bk2???

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
Let me preface this by saying that I am not a knife collector..I am a knife user..anything that doesn't see actions gets gifted traded or sold..so I'm ont into owning a knife Just because...
That being said.. I've had a bk-7 for a while anwas recently gifted a 2nd I love them..and using them for bushcraft practice, and survival camping sessions as much as I can...
After hanging on this forum however I see the bk2 is much more populer among the denizens here...Just wondering why?
I have never used one or held one..but it would seem the thicker spine on a shorter blade would make it a bit awkward for fine work..say like carving trap triggers..or something to that effect.
the shorter blade is appealing to me as is the lack of the thumbramp..But the the bk7 is simultaneously big and elegant.....any way I'm rambling...
SO why do you prefer the bk2?? or the bk7 if that is your preference?
think I should invest in one..or just stick to what I'm happy with?
 
RR,
you might not find my reply of much use, but then again, since i never shut up, so what, hey? i have only used my Beckers around the yard to practice with them, and i have not tried carving. but convex the edge, go make some feather sticks, do a bit of chopping. if you hold that 1/4" piece of steel in your hands it'll be love at first bite! you WILL want one.
greg

this ad has been paid for by the nuts for Beckers club.
 
1) Thanks to your posts, I have a new-ish BK7 inbound. It's your fault. Shame, shame.

2) I share that vantage point about the BK2. I've used one, and found it to be pretty ungainly in use. Too thick to carve, too heavy to handle for long, too short to chop. The crewman (though on paper it's not much lighter) is very much not like that. But lots of folks love the BK2, so I'm obviously in the minority.
 
THanks Spooky....I mentione i the another thread the bk7 take sone gettingused to..but after a few sessions it does it all...
 
I'll give it an honest work out! I've used some mid-sized blades before, and had some opinions. Based on using other Beckers, I have reason to believe the BK7 will differ a bit in effectiveness and 'niche' (versus others like the RAT7, etc).
 
Hey RR, good to see you're still out 'bummin'.

I had a Camillus BK-7 and a KaBar BK-2. At the last gathering I was at, I had them both up for sale. Don't get me wrong, they're really good knives, just not my style. Anyway, the BK-7 went to kgd, and the BK-2 didn't sell. I'm kind of glad,now, in a way. I hadn't used it much, so to be fair, I need to get it out more, before I make any final decisions. It cuts amazingly well for its size.

Make no mistakes, it is a tank. Don't think you could ever break it, even if you tried, so a good choice when your feet hit the dirt. Some time back, Jeff Randall did a critique in Tactical Knives on the BK-2 and he gave it high marks, although I'm starting to wonder if Jeff says anything negative about anything.

For the price, I think you should try one out. You'll probably still favour the BK-7, but you only have one life for sure, so why not?

And in case anybody thinks I'm not pro-Becker, my Machax is my favourite knife, bar none. And if the Brute makes a comeback or dawsonbob's folder design comes to fruition, I'll be all over them. Maybe even another Machax. :o

Doc
 
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I have one of each, and I love them both. However, I do at times find the BK2 a tad cumbersome to use on precision work. It's a bulldog, that's for certain. I usually keep a med. - large sized folder for detailed work, and keep the BK2 for the "heavier" camp tasks. Same goes for the BK7. It sort of just depends on what mood I'm in when deciding which one to bring with...
 
I have had the Bk-7 & the Bk-10 & I do own a BK-9...I also have held & played with a BK-2. I sold the Bk7 & the 10(wish I still had the 10) The Bk7 was nice but still to short to chop & the Bk2 is way to thick for the short blade. If you can find a BK-10 it's the best of both worlds ;) I also say the BK9 is sweet for it's size...not to heavy to wear & is a solid knife :thumbup: A good idea...Get yourself the BK-9 & a BK-11, they make an awsome pair :thumbup:
 
MikeyJ said:
I have one of each, and I love them both. However, I do at times find the BK2 a tad cumbersome to use on precision work. It's a bulldog, that's for certain. I usually keep a med. - large sized folder for detailed work, and keep the BK2 for the "heavier" camp tasks. Same goes for the BK7. It sort of just depends on what mood I'm in when deciding which one to bring with...
Click to expand...

yep, that's why i keep a Puma Duke or a Boker 2020 in the pouch on the sheath.
 
i bought the bk2 because i already have the bk9 and wanted to try something smaller but felt that the bk11 was too small as a standalone hiking knife. that 1/4" thick steel was kind of a novelty as well so i just had to see it for myself.

having the bk2 & bk9 for a few months now i prefer the bk9 for it's chopping ability. i'd be pretty comfortable with just the bk9 out in the woods. with the bk2 i'd definitely bring along a folding saw. nowadays i much prefer to carry two knives - a 10" and a 3-4", or smaller.

let me know when the next time you're hiking. i can bring the bk2 along and loan it to you for a week or two to give it a proper workout.
 
