BK11 v Brkt necker vs Kabar FIN Part DUEX pg 2 The results are IN!

[clich]

So I just got back from vacation and a 10 hour and 50 minute drive (not including stops for pee breaks and TONS of coffee( since i started driving at 2 AM EST) and after a quick unpack by throwing everything in the washer or the basement, whats the first thing I do you ask? A knife review, yeh I certainly missed my girls (i did bring the bk10 and bk11 with me). So i pull in the drive way and find 3 boxes, two from tomars, one from a fellow BF member.

What did said boxes contain Cody?

Im glad you asked. Well one had becker micarta, for my second bk2 thats in the mail, another had a brandy new Kabar Fin folder. The third had a used Barkie Bravo Necker. I fondled them, and sliced some paper and then it hit me......WHICH DO I CARRY ON THE REGULAR? seems like a review is in order to find out.....

First up, is ole faithful, the bk11. I even went and got her new pants since she served me so well (and once i get around to it she will have custom scales too since my first attempt failed but luckily she came away unscathed)

My favorite thing about beckers, is that they are a great platform for modding and making the blade fit me. For example, I blue/bleach acid etched her to give her the weathered look, and added jimping in two places for better control. I also love that is made right here in the USA, and its stamped as such. The 1095 holds a great edge, especially since i convexed the edge (at least i think so, its very thin and hard to tell but a strop cleans it up quick) The skeletonized tang really fits well in a pocket and is hardly noticable at all, even during all day wear. The bk11 also opens my beer.....yeh it does that....my wife doesnt even do that......

back on track. The only thing i dont like about the bk11 is the three finger grip. It feels weak sometimes and has me reaching for a big boy more often then i think i should.

Next up the Barkie. First off I love full convex, it just cant be beat IMO. It slices, it dices, it sharpens quick and easy, its just a great grind. So when I got the opportunity in a trade to get a bravo necker, i jumped at the chance, since i love neckers and I love convex. First impression was the blade is smaller than i imagined. For a necker and an edc thats not a bad thing, but i guess i expected a wider blade since i knew what the blade length was.

This is a great little blade, and i can see it EDC effectiveness right away. Its small, concealable, and as sheeple friendly as a fixed blade can be (besides a butter knife). The micarta is a nice touch, and the four finger tang really puts me in a tough spot. The length of the handle is good, but still feels very thin and small.

Another huge bonus is the USA stamp. Love me blades that give americans jobs and thats that. The blade steel is also 12c27 stainless, and that can be a bonus as well. Im not a steel scientist (as much as i wished that i was) so i dont know the HRC for it, but i do know that stainless steel offers corrosion protection, and since im a sweaty guy, a neck knife, tucked in my shirt, against my sweaty body, better have some corrosion protection. So far the barkie is making a good case for itself..

The problems I found with the barkie are price tag, which is 3x as much as the other two, and the size for bigger jobs. The bk11 maybe small to but it can act like a big boy too, im afraid the barkie may just not quite measure up

Lastly, is the Kabar Fin. This was an impulse buy, mainly because the website i got it from was out of phat bobs. Its made of the same AUS8 steel used in he phat bob, from the same factory. Which is my main problem with it right off the bat. Its made in Taiwan. Nails on a chalk board, even though the steel is great quality and I loved my phat bobs, i would rather they be made in Olean, NY, and thats just my personal opinion. So, as far as this review goes, the fin starts with a -1.

Now onto the good stuff. This is a big yet compact folder. I dropped it in my pocket and it disappeared, even for its size. The handle body is well contructed and it feels like a tank. The grip is a four finger, and boy is it comfortable. It fills the hand well and the grip feels rock solid. The jimping is a welcome addition as well

The lock up is great and blade is centered when closed. The four position pocket clip is very nice as well, it allows for any way carry (left/right/tip up/tip down)

Now onto my second problem with the Fin. The opening. At first glance, the thumb hole seemed like it would snap open the blade easily. But, the handle actually prevents that. There is, what seems to be an unnecessary extention of the handle right here:

And when you use the thumb hole for opening, even my medium sized thumb catches and doesnt allow for a quick draw opening.

