BK21 Unboxing And Initial Impressions (UPDATED)

nutoknives said:
You never cease to amaze Warrior, Great write up, Photo's and glad no injury's as I am waiting for the first post where one of us get bit by the 21, My 21 on hold for the moment so all the photo's and write ups are keeping my Beckeritis for the 21 at bay for the moment Thanks Again for Sharing and Showing

KEEP EM SHARP
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Tanks brudda, appreciate it.
 
OMG !! It actually got made ?! I am now on my knees with a bowed head humbly begging forgiveness from the knife Gods, momma, and Ethan Becker. This is the best thing that I've seen from my preferred manufacturers\designers, in well, maybe forever ! This humble servant of weak faith has received a turbo charge of restoration ! (happy dance).....also, thanks Warrior. :thumbup:
 
upnorth said:
OMG !! It actually got made ?! I am now on my knees with a bowed head humbly begging forgiveness from the knife Gods, momma, and Ethan Becker. This is the best thing that I've seen from my preferred manufacturers\designers, in well, maybe forever ! This humble servant of weak faith has received a turbo charge of restoration ! (happy dance).....also, thanks Warrior. :thumbup:
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Does this mean you're getting one? :D
 
Great review, great pics (what we've come to expect) and above all, great paracord bracelet. :thumbup:
 
Hey Warrior....

Been peeking and thinking......... What can I say other than another thoughtful post from you..... And ALWAYS extremely well photographed...... I truly do wish I had your talent with a camera.......

Kukris are a different animal and, for some there is a bit of a learning time....... The first time I picked one up I was hooked..... That strange looking blade just was soooooo right in my hand...... The heft reminded me of a beautifully balanced hand axe but, it was a knife and you could use it either way........ One way to look at the kuk is as a safety hatchet...... If you miss with the"head" you do not have the round "handle" glancing off the target.....You get a not quite so powerful blow instead....... I have always loved it's versatility.....Hand axe, machete, knife, weapon- the kuk does it all and unlike most "universal" tools it really does most of it quite well....... The Brits absolutely loved theirs during the Burma campaign ........ And those were the "issue" blades and those have a lot of quality issues regarding the materials used to manufacture them....... I tried hard to get the balance down so that the universality of the design would come to the fore...... It is not a heavy hatchet and neither is it a 20 inch machete and it is not a four and a half inch bushie, nor is it a Scottish broadsword but, at 18 1/2 inches and coming in at under a pound and a half you have a very versatile piece of gear when you left that truckload of stuff behind..... A little quality time with a decently balanced kukri makes a believer out of most........

Warrior, I would like to thank you for the thoughtful way you worked your way through your first "lesson" with the RBK...... It is a great plan for any newcomer playing and learning the ropes of his first large kukri..... (Ya,ya, Bladite, I know,MEDIUM size Kuk...... And I freaking loved the pix.......

Ethan
 
Ethan Becker said:
Hey Warrior....

Been peeking and thinking......... What can I say other than another thoughtful post from you..... And ALWAYS extremely well photographed...... I truly do wish I had your talent with a camera.......

Kukris are a different animal and, for some there is a bit of a learning time....... The first time I picked one up I was hooked..... That strange looking blade just was soooooo right in my hand...... The heft reminded me of a beautifully balanced hand axe but, it was a knife and you could use it either way........ One way to look at the kuk is as a safety hatchet...... If you miss with the"head" you do not have the round "handle" glancing off the target.....You get a not quite so powerful blow instead....... I have always loved it's versatility.....Hand axe, machete, knife, weapon- the kuk does it all and unlike most "universal" tools it really does most of it quite well....... The Brits absolutely loved theirs during the Burma campaign ........ And those were the "issue" blades and those have a lot of quality issues regarding the materials used to manufacture them....... I tried hard to get the balance down so that the universality of the design would come to the fore...... It is not a heavy hatchet and neither is it a 20 inch machete and it is not a four and a half inch bushie, nor is it a Scottish broadsword but, at 18 1/2 inches and coming in at under a pound and a half you have a very versatile piece of gear when you left that truckload of stuff behind..... A little quality time with a decently balanced kukri makes a believer out of most........

Warrior, I would like to thank you for the thoughtful way you worked your way through your first "lesson" with the RBK...... It is a great plan for any newcomer playing and learning the ropes of his first large kukri..... (Ya,ya, Bladite, I know,MEDIUM size Kuk...... And I freaking loved the pix.......

Ethan
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Thanks Ethan, appreciate it. Was hoping you would chime in.

We're supposed to head back down south next weekend, and I plan on giving her a hell of a workout.

