BK9 vs SP10 for EDC in the truck

Sosa

Sosa

Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Messages
3,051
I'm looking for a large fixed blade for the truck. The weight forward design of the ontario looks better for chopping. The tang of the becker looks stronger. I don't know what I'll use the knife for until I need to use it. Anything from hacking through sheet metal to fire starting. Which one is more well rounded. Thanx in advance.
 
I think the BK9 is more well rounded and suited for the outdoors. The edge on my Marine Raider came really obtuse and required a lot of work to make into something that could take on fine woods work. The BK9 came ready to go out of the box. I like the fact the handles can be removed on the BK9 for cleaning, but that's just personal preference. Overall the Ontario is good, but the BK9 is better
 
I own and use both. If you have to walk off into armeggedon either one would serve you well.

Stock handle to stock handle, I give the nod to Ontario. But you can add Micarta to the BK-9 they are quite nice. There are even of aftermarket makers. Sheaths are a wash, there is a storage pouch on the 9 sheath.



I have been playing around a bit with my new SP-10 here is a link to what I have seen. Perhaps I will try to do a comparison in the future. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1235594-The-Ontario-Raider-Bowie-The-Legend-Begins


In reality, pick the one you like. They will both serve you well, or perhaps have a look at the SP-5. It has a spear point,,is flat ground, no guard on top. Might be worth a look. I have not handled or used one. But they seem to get great reviews.

Good luck with your choice. Let us know what you decide.
 
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I just ordered the bk9. There was even an unknown to me auto $10 discount. It came down to blade shape. The sp10 was a little too croc Dundee for me and the sp5 was a little too narrow. I also like being able to easily upgrade handle materials. I bet I'll end up buying the sp10 too. Thanx guys.
 
I do not agree with you about the BK9 tang being stronger. I bet if tested we would find out that the SP10 is actually stronger, it is not a thin tang but the BK9 is skeletonized. I would like to see a test before saying the BK9 is stronger.

Seeing that you are in California I suggest not carrying any big bowie knife in your truck as I am almost sure California is not big bowie friendly.

I also hate to hear others call the SP10 a Crock Dundee knife as I do not recall Australia making big bowies famous. Its like calling a warm coat an Antarctica invention, they were around before people even walked onto that continent. Same with a big bowie, they were around way before Crock Dundee was even thought about.

Flip a coin and then get the SP10. Its not a Lego toy and its not popular to etch stuff on the blade yet but if I could have only one it would be the SP10.
 
Come on now guy. I said it looks stronger...to me. I'll probably end up owning both. Butthurt free knife zone this is.
 
Both tangs designs are strong. Although SP10 has stress point in transition between tang and blade.

But that is not that important.

BK9 is more refined. The weight, the balance, the grind and shape - it all works better than in other similar knives.
 
Sosa,

Good luck on your purchase. As I said, I think either would serve you well. I had the BK-9 first and it is a fine blade.

But I must admit the SP-10 is growing on me,



I am just getting used to it. But it is doing surprisingly well,



Use your new BK- 9 in good health. There is a reason the Becker folks call it the King. Both will scare the tourists. So be careful where you choose to pull it out.
 
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RMD is I fine choice I hear. My choice leaves 80 bucks to spend on booze
 
BK9 or SP10. This is a debate that's going to rage on forever (which is about as long as each knife will last) because the two are so similar, it's hard for one to emerge as superior to the other. Either way, you can't really go wrong with your purchase.
 
The SP-10 is designed like a fighting knife. The BK-9 doesn't have the practical handicap of that huge double guard and goofy deep concave clip.
 
I don't have experience with either. My big blade is an Esee Junglas :D

That said, if it were just between these 2 I would go BK9. The handle does look stronger. I also like the reputation of BK better fit, finish, & heat treat wise. They are probably both fine though.

And don't mind jeepster. This is not the first nor the last time he has vehemently defended the SP10.
 
craytab said:
And don't mind jeepster. This is not the first nor the last time he has vehemently defended the SP10.
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You don't need to apologize for me and I do not like being disrespected by telling other to ignore me.

If you have a problem with me liking the SP10 then that is a problem you have. I see way more guys shouting out BK16 for every answer they post.

I have used my knives extensively and if I like something I post it like asked.
 
For whatever reason, I perceive the SP10 in a different way than the BK9. Maybe thats why its not brought up as much?

So here is how I think of them: (And to be clear, I own a BK9 but not the SP10, so I may be biased.)

The SP10 is shaped like a fighting knife (huge clip point, big extended guards top and bottom, etc) but is built like a chopping knife (very thick, lowish saber grind, etc). Because of those things, I think of the SP10 seems somewhat conflicted in its design ethos. I guess I for some reason expect it to be either thinner (more like a giant USMC) or have a more useful clip point or a drop point (to make it have more mass out front for even better chopping). The way it is right now it would seem like the guards (and the ricasso) would get in the way of small tasks, and you'd more or less use it like a hatchet. I'm sure it chops pretty well with that thick blade and lowish grind.

The BK9 seems to make more sense to me. The clip point is still there, but it is far less exaggerated (its a much smaller straight clip, which should increase the strength of the tip relative to what it would be with a bigger clip). There is no top guard, and the handle design works like a bottom guard, so I can still get up close and do good small work with it. Its thick enough to withstand anything I can think of doing, and has a pretty high saber grind, so it is still pretty slicey for a big knife. Not to mention its actually fairly light for a large knife.

