BK13 Steel?

CaptinRedBeard

CaptinRedBeard

Joined
Dec 3, 2011
Messages
708
From what I've read (in the database) The Remora is made from 440A stainless steel. I was just wondering what the reasoning behind this was? As opposed to using 1095CV like the rest of the BK&T lineup. Just curious about the specifics, if anybody knows?
 
Great question. I don't have a clue. Maybe we can get Tooj in here at some point.
You could also ask this question in the Ask Tooj thread (Sticky) over in Ka-Bar. He's pretty good about answering questions there.
 
Guyon said:
Great question. I don't have a clue. Maybe we can get Tooj in here at some point.
You could also ask this question in the Ask Tooj thread (Sticky) over in Ka-Bar. He's pretty good about answering questions there.
Click to expand...

I might just have to do that. Thanks.
 
If you get an answer over there (probably be Monday at the earliest), please report back and copy Tooj's reply.
Moose or Bladite may know already and could chime in before then.
 
was talking with Ethan yesterday as it turns out, good 440A, well heat treated is a dandy steel...

in actual use, it's really hard to determine any appreciable differences... so it really doesn't matter :)

my thoughts:

the blade is not coated, much like the BK-77, so PROBABLY they looked at materials that would not corrode so easily. both of these knives are made of a type of stainless. for the BK-13, exotic steel would be pricey, and really not necessary, yah?

it's also the only hollow ground Becker i can think of. also has a bead blasted texture (on the usa made model), which makes it more fun.

easy care, easy sharpen, good price point.

the BK11-CSM has a different hide as well.

the BK13 also sells pretty well, so hopefully as a proof of concept they'll do more change ups :>
 
The Reinhardt is 440 stainless also isn't it? with the exception of one or two versions that actually came carbon steel.
So clearly 440 if done right is good stuff.
 
I know some people hate remoras. Too bad for them. They've turned out to be great first knives for my kids.
 
Bladite said:
was talking with Ethan yesterday as it turns out, good 440A, well heat treated is a dandy steel...

in actual use, it's really hard to determine any appreciable differences... so it really doesn't matter :)

my thoughts:

the blade is not coated, much like the BK-77, so PROBABLY they looked at materials that would not corrode so easily. both of these knives are made of a type of stainless. for the BK-13, exotic steel would be pricey, and really not necessary, yah?

it's also the only hollow ground Becker i can think of. also has a bead blasted texture (on the usa made model), which makes it more fun.

easy care, easy sharpen, good price point.

the BK11-CSM has a different hide as well.

the BK13 also sells pretty well, so hopefully as a proof of concept they'll do more change ups :>
Click to expand...

Lots of great info once again, thanks man.
 
I'd still get one if it was more spendy and made from a different steel. I'm not big on the 440A SS. IMO it dulls way to fast.
 
440A is one of my favourite all around steels. I agree it dulls easy but it takes an edge even better.
For a tiny utility knife I think it's perfect.
 
Wonder if 440A is that much cheaper than Scandvik stainless?
 
Last edited:
bemo said:
Wonder if 440A is that much cheaper than Scandvik stainless?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is. And Kabar has it in stock, by the ton.

The Remora was designed as a back up knife for the larger blades, hence the Remora sheath in all the big BKT sheaths. What tasks can a real small knife do that a "big knife" can't do well? Small game.

I've used a BK9 to get a squirrel out of his dinner jacket, it was pretty easy, because of how I do it. I've cleaned trout with my BK9, and it sucked. I could just imagine dressing out a rabbit or pheasant with a BK9, and how much it would suck.

So, along tha thought process, stainless steel makes a perfect choice.

Sure, there are some exotic stainless steels out there, that would work fine, but ya'll have to remember, this is BKT, most knife for your money.

And for those that think 440A is shyte steel, think again. Steel has some to do with it, but heat treat is what makes all the difference in how they perform. I've seen shite steel with a great heat treat work great, and I've seen really good, expensive steel with a lame heat treat, not work at all.

Been alot of knives made from 440A. Alot.

Moose
 
Here is Tooj's reply from the other thread.

Toooj said:
CaptinRedbeard,

The very first BK-13s were cheap 420J2 Chinese knives that we gave away with the knives when we reintroduced the Becker Line. Because the BK-13 was so sucessful, we brought out the US made version in 440A.
There were two reasons for the stainless steel. First we thought that the knife would be stuck in the sheath or second, next to the body as a neck knife. So corrosion resistance was an issue so we thought the BK-13 would best be made in stainless.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
Click to expand...
 
I'd put my 12C27 Mora against 440A, from anyone, any day. 440a, imo, is a better axe steel, than knife steel. Also good in throwing knives. This is only my personal opinion.
 
Hey guys.....


Toooj said:
We hear you. Many people have mentioned this. We recently got a large amount of 0.125" thk 1095 CRO-VAN for another project so a run of BK-13s may be possible.

I pay homage to the MOOSEZMAN. He worked his first SHOT Show for KA-BAR/Becker. He worked his tail off. Well done.

Hope all of this helps.

Best Regards,


Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top