BK14 and neck knife uses?

A

Alabama2220

Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
12
Hey y'all, been thinking about getting a new knife for carrying around when hunting and Fishing. The bk14 seems to really stand out as a good, lightweight, small utility knife for keeping handy when in the canoe and riding the woods on the four wheeler. Just wanted some opinions and which way is the best to carry it, on the belt or around the neck? Also, has becker fixed the sheath dulling issue? Thanks.

No it is not going to be my main hunting knife but just a small backup utility blade.
 
I prefer on the belt, hate having things around my neck. To answer your other question, no, they haven't fixed the dulling issue...If you can get into the habit of carefully drawing the knife out or in some cases wearing the plastic bits touching the edge its fine but if not, look for some kydex or leather.
 
CamH_16 said:
I prefer on the belt, hate having things around my neck. To answer your other question, no, they haven't fixed the dulling issue...If you can get into the habit of carefully drawing the knife out or in some cases wearing the plastic bits touching the edge its fine but if not, look for some kydex or leather.
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I couldn't agree more^^
I really like the size of the BK neckers, they can be EDC if you prefer, can be stashed in a cargo pocket or lashed to a pack or shoulder strap. Like anybecker knife they will be robust and hold a great working edge for a long time. Even better with scales of your choice added (MHO).
 
I like to carry my neck knives around my neck when it is cold out and I have layers on with a jacket. I don't have to dig for it as much and my body heat keeps the handle warm so when I do use the knife it isn't cold on my hands. I also like to neck carry when I am fishing in my kayak. I know exactly where it is and it is there to grab instantly.

I do like back pocket carry though around town.

Jeremy
 
Most of the time, I keep my 14 in my front pocket. I've worn it around my neck a few times but it just doesn't carry right for me.
 
I really like the BK-11 for my utility knife at elk and deer camp. It's either in a cargo pocket or hanging from my neck. Always easy to get to and after you've used it enough the sheath gets worn in so it doesn't dull so much. Plus when we come in from the hunt at night I don't have to fumble for a bottle opener :D

Clark
BH #244
 
around the neck....

you can shove a small piece of paracord or something down into the sheath to help with dulling, rattling...
 
dresnor said:
I like to carry my neck knives around my neck when it is cold out and I have layers on with a jacket. I don't have to dig for it as much and my body heat keeps the handle warm so when I do use the knife it isn't cold on my hands. I also like to neck carry when I am fishing in my kayak. I know exactly where it is and it is there to grab instantly.

Jeremy
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Exactly.
 
great knife, crap shealth. Just ordered a kydex shealth for mine that's set up for tek lok. I also added the optional zytel handles. Makes a big difference.
 
I normally have either an Izula or a BK-14 on my belt. I have my -11 that has a zippo and a firesteel and a couple magnets and a needle and some ranger band that I wear around my neck on a beaded chain ran through some paracord. The 11 that I have is the Camilus version so it is saber ground and it has a different sheath.
 
Alright, i dont have a 14, but i edc an izula2...so ill give you my 2 cents anyways :D

I opt for a pocket sheath in work environments. On hikes, outdoorsiness, etc i have a belth sheath i wear. I'm not a fan of neck carry, thats just me, every so often i will if I'm out on the boat but it just depends. Plus, my pockets and belt are always easily accessible since where i live in south carolina is scarcely below 80-100*F from april-october
 
I think Kabar has fixed the sheath issue. The new sheath can be seen in the photos below.

You can use the straps from a Kabar TDI for belt carry, or 550 cord for belt / neck carry...
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009-9_zpsafe676a0.jpg
 
My 14 should be here soon and I'm anxious to try it out. I'm concerned about the sheath though....
 
I would either modify the current sheath to prevent dulling and increase retention or just shell out for an azwelke kydex (won't break the bank and excellent sheath).

I lost a BK11 CSM because it fell out of the sheath when carrying around my neck tip up. Haven't used a stock sheath since then. The stock sheath would be fine for belt carry with the clip or lashing to a pack tip down, though. Just modify it to fix the dulling.

The 14 is a great knife, though. The Izula handles are great and it's blade makes it a different knife for different purposes than the regular Izula.
 
I've carried an Izula around my neck for a long time. Very handy. I just bought a BK14 and the sheath is junk. Big, bulky and it rattles. I've ordred a kydex sheath for it but i anticipate neck carry for the bk as well.
 
I really like neck carry, especially smaller fixed blade knives, and the BK14 is one of my favorites. I always carry point down, and unless I'm doing something involving archery, I almost always have a knife hanging from my neck.

I'm just not cool (or perhaps coordinated) enough to do the tactical tip up, tear it out of sheath and slash out to save my life and the lives of the school bus full of children who mysteriously appeared behind me needing my protective ninja operators moves, so scandinavian fisherman carry works just fine for me. I've rigged the factory sheath so that it hangs handle up blade down, and its worked out very well for me.

I'm sure its possible to dull the blade on the sheath (I have the new style, which is shaped differently, and reportedly has less fiberglass in it??), though that hasn't been an issue for me (maybe it would be if I spent some serious practice time on ninja quick draws). I just grip the handle, apply a little pressure with my thumb, and it pops right off, sliding against the spine of the blade, the edge makes minimal to no contact with the sheath. I have noticed that on occasion when I sheath the knife, the curve of the blade will bite into the plastic, so I'm sure that eventually it would dull the blade, though in all honesty, I'd like to think I use the knife enough to dull it before sheathing it causes real issues. I suppose eventually, the sheath will need to be replaced, but thats probably something my grandchildren will need to worry about.

Anyway, my advise would be to get the knife, try it out, and based on your own experience with it, modify/change the sheath to suit your needs, you really can't go wrong, its a great product and an incredible value.

Erik
 
Hey guys, I was wrong.

I watched some youtube videos by virtuovice last night, including one where he tests and demonstrates dulling of the blade on the BK-14 sheath. He does it with a bunch of neck knives, testing all the knives on all the sheaths. He simply draws the edge of the knives on the outer edge of each sheath, cutting paper both before and after drawing the knife against the sheath.

I won't spoil his results, but I will say I tried the same thing with my BK14 and its factory sheath. Pulled the knife out, and it goes through paper like it should, ran the edge across the outer edge of the sheath three times with little or no more pressure than the weight of the knife itself. Tried a paper cut, complete FAIL, couple passes on my strop, and back to slicing through paper like its air. I guess the test proves that the material the sheath is made from will dull the edge...

Got to find me some Sriracha sauce for the crow...

Interesting though, using my normal technique of using my thumb to push the sheath away from the knife, and guiding the sheath off against the spine of the knife does spare the knife. It'll slice paper, sheath the knife a dozen times, and still slice paper like I'd just stropped it.

Anyhow, my bad, the material the sheath is made from does appear to dull the blade, FWIW, my knife has the new molding on the sheath, but the knife is roll stamped and has the old finish.

Sorry,

Erik
 
I just looked at the virtuovice video you mentioned and tried what he did. Sure enough, my Eskabar got dull. I did find a cheap fix though. Since you'll be resharpening the knife sometime anyway, just put it in and pull it out, edge first, so that you're intentionally dulling it by dragging. After about eight or nine passes, the edge will remove enough material inside the sheath to eliminate the problem. Then sharpen the knife; problem solved. Mine no longer dulls when inserting or removing, as there's just not enough material on the edge side (of the inside of the sheath) to dull it any more.
Another solution would be to use a small file or emery board to sand off some material in the same area.
 
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