Bk5 question

[TravisH]

Uhm.....I thought that it was etched in the etched versions. That's typically in the metal, not the coating. If you stripped it chemically, the mark should remain.

Only a 'ghost' image of the laser etch makes it into the metal. On my stripped 10, it's so faint it's invisible at some angles. Wouldn't take much sanding to remove it completely.

I just opened it so haven't even able to use it yet. I was a little upset at first because I read the stamping can make micro cracks in the blade.

That's why they stopped doing the roll stamp. But the breakages you've read about are from hard use. Besides, if it breaks, KaBar will send you a new one.

I would love to take off the coating but I don't know how well the vinegar patina would look. Maybe I'll wait to find something either better looking or more permanent.

You can etch it in deeper yourself very easily. A battery, wire, salt water, q-tip, done. Just do it BEFORE you strip, using the laser etch in the coating as your 'stencil'.

[video=youtube;bV-PItEcLXY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV-PItEcLXY[/video]
NOTE: Don't need the alligator clips. Only let the q-tip touch the metal, not the wire. Make the water super salty.

I was thinking the same thing, can't wait to use it for serving up slow smoked bbq brisket and watermelon, the looks of my guests should increase sales or cause them to flee...

Took my 5 to my sister's to carve the turkey last Thanksgiving and was promptly ordered out of the house with "that thing!".

 

[hhmoore]

I forgot to do the logo before I stripped this one. The knife has been through a few configurations, but the patina all but wipes out the logos.



(that last image shows the logo as being at least reasonably clear...thank the flash - in reality, it looks more like the BK&T logo on the other side; and that rust looking spot in the second image isn't visible on the knife...I wonder if I got something on the blade, or that the spot is just enhanced due to the flash and the fairly close shot)

 

[NCSlice]

Could someone post some pics of stripped blades with laser etching??

theres a bad glare on the bk14 in this pic but the next shows its very clear about 2 weeks after Jasco strip and light-moderate use...



Bad weather here this week is going to ruin my plans for stripping a BK5 this weekend because its not going to make it here on time!!
Keep an eye out, I'll be posting pics of it being stripped and scaled as the process goes along. Hope this helps!

 

[upnorth]

Just got a new (old stock) 5; stamped and smooth finish - luvin' it! :thumbup:

Excellent blade and I think the smoother finish works nicely on this particular Becker.

As for any chance whatsoever of micro-cracks or any such thing, I worry not one bit given the combination of my reasonable use for this knife and Becker/Ka-Bar standing behind the product.

Not to sell the 5 short one bit, as it is my favorite Becker, but I will do things with the 2 and the 9 that I simply would not do with the 5 - it's a different blade for a different purpose.

Anyways, not allow thread drift, the 5 and the smooth black coating go well together in this knife. Enjoy!

Good for you Salty, have at it. These threads remind me of the axe freak worriers, of which I've been guilty. A guy finds a little run out in the wood grain, or the handle grain isn't perfect and the structural integrity doubts begin. When in reality if you use the knife, like a knife, and not a hatchet or whatever, these are non issues. Use the proper tool for the job unless in an emergency scenario, which in reality is rare to almost never.

 

[NCSlice]

Yessir, mine arrived today from a different supplier than you guys and its smooth and stamped as well. So super satisfied, thought it'd be next week.

 

[Bladite]

Hey guys, quick question, I jut received a bk5 a few dad ago. It's the only becker I have that doesn't have the rough coating and is stamped. Is this usual for the bk5? I'm used to the laser etched with gold and the rough coating.

When I saw the smooth black I was confused, then the stamped bk5 kabar etc and I'm thinking this is old stock? I just purchased it so not sure. Thank you guys.

it's clearly defective. send it to me.

 

[hhmoore]

Just checked my new one, and both of mine are stamped - I thought thatt was odd for a minute...then the "rumors" of it being discontinued made a lot more sense. On the face of it, it's disappointing...but it could mean that existing stock won't be depleted for a while.

 

[Blades&Bullets]

If you deepen the etching before stripping, does the coating work like a stencil?? Does the coating start to melt??
How clean are the lines after the coating is stripped??

If anyone has pics that would be great.

 

[TravisH]

If you deepen the etching before stripping, does the coating work like a stencil?? Does the coating start to melt??
How clean are the lines after the coating is stripped??

Yes, the coating acts like a stencil.

And no, it doesn't melt! You etch with low voltage. In the vid above she just uses a 9v battery.

The lines will be as clean as the laser-etching but, if you go deep, it will get less well-defined as more metal is eaten from the sides.

 

[SpikeHawk]

I just picked up a second 5. It has the smooth coating and stamped logo.

 

[CM_Rick]

Got out for a short walkabout today, and got a nice shot of my etched 5.

 

[brush_loper]

I think the 5 is a wonderful knife

 

[Blades&Bullets]

Yes, the coating acts like a stencil.

And no, it doesn't melt! You etch with low voltage. In the vid above she just uses a 9v battery.

The lines will be as clean as the laser-etching but, if you go deep, it will get less well-defined as more metal is eaten from the sides.

Are you saying the etch starts working outward (slightly under the coating)?

 

[TravisH]

The lines will be as clean as the laser-etching but, if you go deep, it will get less well-defined as more metal is eaten from the sides.

Are you saying the etch starts working outward (slightly under the coating)?

Yes.

It's a liquid chemical reaction in which the steel is consumed wherever it's encountered, not just 'down'.

But, it's a small area, and the distortion will hardly be noticeable ... at first.

Compare the results she gets in the video I posted above to her stencil. Pretty close. But that was only a few minutes for a shallow etch.

Now, here's Dex's "deep etching" from his 'Darkside' post and compare it to one of your laser-etched blades. Note how the feet of some of the letters 'bleed' together, like the 'KA' and 'AR' in KA-BAR and is that an 'S' or an '8' in USA.

Again, the relative size is small and the distortions aren't that noticeable. But it keep it up and you'll end up with just a bunch of deep odd-shaped holes in your blade.

 

[Blades&Bullets]

I guess it would be a good idea to practice on something first so you have an idea of how quickly the metal reacts to etching. Thanks TravisH!

 

[BeeKayNutCase]

Got my 5 yesterday. Same blade: smooth coating, stamped logos. Needless to say I was stoked about that cos it meant I didn't have to strip it before I used it to 5 the $#@t out the vegies last night! When I showed my wife she actually said "perhaps it's older stock and the etched ones are the newer types". Yep. She actually said that. Whatta Gal!

 

[Gassy]

Got my 5 yesterday. Same blade: smooth coating, stamped logos. Needless to say I was stoked about that cos it meant I didn't have to strip it before I used it to 5 the $#@t out the vegies last night! When I showed my wife she actually said "perhaps it's older stock and the etched ones are the newer types". Yep. She actually said that. Whatta Gal!

It's surprising how much they pick up on, must be our constant purchases and constant attempts at persuasion. My wife asked me the other day did I understand what a full tang blade was!

 

[hhmoore]

My wife asked me the other day did I understand what a full tang blade was!

Well, did you? The almost suggests not.

 

[Gassy]

Well, did you? The almost suggests not.

Duuuude really.. I was surprised she would ask me that knowing how obsessed I am with blades. She was looking at buying herself a Dozier and doing her own research. I did feel as though she was somewhat testing me though.

 

[Col Defender]

Great knife either way.