BK2 or 16/17 for EDC?

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Hawgsnawt

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Aug 16, 2015
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A few days ago a young man had asked for advice for an EDC fixed blade for use on a ranch working cattle.... At the time I looked back to my youth when I did the same type of work for many years and thought to what would have worked for me.... I ended up suggesting a BK17 in a leather cross draw sheath for a couple of reasons...have been thinking about that advice since then, and I think I'd like to have the same set up as an EDC option myself.

The crossdraw sheath will not hang low and get in the way the way some fixed blade sheaths can, especially when not outfitted with a dangler....mounting a house 40 times a day is going to lead to frustrations....and with a dangler, the knife hangs low enough to cause another host of issues. I HATE the leg slap dangler sheaths tend to give you every time you or the mount takes a step...slap slap slap seriously, its like Chinese water torture.... drives me NUTS.

On top of this, as I am old and fat and clumsy now days, I've got little love for scout carry.... I find for me at least...they are inordinately problematic to resheath without 3 hands and a mirror.

So I ran across this diagonal cross draw sheath...



It looks like it solves MOST of my problems with EDCing a fixed blade... the bottom of the knife should not extend more than a few inches below the belt line... and the angle of draw should keep the handle accessable while still allowing for ease of resheathing.

I'm right handed and looking to carry using this style sheath on my right hand side...I believe I'll have no trouble manipulating the knife in and out of the sheath easily.

Now the issue I'm running into....

I live in Texas, 5.5 inch single edge blades are legal here to EDC... but does that mean they should be?

I CAN legally carry the BK2 every day every where I go... but we all know its ALOT of knife! Part of me says you can never have too much knife and go big or go home.....but flip side of my mind tells me that there is very little a 2 can do, that can not also be done with a 16/17....and in fact, occasionally the 2 will just be too much knife and actually be harder to use because of its size...

I no longer ranch LOL...I'm just a normal guy now with normal EDC tasks to do... opening boxes, dog food bags, clipping loose strings off my boys shirt, I'll never really expect to NEED the 2...but still, part of me says better to have and not need than need and not have....

What do you guys think? Is the 2 overkill? should I just stick with the 16/17? Just because I CAN....should I?

I think I already know the answer but I wanna hear it from someone else before I order the sheath.... for what its worth, I already own all 3 knives...... Go big just because you CAN.... or stay more subdued?

Thoughts?

as a final thought... I HAVE EDCed all the options before, and the weight of the 2 is really a non issue for me... I'm a big guy.
 
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Hawgsnawt said:
...I'm just a normal guy now with normal EDC tasks to do... opening boxes, dog food bags, clipping loose strings off my boys shirt, I'll never really expect to NEED the 2...but still, part of me says better to have and not need than need and not have....
Click to expand...
-snip-
Ok, this right here is what sums it up for me.
I understand the " want to be prepared" sentiment, but like you said, there isn't much that the 2 can do that the 16/17 can't.
- How well does the 2 manipulate for opening a box, clipping a string versus How frequently would the 2 be overkill?
- You would need to have a custom sheath made for a cross draw of a 2 where as you could probably find one for a 16/17 built for another knife
- The 16/17 would tend to draw less ire.
- You Just suggested a 17 for someone who would likely see a more vigorous daily usage. (Not to sound crass or rude but) Do you often offer advice that you personally wouldn't follow?
- Just because you might have a license to drive a tank, doesn't mean it would be the best for grocery shopping.
------
While some knives can take A Lot, it doesn't mean that the knife would get used in that degree enough to justify it.
But on the flip side, I can only view your questions through my filter and how I would feel carrying my 2 vs my 15.

I love my 2 and my 15, but for edc the Tweener takes the cake.

Good luck with your decision and keep us informed.
 
I don't quite see the go big or go home mentality with any of those knives, honestly. The BK2 is only a 5.25" blade, even if it is 1/4" thick.
That said, as much as I like the BK2 and BK16, they're both larger than I like for EDC (though that is, no doubt, colored by my location & lifestyle - were it legal & reasonable to do so, I suspect that I would be accustomed to carrying larger blades). Still, I've found that a 3.5-4" blade does just about everything I need it to during the course of an average day; and, over the past couple of years, I've even developed a fondness for certain 3-3.5" fixies. This isn't about me, or my situation, though. Of the choices presented; I'd likely choose the BK16...in whatever sheathing arrangement fits your routine.
 
for the chores you list, the 14/24 would be ideal.
otherwise, the 16/17in a crossdraw would be a decent alternative for long term comfort.
 
Here in PA, theres not much a 16 or 17 can than a 11 or 14 cant do just as well in an edc role. The biggest advantage of the tweeners is the handle. For a work knife, it.would be what is the most comfortable to use all day. Personally, for an all day use knife, the 16 is my choice for a work knife. Edc at work or play, my 11 gets the most use for now. (I dont use a knife as my primary tool at work) As it gets warmer out, and the cargo shorts come out of winter storage, the 16 will see more light of day thanks to the deeper pockets. Either way, use what you find comfortable for you.
 
Of the three, I'd go with the 16 every time.
But in general, I'd carry something smaller but with enough handle. In the Becker lineup that's the 14/24.

For context:
I exclusively carry 2.5-3" knives, fixed and folders. 3" is my legal limit, but frankly it's a really good on-person EDC size. If I had more leeway I'd probably take advantage of it up to 3.5", but after that things get bulky and threatening without offering me much in return.
 
ended up ordering sheath for the 11..... I have an 11 with micarta and it should suffice, if I find that I like it, I'll likely order one for a 16/17 as well just to have the option and get a true in hand feel for it.....but after toying with the knives, sticking them to my belt with some painters tape, I think the 2 and 16/17 will all stick out too far and just get caught on stuff enough to make it too annoying to EDC..... we shall see.

Pics when it shows up are implied....
 
1066vik said:
for the chores you list, the 14/24 would be ideal.
otherwise, the 16/17in a crossdraw would be a decent alternative for long term comfort.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was thinking. I have one set up for EDC in a 710 kydex built for small of the back carry. Most never even notice.
 
11/14/24 and and Tweener and a BK-2 would cover everything but, as stated, the Tweeners get it done and while I personally prefer the 15 (for my tasks), the Sweet 16 and the 17 are easy on the eyes and very functional.
 
Your 11 rig will probably fit the bill just fine, but here's a few random thoughts.

It would be pretty easy to get a full sideways crossdraw rig for your 16/17 (one where the spine more or less follows your belt). This would relieve much of the trouble of having a canted sheath. I personally can't stand the butt of a knife digging into my ample guts. My outdoor EDC rig is much like this, only with a "goodies" pouch attached.

That being said, the 11/14/24 are the ones designed for EDC. I have a pocket sheath for my 14 that truly disappears into a pants pocket. and would be even more streamlined on a belt.

But, keep in mind the point of EDC is availability; so use whatever fits your lifestyle and body best. (whatever you're most apt to keep on you) I generally keep a 14 or similar in town, and a 16 in the woods with something a bit bigger not far off, if I plan to get into anything more involved than a simple hike.

It seems like you have your head screwed on straight on this thing. You can always "club up" if you need to for the day or task at hand. Just thought i'd share a few opinions on what works for me when.
 
If it were socially acceptable in my area, I might edc a 16. But, more than likely I would stick with my 14. There really isn't any reason I would need anything larger than a 14. I will often carry the 14 as my main blade when in the woods.
 
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