My final problem with the fin is the blade coating. Since i havent put it to real use, i dont know how it will hold up. Could last one use, could be gone if i look at it the wrong way. I dont like blade coatings that arent easily removed once scratched, but only time will tell how this goes.


Well that is my first impressions.... Look for part two coming to a theatre near you. Starring me, putting these blades through the ringer as I continue my quest for my EDC. O and since edc doesnt mean just everyday carry to me, it also means every day challenges, these little guys are gonna see some normal stuff, and some more challenging tasks as well....stay tuned....

 

[The Warrior]

That FIN folder is a lot bigger than I had imagined.

 

[Stark Knives]

Very good comparison, that BRKT looks really nice, just wish it was cheaper.

Erdbeereis

 

[clich]

Ok since i cant just sit around twittling my thumbs when i dont have a cut and dry blade to carry, I figured id start with some simple tests

First up cardboard. We all use our edc to cut up or open cardboard at some point, and that stuff can dull a blade quick. So i decided to do a cut test. Each blade cut off a piece of cardboard, changing the angle of the cut midway, then sliced up the cardboard into pieces. here is how they did:
You can see all relatively well, with both the barkie and becker struggling a little on the angle change. The barkie also skipped a little at the start and you can see that in the pic. This test goes to the Kabar Fin, clean cut from beginning to end. May be the factory edge, but each popped hair at the start so i dunno...

Next up was something a little harder, a chopping test on a 2x4 with as equal snap cuts as i could make. Now i know, i know, why would a necker or folder need to chop? Well look at Ethans september challenge and you will see why i added this. You never know when you may need to chop. Here are the results of 30 whacks. Again the Kabar has the edge, but given its size and weight I dont think the others had much chance. Even though the barkie, being smaller and lighter DID do a better job than expected.

Now I tried to dull the edges by running them back and forth 30 times in these grooves on the 2x4 to check edge retention, prob is they all held pretty well and sliced paper after the test, i may need to dull them on something a bit harsher next time.

The biggest surprise was very little marking on the Kabar coating, but we will see just how well it holds up tomorrow when it gets some dirt work....

 

[Stark Knives]

I'm excited for tomorrow!

Erdbeereis

 

[clich]

So for those of you keeping score are home:

Bk11: 1 point for USA, 1 for being a fixed blade (l like fixed blades more), 1 modding, 1 utility = 4 points
BRKT: 1 usa, 1 fixed, 1 convex, 0 points for size (-1 too small for some stuff, +1 good edc size), 1 F&F = 4 points
Kabar: -1 Taiwan, 0 F&F (+1 overall, -1 thumb opening oversight), +1 size, +1 cutting tests thus far, +1 ultility = 2 point

Bush time is the thing, in which i will find which blade is an EDC King! - Hamlet (the unpublished version)

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

I'm actually having a similar issue with figuring out what to EDC, although I've got the Bravo Necker 2, which has a 3.5" blade, and the carbon steel san mai version of the BK11.
My BK11 currently has custom pants, and I'll be making Rosewood scales for the Bravo Necker. The BN2 cuts better than the BK11 by far for me, while the BK11 I think is slightly more comfortable in hand, and has the bottle opener. I think if the Bravo Necker 2 had a bottle opener it would be no contest for me. Pricing was comparable for both knives for me, with the BK11 in San Mai actually being a little more expensive, IIRC. I will be interested to see which you end up carrying.

 

[clich]

I'm actually having a similar issue with figuring out what to EDC, although I've got the Bravo Necker 2, which has a 3.5" blade, and the carbon steel san mai version of the BK11.
My BK11 currently has custom pants, and I'll be making Rosewood scales for the Bravo Necker. The BN2 cuts better than the BK11 by far for me, while the BK11 I think is slightly more comfortable in hand, and has the bottle opener. I think if the Bravo Necker 2 had a bottle opener it would be no contest for me. Pricing was comparable for both knives for me, with the BK11 in San Mai actually being a little more expensive, IIRC. I will be interested to see which you end up carrying.

