BK-7 VS KaBar 1276...

[sleeper]

I have both and thought I would see if anyone has any similar obsevations. I like the fact that the BK-7 is made in the USA and also the full tang design, however the handle is not as comfortable as the KaBar. The KaBar has a decent sheath and the BK-7's sheath is GARBAGE. Both knives are priced right but the KaBar is about 25% less. I wonder if anyone has field tested both and I wonder how much "tang" is under that comfortable KaBar handle? Thanks much!

 

[beckerhead]

Becker is in my humble opinion superior. The Kabar sheath is nothing to make the Becker look like garbage, especially if you carry a micro kit on your sheath. There are better sheaths for sure, but the factory sheath on mine is more than adequate. Upgrades to custom leather, kydex, etc. are always available. The steel in my CU7 is very good, holds an edge, tough enough for chopping, and unlike alot of folks here, I like the handle. I don't know alot about the Taiwan Kabars in 1085 at 55-57 Rc, but it sounds like alot of resharpening, combined with alot of resharpening if used heavily at all. The tang on the Kabar is clearly not as substantial, and since you don't like the handles just order some micarta slabs from Camillus, or make your own to suit your fancy. To me Kraton=blisters, and rehandling the little skinny tang on the Kabar is not as simple as the Becker routine. The Becker just has better bones for the $$, IMHO. As for that, for the $$ you are talkin about you could get a number of decent blades.

 

[W.T. Beck]

As they come from the factory, I would take the Kabar over the CU7. Put some thinner non-slippery scales and a good guard on the CU7, and I would take it over the Kabar.