BK7 or BK9?

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

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Dec 13, 2005
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I'm having kind of a hard time choosing between these two. Even though a 'big blade' doesn't fit into my chosen woods repertoire, I just feel like playing with one lately! Whudaya gonna do... :D I've got a KaBar heavy bowie (9") that I've always loved. It's comfortable both to choke up one and to chop with.

But what say the masses on the BK7 vs the BK9? Does the -9 chop that much better than the -7 to make it worth the size/weight? Does the -7 'carve' well enough to make it worth hauling into the woods? (I'm not looking to carve a pipe out of one with it, but it needs to be able to make basic fuzz sticks and traps and such.)

Edited to add: I guess my concern with the BK7 is that it will handle like an overgrown 'standard' Kabar fighter: not long to have great control and too short to do any chopping.

I'd like to make a decision soon, I don't know how long Chesnut Ridge is going to have the prices they do right now!
 
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Played with that one a bit on a passaround, not quite for me. Not a real strong chopper and unwieldy, especially since a normal belt knife would take up as much space but less weight.
 
Since you already have the heavy bowie I'd get the 7.Probably be more useful for fine chores.
 
Basically its a weight issue versus more efficient chopping. They are both great knives. I find I use my 9 more car camping and it usually handles almost all of my camp chores except for fine detail stuff. My 7 gets carried more when I go out on hikes, or hunting. But to be honest, a 7 inch knife is a bit much for those tasks.
If you slap either on a pack, I'm not sure you'd lose sleep going with either.
 
Get the BK9 it out chops the bk7 by far,you can also do finer type work with the BK9
very controllable for a big blade that can carve to!
get the BK9 and you will know!
thats all I can offer for now.
 
Since you have a yen to play with a big chopper, get the big chopper: go for the BK-9. The BK-7 isn't really all that big, but the BK-9, now that's a chopper.

C'mon, Spooky, ya know ya wanta 9, so go for it.
 
I like the blade shape of the 7 better. I think it's perfect in size, weight, and balance for most anything.

Exidor- would you mind elaborating on how the 9 can do "finer" work than the 7?

Spooky- the 7 has plenty of control and can be a decent chopper, but I'd rather chop with a camp axe than a knife any day.

I'm kinda of the same opinion with JTC except the other way around.
 
I mean by finer work,making fuzz sticks,figure 4 triggers,and things of that sort.it has much control for a big blade.like that guy on youtube who cut sliced a 4x4 in half with a IZULA.a small knife that can do heavy work.
"but I'd rather chop with a camp axe than a knife any day."
thats because you haven't chopped or batoned with a BK9 yet.If I'm not mistaken you own a 2 BK2 becker train wrecker,and the BK2 out chopps the 7 & the BK9 out chopps The 2.the BK7 is a very capable blade but It's not a big chopper.spooky asked (Does the -9 chop that much better than the -7) and the anwser is yes.
 
Exidor- would you mind elaborating on how the 9 can do "finer" work than the 7?

I did not say the 9 does finer work than the 7,
BK9 it out chops the bk7 by far,you can also do finer type work with the BK9
very controllable for a big blade that can carve to!
not that the 7 can't do finer work but the 9 can chop and do finer work
the 7 does great fine work but it don't chop so good.
hope this clears things up.
your pal and mine
EXIDOR
 
exidor said:
"but I'd rather chop with a camp axe than a knife any day."
thats because you haven't chopped or batoned with a BK9 yet.If I'm not mistaken you own a 2 BK2 becker train wrecker,and the BK2 out chopps the 7 & the BK9 out chopps The 2.
Click to expand...
Exidor,
Is this based on your experiences? I have not seen a head to head review on chopping with the BK-2 vs the BK-7.
My initial guess would be the 7 would be a better chopper due to the longer and thinner blade and full flat grind. The BK-2 looks like it would get stuck and bind more if you tried to cross cut anything bigger than a few inches. But I dont own a BK-2 so this would be speculation at best.
 
I might get a 9 to play with. I like my heavy bowie, so it'll be a fun comparison. I've long had a dislike of midsized blades, the BK7 was just uniquely appealing for some reason. But the 9 is still attractive and makes more sense to me as a 'big' blade.

Edit: Yup, just broke down and ordered a BK9 from Chesnut Ridge. If I count my mutt as a dependent, does that mean I can call this a father's day present? :)
 
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with a lanyard around your wrist you can hold farther back on the BK2 handle giving it more chop for its size it's heavier and cuts deeper than the BK7.my only chopping comparison with BK2 & BK7 & BK9 is on 2x4's the bk2 went through with less chops
then the bk7 I did count but I don't rember how many per knife.but the BK9 wasted
everything Ive put it to so far.now the heavy bowie & BK9 comparison I want to know how it goes.
enjoy your new BK9 and let us know.
 
I have not had a BK7, but I've had a BK2 & currently have a BK9 (Both the original Camillus ones).

While I can understand that some might really like the BK2, I thought it's too short to utilize it heavy/thick blade to its fullest. If you want a chopper, I think/prefer to have the larger blade BK9 & since their blades are about the same thickness, shape, & have the ramped thumb-notch, I would think the the larger one would be a better chopper.

If I wanted a smaller FB like the BK2, I personally would get the BK10 Crewman (Not sure if Ka-Bar makes that model yet). IIRC, it's similar in thickness & shape to the BK7 & 9. I think the thinner blade would be more useful for a shorter blade like that.

I definitely like my BK9, though (A Camillus desert model, too).
 
Hey Spooky....

All things considered if a couple of ounces weight does not bother you a whole lot, I really think the nine is more versatile...I designed the seven to fit the requirements of a lot oy COs who will only allow a blade length similar to the Ka-Bar Marine Combat to be carried by their troops.....From the Eastern Hardwoods where I live to the Arizona Desert I have found the nine to be my favorite in our current line up....With a BK11 as a backup, if you need something else you will probably be looking at an axe or a chainsaw....Mind, you can certainly get by with the seven and be damned efficient with it, but I am lazy and the nine does a lot of the work for me.....Hope this helps....

All Best....

ethan
 
Thanks for those thoughts, Ethan! I think that will mirror my thoughts based on previous experiences. I'm getting pretty excited for it to arrive, can't wait to wail on some firewood! I was very tempted to pick up the bk11 with it, but for now I'll probably stick to a vic rucksack in the accessory pocket.
 
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