BK2 vs Condor Rodan

J

justtheedge

Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
71
Is the BK2 worth the extra money? Im on a budget and would not mind owning a BK2, but the Rodan keeps popping up.
What are the main differences, Pros and Cons?
Thanks
 
OK. So what would be the equivelant in a sturdy all around beater camp knive under 80.00. Light battoning, light chopping, +food prep.
 
The bk-2 is a much better knife, by a much better company, with a much better warranty IF it does mess up. its thicker, which means it probably wont break if you use it as a pry bar.
 
The BK2 is worth the extra money, for the most part. Not because I prefer it. I don't own one, the grip design just doesn't do much for me.

Here's why I say that:

You're buying a product proudly made in America, by a company that puts it's customers first, and stands behind them 100%. Overall fit and finish is better, and the 1095CV is a bit better grade of steel than the 1075 the Condor offers. It is a 1/4" thick blade, with a high saber grind. You'll be hard pressed to find a stronger design for less than $100. You can also upgrade or customize your handles on the Becker, which is important to some people. If you like plastic sheaths, the one with the BK2 is a good one.

Condor is also a very good company to buy from. They have great feedback regarding their customer service and they might just be one of the best values, dollar for dollar, on the market. The Rodan is a flat grind, 3/16" thick, with a convex edge. It SHOULD be a better slicer than the Becker, but I can't say that for a fact. The handle on the Rodan is as indestructible as a handle can get. Condor's tend to come with very nice leather sheaths too. The 1075 steel that they use is tough and holds a good enough edge. Folks that have the Rodan and have actually USED the Rodan have nothing but great things to say. If you shop around, you can almost get 2 Rodan's for the price of the Becker.

I think that either one will make you happy. In the end, it depends on where you want to send your money and how much you want to spend, I guess. What one will do, the other will do too.

I'm planning on buy some Condor stuff in the not so distant future to experiment with myself.
 
Thanks for the well thought out imout. You actually made it a tougher descision..lol
BUT, considering what you said, for a third of a price of the BK@, and I really do need to stay "frugal" in my future ourchases for awhile...I am considering a Condor for now, then buying a BK2 for a self-present.
That is unless I hear some kind of $ changing testomony about the BK2...
You 'da man, Thanks again
 
I own both. While I certainly love my BK2, I did sharpen it on my wicked edge so its crazy sharp, the Rodan is a decent batoner/chopper for the $$$. So if frugal is your main criteria get the Rodan. Just my $0.02
 
My Rodan is my most-used woods knife. It cuts wood almost as well as a Mora, yet chops, pries, and batons well. One of the best budget blades out there, in my opinion.
 
Yes.

It whittles tiny spoons and forks and things...
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It chops seasoned oak for no good reason...
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It cleans fish...
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It batons...
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It poses majestically...
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It survives nuclear blasts...
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What's not to love?

---

Beckerhead #42
 
I have both and they both have + and -'s. I like the Rodan pretty well, but the handle feels like a baseball bat. Other than that, they are pretty much equal. I don't like the super thick blades of either knife. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I was in a similar circumstance not too long ago. I'm a poor married graduate student, and really wanted a decent knife. I looked around for quite a while, and found the BK2, and the Rodan.

I went with the BK2 for a few main reasons. The 1095 CroVan is better steel than the 1075 of the rodan, and it is also supposed to be slightly more corrosion resistant (less likely to rust if miscared for). Also, I heard the complaint about the rodans handle being uncomfortable. I haven't held one, but I would personally say I like the BK2's handle. The final thing I discovered, is that I wanted a nice sheath. I like the nylon sheath the BK2 has, and the many different carry options it has. I generally wear my BK2 scout style with the stock sheath, and find it works quite well.

I have a BK2, and love it so far. It has done well at everything that I ask it to do. It might not be the best at anything, but it is seemingly good at, or at least can do everything. I have NOT tried food prep with it, but could see how it could trail the rodan in that area.

Good luck with whatever you do.
 
I decided to go with a Condor Varan and a Mora Bushcraft Triflex. I think that combo will service my needs just fine for awhile. I plan on doing a little custom work to the Varan...super sharpening, with possible handle work and patina.
All for the price of the BK2.
I will own a BK2 one day, but for now I think I'll be fine with what I've got.
I plan on posting reviews and pics when I recieve my order from Baryonyx (FortyTwoBlades), who by the way has provided excellent service so far.
 
I have a Condor Kumunga and a Condor Golok and on both the steel is soft. The edges dent and roll pretty easily, just like you'd expect with any machete. That's what they are to me, thicker than usual machetes. YMMV.
 
RandomAyes said:
I have a Condor Kumunga and a Condor Golok and on both the steel is soft. The edges dent and roll pretty easily, just like you'd expect with any machete. That's what they are to me, thicker than usual machetes. YMMV.
Click to expand...

I may be wrong, but I think that the Kumunga is done more at machete RC ranges while the Rodan is a bit harder. My personal Rodan is a first-gen one which may or may not matter, but mine has quite an excellent degree of hardness. My Kumunga is more around the hardness of the larger machetes and the like. I haven't experienced edge rolling on any of my machetes except when I've occasionally bounced the edge off a rock when cutting low to the ground. Even when hitting hard pine knots in frozen logs I've yet to deform my edges. Everyone's experience is different, but that's been mine. :)
 
Ive had both and decided to sell the Rodan and keep the BK2. First I preferred the grip of the BK2. The rodan does feel like a thick baseball bat grip, not a knife. I like having the ability to change out the grips. Second I preferred the sheath of the BK2 over the crappy condor sheath. There is no comparison there. Third the grinds on the condor products are hit and miss at best. I actually had to send my first rodan back and have had several other condor products show up with terrible grinds and fine detail issues. You can ask any dealer and they will tell you there have been quality control issues with Condor. And Lastly, MADE IN THE USA does still have alot of value to me and its work it with Ka-Bar's awesome customer service and track record. If you look around you can find a new BK2 for around $60 and its well worth the extra money. Heck Ethan Becker himself is on this forum and will occassionally answer your questions on the products. The Becker forum on here is excellent and they will give you alot of guidance. Hope this helps with your decision.
 
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