BK1, v. BK6 v. BK9

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biscuits

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Mar 1, 2003
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I’m looking to get a blade to function as a small hatchet. I want something that will fit into a pack’s wand pocket and handle anything a hatchet can tackle. I’ve been looking at the BK1, BK6, and BK9. I pretty much have made up my mind, but am interested in hearing other opinions.

What do you think?,
Biscuits
 
Sounds like you want a hatchet. But of those you listed I would go for the BK9. Add a BK11 to it and you're set to go! To give you an idea of how good the BK9 is, I can't keep one! Everytime I have one some relative or friend decides they just have to have it.
 
The hatchet doesn't carry the way I want it to, I'd rather have something more sleek. What are the functional differences between the BK1 and BK9. It appears that the BK1 may be better at breaking up the bigger stuff because of its nose weight and then there's the sheath. I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just trying to understand the "why's ".

Thanks,
Allen
 
Owning only the BK9, I can't say from personal experience, but the BK1 certainly appears to have been intended to be more of a heavy chopper than the BK9, being as it weighs 3.5 oz. more (22 oz. vs. 18.5 oz.) and has a more weight-forward design. The BK6, although longer than either the BK9 or BK1, is made of thinner stock, and actually weighs .7 oz. less than the BK9. Like most machetes, the BK6 should be better suited to cutting light vegetation than to heavy chopping.

Beyond that, the BK9 will be the more versatile tool. For one thing, compare the ricassos - the BK9 essentially doesn't have one. Because of this, and the outstanding (IMO) design of the Becker handles, you can choke up on the BK9 and do some pretty decent precision work for a knife of this size. I've also found the BK9 to be excellent for two-handed, drawknife-type use, and like many, find a straight edge such as the BK9's more practical than a recurve.

One more comment on chopping ... I think a lot of it depends on how you like to chop. With a knife or even a small hatchet, I prefer to chop with a lot of wrist action, which gives me greater control. So not only do I not get the same advantage that others would out of a tool that's very blade-heavy, but I find them more tiring. And with a BK9 that's properly profiled and sharpened, a short, quick chop mostly from the wrist gives me probably 85%-90% of the penetration in a piece of wood that I'd get with a full swing using shoulder and arm anyway.

YMMV, of course, but the BK9 has really impressed me.

Dave
 
I have the BK9. I looked at the Brute also, but when the 9's were in the closeout store it was such a bargain I couldn't pass it up.

I carry the BK9 exactly as you mention, in the left wand pocket of my day pack. Blade up, handle exposed, comes out with a firm tug and doesn't fall out. And just the handle sticking out is very inconspicuous, but easily accessible to whack a fallen sapling or branch out of the trail. I like to keep a lighter/SAK/DMT in the sheath pocket.

The chopping performance is great. I have used it for yard work as well as trail duty. It stays sharp and is much better suited to my needs than a hatchet. If I am planning to do serious damage I'll bring a machete, axe, or saw.
 
Dave,
I didn’t think of the blade backing all the way up to the handle and I was a little concerned about tiring, but I thought that the extra weight might compensate for that. Then there is the whole Xtream thing with the new materials (not sure I’d go that route, but it is an option). I never broke down my movement when I chop the way you did, I just let my body work however it worked. I ought to pay more attention to that. I think the kinetics may be determined by what I’m chopping. (Kindling with my wrist, something larger with my arm/shoulder/hips)

Fling Ding,
That is my leaning.

Anomad,
You pretty much described how I plan carrying, big blade on pack smaller blade on thigh/pocket/hip belt.

Thanks for the help,
Biscuits
 
Biscuits,
I've got access to all the BK&T's that you mentioned, and the BK9 is the model that I have chosen for the type of work/activities that you mention. The Combat Bowie is hard to beat ;)
 
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