BK5 Magnum Camp

johnwaynesandw

johnwaynesandw

Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Messages
2,753
Last week I was at the local pawn shop and noticed two Becker knives there. One was a BK9 and the other a BK5. I have always liked the looks and blade shape of the Magnum Camp, so I went with that one. After getting it, I had second thoughts because the blade seems to be pretty thin compared to the other Becker line. Is this a knife that should not be used hard, or am I just being too cautious? I really like the knife overall, but would really hate it if I broke this one while camping?

I have retired my BK6 as it has served me very well for the past 7 years on camping trips (it was the knife that saved my butt when my Cold Steel recon tanto broke while camping in Ark.)

My main question is, should I just sit this one back in the safe, or should I use the heck out of it (not to worry about breaking it)?







Thanks for any input,
John
 
I've owned my Magnum Camp for about a decade and used the dickens out of it.

It's my favorite Becker :thumbup:

HPIM1009.jpg
 
i've got a user, that now that i have a new in box model, is going to get used a whole lot more. kitchen duty especially, but well, everywhere :) use it like you love it. if you hate it, you know where to move it.

with any luck, they'll introduce smaller magnums... get six for steak knives :)


Bladite
 
My main question is, should I just sit this one back in the safe, or should I use the heck out of it (not to worry about breaking it)?
Click to expand...
The temptation to not use something that is no longer in production is understandable, but I would go ahead and use it. That doesn't mean you have to risk wrecking it, just use it. If you have an especially abusive or demanding task grab a replaceable current production Becker.
Occasionally I'll buy a back-up to a product and not put it to use until the first one is lost, worn out or fails. That's the only circumstance where a tool just sits. If you're uncertain about how to proceed put it in the safe and take your time deciding what to do with it.
 
I have the same problem I've recently required a Mint Bk1 and Bk10 and they just look so clean. I especially don't know about the 10 since there was talk that it was in discussions to be rereleased. I'd hate to beat it up then Kabar comes out with it again.
 
just send them to me if you don't want to use them :)


Bladite
 
Unless you plan doin some mods for me don't count on it. Besides it's not that I don't wanna use them its that I wish they would take regular use and stay mint. I will probably end up using them unless I find some duplicates that can be users. Luckily I didn't have to pay Ebay prices for either one so they should end up users.
 
Damn, stop starting threads 'bout the Magnum Camp!!!:mad::D From all the Beckers that are still missing in my collection the BK5 is the most wanted, I would even trade my Brute for it, though it would be hard to part with such an excellent blade. Ethan stated several times that his knives are meant to be users, so for me there's only one option: I gotta use all of my Beckers.

Thanks for the great pics John and Wolf_1989, I hope one day one of these fine BK5 will find its way to me. Unfortunately the pawn shops over here in Germany don't offer such great items.
Btw, John, during which task did your Recon Tanto fail? Just curious, it kinda reminds of that famous Recon Scout thread.

Take care,
CZ
 
Morales said:
Btw, John, during which task did your Recon Tanto fail? Just curious, it kinda reminds of that famous Recon Scout thread.

Take care,
CZ
Click to expand...

The tread you are thinking of might be the one I posted about 3 years ago when I got back from my camping trip.

I was using the CS to slip some hard wood for the fire, when it snapped. I was using a smaller log/branch to baton the knife through the thick logs. I was suprised to say the least, but that old Becker (BK6) took everything I threw at it and asked for more.


Thanks guys for all the input. I could not make up my mind, so I went back to the pawn shop and brought home the other Becker (BK9 combat bowie). I think this may become my new camp knife as it has already seen some light use from the previous owner. It feels to be a great chopper, but that magnum camp feels like it has perfect balance. If they would (Ka-Bar) would make some magnum camps, I would have to get one, but this one looks like she is going into the dark hole I call a safe.

Thanks,
John
 
Once again I must say that in my opinion, a Magnum Camp with a 6" blade would be amazingly useful.

:thumbup:
 
Wolf_1989 said:
Once again I must say that in my opinion, a Magnum Camp with a 6" blade would be amazingly useful.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Go ahead twist my arm a little harder :D. I have thought it over and you are right, it looks to be a very useful knife and I will find out soon enough. I look at it like this "It's only a knife and it was ment to be used" simple as that. If it breaks oh well, I guess that is part of life. If I keep it like new, then there is really no reason to own it to start with. Life is short, so might as well enjoy it while your here.


Thanks,
John
 
Just wait till you use it for butchering or as a large carving knife. It's excellent for slicing ham too.:thumbup:

It does alright as a short machete, but it's not much of a chopper; more of a heavy duty slicer. In the kitchen or the slaughterhouse is where it really shines.
 
Bladite said:
despite the name Magnum, it's pretty clearly a copy of a Campanion... very close copy two.

the other two knives "Magnum chopper" and "Magnum machete" are rather "inspired" too ;) supposedly made by Boker? mmm.
Click to expand...

You never know about that stuff. The boys across the sea have been part of a global economy a lot longer than we have. A great deal of tools, especially hand tools are discussed on the different woodworking forums I frequent, and I was astonished at how much stuff is simply rebranded.

Years ago, the old Sheffield steel company used to make about 5 - 6 different wood chisel lines, and they were different only in the appearance. All from the same blank, the differences were handle material, amount of polish on the steel, and the amount of time spent in final sharpening. All chisels were different brands, all carried a long history of their particular company, and all carried the same town of origin, Sheffield, England.

All were different prices.

Concerning the knife link I posted, I think it is a hodge podge of different assemblers doing batch work. Those sure look like Becker handles, but as far as what I have read about that product, the steel is just OK, and the performance of the knife is just OK. And who knows with Boker? The make absolute crap all the way to fine cutlery, and the purchaser is the one that has to figure out which one he is buying.

I would suspect the blades were jobbed out somewhere, the handles somewhere else, and the sheaths from yet another place. And even for that knife, at the price it seems really cheap, so I am suspecting our Chinese neighbors are all over that product.

Robert
 
it would surprise me not at all if the same factory[1] making becker sheaths isn't making these, and cast copies of the handles in chinese toxic plastics and the finest in recycled stainless steels AND selling to them as OEM to a number of vendors.

i only hope they do not confuse people as to being Beckers... that would be awful. unless of course, the things disappoint them so much to then buy MORE Beckers. that would be great.

[1] more than a few people have found out that right after they have some factory OEM something for them, the same factory starts cranking out knock-offs with inferior bits (especially if shipped electronics are involved) like for instance, flashlights. knives are pretty common too. i thought one of Customs (aka import control) jobs was to prevent this sort of nonsense, but the junk keeps coming in, even when reported.


Bladite
 
I would use the BK's in production out of production....and what makes me go that route is ,all the Camillus Beckers I own all have a mark on the paint ,showing some sort of use ,so to me if it is not pristine NIB ....Use the BK !
 
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