Ok Guys n Gals,
We just got back from a week long encampment. Among the blades undergoing field trials was a brandy new Becker Knife & Tool BK-9. When I got the knife from CR Specialties the day before camp, I was absolutely awed by the quality of this $60 knife. The blade is well balanced to provide for good cutting ability and the ability to use it for long periods of time. The handles provide a great level of comfort for extended use and great leverage. The sheath easy to use and easy to modify or manipulate to my preferred carry positions, plus an ample storage pouch for "goodies."
The BK-9 saw use immediately upon hitting our camp site. The ground was parched from several 90+ degree days sans rain, and I was unable to set the poles for the cabin tent. Out came the BK-9 and first "cuts" were to sink the awning poles 2" into the rock hard earth - Results - no tip or edge damage AND the tip was still able to shave hair (factory edge.) Next, I had to clear a "trail" to our cathole site. The Becker easily took out high grasses, weeds, saplings up to 1.5" with one swipe each - Results after and hour and a half of chopping and hacking - no blade damage except for some scarring of the blade coating and the blade was still able to shave hairs (BTW, the blade has a nice, large sweet spot which made aiming a powerful swing easy.) Later in the day, it became time to prepare firestarting materials. The big Becker blade easily batoned through some very hard ash and elm we'd acquired for the fire and it was controllable enough to make a couple fuzz stick firestarters. I was absolutely astonished when, at the end of a long chopping session, the blade would still push cut hair. So amazed, I went out near the cathole site where there were a couple stumps that could serve as chopping blocks. I then proceeded to chop away at the stumps trying to see how much it would take to dull the knife substantailly to require resharpening. I gave up do to the extreme heat and the knife would still cut hair. (I think it was actually laughing at me, standing there soaked in sweat and tired as hel*.) Anyways, I later used a Sharpmaker white rod on the blade and it came back to hair popping sharp in minutes.
The only job I wanted to try, but didn't want to beat up the blade finish too badly was pounding tent stakes. I'm sure the knife would easily perform that task in a pinch, but not this time.
The blade finish impressed me, too. It suffered little in my first tests. It came back to near new with a good cleaning and a quick buff with some 0000 steel wool.
Overall, this knife is a great performer and it has retired my other big blades and maybe even my golok. It will be my constant companion in the truck and will be at within reach at camp or when hunting/scouting.
Mike
PS ... Thanks to Cheryl, Rick, Ethan and Will and especially to the Craftsmen at Camillus who put this baby together! M
We just got back from a week long encampment. Among the blades undergoing field trials was a brandy new Becker Knife & Tool BK-9. When I got the knife from CR Specialties the day before camp, I was absolutely awed by the quality of this $60 knife. The blade is well balanced to provide for good cutting ability and the ability to use it for long periods of time. The handles provide a great level of comfort for extended use and great leverage. The sheath easy to use and easy to modify or manipulate to my preferred carry positions, plus an ample storage pouch for "goodies."
The BK-9 saw use immediately upon hitting our camp site. The ground was parched from several 90+ degree days sans rain, and I was unable to set the poles for the cabin tent. Out came the BK-9 and first "cuts" were to sink the awning poles 2" into the rock hard earth - Results - no tip or edge damage AND the tip was still able to shave hair (factory edge.) Next, I had to clear a "trail" to our cathole site. The Becker easily took out high grasses, weeds, saplings up to 1.5" with one swipe each - Results after and hour and a half of chopping and hacking - no blade damage except for some scarring of the blade coating and the blade was still able to shave hairs (BTW, the blade has a nice, large sweet spot which made aiming a powerful swing easy.) Later in the day, it became time to prepare firestarting materials. The big Becker blade easily batoned through some very hard ash and elm we'd acquired for the fire and it was controllable enough to make a couple fuzz stick firestarters. I was absolutely astonished when, at the end of a long chopping session, the blade would still push cut hair. So amazed, I went out near the cathole site where there were a couple stumps that could serve as chopping blocks. I then proceeded to chop away at the stumps trying to see how much it would take to dull the knife substantailly to require resharpening. I gave up do to the extreme heat and the knife would still cut hair. (I think it was actually laughing at me, standing there soaked in sweat and tired as hel*.) Anyways, I later used a Sharpmaker white rod on the blade and it came back to hair popping sharp in minutes.
The only job I wanted to try, but didn't want to beat up the blade finish too badly was pounding tent stakes. I'm sure the knife would easily perform that task in a pinch, but not this time.
The blade finish impressed me, too. It suffered little in my first tests. It came back to near new with a good cleaning and a quick buff with some 0000 steel wool.
Overall, this knife is a great performer and it has retired my other big blades and maybe even my golok. It will be my constant companion in the truck and will be at within reach at camp or when hunting/scouting.
Mike
PS ... Thanks to Cheryl, Rick, Ethan and Will and especially to the Craftsmen at Camillus who put this baby together! M
I can't wait to play with this. This knife looks indestructable, and wooo-eeee... she is sharp! I love the sheath with it's little pouch for stuff. I do know that my Dad's maple trees need some trimming of those little sucker branches. Looks like my first job for this knife.
