would HATE to see this knife discontinued just because its a sleeper.
BUY YOURSELF A 5 !
 
Why not both? But seriously that is a tough decision. What are your intended uses for the knife?

Actually, I have warm feelings towards BK-16 or BK-17. So one of those tweeners and another camper, from this thread most probably BK-5. I think that's gonna be a nice pair.

I plan to use the knife at mountain hiking, not much woods and stuff, mostly rocks, sands, deserts in here.

Thanks again for your replies!
 
It depends on what you are going to use it for. The BK-7 was designed as Ethan's improvement over the combat utility knife (KA-BAR) (I think), but like stated above the BK-5 is a modern day trade knife. I am a hude fan of both, but use my 5 more than my 7. The 7 (a camillus) is reserved for combat (been there twice-and is where I first got it in 03').
 
The 5 plus a 16 or 17 will serve you very well on a camping or hiking trip. The 7 is a nice all around knife but I think the combat elements in the design make it less suited than the 5 for most camp tasks.
 
I like the 7 better. I pound my knives through wood a lot and I like the wider/thicker spine on the 7 more for that purpose. My batons last longer. Both are worth having though.
 
The 5 is much quicker and oh so slicey...



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I wear the 5 every day and use it for more than I ever thought I would. I use it for everything from clearing brush to making sandwiches. The swept blade is great at cutting for the weight and the size is perfect if you know how to choke up on it well. I even hold it above the choil along the spine for some tasks.

Although I can't comment on the 7 because I've never used one, I would think it to be more durable. That said, I tend to be hard on my things and aside from batoning and prying, I've used my 5 for everything and it has never had any problems.

That's my 2 cents. Sorry if I don't reply to any responses. Been killer busy lately...

Survivormind
 
Well I've never even held the five, but I've got two 7s! Of course I can't really compare one to the other, but I think the 7 is great to baton with, and I know I can chop with it.
 
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