BK9 (or any other BK if it fits...) Non-Scientific Poll

S

Snow Walker

Joined
Jul 3, 2014
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93
Just trying to figure this out from the pictures I've seen here...

1. Thumb-ramp or No Thump-ramp?
2. Blade Coating or No Blade Coating?
3. Factory Grips or Non-Factory Grips?
4. Factory Sheath or Custom Sheath?

Did I miss any...?
 
Snow Walker said:
Just trying to figure this out from the pictures I've seen here...

1. Thumb-ramp or No Thump-ramp?
2. Blade Coating or No Blade Coating?
3. Factory Grips or Non-Factory Grips?
4. Factory Sheath or Custom Sheath?

Did I miss any...?
Click to expand...
1) Doesn't matter either way to me.
2) I like the blade coating. I like to watch it wear off mostly. Shows a good, used blade.
3) I like the stock grivory just fine and dandy. That said, I have a pair of Tommythewho wooden scales that are great.
4) Factory sheath has always served my purposes.
 
1. I would prefer no ramp, but it doesn’t get in the way.
2. I quickly took the coating off with use.
3. The factory grips are nice—I’ve never used anything but on the 9 and never feared a slip.
4. I won a Kydex sheath in a give-away, but the factory sheath served well.
 
That's for my BK7:

1. Doesn't matter for me
2. I would prefer a smooth coating for kitchen use, but the original wears off nicely
3. Grivory is good, light, tough and lasts forerver.
4. Original sheath works without problems, but for use in my garden I would like a kydex dangler.
 
1, 2, 3: I'm lazy, it stays as is, none of these affect my use of it anyway.
4: Factory sheath if I'm strapping it to my pack, leather if I'm belt-carrying.

The BK9 that was the first Becker I purchased I ended up over-modding after seeing others' customizations here; the kydex or the wood handles didn't add any usability but they looked cool. The BK20 that replaced the BK9 is still as is from the factory including the sheath and I have yet to find anything worth changing with it.

Most modifications are just for looks.
 
Thumb ramp
No coating (mine still have the coating, i always intend to strip them but never get around to it.)
Stock are fine but love the micarta, i ave TKC G10 on 2 as well
Stock sheath is fine but leather is better!
Also, put up an actual poll! It will be easier to read the results.
 
I don't mind the thumb ramp if it's crowned. I wouldn't miss it eather if it was gone.
No paint
Factory scales are fine I like Micarta's look and that makes them feel better :D
Factory sheaths are just fine. I like Kydex better for certain situations. Leather looks nice but sharp edges along with me and leather not a good mix :p and it takes to long to dry if it gets wet.
 
Last edited:
Snow Walker said:
Just trying to figure this out from the pictures I've seen here...

1. Thumb-ramp or No Thump-ramp?
2. Blade Coating or No Blade Coating?
3. Factory Grips or Non-Factory Grips?
4. Factory Sheath or Custom Sheath?

Did I miss any...?
Click to expand...

One of the coolest things about Becker knives is the ability to mod/shape them to individual tastes and preferences. Pricing is right (for current models), the steel is not overly hard to work with (albeit perfectly suitable for the knife's intended uses), and the designs are simple and straightforward.

In regards to the 9 (a favorite in the Becker lineup and one I will never part with) my preferences are as follows:
  1. I am a bit ambivalent when it comes to the thumb ramp. On one hand, I don't believe I have ever used it on my 9 and could likely do without it. On the other hand, as much as I like some of the rampless mods that I have seen, it doesn't quite capture the aesthetic that drew me to the 9 in the first place. Could I do without it? Yes. Do I want to though? Not particularly.
  2. I am firmly in the camp of no blade coating. Though it has undeniable utility in keeping your blade somewhat protected, it is but a temporary thing and it will wear off in the most unsightly manner. I much prefer the sandblasted look. My blade looks good and used after a nice workout but lacks all of the appearances involved with chipping paint and the like. (pics below)
  3. I don't really have a problem with the factory grips as they have not failed me in any way. That being said, I do prefer micarta on my fixed blades. Tough, solid, grippy, it is a worthy upgrade to your Becker knife.
  4. I dislike the factory sheath immensely and I generally replace it with one that I make out of either leather or kydex (I work with both).
Sandblasted finish pics. (compliments to our very own 91bravo 91bravo )

OebpUQy.jpg


8e6Y4bJ.jpg
 
KooKooforKukripuffs said:
Are you wanting a $100 knife that works perfect out of the box or a $200 knife that's works the same but looks a little better?
Click to expand...

I get what you're saying and I would venture a guess and say that for most of us Becker enthusiasts, these knives are perfectly suitable right out of the box. The Beckerheads here like to use their knives and we certainly do not shy from doing so, that's what the blades were designed and built for.