RescueRiley said:
I have never used one or held one..but it would seem the thicker spine on a shorter blade would make it a bit awkward for fine work..say like carving trap triggers..or something to that effect.
Click to expand...

Not at all - it took me a second to get accustomed to the odd balance, weight and sheer girth of the knife, but after that, it proved to be quite a capable knife. I chopped out a good section of 4" thick cherry wood, batoned it in half, then carved this spoon using mine. try doing all that using a thin scandi ;)

P1000836.jpg
 
I for one do not find the BK2 to be to thick or ungainly in use. I have done some finer carving with it, and massive amounts of wood processing.
 
killa_concept said:
Not at all - it took me a second to get accustomed to the odd balance, weight and sheer girth of the knife, but after that, it proved to be quite a capable knife. I chopped out a good section of 4" thick cherry wood, batoned it in half, then carved this spoon using mine. try doing all that using a thin scandi ;)

P1000836.jpg
Click to expand...

WOW wish i could carve a spoon was it hard?
 
outdoorskid92 said:
WOW wish i could carve a spoon was it hard?
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It took me a good 45+ minutes (chopping and batoning included) but it was surprisingly easier to do than with a scandi in my opinion - the very upswept and abrupt tip of the BK-2 really lent itself to digging out a depression for the spoon (which was probably the hardest part). While a thinner knife would probably carve better, I very much doubt anyone being able to hack through 4" of cherrywood then baton it with anything as thin as a Mora.

The most negative way I can describe the BK-2 is as being a "jack of all trades, master of none". While a scandi would be better for bushcraft and an 18", 2.5lb kukri would chop and baton better, the BK-2 can still perform the tasks of both adequately. Some people like this feature in a knife, while others would prefer carrying several for different tasks.... Personally, I lived in the rural Philippines until I was 9 and watched everyone do practically everything with their bolos, so I've gained a "make the most of your tool" mentality (though I do still tend to carry several tools when heading outdoors)
 
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outdoorskid92 said:
WOW wish i could carve a spoon was it hard?
Click to expand...

Here is a spoon I roughed in with my BK2 in about 15 minutes, and then I burned the bowl of the spoon in with a hot coal.

4129808132_8f29c58c59_b.jpg


Here is a spatula I did 100% with my BK2. In this photo its only about 90% finished, later I smoothed it out some.

4701140598_8c7f000807_b.jpg
 
killa_concept said:
The most negative way I can describe the BK-2 is as being a "jack of all trades, master of none". While a scandi would be better for bushcraft and an 18", 2.5lb kukri would chop and baton better, the BK-2 can still perform the tasks of both adequately. Some people like this feature in a knife, while others would prefer carrying several for different tasks.... Personally, I lived in the rural Philippines until I was 9 and watched everyone do practically everything with their bolos, so I've gained a "make the most of your tool" mentality (though I do still tend to carry several tools when heading outdoors)
Click to expand...

The same goes for machetes in S. America. They use them for EVERYTHING. The BK-2 is a good all-around knife, and has the added bonus of knowing it will withstand any abuse you can throw at it.
 
killa_concept said:
It took me a good 45+ minutes (chopping and batoning included) but it was surprisingly easier to do than with a scandi in my opinion - the very upswept and abrupt tip of the BK-2 really lent itself to digging out a depression for the spoon (which was probably the hardest part). While a thinner knife would probably carve better, I very much doubt anyone being able to hack through 4" of cherrywood then baton it with anything as thin as a Mora.

The most negative way I can describe the BK-2 is as being a "jack of all trades, master of none". While a scandi would be better for bushcraft and an 18", 2.5lb kukri would chop and baton better, the BK-2 can still perform the tasks of both adequately. Some people like this feature in a knife, while others would prefer carrying several for different tasks.... Personally, I lived in the rural Philippines until I was 9 and watched everyone do practically everything with their bolos, so I've gained a "make the most of your tool" mentality (though I do still tend to carry several tools when heading outdoors)
Click to expand...

Yeah, in the PI they make use with what they've got...and are usually happy while doing it. I've been to Cebu, Bantayan and Bohol. I love it over there.
Anyway, my first BK2 is on it's way...can't wait!
 
I own several BKs, but the BK2 is my favorite for all around use. It can chop, baton, shave, sliver, pry and cut onions so fine, my kids'll eat'em. I use it more in the kitchen than in the yard (that's changing :)), but mostly, the way it feels in the hand. A must have for field dressing a Buick. Moose
 
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