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BK11 and BK14

flipaldinho

flipaldinho

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Messages
381
Hello again all,

So I have been looking into these two knives and I am currently caught in a pickle. At first I thought that without a doubt I would get the BK11 and some micarta and be the happiest man alive. After some soul-searching and picture viewing, though, my opinion has swayed. The BK14 withe some micarta has caught my eye and I can't look away. At some point I would probably want to have both of them, being a newer Becker convert, but for now I am just going to stick with one. I thought the bottle opener on the 11 looked cool at first but now that round opening on the 14 is appealing to me for some reason. What are your thoughts? How have your experiences with both been? Is the handling much different for either? Thanks for the input guys and gals!
 
P.S. I am going to be EDC'ing whichever one I choose, too. Just fyi. In case that plays into what you recommend.
 
I really love my 14 but have never had my hands on an 11. I would like to pick one up at some point, perhaps once the laser etch ones are out.

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I have both.
When using the 11 hard, the cap lifter starts to dig into the padding of my my hand. It isn't too painful, unless you have soft hands.
The 14 is pretty comfortable with the zytel, but not as hand filling as the micarta on the necker, If that makes sense.
It is easier to get a more comfortable grip on the 14, because it lacks the bottle opener.
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I've tried both, went 14...better shaped handles to me at least, and I dont need a bottleopener that much and if I do I always have a Bic. (if u dont know what I mean by that u dont drink enuff LOL)

I have fat wide hands BTW, so if u have more regulation size mitts the 11 could be just fine for ya.


I figger u know this, but will point it out anyways JIC...the 11 and 14 are the exact same blade, the handle shape is only deciding factor
 
If I were only going to pick one, I'd go with the 14. Especially now that the zytel scales have been released (they're on backorder already atm).

Plenty of people love their 11 though, so I wouldn't agonize too much.

Don't me wrong I love me some Becker, but I like my Izula 2 better than the 11 or 14, just saying. The 14 has the same handle as the original Izula, the Izula II is identical with a longer handle.
 
It's be nice if they had zytel for the 11 too (which I have). There are some cool scales on ebay, but $20 handles for a $30 knife doesn't compute in my brain. I'll keep the paracord on.

I really like the look of the 14 with the zytel...and with the ESEE Izula scales.
 
Thanks for the information guys. That really helps inform me. I liked seeing those side-by-side shots too, cbwoods67. Thanks. I'll get some pictures up whenever I get them. It'll just be another one of those BK14 threads... ;)
 
I have an 11, but not a 14. My hands are pretty small so the bottle opener doesn't bother me all that much, but I can just barely fit all my fingers on the handle. So if you have medium to large hands and plan to use it a fair bit I'd opt for the 14.
 
I have one of each and like the 11 better for whatever reason. If I didn't have the 11, I'd likely carry the 14 all over the place because it's freaking great. For me though, the 11 is just a smidge freaking greater. :D

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Beckerhead #42
 
I've heard the 11's handle isnt always perfect for some people and since I've never held or seen an 11 before I'm gonna have to go with the 14.


BK-14 (2) by CamH_16, on Flickr
 
I love my 14. Performs like a knife twice it's size. Never held an 11 but it's hard to imagine loving a small fixed blade more unless Ethan Becker sat in my garage and hand made one especially for my hands over the course of a few weeks, leaving behind micarta dust, 1095 shavings, and a beautiful masterpiece.

Yes, that's how much I love my 14.
 
I have the 11 and like it a lot so far. I don't mind the handle, it actually rests nicely in my hand. In reference to the sharpness of the handle, I only have my wrapped in cord with a lanyard on the end. The simple lanyard extends the handle just enough to make things comfortable for me. Keep in mind, I have larger hands.
 
I have both as well... I was in the same position as you and couldn't choose.....so I went with both...right now they are both wrapped in paracord (until my 14 scales get here). I like the 14 a little better because of the handle. It's weird but that little bit of extra meat you get on the end of the 14 handle really makes a difference in my hand. I really wont think that you will make a bad choice either way though. Both are great knives to have. I just edc the 14.
 
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