BK&T handle question

K

Knight939

Joined
Feb 14, 2003
Messages
62
Hello all, I just ordered a BK11 after reading the great reviews of the knife and can't wait to get my hands on it. It's my first neck knife and first knife from BK&T. While browsing the web site the BK Companion and BK10 caught my eye. They both look like rugged field knives that would be easy to carry at the same time. As I've never owned or handled any of their knives I had some questions about the knive handles used on BK&T knives. How's their grip when wet? The handles look wider than other fixed blade knives I've seen. Has anyone experienced any hand fatigue with extended use? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Actually, the handles are very comfortable. I have worked with my BK7 walking around in smoldering fire and despite the sweat from the heat and all the hard work i was doing with my knife, I didn't hve a problem with my grip. And should you prefer grippy handles, you can always take rough sandpaper to the handles or sandblast or beadblast your handles. The shape of the handle allows it to be comfortable for very long periods of time without bothering your hand. I chopped 20 mintues through a 5"-6" branch and didn't end up with a sore hand, and that was some pretty hard chopping.
The Companion is a little thicker steel, which will make a difference in how the handle feels. Post a thread asking ppl about how the feel Companion versus Crewman, and after deciding what you want the knife for, you'll be able to pick a Becker that will go quite a ways beyond just satisfying you.


Edited for grammer
 
I've been eyeing my BK7 and thinking of making the grip a bit ... "grippier." I was thinking of either stippling or adding some non-skid tape, but the idea of using coarse sandpaper sounds like a better idea. Thanks!
 
I put the non-padded tennis racket tape on my BK7&9 and it works like a champ without changing the size of the handle. Cheap and durable.
 
martial_life,

Did you really mean 5 to 6 FOOT THICK branch? :eek:

Knight,

The grip is very wide, and extremely smooth. If you have small-ish hands like me, it doesn't work at all, either for slicing or chopping. It's flown out of my hands while chopping, even with a solid grip. However, I'm not into "death grip" chopping; I've kept a flexible-but-firm grip, letting the bird's beak and the palm swell do its thing.

I took the grips off, sanded about 1/16" off the insides of each one, and put them back together. Works beautifully, and you don't lose the chopping-friendly smooth surface. I didn't experience much fatiguing anymore.

Some folks have reported good luck with a coarse grit beadblast.

Rhino,

I added grip tape to a Greco knife. It completely ruins the idea of using it as a chopper, unless your hands are about as rough as rhino skin... ;) It provides super traction for "high intensity action" but it definitely is pretty rough on the hands.

-jon
 
Of course Not!!! I should have noticed that when I checked for spelling. It was a 5 to 6 INCH branch that was hard and dead. I'll edit that.
 
*grin*

I was hoping not. Just joshin wit ya.

I usually break down 2-4" thick green branches in my tiny backyard... 5-6" is pretty good work for a BK.

5-6' is frightening. ;)

-j
 
yeah. that's true... after working through a couple of branches, the thing is still reasonably sharp. not shaving, but workably sharp.

the one time i cut through about 30' of 4-ply cardboard... the thing was dull as a butter knife. :(

that day i learned that freehand sharpening a carbon steel 7" becker is a LOT easier than a 3" superstainless folder.

yay!

-j
 
lol At this point I wish they made every steel as well as the Becker steel. I really wish that they made more knives from it, esp a 4 inch model for us that might have to carry non-scary looking knives when we wear suits.
 
If they had made the CQB4 with a wider blade and a better handle, or even just a better handle it would be a perfect knife for me.
 
yeah... their 0176 or whatever it is, is great carbon steel.

have you seen/tried the necker, the bk11? it looks not bad... not quite 4"...

there are a lot of good concealed-carry 4" bladed fb's on the market... some even with carbon steel that's similar to the 0176.

camillus's cqb series, bud nealy's concealed series... i'm looking at the new swamp rat rat tail... 3 3/4" mini japanese tanto style with 3/16" 52100. nifty stuff.

i always thought the beckers were about being RARRHHRHRRRR big and -cheap-. ;)

edit: ahh i just saw your post... yeah the cqb4... whats WITH that handle?! i dont like it myself... chunky, clunky, with barely any front guard.... helloooooo... oh well.

-j
 
I carry the CQB4 because of it's nice blade, and i don't mind the handles being a little small, but it would truly be a nicer knife with a better handle.
I bought a CQB3 and I didn't liek it too much, but at the same time I guess I didn't dislike it. That handle wasn't too bad, but the blade was pretty thick considering it's grind. I think they shoudl have either done a higher grind or a thinner blade.
As far as BK&T handles, try the put a good pattrn if you use the sandpaper. On the "flat" part of the handle, i sanded so that my hand would not slide forward. But on the parts of the handle that are closest to the tang, I sanded lengthwise.
 
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