I had 2 of the san mai 11's couldnt get either to take an edge so i gave up on em. I heard they get wicked sharp, but mine couldnt cut warm butter. This is my first barkie, ive only admired them from afar, i didnt actually know the 2 was longer, just thought it was a sequel with improvements (didnt really look to much into the specs) . So far each blade has got its perks, and the dark horse fin is really making me pay attention to it. Ive been fondling them all since i posted this up, its gonna be tough. I was always a one edc kind of guy, ya know it sits on the night stand and you grab it and go, but now i might need to create some kind of rotation. time will tell....

 

[Flexxx]

Out of the three I would take the Bark River.....

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

I actually EDC a folder AND a fixed blade. Folder in my pocket, fixed blade strapped to the back of my belt. Then you don't have to choose

 

[clich]

Out of the three I would take the Bark River.....

That was my first thought when it was in the mail, but I wanna see how well 2 Kabar products at 1/2 -1/3 the price hold up against it. I think in the end I will prob have one on my fatboy and on in my pocket, but for the reviews sake forget I just wrote that.....

 

[daizee]

Nice comparison and good choices.
I've drooled over the Bark River, and I like the size. My EDC's are all less than 3" and it's not a problem - of course I don't work outside or anything.
I was also a one-EDC guy, but have added a fixed blade to my usual folder when I can do so comfortably. Those two, however, don't rotate much. The consistency is important to me.

-Daizee

 

[whereismyclock]

eff now I want one of those bark rivers.

.......i gotta stop coming here

 

[cramsey3006]

That FIN folder is a lot bigger than I had imagined.

That's the first thing I thought too. I also never realized it's a frame lock. I guess I didn't pay attention to the information on the knife, since I just figured it was a liner lock. I have to say that it appeals to me even more now.

 

[clich]

Ok, im hoping to get out on the trail today, at least just a little, and Ill be doing some test on these three. Here is what i plan on thus far:

Feathersticks
batoning (yup even with a folder)
control (whittling)
drilling
cross body power cuts
ferc striking
edge retention after it all, and field resharpening (my field kit has some simple sharpeners, so we will see if they can take an edge back while out and about)
clubbing across grain
maybe some prying too

anything else you would wanna see?

 

[FAL'ER]

Why not carry the barkie and the Becker, one on each side.

 

[tradewater]

Nice review so far clich. Looks like the Becker is holding it's own pretty good. I'd like to see a BHK bush baby thrown in the mix. It's similar in size, in the middle price-wise and quite a good little knife.

 

[clich]

Nice review so far clich. Looks like the Becker is holding it's own pretty good. I'd like to see a BHK bush baby thrown in the mix. It's similar in size, in the middle price-wise and quite a good little knife.

I would to, wish i had one. I had one in my old collection but had to sell it. although i didnt see much of and edc in that one

Why not carry the barkie and the Becker, one on each side.

my plan is to have one in my pocket at all times. the runner up is going into the maped fatboy edc pack as a back up blade. third place might go to the exchange, i dunno. this is a fight to the death

 

[FAL'ER]

That's funny, Reminds me of when I'd get a new folder I'd give the old one away as a gift, because I got a new one, (1). I guess 1 is all I needed then. Man times have changed.

Now days I need a backup and then My backup needs a backup.

 

[Flexxx]

That was my first thought when it was in the mail, but I wanna see how well 2 Kabar products at 1/2 -1/3 the price hold up against it. I think in the end I will prob have one on my fatboy and on in my pocket, but for the reviews sake forget I just wrote that.....

Your going to make a fatboy carry a knife? WTF

Since your doing a review of this size of knive's you need to throw in a Izula or Izula II...