Bk7 or bk9?

I started with the BK7 back in 2010 and it led me to the Becker line. It is absolutely a fantastic blade. I do not own a 9 and the folks here will tell you, you cant not own a 9. However the 7 is my one tool option for going into the woods and I have not wanted for anything more.
Highly recommend the 7

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Gaston444 said:
I've found the BK-9 to be only a marginal chopper. It only very slightly out-performs a Trailmaster, and transmits far more vibrations: Over the long run the vibrations are very tiring... Even the Trailmaster is poor imho because the handle is way too thin to transmit adequate force. I've heard the $60 SP-53 out-performs everything by a large margin, including thousand dollars customs... It is slightly less of a "slicer", but could have its edge angle lowered...

Gaston
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I think it can be argued that there are better blades for strictly chopping than the BK-9. However, I would counter that with saying that it is hard to beat a BK-9 when it comes to sheer versatility. I have used it for numerous tasks other than chopping and it performs exceptionally well at all of them. I carry a smaller blade simply because the 9 tends to be a bit unwieldy for finer tasks, though it could still do those tasks if needed (i.e. food prep, fine carving, etc.)

And quite honestly, if I want a tool for strictly chopping, a knife would not be my first choice. I would take an axe, which I do regularly.
 
I would say you are best off with the bk9. but then a bk16 would be the perfect 2nd knife.
 
The BK16 will be added, I like a thin yet wide blade, especially in full flat grind.

Now... About the BK7 vs BK9. I don't necessarily need a chopper. I would simply like to purchase the best knife out of those two. Maybe one is better balanced, feels better overall, etc.

My only concern is everybody seems to say that the 9 is better. But is that simply because it's longer? Or do the other properties make it simply a better knife?
 
Trango 226 said:
The BK16 will be added, I like a thin yet wide blade, especially in full flat grind.

Now... About the BK7 vs BK9. I don't necessarily need a chopper. I would simply like to purchase the best knife out of those two. Maybe one is better balanced, feels better overall, etc.

My only concern is everybody seems to say that the 9 is better. But is that simply because it's longer? Or do the other properties make it simply a better knife?
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Though I do not have one myself as of yet, there are so many folks who are extremely happy with their BK-7. If you do not need as large a knife as the 9, then the 7 might be a good fit for you. Like Salty said, the 7 is a knife that embodies the "Jack of all trades, master of none" adage. If you need something medium sized, versatile, and awesome (like all Becker's knives are), then the 7 might just be your ticket.

The BK-9 is just a wonderful knife all around, though it is large. In terms of which one is best? That is in the eye of the beholder and can be rather subjective, I am afraid. I will say you cannot go wrong with either, though if you are looking to just get one knife, I would probably lean towards the 7...
 
That's a personal question that only you can answer. But if you don't need the extra weight, I would probably pass on the 9. Besides the length (and all of the attributes that entails), the tip is the only difference. Same steel, grind, thickness, heat treat, handle, everything is the same. You really won't go wrong either way. I don't own a 7 but I imagine the point of balance is more in the center of the knife, some people like that, some people like a little more tip heavy ( usually for chopping). The 9, for such a large knife isn't crazy tip heavy though and I appreciate its balance. If that's what you were concerned about.
 
I don't own a 7, so i can't honestly tell you which is better. i can tell you that i don't really worry about the weight of the 9. i'm not into ultra light hiking or anything like that. if i find i have to carry a lighter knife, i know need to get outside more often.

i can also tell you the stock sheath on my belt is a less than optional carry for me. tried it once, couldn't sit down properly... it's lashed to my pack now.

and it's an awesome knife. i'm sure you'll love it.
 
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