I had said in an earlier post about variables, "I was thinking about all the variables involved when it came to chopping. Type of wood/grain structure, live or dead, diameter, hitting dead on, at an upper angle, lower angle, wrist more forward on impact, more back upon impact, straight upon impact, grip, squaring of the blade to the tree, what part of the blade that hits, stance/foot placement, how much body movement goes into the swing, following through or not, etc. A lot to think about."

I never really gave the variables much thought, but the list kept going and going once I did. Just now thinking of blade shape too. So much to think about. Gonna try and apply some of these thoughts. Also, I'll use some gloves and a lanyard next time as well.

It's a pleasure to try this thing out. As I said before, I'm definitely a person that likes to learn. I always put a lot time and effort into my photography, but also tell the story in my head as I go. I almost broke some paper out, to write down the thoughts as they came to my head. I tried to be very careful how I worded my post. Although I'm obviously a Becker fan, I didn't want to give the impression that I was going to be biased in my observations just because I am a fan. Gonna call it as I see it. As I see it right now, I have some learning to do. Will add to my thoughts and observations as I go. I encourage everyone that has a 21 to do likewise, as we can all learn from it.

Thanks again Ethan.
 
I cant wait to own the 21. Just using the earlier ones alone gives me a real good idea of how this will perform. The machete thin version hit WAY above its weight. This one has to hit like a truck. Finding the sweet spot and the swing really makes these bent blades shine. We buried Ethans older model into a stump so deep that you could pick the stump up and walk around with it, by the knife handle. What a fantastic tool.
 
Ethan Becker said:
Be safe on your travels, sir and have a bunch of fun.... E
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Thanks again Ethan.
Silverthorn said:
I cant wait to own the 21. Just using the earlier ones alone gives me a real good idea of how this will perform. The machete thin version hit WAY above its weight. This one has to hit like a truck. Finding the sweet spot and the swing really makes these bent blades shine. We buried Ethans older model into a stump so deep that you could pick the stump up and walk around with it, by the knife handle. What a fantastic tool.
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I would like to try the thinner version.
 
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Silverthorn said:
We buried Ethans older model into a stump so deep that you could pick the stump up and walk around with it, by the knife handle. What a fantastic tool.
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oh, you're saying it stick on impact? good to know ;)
 
Ethan Becker said:
...Ya,ya, Bladite, I know,MEDIUM size Kuk......
Ethan
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Ethan's cut my number. i'm used to "heavier" khuks being used to limbing and cutting up "North American Hardwoods"... which is true.

i stopped using tiny knives a lot in the bush, because for me, they don't work on wood. oaks. maples. hard big stuff. loads of trees and usually, i'm moving them, or mowing them down...

axe? i use those A LOT. limbing? a khuk is pretty fast. i can take a measure pace, and not expend much energy.

if i'm swinging too hard, i'm wasting energy, and change tools. up a size or two. from light machetes and medium khuks, that usually means heavier khuks, or go back to axes.

yeah, you can cut through a green 12 inch red oak with a good khukri. done it. have pix. too a long time though. too long for "work", and "longer than survival needs". axe? more energy if you go fast, but results are obvious with large waffle sized chips.

the RBK? so far, not too bad. not sure where it fits in my arsenal so far. JUST a bit too heavy for weeds and things (light brush hook time). JUST a bit too light for full limbing duties. works super good at breaking up junk into forest floor fodder. just feed and chop against the base tree or stump. a wood chipper to be sure :D

survival and bushcraft work? yeah, that's a sweetspot. not too heavy (or thick) to pack. doesn't wear out a baton like those terrible swedges that some knives have. chops real nice for its weight. esp on green stuff - nobody should be messing with seasoned or hard woods while building a shelter or somewhat unless you have a [powered] saw. geez.

now if only someone sold it convexed, stripped, parkerized, and with thicker handles and a nice sheath :>

good stuff.
 
Bladite said:
if i'm swinging too hard, i'm wasting energy, and change tools. up a size or two. from light machetes and medium khuks, that usually means heavier khuks, or go back to axes.
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That's one thing I really need to improve on...technique.

upnorth said:
I'd sell my soul for one, under the assumption that I actually have one. :D
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:eek:
 
Fox Italy makes a small kuk that looks a lot like that AG Russel, just with a saber grind instead of a ffg. The AG is a sexy little kuk. Not as sexy as the 21 of course, but pretty sexy.
 
I wouldn't mind having another kuk. I want to learn the 21 first though. Like the BK4, the 21 intrigues me.
 
It really is all about the learning curve. Once you get the hang of one they are amazing tools. I am probably a few months out from finally owning a 21. Job loss, moving, Christmas, means its gonna be a bit before my funds are back to where I can spend fun money again. Got a new job and all, but that three months of no income at all stung.
 
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