BK2 what upgrades will I need and where do I get them

D

Dago Red

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
987
Hey guys, in the next couple of months I need to assemble a couple of BOB's and was thinking for the knife a good fixed 5" is right. consideration between the Kabar BK2 (are there two makers? on kabar sight it's over 100 bucks but on amazon and others its under 70).

I have read that the handles suck on the bk (my buddy just got the bigger bk and sure enough hates the handles, I agree they are kinda crap) and micarta is a great upgrade, and also that the sheath sucks. I would like a kydex type sheath that retains the blade without a separate snap closure.

So where do I get the handles and the sheath? by the time I do this will the cost have put me with the ESEE already? any knives that may be better suited to this duty?

I'll mention that for my wives bag if I got one I wouldn't do anything to it, we can wrap it in grip tape for all I care as it would only be used for emergencies, but I may want to use mine at some point and would like it to be more suited for actual use.

Thanks.

Red
 
The BK2 is deffinetly a great ,well tried and tested knife. And if the sheath and handles dont happen to be your cup of tea, like warrior said Moose carries the BK micarta, or you can go to our own BF knifemakers section (correct me if im wrong guys) and there are plenty of talented sheath and handle makers that could help you out. Hope this helps
 
If you are cheap like me, consider the following:

I stippled my grips just like post #7 (pics 4, 5, 6 & 7) in the following thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/828994-Handle-Modifications-The-Complete-Guide-(Hopefully)
The stippled grips are awesome. I've done the same kind of stippling on several of my handguns and it works great

I think the stock sheath is fine (... bear in mind that I have my own kydex forming setup and routinely make my own kydex sheaths, holsters and mag pouches... just for my own use). It has a firm friction retaining function just like my kydex sheaths, but the material is injection molded. I hit mine with a heat gun to at the mouth to get it to release a little easier. The snap strap is a secondary retaining device.

***EDITED to clarify that I only make Kydex for myself***
 
Last edited:
Dago Red said:
I have read that the handles suck on the bk (my buddy just got the bigger bk and sure enough hates the handles, I agree they are kinda crap) and micarta is a great upgrade, and also that the sheath sucks.

Red
Click to expand...

Heck I make custom BK grips and from the standpoint of pure function can find NOTHING functionally wrong with the factory BK grips . Especially on a knife that costs $60. If you compare them to any other knife with molded or CNC milled scales they are superb- both in execution and design.

And even if with the custom micarta and new sheath, you had what an ESEE costs the Becker is a better designed knife. Especially the grip design.
 
Instead of going by hearsay from friends and what not, try it out for yourself...you may be shocked at how much you like the thing...the cool thing about any becker is that you can upgrade as you go....buy the knife now, hook up for a kydex if you want later, and micarta if you want later...its a little easier on the wallet that way....i personally dig the grivory handles...i agree, the sheath could be a little better, but its good for what it is...just my two cents...
 
Greybush said:
Instead of going by hearsay from friends and what not, try it out for yourself...you may be shocked at how much you like the thing...the cool thing about any becker is that you can upgrade as you go....buy the knife now, hook up for a kydex if you want later, and micarta if you want later...its a little easier on the wallet that way....i personally dig the grivory handles...i agree, the sheath could be a little better, but its good for what it is...just my two cents...
Click to expand...

WISDOM.

You can't go by what someone else likes when it comes to knives. The handles are great, I just add black Wilson tennis wrap found at any Walmart...best grip ever. And the sheaths have also been drastically improved in 2012. Beckers are made to be self customized...do you want it to fit YOU, or do you worry about what someone else thinks is cool? I dont get the whole "by the time I do this and that, it costs as much as an ESEE". OK...By that standard, would I rather have a customized and PERSONALIZED BECKER, or a stock ESEE? I'd rather have the Becker for a number of reasons.

The good thing about Beckers starting out is you can afford to get one, then if you want to add on or tweak it later, you can do it as funds allow. Browse the forum and you'll see hundreds of pics of Beckers with individuality. ESEEs look like ESEEs. Its not a brand where the fanbase customize their own, outside of choosing different color sheaths and pouchs.

ESEE might be what I used if Becker didn't exist. Thats a compliment to them. I prefer Becker designs by a factor of 1000.
 
If you want a full loadout:

(Note: all dealers listed here are BFC dealers unless stated otherwise)

SaintsCutlery on fleabay makes custom micarta

Jim62 and TommyTheWho make custom wood

Godspeed! and Azwelke make custom Kydex

MyWifeThinksImCrazy, Skystorm, and Balding Eagle make custom leather

K9handler does custom dura-coating

(I think Clich hinted at going orange to sell his services for etching)

Now, you have all the resources to customize your Becker to your exact specs for the same price as a stock ESEE. AND, with all these additions, you might be able to add the MOLLE backing and pouch to your ESEE sheath.
 
And don't forget the guy who sells the Kyrtoglow grips on the "bay...Just about every color in the rainbow..
Or a hazmat site..:D
 
My brother made his stock handle more grippy by merely roughing it up with a coarse sanding sponge.
 
course, if you're just making a BOB, that you may never use... just buy a couple BK2's, use one a bit to get a feel for it, put an edge you like on there, and store it. why pimp out a knife for $$$ when chances are, it's for use in bad times, not looking good?

can't get better than $60 for a save your butt knife.
 
The Warrior said:
You can find the BK2 for 60ish. I like the sheath myself, and love the grivory. But, of course, micarta is always an option. Our own Moosez45 has a store here. He has the micarta for $40 shipped: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/946037-Becker-Knife-and-Tool

EDIT: Actually, it looks like he may be out. TomarsKabars is another option.
Click to expand...

Gotta agree with Warrior on this completely. I had lots of plans to get micarta and a new sheath and add a pouch and so on...I just ended up leaving it alone and it worked just great for me. I just stripped it and gave it a convexed edge and I was good to go.
 
I held my buddies, I thought the grip sucked, but not necessarily anything that couldn't be fixed by roughing it up and smoothing some spots. I sent a text to my buddy that's a kabar dealer asking if he can get them, rather give local business the money if I can.

Sounds like even with upgrades I'd have money left over if I were comparing with the ESee (not that the ESEE's aren't awesome, I NEED Junglas :) )

Thanks guys for the list of resources, I'll check them out. Now to put together my BOB lists :)
 
Micarta handles are good, I make kydex sheaths with leather attachments or any attachments if your intrested...
 
BK2 is good to go right out of the box. I've put a few miles on mine with the stock grivory handle and the stock sheath and am still here to tell of it. I can see some people preferring micarta (or wood, or whatever) over grivory - I'm not one of those people - but to declare that the stock handle sucks? Poppycock. It would be tough for me to give much serious consideration to anything else that person said. If one wants to mod the handle, there are plenty of options but such a modification is, by no means, required.

The stock sheath holds the knife securely and safely with no rattle. There are lots of folks here and elsewhere that make drool inducing leather and kydex sheaths for various Beckers so if you want a different sheath - they are easily to be had. I'm lusting after one particular leather sheath for my BK2 but until I get that one, the stock sheath is performing flawlessly.

20120318img1709.jpg


---

Beckerhead #42
 
I think Gingi nailed it. The knife is good to go out of the box. Sure, it's fun to mod, upgrade and work on, but there is nothing wrong with the grivory. I prefer the grivory on most models.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top