BK2: Military or LE?

[shortwinger]

I saw a recent thread asking if the BK2 is a good military knife and it got me thinking if I would have carried it. There were no knives around like this when I was on active duty, I don't think people can appreciate how lucky they are today with all these fantastic blades available today. If you served you probably have a better feel for how many vastly different jobs there are and how each different job would want or need a completely different knife.

So, if you served in the military or in law enforcement chime in and tell if there is any knife in the Becker line that you would have carried. Or if not, state why none of the current lineup would work for you.
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For me, I was in Combat Service Support, Shore Party to be exact. It was my job to set-up and run the beach head. As such I would cut everything from cargo straps, webbing, metal straps, break into crates, dig, etc. I am about 5'6" so I would not carry a large knife, I would probably pick the BK2 and possibly a necker.

 

[Rsmith_77]

when i was active duty we couldnt have any knife that was longer than 3"
but i presume not only have times changed, but its probably different for each unit with the choice being up to the commanders and all

 

[jarodmichael]

When in garrison back home, I can't carry anything over 3''... that they know about, lol. I carry a BK2 on my belt and a BK9 in my ruck everyday and my 2 has gotten a ton of use. From cutting up apples to removing a 2x4 that need to be cut thru and we had no axe/saw. The BK2 is a fantastic EDC blade for any serviceman!

 

[Murphnuge]

Crewman and Machax when I was active, now I may carry the BK2 , 7 or 9.

 

[apdb90]

As far as LE, many agencies have policy limiting to a folding knife or a fixed blade under a certain length. Plus, with the trends in public perception toward LE, a large fixed blade would be frowned upon from a public perception standpoint let alone a retention/officer safety standpoint.

 

[TwinStick]

Even in the Army, i was referred to as "the knife nut". I must have broken at least 3 bayonettes & had at least 10 taken away from me. I would sharpen them until i could shave hair. It got to the point that everytime the CC or 1st Sgt saw me in the field, they would ask to see my bayonette. If it was sharp, they would take it. I got SOOOO pissed off at that & did'nt know why & they would'nt tell me. Then one day an SP/5 who used to be a SSGT & a 2 tour VietNam Combat vet, told me that when sharpened & actually used as a bayonette, it would slice into the rib cage bones & you would NOT be able to pull it out. IDK, i was lucky enough to never have to find out for real but i trusted him. My first thought was that it was designed wrong & it should have been designed sideways then, so as to go inbetween the rib cage bones.

I would have loved to be able to carry a BK2 while in the field.

 

[slapper]

I'm not sure, but I think that a sharpened bayonet was a violation of the geneva convention, along w/ hollow point ammunition. Thank you for your service!
slapper

 

[Murphnuge]

I've heard that too Slapper. Our new Ontario bayonets came sharpened though. It was officially labeled a fighting knife/utility, so maybe that created a loophole. My personal feeling was that a sharpened bayonet made it easier on the other guy getting stuck and if I've got an enemy deserving of such a reward I didn't want to go easy on him.

 

[Guyon]

As such I would cut everything from cargo straps, webbing, metal straps, break into crates, dig, etc. I am about 5'6" so I would not carry a large knife, I would probably pick the BK2 and possibly a necker.

There is a 2 and a 7 with partial serrations sold to military personnel for just such occasions.

 

[DerekH]

I got both my brothers a BK2 before they left, and just heard from one of them last night. I asked if he took the knife with him, but he said he had to send it back due to a constrictive weight limit on everything he took with him. Total of 400 lbs, including himself, so he had to send a crap ton of stuff home. He did say that once he gets there he will be able to have stuff shipped to him though, so I will make sure he gets it back in his hands after he gets there.

 

[jarodmichael]

guyon, those look effin sweet!! I love those old timey handles!

 

[shortwinger]

Total of 400 lbs, including himself, so he had to send a crap ton of stuff home. He did say that once he gets there he will be able to have stuff shipped to him though, so I will make sure he gets it back in his hands after he gets there.

I was going to say wow, only 400 lbs but, after thinking about it even when we went on ship it was one human and 2 sea bags max... And unless you were going to combat you tried to keep at least part of one of those sea bag enpty for stuff you would buy at ports.

I'm sure you will be a good brother and send those BK2's over to them. Wish them well.

 

[Bladite]

it's ironic that they can carry guns, tasers, pepper spray, and use "less lethal" items, but they can't bloody carry a spydero. geez.

 

[Moosez45]

I've never really figured the BK2 would make it as military knife. Not that its weak, on the contrary, its too strong.

Most 11Bravo's have tons of ammo, grenades, and work in a unit. As a necessary combat knife, not much is needed for the standard Joe's. For units that do need a "clandestine" knife, others are designed to meet the need, and are specifically made for it. Enter the Gerber MKII. That knife is made for one reason.

Combat soldiers? Maybe. Garrison Soldiers, definetly. Cladestine units? I'm sure they got something.

My Ranger buds all carried a fixed blade, usually a Kabar 1219/1220 sorts. I asked a bunch of them once why they chose them, and almost all replied, "its what the BX had. Everyone of them backed it up with a multitool. Mostly Gerber or Leatherman. BX again. They did get bayonets, and like one of them said, "if it opens an MRE, it gets used at least once a day."

I would say there are a couple of soldiers that are glad they had some steel on their hip, but I bet there's a bunch humping some gear, that wished they didn't.

Just an observation.

Moose

 

[shortwinger]

My Ranger buds all carried a fixed blade, usually a Kabar 1219/1220 sorts. I asked a bunch of them once why they chose them, and almost all replied, "its what the BX had. Everyone of them backed it up with a multitool. Mostly Gerber or Leatherman. BX again. They did get bayonets, and like one of them said, "if it opens an MRE, it gets used at least once a day." Just an observation.
Moose

I think it is a very good observation Moose! I posted this to highlight something that is lacking in much of the general public, an understanding that using the words "the military" is like saying all catholics or all Europeans. The military has many many different fields and each has vastly different jobs, access to equipment and its own job specific tools. A combat engeneer might love a BK2/BK7 for its brute strength and ability to do just about anything while an infantryman humping everything he has, might resent the extra weight and bulk.

This is why it is so hard to convey to average Joe why the boring old USMC [type] Ka-Bar is so popular. It is a tough blade but still quick in hand. It takes a nice edge even with moderate sharpening skills and the edge stays usefull for a reasonable amount of time. It does a good job at big work, little work and makes an effective weapon. They even make a short version for us not so tall guys. It rarely breaks but if it does, the PX (BX) carries it so it is easily replaced. (Ka-Bar will also get you one "most ricky-tic" if you are off the beaten path.) Simply put; its there when you need it, it does whatever job you ask it to do and is not a big burden to carry around. I'm not sure what more you could ask of a knife.