The SP10 is no doubt a good knife, and for large rough use I'll still continue to recommend that people check it out (chopping/batoning/digging), I just for some reason think that the design of the BK9 will help it be a better all around tool.

TLDR:

BK9 feels very well designed and balanced, SP10 seems to have some design elements that are at odds with itself.

For some reason I think of the BK9 as competing with the RTAK II much more than the SP10. Just my two cents.

And Jeepster, I've been curious. Why do you call the BK9 a "Lego" knife?

*Just to be clear, I'm not attacking anyone, or any company. I'm just saying how I think of them when I look at them, and some of the reasoning behind why I think that way.
 
ocnLogan said:
And Jeepster, I've been curious. Why do you call the BK9 a "Lego" knife?
Click to expand...

Not to down the design of the knife as it is a good knife but lots of knife people get it to play with and to switch the grips around and etch the blade, its a toy to them and not a tool, like Legos.

I used one for 4 or 5 years and really like the knife but I have learned from using the SP10 for awhile that the SP10 is a better over all knife. You cant switch the handles around very easy and no one etches the blade and lots will not get one because it is not a toy but it is a better knife in my personal opinion and the reason I will suggest it in many threads to come.
 
TheJeepster said:
Not to down the design of the knife as it is a good knife but lots of knife people get it to play with and to switch the grips around and etch the blade, its a toy to them and not a tool, like Legos.

I used one for 4 or 5 years and really like the knife but I have learned form using the SP10 for awhile that the SP10 is a better over all knife. You cant switch the handles around very easy and no one etches the blade and lots will not get one because it is not a toy but it is a better knife in my personal opinion and the reason I will suggest it in many threads to come.
Click to expand...

Ah, ok, I see now. Thanks for the response :). Everyone is entitled to a favorite for sure, particularly given noones uses or environments are exactly the same, so naturally certain things will work better for others and not for some.

Luckily I haven't contributed to the "lego" phenomenon with mine yet. I did finish stripping the rest of the coating off (the stuff that wasn't worn of "naturally" through use), and add liners to it to make the handles fit my hand better (I liked how the BK2 handles felt, which has the same scales, but thicker blade stock), but beyond that mine is stock.

Ironically, I almost posted in the SP10 contest the day that LostViking did with a story that was virtually identical (mjolnir, excalibur, etc), but then decided not to at the last minute as I have more than enough large blades at the moment. It would have been fun to compare the two though :D.
 
I own neither knife and I'm hearing more of this, "Oh my God my knife might break!" :eek:

I prefer the steel (CroVan) of the BK-9 and prefer the choil to a double-guard. I like the thumb ramp/baton anvil design, the naked tang butt and scale options.

I prefer the longer blade of the SP-10 as well as the slightly bolo'd blade profile...the false edge can be sharpened. I'm a bolo guy and prefer weight shifted forward in a bush blade as chopping becomes so critical. Also a bit more belly when needed---often, in my experience.

I believe the blade thicknesses are pretty much a wash as are the sheaths. On average the BK-9 costs, say, twice the SP-10. Based on shopping them I would go with the SP-10 first.

You aren't going to break either one of them.

OH CRAP, you're just wanting a truck knife?? Flip a coin...........
 
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ocnLogan said:
For whatever reason, I perceive the SP10 in a different way than the BK9. Maybe thats why its not brought up as much?

So here is how I think of them: (And to be clear, I own a BK9 but not the SP10, so I may be biased.)

The SP10 is shaped like a fighting knife (huge clip point, big extended guards top and bottom, etc) but is built like a chopping knife (very thick, lowish saber grind, etc). Because of those things, I think of the SP10 seems somewhat conflicted in its design ethos. I guess I for some reason expect it to be either thinner (more like a giant USMC) or have a more useful clip point or a drop point (to make it have more mass out front for even better chopping). The way it is right now it would seem like the guards (and the ricasso) would get in the way of small tasks, and you'd more or less use it like a hatchet. I'm sure it chops pretty well with that thick blade and lowish grind.

The BK9 seems to make more sense to me. The clip point is still there, but it is far less exaggerated (its a much smaller straight clip, which should increase the strength of the tip relative to what it would be with a bigger clip). There is no top guard, and the handle design works like a bottom guard, so I can still get up close and do good small work with it. Its thick enough to withstand anything I can think of doing, and has a pretty high saber grind, so it is still pretty slicey for a big knife. Not to mention its actually fairly light for a large knife.

The SP10 is no doubt a good knife, and for large rough use I'll still continue to recommend that people check it out (chopping/batoning/digging), I just for some reason think that the design of the BK9 will help it be a better all around tool.

TLDR:

BK9 feels very well designed and balanced, SP10 seems to have some design elements that are at odds with itself.

For some reason I think of the BK9 as competing with the RTAK II much more than the SP10. Just my two cents.

And Jeepster, I've been curious. Why do you call the BK9 a "Lego" knife?

*Just to be clear, I'm not attacking anyone, or any company. I'm just saying how I think of them when I look at them, and some of the reasoning behind why I think that way.
Click to expand...

I don't think he called the knife a Lego. IMO Jeepster is pointing out what I was in my post---there are cosmetic benefits and there are practical benefits to a bush knife. Some choose look/customization options, some choose strictly for the pragma and practicality. Hell both are good knives and most here know it. :)
 
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