The caveat to all of that is that many of us are also knife enthusiasts so we are inevitably going to be be doing something to the knife, whether that be simply tuning up the factory edge or going full tilt towards turning a $100 knife into a $200+ knife.

I see nothing wrong with either approach, the Becker design and the Ka-bar production allows for all sorts of flexibility.
 
Need to figure out this "poll" thing...I've seen them infrequently before on various forums. I agree visual summaries are helpful.

Someone brought up "belt" vs "pack"...that's the question I forgot. So..."pack" or "belt"?

I've never spent $100 on a knife, let alone $200, so I'm not qualified to address that area. That discussion is above my pay grade...but it's always fun to watch knife enthusiasts trade opinions.
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
OMG Again with the crown I would think your Royalty:D I crowned my 7 today because of you and daizee daizee just to see. Aaaand yeah it looks pretty neat. I'll post a pic tomorrow.
Click to expand...
It's not so much the look as it is the comforts ;) it's so comfy I can use my hand now instead of a baton :p
 
Pàdruig said:
One of the coolest things about Becker knives is the ability to mod/shape them to individual tastes and preferences. Pricing is right (for current models), the steel is not overly hard to work with (albeit perfectly suitable for the knife's intended uses), and the designs are simple and straightforward.

In regards to the 9 (a favorite in the Becker lineup and one I will never part with) my preferences are as follows:
  1. I am a bit ambivalent when it comes to the thumb ramp. On one hand, I don't believe I have ever used it on my 9 and could likely do without it. On the other hand, as much as I like some of the rampless mods that I have seen, it doesn't quite capture the aesthetic that drew me to the 9 in the first place. Could I do without it? Yes. Do I want to though? Not particularly.
  2. I am firmly in the camp of no blade coating. Though it has undeniable utility in keeping your blade somewhat protected, it is but a temporary thing and it will wear off in the most unsightly manner. I much prefer the sandblasted look. My blade looks good and used after a nice workout but lacks all of the appearances involved with chipping paint and the like. (pics below)
  3. I don't really have a problem with the factory grips as they have not failed me in any way. That being said, I do prefer micarta on my fixed blades. Tough, solid, grippy, it is a worthy upgrade to your Becker knife.
  4. I dislike the factory sheath immensely and I generally replace it with one that I make out of either leather or kydex (I work with both).
Sandblasted finish pics. (compliments to our very own 91bravo 91bravo )

OebpUQy.jpg


8e6Y4bJ.jpg
Click to expand...
What magic does it take to get this sorecery done (the sandblasting)
 
I like the thumb ramp on the bk9 and the bk7. Would never grind it down. I think it serves a purpose, which imo is protecting the thumb.
The blade coating is fine until it wears down and starts to look “ugly” to me and then I strip it.
Non factory grips are essential to the 9 and anything bigger. IMO, anything that chops needs linen
micarta. I might put tape or inner tube over the bk7,2,5 etc., or texture the plastic handles.
I have never used factory sheaths for the bk9. It’s the King and it needs leather pants. Even if it’s a substitute sheath or a kabar big brother sheath, royalty does not wear nylon.
 
While I love the sand-blasted look, it creates one of the most rust-friendly surfaces known to man, and increases friction. It also holds oil well, but unless you're going to bake something into that surface, it's not for me. Stone washed, on the other hand...
 
Snow Walker said:
Just trying to figure this out from the pictures I've seen here...

1. Thumb-ramp or No Thump-ramp?
2. Blade Coating or No Blade Coating?
3. Factory Grips or Non-Factory Grips?
4. Factory Sheath or Custom Sheath?

Did I miss any...?
Click to expand...

1. I don't like them but a compromise for a great decent blade. Its why I decided to keep the BK5 and learn to do things with a knife I just dislike, I can do slicy things better with it.
2. For general purpuse stuff, it stays on, critter cutters will get stripped if I get the ambition to do it.
3. Ended up replacing all grips it turned out, had to many mis-slips. Over a year I slowly was improving the knives by getting new handles. Dedicated camp ones got the Dogwood Firefly glow in the dark handles!
4. Factory, some reason Kydex don't like me...and the factory sheath is slim and trim compared to pancake kydex. Even Taco ones seem to flare out to much.

You forgot use. I got the BK2s,4,5, and 0s. BK2s are for smaller but heavier stuff and aide in big critter cutting, BK4 because they were going out of stock and out of production wish I got more, BK5 only got it because it was out of production thinking I might like it as much as the 4 and found out I don't, but its a big critter cutting and other use one now. The BK9s...large knife that can do a lot of multi-tooly tasky things and even chops well to. Of the 3 I got one might go to the little brother in place of the 5 I was going to give him, dad has a lot of critter cutting knives where he lives he can use.
 
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