bk7 vs bk9 as a soldier knife

A

arthur dent

Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
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Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster... first of all I love my bk2.

A close friend of mine is currently in training with a very elite military unit. I would like to get him a graduation gift. This is one tough little bugger, I know he'll make it. Anyway he's a big fan of the traditional kabar, loves the history of the Bowie design and really likes my bk2. So this is the perfect gift.

I'm stuck between the bk7 and the bk9. Using tomar's site as a reference I couldn't determine the weight difference so here are my questions:
1. How much heavier is the bk9?
2. Is one more balanced than the other?
3. Does 2 inches in reach really make a huge difference?
I don't know much about knife fighting. Most likely this knife will preform utility tasks more than anything, but in that last ditch situation will the extra two inches really make a big difference?

I'm leaning towards the bk7 as the traditional Kabar is 7 inches and is such a proven and beloved design. Thanks...
 
Go with the bk-7 for a soldiers knife it the shorter blade will be more versatile THe bk-9 imo is more of a dedicated chopper. Good luck and congrads to your bud.
 
arthur,
you don't want to be late.
based on the fact that the M9 has a 7" blade, i'd go with the BK-7.
9" is great for chopping, but for utility and fighting, the BK-7.

welcome to the forum.
glad you made the connection.

greg
 
You mentioned that your friend was partial to your BK2 so I'm wondering why it's not a consideration? Putting that aside I would go with the BK7.
 
i'm not a soldier, but i think i'd want something like a BK2 for various chores, a BK11 for handing around, and a BK7 (possible a serrated model), for the upside down mounted on load bearing harness knife... though i AM partial to the KaBar for that in plain 1095... the D2 is overmuch.

2 knives are 1, 1 is none... three is pretty cool...

and a sharpening stone/system...


Bladite
 
Thank you for the quick responses guys. I come back from the gym and my questions answered, fantastic.

I discounted the Bk2 because while he liked playing with the bk2 he prefers his traditional Kabar to it. The guy likes a little longer blade I guess.

With all your advice in mind I will be going with the Bk7 and some micarta handles. It's what I would choose for myself as well. Again thanks for the input guys.
 
Oh and bladite I totally agree with you on the whole redundancy thing but I am not a rich man and so leave the other blade choices/purchases up to him.

And I will certainly throw in a duofold. I've got some extras. They're my favorite.
 
I spent about an hour with Ethan Becker this past weekend and got to play with some of his knives. If his unit will allow the length get the BK-9. Ethan made the BK-7 only because some military units would not allow a knife longer than the standard Ka-Bar. I was going to get a BK-7 until Ethan showed me the light. The BK-9 is only 1 ounce heavier and is a much better balanced blade. The BK-9 is the knife for me.
 
arthur dent said:
Oh and bladite I totally agree with you on the whole redundancy thing but I am not a rich man and so leave the other blade choices/purchases up to him.

And I will certainly throw in a duofold. I've got some extras. They're my favorite.
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If so, go ahead and get him a BK11 as well (or have him nab one for himself)...he can carry that in his pocket :thumbup:
 
Hey Arthur.....

If he CAN carry it....The BK9 really is a fine field craft tool.....Choke up on it and it will whittle....Use a full snap cut and it will make the chips FLY.......But I designed the BK7 with the soldier firmly in mind.........

Hope this helps.....

All Best...

ethan
 
For me the decision was easy,for $2 more you get two more inches.Now that a deal to be had.
 
Mr. Becker,

In your opinion, which of your creations (and I am probably thinking most about BK2, BK7, & BK9) would be the "one" knife I should own for an all-around camp knife, survival knife, woodcraft knife, chopper - basically any tasks which I could think to do with a knife in the woods or in a survival situation? You created them and know what you had in mind when you did so, so your opinion matters to me. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Regards,

Tim
 
Undead......

On me at all times a BK11 and a BK16 with a BK9 within reach........ A SAK rucksack in the left front pants pocket.....

Ethan
 
Ethan Becker said:
Undead......

On me at all times a BK11 and a BK16 with a BK9 within reach........ A SAK rucksack in the left front pants pocket.....

Ethan
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Thank you, sir. Personal thoughts on BK2 v. BK7 v. BK9? In other words, if "there can be only one," which one would you choose?
 
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Ethan Becker said:
Hey Arthur.....

If he CAN carry it....The BK9 really is a fine field craft tool.....Choke up on it and it will whittle....Use a full snap cut and it will make the chips FLY.......But I designed the BK7 with the soldier firmly in mind.........

Hope this helps.....

All Best...

ethan
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So that makes it true that the BK7 was designed for the purpose of replacing the KA-BAR F/U as the standard issue knife?
 
I believe the length makes it an option, versus be disallowed due to blade length. "Replace" I believe is stretching it....

UndeadPoet, it is a matter of choice and what you are comfortable using. My favorite is the BK-16, but the BK-14/BK-24 (or you prefer a BK-11) is good choice. You need to be comfortable with the blade lengths involved when choosing and using a BK-7 or BK-9. If the civilized world was ending tomorrow, I'd probably choose a BK-9 if that is your thought.... the "one". But unless I want to do a bunch of chopping, I'd rather have a smaller knife as they are generally more comfortable to carry and are useful for 99% of the normal tasks assigned a knife.
 
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If he likes your BK2 , go with the BK10. I carried one my second tour in Iraq, plenty of knife for anything I needed as a U.S. Marine Corps infantryman. I carried BK4 the first go around, fun but not much call for it in the sandbox.
 
Serin 16 said:
I would go with a 7 inch blade. However, there is a confirmed kill with a bk-3. Just saying...
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Source?

OT: I don't know about blade length limits and all, but the 9 is a whole lotta blade ànd it's very light, versatile, comfortable etc. Just saying.
 
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