Bk10 vs Bk12

H

HotRodColt

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Feb 28, 2007
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I only have a bk24 currently, my other fixed blades are Esee and DPX. I was originally thinking a BK10, but then some one turned me onto the Bk12 exclusive to knifeworks and built by Rowen. It looks like they do them in runs. In a perfect world I would just buy both, but budgets don't always allow for that.

Is the BK12 worth the extra expense and wait over the Bk10?
 
they're different knives made by different people
 
If I could only have one, It would be the BK-12. I would put the Ka-Bar scales on them though since they come with the old Camillus one's that are really wide for my hands.
Best option would be the Ka-Bar Micarta on the BK-12.

It's a great knife, especially for woods use. I have all the Beckers, and I do mean all of them, and I have multiples of each one, and I prefer the 12 over almost all the large BK's.

The 10 is not a bad knife at all and would do just fine. I do like my 10 too, just not as much. Either way you can't go wrong.

If you went with the 10 you could pick up a BK-11 or BK-14 too and still not be over budget.

FYI........ you will probably end up with all of them at some point. :D
 
What is there to compare? Both are well made knives. They have the same handles. The sheaths are comparable...I don't recall any difference worth noting (but, to be honest, I haven't looked at the Ritter sheath in some time). Differences in durability and edge holding are likely to be negligible, and unlikely to be discernible by most users. Both are well warrantied. The Ritter has the adjustable handle weight feature - interesting, I suppose; but I don't think most of us would notice a change in function with any, or all, of the weights removed...and, if we did notice the difference, I suspect that compensation for it would not require conscious effort. If you want the shorter blade, and the 10 appeals to you, buy it. If you prefer the longer blade, and the drop point is more your style, go with the Ritter.
IMO, the price difference is reflective of production scale more so than change in overall quality. I don't consider $40 a deal breaker...some do. Only you can decide whether the 12 is worth the extra money to you.
 
Personally, I'd choose the 12. The extra length makes it capable of a little more in batoning and possibly light chopping compared to the 10. I also think spear points are really sexy and I like the idea of a slightly more exclusive blade. That's just me, though.

Do those things make it worth the wait and cost to you? Let us know what you decide. Whichever makes you happier will be a good call. You can't go wrong!
 
If you watch the video(sorry no link) with Doug and Ethan, Ethan says "the first thing you do when you get it is remove the weights then you have a perfect knife" then laughs although I suspect he meant it. I don't own a 10 but I love my 12 and I agree with Dex about preferring it over all others but I'll add for all around average use. I love the 9 and 4 for work but I'm going to just grab a knife to carry just to have it in case of whatever, I pick the 12. I know none of that helps for the OP question but that just my 2 cents on the 12.
I'll add that from a collectors POV, I collect them and use them, the 12 is harder to obtain and is currently available while the 10 is easily obtainable.

So,10vs12, I say 12 because I like the shape and size, I prefer the drop point to the clip point, the 12 is currently available, you get a chance to be experience a Becker that's not a KABAR, if you choose not to keep it you'll have no trouble recouping most if not all of your money depending on your timing.
I have handled the 10 and have nothing negative to say about it, I will admit that I'm fully biased as a 12 owner.
 
Dexwithers said:
Best option would be the Ka-Bar Micarta on the BK-12.
...
The 10 is not a bad knife at all and would do just fine.
Click to expand...
:thumbup: Agree!

The 10 was my fav large 'bushcraft' knife. Even after I got the 12, I still preferred the 10. But then I put the Micarta scales on and I was won over.

But there's no 'wrong' choice here.
 
I haven't played with a 12 yet but considering it's almost twice the price of a Ka-Bar Becker, I decided to get the others first. The KB knives are really nice.
 
NCSlice said:
If you watch the video(don't worry guys, I have the link) with Doug and Ethan, Ethan says "the first thing you do when you get it is remove the weights then you have a perfect knife" then laughs although I suspect he meant it. Go to 8:50 to hear that quote:

https://youtu.be/tVsRcOb8oG8

I don't own a 10 but I love my 12 and I agree with Dex about preferring it over all others but I'll add for all around average use. I love the 9 and 4 for work but I'm going to just grab a knife to carry just to have it in case of whatever, I pick the 12. I know none of that helps for the OP question but that just my 2 cents on the 12.
I'll add that from a collectors POV, I collect them and use them, the 12 is harder to obtain and is currently available while the 10 is easily obtainable.

So,10vs12, I say 12 because I like the shape and size, I prefer the drop point to the clip point, the 12 is currently available, you get a chance to be experience a Becker that's not a KABAR, if you choose not to keep it you'll have no trouble recouping most if not all of your money depending on your timing.
I have handled the 10 and have nothing negative to say about it, I will admit that I'm fully biased as a 12 owner.
Click to expand...

Fixed that...
 
If you've got the $$, go with the 12 - tho you'll have to wait for Rowen to finish the next batch, as they are currently out of stock AFAIK. I've both, but the 12 is totally worth the extra money, IMO - though you won't go wrong with the 10, either. The stock 12 sheath is a little nicer as the insert is actual Kydex (ambidextrous) that holds the tip in place and prevents the rattle common with the (still reasonably nice) KB sheaths. For me, it just seems like the perfect woods knife. BTW, mine has had the weights removed, LOL, and has Micarta scales - and pretty much stays strapped to my pack.
 
The 10 cuts like a Mo'fo.



I love my 10. My 10 loves blood. Can't wait to see what damage I can do with a 12 (whenever it arrives..)
 
Ugh, that's a good one springy. My 12 bit a friend last Friday when he was unsheathing it....rookie. I didn't think to get pics until after he'd stopped the bleeding but it wasn't as cool by then hah.
 
The 12's are very nice, I have # 059. I've had several 10's and I haven't found anything one really does better than the other. They are both very good knives but the 12 isn't twice as good as the 10, considering the price.
 
FAL'ER said:
The 12's are very nice, I have # 059. I've had several 10's and I haven't found anything one really does better than the other. They are both very good knives but the 12 isn't twice as good as the 10, considering the price.
Click to expand...

To be fair, the BK-12 is MUCH better at being 6 inches of blade......lol
 
I like my Rowen produced Esees a lot, so that may have biased me. Also, I like things that are a little "more" unique.

I could still see myself buying a 10 one of these days to beat on!
 
12 with micarta - ditched the weights, still need to shape the micarta to better fit my hand.
 
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