bk4 vs bk9 the official chop off RESULTS ARE IN

buckmaster96

buckmaster96

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Jan 6, 2012
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I'm tired of having to and having others ask which is better the bk4 or the bk9. So I am doing the most scientific review ever done on bladeforums.

THE TEST: part 1: I will have a 2x4 set up bladesports style. Then each knife will chop through the 2x4. I will count the number of strikes it takes to get through the 2x4. Lowest number of strikes wins.



part 2: I will then baton with grain a 3 foot long piece of 2x4. Lowest number of baton strikes wins.


the rules: each knife will have a convex edge. The overall winner will be chosen by the number of wins.

Pics when the test is done. I do not currently have the machax. I just wanted to type all this up so I can just post the pics and results
 
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This should be pretty entertaining. Good thread, get your flexall 454 ready...
 
I'm soo in.

thanks for the contest.

Just keeding.

This should be a really cool test. good luck.
 
I can't wait to see the results. I absolutely love my BK9 with the micarta scales. I didn't think anything could top it. My BK4 Machax arrived yesterday in the mail... and it feels GREAT in the hand. I'm actually kind of upset out of fear that it may become my favorite over the BK9... I haven't given it any kind of real world test yet though.

I have an overnight camping trip planned for next weekend up in Flagstaff, so I'll be taking them both along and give a thorough test of each.

One thing of note, the BK9 is the flat black with stamped logo/name and the new BK4 is the laser etched with the rougher orange peel coating. I actually feel like the rougher texture and laser engraving gives it a bit of a 'higher end' feel over the flat/stamped models. This is just subjective, of course, and it may only be because it's the same way my ESEE knives are. In either case, I like it.

I'll be sure to take some pics next weekend and possibly even some video.
 
I personally think the BK9 is gonna kick the BK4's buttocks.

Severely.

:D

Moose
 
The 4 is a good chopper, but not on par with the King.
Click to expand...

The only reason I can think of would be because the 4 has a little bit steeper bevel while the 9 is thinner? The 4 certainly feels like it has a bit more forward weight and impact speed. So maybe it's delivering more force, just not as much penetration as the 9... Hrm. I can't wait. I have so much new gear to test out... it's going to be a great weekend!
 
the competitors
IMG_20120720_144359-2.jpg

first up
IMG_20120720_144404.jpg

45 chops later
IMG_20120720_144439.jpg

second up
IMG_20120720_144408.jpg

67 chops. the bk4 is deffinately harder to chop with only because of the smaller sweetspot. however the four did make a cleaner cut.
IMG_20120720_144414.jpg


sorry but my sister (camerawoman) ditched me before i could baton. however i did still do it. the four and nine both had EXACTLY the number of baton strikes (2) but the four tended to follow the grain because of the smaller width.

THE conclusion.

the bk9 is an all out chopper. with better form i have no doubt it could have made it through much faster.

the bk4 is an EXCELLENT all rounder. it chops, batons, whittles, and can act as a comfortable draw knife. however this competition was about chopping and while it did well i have to declare the bk9 the winner.

One last thing. the nine can get heavy after a while. the four is deffinately lighter and for extended periods of chopping the 4 would be my choice.
 
Thanks man. That's just what I needed. I was trying to decide which of the two to buy and was leaning toward the BK9. This clinches it for me.
 
The 9 is the King for a reason. The 4 may be a nice knife..but the 9 stomps on it LOL

I guess some folks just like the bent blade knives tho, which is cool by me. Whatever makes a person happy when they yank it out of the sheath.
 
The KING still rules. Thanks for sharing. I like bent blade knives, and I suspect the results might be different with a good khuk in place of the 4. But then, a khuk is a lot heavier. On a semi-related note, I was happy to hear that the khuk I made a fellow forumite outchopped his hatchet :D
 
was that the KaBar or Camillus BK9? can't tell

the CinCinnati BK4 chops better, btw. it's much thicker, and has more forward meat/better sweet spot.
 
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