BK 7 Handles again

shmoopiebear

shmoopiebear

Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Messages
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Folks... finally just got the old version of the Becker BK 7 Handles from a fellow forumite. Have been comparing them to the ones on my Desert version. It's confirmed - they do have some kind of bead blast to make the Desert handles more grippier. IMHO, the surface feels like low grit sand paper compared to the smooth as glass handles that were supplied to me for the comparison. They would work well either with any reasonable amount of incidental slippery material on the handles or while wearing gloves. Coupled with the familiar grip design, it seems to be effective. I have no idea if the other new models of the Desert Beckers have this feature although the BK 7 seems to. I would recommend if anybody is curious, they might want to compare the old to the new model for themselves as it would influence their decision to purchase the knife. I, for one, think the feature is an improvement on the design. For what it's worth...

P.S. thanks to the forumite who sent me the handles so I could do comparison for the review. You know who you are. It made me appreciate my purchase all the more. Excellent improvement on an already sound design.
 
Originally posted by Cliff Stamp
Interesting, Will Fennell commented in the Camillus forum that there is no significant difference :

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=258711

In any case, this is a positive change in my opinion, as I have found them to be too slick. Lots of people like handles that way however, Dozier for example.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

The velvety, frosty feel is EXACLTY what I was trying to convey in my assessment. In fact, the look of the bead blasted black handles on the standard BKs are exactly what the texture on the Desert BK 7 handle slabs look like. This was what was eloquently discussed in this thread...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=246987

I have no idea how close Will is to the product but perhaps there is a communications gap between the PR / Pre-sales division of Camillus and BKT Post production / Sales. It's the whole left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing thing. Not uncommon at all and it is not always disasterous to have it happen. In this case, it may be management decision made and then retracted in mid production. Happens a lot. Thanks for the feedback.
 
The desert series knives have a "finish" on the handles that dries with a matte feel, they are not bead blasted prior to coating.
 
I have the black handles and went back to the store to re-handle the camo handles after being challenged for stating their wasn't much, if any, difference. I still don't think there is much difference. I could be wrong though, 'cause my sons think I'm heavy handed, and my wife calls me a calloused, unfeeling...:eek:
 
Cliff

I do not like blasted handles as they look unfinished and if I made knives like that most people would complain that they were rough and porely made. No C. N. C. made handles here. Hand made and finished. When a customer asked for blasted handles, we do it for them, after all, its his to do with as he wants. I am sure that some of the textured handles are made in other places other than in these makers shops and you are paying handmade prices for out side work.
Should you order a Dozier knife, we will be glad to make it as you wish, as long as it is not too strange. After all Cliff, you are very different.

Bob D.
 
The slickest handle I've ever seen is my Dave Beck Wilderness Survival Knife, and it's also the most secure in my hand due to the way it's shaped and contoured.
See...
W.S.K.01.jpg

1000 grit polished linen Micarta
 
Originally posted by PlaceKnives
The slickest handle I've ever seen is my Dave Beck Wilderness Survival Knife, and it's also the most secure in my hand due to the way it's shaped and contoured.
See...
W.S.K.01.jpg

1000 grit polished linen Micarta
Click to expand...

You brought up a good point!

I remember Ethan Becker had a post where he talked about the handle design and why it was smooth. He basically said the SHAPE and CONTOUR of his knife handles was what gave you a good secure grip not the texture. The birds beak pommel makes it almost impossible, unless you have a very weak grip, for the knife to slip from your grasp.

Ethan mentioned he that he chose a smooth grip surface to allow you to work long periods with his knives with less wear and tear on you hands.

After he explained these things it all made sense to me.
 
Handle suitability vary widely from person to person. I have no doubt that the handles Becker designed work well for him, and based on reports many find them solid as well.

I however could not use the Patrol Machete until I used some tape on the handle. It didn't fly out of my hand, but it did move around too much, which caused it to be inefficient for several reasons, and generated impacts off of the butt.

I do have some knives with smooth grips that work well. The handle on the Valiant Goloks for example. I never felt the need to wrap that grip in normal conditions. But if my grip was compromised however with oil, rotten sap, or other similar lubricant this could be a problem.

-Cliff
 
I have found that para-cord works well in keeping a knife in your hand. Lots of things can cause you to lose a knife, the knife grip and not-quite right ergomomics being only one. Rig para-cord so that it has some slack while you've got a grip but snugs up as your grip loosens. My Randall 14 is rigged in this way and it has worked to keep me from losing the knife. Just my opinion though, YMMV.
 
Im with Bob on well formed Micarta grips.
I intend to try to make some for a BK 7.

I love my Becker brute....Um BK 2?? Its a great chunk of recurves and the back edge sharpened up nicely. The handle is slightly robust and some have said slippery......I chopped down a good sized tree with mine..glutton for punishment...and it felt pretty secure with a good grip. I think I lost it once, but that was due to a tiring grip. Mostly. There is a definite smoothness to the handles but I feel its kind of a silky plastic feeling. Unlike many unpleasant plasticcy handles Ive seen in the past, in that I LIke it.
Ive thought of just putting one round of tape right where my index finger sits on the handle to aid retention slightly.
The BK7 has a thinner blade and therefore slightly slimmer feeling handles. Im pretty jazzed to get on eto play with..
The beauty of the Beckers is their sky high performance/ price ratio!
The handles are easily removable and I can afford to use the knife hard and replace it if I hurt it.
First I intend to experiment with paracord and then some green micarta.
Then...to the woods.
 
Hey Guys...

Mr. Bob Dozier Writes :

"After all Cliff, you are very different."


Now That's F-ing Funny!
That Will Be the Funniest Thing I'll hear All Week!

LMAO

ttyle

Eric....
 
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