BK5 for batoning?

J

JackJ

Joined
Mar 10, 2005
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37
Just got a BK24 and BK16, and I'm hooked!

I'm now looking for a larger blade to use for various large blade things, but especially batoning. Now I know some people think a knife isn't the appropriate tool for this, if given a choice of a hatchet, but I find a knife safer and easier to use when seeking very small sticks as the end product, which I use to feed my Emberlit woodburning stove, and as kindling for the grill and home heating woodstove.

The BK9 would be an obvious, popular choice, or even the BK7, but I don't care as much for the combat look, and the spine ramp and clip point seems less practical if I'm hitting it with a stick. I also don't have a large food carving knife, and the BK5 could fill that role well, I think. Mostly, I just like the aesthetics.

So is it up to the job? I'm not planning on using it for splitting logs, rather taking smaller limbs (2" - 4") down to about 1/2" size. Is there another Becker I should be looking at? I'm not too excited about the BK2--just too thick for my preferences, and a little too short.

Thanks for any insights,
Jack
 
The bk5 will chop and baton but I would suggest against it. I would go with either the 9 or the 4. The 9 will out preform the 4 in most activities but a slim margin but the 4 looks awesome... Either is a win in my books

Getting back to the 5 i use mine a little more now and do like the blade a lot. It excel's at kitchen tasks like food prep etc so combined with an axe is a great camping combo.

Just my 2 cents
 
Completely agree with wildnewfie. The BK5 is a great knife, one of my favs. It chops pretty good 'cause it's so slicey. It bites deep. Batonning... it does chew up your baton 'cause of the swedge. The thin profile is more of a "cutter/slicer" than a splitter. The thicker spine of the 9 will cause the wood to split, rather than to cut through it with the edge. Hence, I THINK the edge on your 9 will last longer batonning than the one on your 5 would.

I solved the problem by getting both and enjoying both the way I want to:thumbup:
 
Without recommending the obvious BK2.... The BK5 is a great great knife because it is such a good cutter for its size. I absolutely love mine. Balanced in such a way that to me it doesnt feel like a knife with a 8" blade. All that being said if you are only going to be smacking it with a stick I might say BK7, BK10, or BK9 for larger tasks. I have battoned with my 5 and it did just fine, actually a little better than expected, but if you are worried about the little swedge on the 7 or 9 remember the 5 has a full blade length swedge! Now as far as a good large cutter that does well carving, snap cuts, food prep, etc etc. The 5 is your huckleberry. It is a great long belt knife! If you want something more "rugged" look at the 7 or the 10. If you want something that can chop and baton look at the 9 or the 4. Honestly.. since you are only splitting small kindling, and if youre smart about it, any of the big beckers will probably suit you fine.
 
Jack...indeed,the 5 is a great blade,as far as batonning.....well,buy a 5 AND a 2... Use the 2 for heavy tasks and the 5 around kitchen,BBQ and campfire
 
wildnewfie said:
The bk5 will chop and baton but I would suggest against it. I would go with either the 9 or the 4. The 9 will out preform the 4 in most activities but a slim margin but the 4 looks awesome... Either is a win in my books

Getting back to the 5 i use mine a little more now and do like the blade a lot. It excel's at kitchen tasks like food prep etc so combined with an axe is a great camping combo.

Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

I agree with Wild, I'd get a BK9 for battoning, chopping, and fighting bears.
 
also, the BK-2 is good for batonning, the shorter length helps keep you out of trouble when selecting stock to baton. I have batonned my 5 before, it's hard on the baton(swedge) and it's worth worrying about.
 
I'm going to go against the crowd on this one. Not on skipping the 5 for batoning, but I'd say get the 3. It has the width of the 2 with the length of the 7(i think it was) and it doesn't have the clip point. Also you can use the hook on the front to grab a pot bail off the fire, and it can be used to flip burgers...
 
Chameleonbear said:
I'm going to go against the crowd on this one. Not on skipping the 5 for batoning, but I'd say get the 3. It has the width of the 2 with the length of the 7(i think it was) and it doesn't have the clip point. Also you can use the hook on the front to grab a pot bail off the fire, and it can be used to flip burgers...
Click to expand...

I think the 3 is the most over looked becker in the line up.... I have one and love it but for some reason it always slips my mind. It batons like you wouldn't believe however chopping can be interesting if your not careful
 
Get all of them, but the 17 since it is redundant if you have a 16. Then buy the 17 to complete the set. ;)

-Levernutt
 
wildnewfie said:
I think the 3 is the most over looked becker in the line up.... I have one and love it but for some reason it always slips my mind. It batons like you wouldn't believe however chopping can be interesting if your not careful
Click to expand...

Agreed - the 3 is great at batoning. Chopping is more challenging but it can be effective once you get used to it.
 
The 5 is surprisingly tough. The taper makes the spine eat a baton, but if your gonna burn it in the fire anyway who cares. I fed my 5 a LOT of gnarly wood and it just didnt care. It is really a great blade, as is the 15.
 
Thanks for all the replies--I totally missed the swedge on the BK5, but yeah, that's got to make it less suited to whacking with a stick. BK3? Never gave that one much thought. It's probably the perfect tool for the job, but I've got a long way to go before I warm up to the look of it.

I think right now the BK2 is my top contender. I've never handled one, so I'm still struggling with the idea of a blade that's 1/4" thick. But I love the shape and overall size, even if I'm still concerned that I might sometimes want a little more length.
 
Check the bk22 then.not as thick as bk2,sme shape,a bit longer....that sound like the perfect knife for you
 
I thought the BK22 and BK2 were identical, the only difference being the sheath they're shipped with. Just checked the KA-BAR site, which seems to confirm this. Am I missing something?

But since I'm now interested in this blade, and thoughts as to whether to go with the Heavy Duty Polyester Sheath (BK22) or stick with the Hard Plastic Sheath (BK22)? I'll be mostly using it on my own property, but will want to belt carry. It'll also go camping with me several times a year.
 
Oh yes, I found myself looking with lust at the BK12 yesterday, and that led me back to the ESEE's that I admire (both being made by Rowen), but then I remembered my monetary limitations. I may eventually get there, but it's just too much $ right now.
 
If your looking at the bk12 then consider the bk10.... Oh crap here we go down that slippery slop
 
On a serious note if your looking for a blade that can chop, baton and do camp chores then look at the bk7.... Ah crap still on hat slop lol
 
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