BK4 or BK5 Help me decide

L

Longneck

Joined
Jun 27, 2015
Messages
63
I currently have a 9 and a 11. It's time to expand my collection of beckers and I'm torn between which I should add. The 4 would be useful for trail clearing on the farm, but is it better than my current 9 is. The 5 would be used for food prep and game processing. It just looks so slicey. Until I handle one I'm not sure what other purposes I would use either for. For those that have used these which would you add and why. This forum is why I bought the 9 and the advise and knowledge given on here is outstanding. Plus the man himself posts regularly and seems very interactive with those of us that choose to purchase his product. Outstanding customer service wins me over every time.
 
I would say get the 5 first considering you already have a beast of a chopper. In all honesty though, I would get both (and a 15) while you still can before they're gone from the lineup
 
Welcome to the forum. Always good to see new people around. I just got a 5, and haven't used it yet, so I can't comment on it specifically, other than to say it's one bad ass looking blade. Really looking forward to using it. I do, however, have a 4, and 9. The 9 chops better, in my opinion. I haven't used the 4 as much as the 9, and there is a bit of a learning curve to it. It is a very versatile tool though. I love it. Here's thread using the 4: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1223343-Fun-Weekend-With-The-BK4-(Photo-Heavy)

In the end, of course, you'll end up with both. It's just a matter of which one you would like first. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Hey, man. Welcome aboard! I'll be honest, I own all of the knives you're asking about. They are all very impressive designs. The 4 is definitely more versatile than the 9, and that's why I like it more (just a hair more). The 5 is in its own class. Make no mistake it's a large Becker, and just as capable of any task as the rest. It does slice better, though. A warning... the 4 is smaller in hand than pics lead on, and the 5 is bigger than pics lead on. Buy them both, seriously. They're way too good of a deal right now. Sell them if you don't like them, but trust me you will. You might want to think about a 15 as well for food prep. It's much smaller. Enjoy the forum. I know we've had recent mischievous behavior, but ignore those type of folks. They are few and far between around here.
 
Longneck, welcome to Bladeforums. If you already have a 9, I think you'd be really happy with the 5 for food prep.
That said, of late, there have been some good deals on both models, and I suspect you might want to wind up with both eventually.
Get the 5 first though!
 
Don't have a 5, but love my 4. Can't properly offer a comparison to a 9 (yet) but the 4 is such a great chopper. You get so much transferred energy from that blade shape that it's amazing what it will slice through with one swing. I have some vines in my yard that are really "ornery" and the 4 makes short work of them.
 
if you have a 9, IMHO you don't need a 4, because they fill a very similar niche functionally.
the 4 excels at a couple of tasks better than the 9, but the 9 is a more generally versatile tool.
OTOH, the 5 is an interesting cat all on its own -- it will handle any reasonable woods task but truly excels at slicing up meat and other food prep tasks -- hence the "camp knife" designation.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I used the nine to carve the thanksgiving ham and turkey (my wife thinks I'm nuts). Not the best use for it but it honestly was the best and sharpest knife I had at the time. I'm leaning towards the 5 because the 9 can do what I believe the 4 will do. Thinning out the Becker lineup has motivated me to get one while I can. I honestly have given thought to getting both. Dex only has the 4 currently and I was planning on ordering through him. I'd rather support an individual than a corporate monopoly. (Am*zon) The design of the 4 does intrigue me though. I've never had a blade with that type of design.
 
Longneck said:
The design of the 4 does intrigue me though. I've never had a blade with that type of design.
Click to expand...
I purchased one some time back, and sold it without using it, because it was smaller than I thought. I later had the urge to purchase another, to give it a shot, and it didn't disappoint. It is a unique style, to be sure, but it's truly a versatile blade.
 
WELCOME!

You already have a large (9) and a small (11) but you're missing a medium.

For food prep and game processing, I recommend the 15 over the 5.

The 15's 5.5" blade is more nimble than the 5's 8" and its sliceyness can be improved by sanding the coating smooth or stripping it off.
 
TravisH said:
WELCOME!

You already have a large (9) and a small (11) but you're missing a medium.

For food prep and game processing, I recommend the 15 over the 5.

The 15's 5.5" blade is more nimble than the 5's 8" and its sliceyness can be improved by sanding the coating smooth or stripping it off.
Click to expand...

The 15 will come in time. Just need a 4 or 5 due to them being discontinued. I took the finish off my 9 due to it coming off naturally. And in my opinion it just looks better that way. The 11 has remained stock so far but did come with the micarta scales. Need those for my 9 also. Not that the stock ones are too slick or anything like that. 😬. I just like to personalize my stuff to my taste. I love that modded 9 Dex has. If I ever damage my 9 it will give me the opportunity to try my hand at modding the shape. I don't see that happening though.
 
Guyon said:
Longneck, welcome to Bladeforums. If you already have a 9, I think you'd be really happy with the 5 for food prep.
That said, of late, there have been some good deals on both models, and I suspect you might want to wind up with both eventually.
Get the 5 first though!
Click to expand...

Guyon stole my thoughts and my words - and he posted before me. That's my verbosity in saying: +1:thumbup: What he said.
 
that should make the decision easier - the 15 is a mid-size knife, so it slots well into your carry options -- you have a 9 & 11, so big and tiny are covered.
the 15 will handle all the camp and food prep chores you listed and is easier to pack &/or carry than the 5.
it's also on sale somewhere for $38 delivered according to another thread -- no, I don't know where the group buy is.
 
Well I ordered a four from Dex. I just have to try that design out for myself and see if I like it. Now 15 or 5. 38 dollars for a 15 sounds real good. I'll have to check some threads!
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
You said "collection".....you'll get both.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize I said that until you pointed it out. Very well may be three new Beckers before the end of the day. This is actually a late Father's Day gift. My wife thought I was going to buy a new grill but I can't justify it yet.
 
Longneck said:
I didn't realize I said that until you pointed it out. Very well may be three new Beckers before the end of the day. This is actually a late Father's Day gift. My wife thought I was going to buy a new grill but I can't justify it yet.
Click to expand...

just remember - 3 beckers (4,5,15) is only about 160 bucks shipped to your door, you cant buy an equally nice grill for that haha
 
I can say from experience that the 15 is worth owning. It has the perfect blade shape for slicing just about anything, and, with a 5.5" blade, you have plenty of edge to work with. At 38 bux, it's a steal!

Oh, and welcome aboard. I don't post as much as others (busy), but this is the 1st section of BF I go to every time. Many good folks here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top