BK-9 Chipped Blade?

S

Seraphus

Joined
Apr 4, 2016
Messages
50
Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums, and this is my first post in the Becker subforums.

I recently bought a BK39 to use for a camping trip with the boys. I read a lot about the blade and watched a ton of videos before deciding it was the right blade for me.

I was very impressed with the blade when I got it in my hands. It was literally shaving sharp and felt great to hold.

I went camping on the 21st and my friend brought along some firewood but not his ax. I used the BK39 and another piece of smaller firewood (about 2-3 inches across) to baton the larger pieces down.

After about 15 minutes the blade chipped off in multiple spots around the curved "belly" area and the knife was very dull. I'm not sure why this happened since I wasn't being any harder on it that other knives I've owned and this never happened with those.

I've seen this knife process wood far tougher and for much longer than what I used it for. I will say that, while it was sharp, it did a fantastic job. Luckily, another group lent us their hatchet to finish up with.

I was wondering if this sounds normal and if not, is there any recourse for me? Might this have simply been a defect in the heat treat or something? Does Becker back their knives with a warranty like Esee?

I had a tough time deciding between this and the Junglas and now I'm a bit disappointed to be honest. I know Esee has an amazing warranty but I loved the look and feel of the BK9 more.

I can post pictures of the blade and the spine (as evidence that I didn't beat on it with a rock or something stupid like that). I don't mean to offend anyone (especially not Mr. Becker himself) I just wanted to see what everyone's take on this would be.

Thank you all for your time.
 
Sorry to hear about your 9 chipping. That's never fun. Would you be able to post pictures?

I've beat the hellouta my 9 with no issues. Sometimes this kinda thing happens. I found a pine knot with my 5 one time. Didn't break but bent the crap out if the edge.

Post pictures. And don't let this sway you from buying other Becker blades. Kabar should take care of you.
 
NixKustoms said:
Sorry to hear about your 9 chipping. That's never fun. Would you be able to post pictures?

I've beat the hellouta my 9 with no issues. Sometimes this kinda thing happens. I found a pine knot with my 5 one time. Didn't break but bent the crap out if the edge.

Post pictures. And don't let this sway you from buying other Becker blades. Kabar should take care of you.
Click to expand...


Here are some quick pictures I took. I did my best to try and capture the condition of the blade and spine.

http://imgur.com/Fh7E7iP

http://imgur.com/Fh7E7iP

http://imgur.com/A2q0Gba

http://imgur.com/A2q0Gba


Is the warranty process info on their website or do I need to call them?
 
Those look like contacts with gravel to my eye. They are small enough that you can easily sharpen them out.
 
Congratulations on your BK39 (great choice, BTW) and welcome aboard.

I am certainly no expert but have a BK9 along with some other Beckers would agree that those chips appear small and would easily sharpen out. If batoning reasonably, with the material being split, or section thereof, being no larger than the cross section of the knife and devoid of knots should produce nice usable kindling with no ill effects on the blade. Twisted, deformed and/or knotted pieces should go in the fire as is and avoided for baton produced kindling.

All of that being said, is it possible that someone was chopping with your knife against the ground and small stones or gravel were hit with your blade? That appears, from my limited knowledge and from viewing the pics, more likely than from batoning kindling or from a manufacturing defect.
 
Hey Seraphus....

In any kind of rough use, especially in areas containing small stones you WILL get occasional nicks...... The are a normal occurrence in a users blade..... Knots, especially pine knots, are notorious and hemlock is maybe the worst due to a high silica content..... Little nicks sharpen out easily with a little elbow grease and I consider them a normal part of edge maintenance.... If you want to talk the problem through I can be reached by phone..... 423 295 2500.... After 8am and before 9pm EST..... I am usually out 11-6.....

Ethan
 
I do not own a Becker but the way that Mr. Ethan responds to warranty questions is second to none. What a classy company. I think i am in the market for a new blade 😀.

Sent from my LGLS620 using Tapatalk
 
Pioneer Valley said:
I do not own a Becker but the way that Mr. Ethan responds to warranty questions is second to none. What a classy company. I think i am in the market for a new blade 😀.

Sent from my LGLS620 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Totally agree - main reason I own so many BK&Ts.
 
Based on the pics. That is nothing using and regular sharpening won't restore. Enjoy the knife.
 
What they all said is what I would say. Some of that looks more like rolls that chips too once you zoom in on it.
 
I have a few nicks like that in my 9. And it was indeed from hitting rocks. I still use it as is, as the blade is still sharp as hell. They will sharpen right out when I do.

36.png
 
Ive allready put a couple nicks in my 20[emoji24]just make sure theres no little pieces of gravel around... they will find your edge like a magnet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ethan Becker said:
Hey Seraphus....

In any kind of rough use, especially in areas containing small stones you WILL get occasional nicks...... The are a normal occurrence in a users blade..... Knots, especially pine knots, are notorious and hemlock is maybe the worst due to a high silica content..... Little nicks sharpen out easily with a little elbow grease and I consider them a normal part of edge maintenance.... If you want to talk the problem through I can be reached by phone..... 423 295 2500.... After 8am and before 9pm EST..... I am usually out 11-6.....

Ethan
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your response. As you can probably tell, I'm fairly new to outdoor craft and knives.

It's good to hear that this is not a more serious issue. What methods would you suggest to sharpen the knife?

Like I said, I'm new to this, so freehand sharpening is not something I've ever done. Are there guided systems that will work well with a knife this size?

Once again, I appreciate your response Mr. Becker and I'm happy you're here to help us all! I will give you a call if I feel I need more guidance.


To everyone else: Thank you for taking the time out of your days to respond and inform me.
 
Seraphus said:
Thank you very much for your response. As you can probably tell, I'm fairly new to outdoor craft and knives.

It's good to hear that this is not a more serious issue. What methods would you suggest to sharpen the knife?

Like I said, I'm new to this, so freehand sharpening is not something I've ever done. Are there guided systems that will work well with a knife this size?

Once again, I appreciate your response Mr. Becker and I'm happy you're here to help us all! I will give you a call if I feel I need more guidance.


To everyone else: Thank you for taking the time out of your days to respond and inform me.
Click to expand...

The easiest and most effective way that ive found to sharpen is a work sharp.. Its kind of pricey but worth it imo
 
From what I have read and seen, knives that are sharpened on a belt have a thin layer of slightly softer steel right at the edge from the heat of the belt. Some people more experienced and smarter than me can chime in if I understood this wrong, but my understanding is that once you sharpen those dings out, you should be less likely to get them again. Any steel can roll or chip from hitting something hard, but it seems from what I have gleaned from these forums that a new blade that hasnt been resharpened is more likely to have that happen to it. Enjoy your new steel though, the 9 is a great blade.
 
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