- Joined
- Apr 24, 2011
- Messages
- 166
Pulling into the driveway today I spied a long box sitting in a chair on the porch and knew my BK4 had made it home.
Unboxing revealed a nicely finished businesslike tool with quality well beyond what I paid. I can think of many companies that could take QC lessons from this BK4. No complaints here and far beyond what is necessary for a working tool and not a wall hanger.
First impression after picking it up was, "boy, this thing is too light for my use." My main purpose for the BK4 was a light brush chopper and occasional woods companion and I thought this would fail in the chopping department.
Second was the great feel of the grip, smooth and not slippery. The design of the grips are a combination of comfort and security. This thing isn't coming out of the hand accidently and with a little experimentation with a stabbing they securely prevent the hand from sliding forward. I also learned after an hour of chopping there were no hot spots, vibrations or discomfort. It was obvious the grip design didn't happen by accident.
Inspecting the edge showed even grind and passible sharpness. A couple of minutes with a coarse credit card DMT diamond stone smoothed the tops of the grind lines and the blade was hissing through sheets of paper.
OK, edge ready to go and it's time to see if this thing works. I have several trees along the edge of the field behind the house that needs limbs removed to ease mowing around them. I quickly found that this thing punches above its weight and was going through finger size limbs. The short crooked blade allowed me to do some trimming between branches that my 18" machete couldn't have slithered into.
I think if the spine was a tad thicker it would be a marvelous brush hacker. On the other hand the BK4 wouldn't be a carry and forget blade but instead a burden when carrying in the woods. Everything in life is a compromise and I'll happily accept the trade off in weight but I can't keep from wondering what it could do with a little more weight. Meanwhile I have machetes in the truck box for more power choppers if the situation warrants.
After about an hour of chopping limbs I satisfied beyond expectations with the BK4. This is the first purchase I've made in some time that I received more than expectations or dollar value. I think with a little more use and learning the tricks of this blade I can be more efficient and effective with it. Coupled with a small blade I can't think of anything that couldn't be tackled short of building a log cabin.
I can't wait to put the BK4 to more use especially in the woods. Ethan and Kabar hit it out of the park with this one.
Unboxing revealed a nicely finished businesslike tool with quality well beyond what I paid. I can think of many companies that could take QC lessons from this BK4. No complaints here and far beyond what is necessary for a working tool and not a wall hanger.
First impression after picking it up was, "boy, this thing is too light for my use." My main purpose for the BK4 was a light brush chopper and occasional woods companion and I thought this would fail in the chopping department.
Second was the great feel of the grip, smooth and not slippery. The design of the grips are a combination of comfort and security. This thing isn't coming out of the hand accidently and with a little experimentation with a stabbing they securely prevent the hand from sliding forward. I also learned after an hour of chopping there were no hot spots, vibrations or discomfort. It was obvious the grip design didn't happen by accident.
Inspecting the edge showed even grind and passible sharpness. A couple of minutes with a coarse credit card DMT diamond stone smoothed the tops of the grind lines and the blade was hissing through sheets of paper.
OK, edge ready to go and it's time to see if this thing works. I have several trees along the edge of the field behind the house that needs limbs removed to ease mowing around them. I quickly found that this thing punches above its weight and was going through finger size limbs. The short crooked blade allowed me to do some trimming between branches that my 18" machete couldn't have slithered into.
I think if the spine was a tad thicker it would be a marvelous brush hacker. On the other hand the BK4 wouldn't be a carry and forget blade but instead a burden when carrying in the woods. Everything in life is a compromise and I'll happily accept the trade off in weight but I can't keep from wondering what it could do with a little more weight. Meanwhile I have machetes in the truck box for more power choppers if the situation warrants.
After about an hour of chopping limbs I satisfied beyond expectations with the BK4. This is the first purchase I've made in some time that I received more than expectations or dollar value. I think with a little more use and learning the tricks of this blade I can be more efficient and effective with it. Coupled with a small blade I can't think of anything that couldn't be tackled short of building a log cabin.
I can't wait to put the BK4 to more use especially in the woods. Ethan and Kabar hit it out of the park with this one.
