BK9 With Backpack, Or Hatchet?

The Warrior

The Warrior

🇺🇸 INSANE VIKING 🇺🇸
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As many know, I recently purchased the BK2. I'm soon going to get a BK14, for smaller oriented tasks. Now all of a sudden, I have a hankering for a BK9. My wife got me one of those Gerber 14" hatchets for Christmas. I like it, as it's light, and that's why I wanted it, to put in my backpack. But since I'm eying down the 9, do you think I should get it to replace the hatchet? If so, why?
 
This is kind of like a Beatles vs Elvis question.... do you like axes or machetes? Not that the 9 is a machete - but you get the point.

I am typically in newer growth eastern woodlands - so for me, the long blade chopper is a better fit than the hatchet. I will be chopping kindling, making shelter, cutting walking sticks, etc - the extra reach and ability to chop small things with a fast swing is more favorable than the ability to more easily split firewood with a hatchet.

I don't usually carry a hatchet much - for my needs and AO, the big knife / small knife combo works best.
 
It is all personal preference as far as hatchets or choppers. I prefer big bladed choppers, while many prefer the hatchet or an axe. I feel more confident and safer with a chopper. However, it depends on your own needs. Try to get a feel for what would be best suited for you.
 
How much does the hatchet weigh? If it's lighter, you probably don't need to swap up. If it's heavier, there's your best excuse to carry a 9 instead right there, and let's face it, you're really just lookin' for justification to give the ol' lady for carrying the 9 in place of a present she gave ya! LOL

Seriously though, if it's me, my consideration is how much am I going to use the pack anyway. Do you do a lot of camping/hiking? If so, then weight matters a lot and you should pick between one or the other. If not though, Hell, pack both tools, or just the one you "feel" more about. Either one will get the chopping work done. If that's all you plan on using either one of 'em for, just go with the one you like to look at the best, or handle, or whatever you do with your blades in between the times you're really using them.

Blues
 
GenerallyAwsomeDude said:
Yes, because thats what I did. :D You will love it, and the Gerber hatchets are not that good IMHO.
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I took it out the other day to see what it would do. It was okay, but since it's light, you have to swing it more times, compared to a hatchet that's heavier. They claim it's "virtually" indestructible, but I knocked a couple hunks out of the plastic/nylon/vinyl, whatever the hell it is the first time.
paperairplane said:
This is kind of like a Beatles vs Elvis question.... do you like axes or machetes? Not that the 9 is a machete - but you get the point.

I am typically in newer growth eastern woodlands - so for me, the long blade chopper is a better fit than the hatchet. I will be chopping kindling, making shelter, cutting walking sticks, etc - the extra reach and ability to chop small things with a fast swing is more favorable than the ability to more easily split firewood with a hatchet.

I don't usually carry a hatchet much - for my needs and AO, the big knife / small knife combo works best.
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That's kinda what I was thinking too, that the 9 would be more versatile.

BluesStringer said:
How much does the hatchet weigh? If it's lighter, you probably don't need to swap up. If it's heavier, there's your best excuse to carry a 9 instead right there, and let's face it, you're really just lookin' for justification to give the ol' lady for carrying the 9 in place of a present she gave ya! LOL

Seriously though, if it's me, my consideration is how much am I going to use the pack anyway. Do you do a lot of camping/hiking? If so, then weight matters a lot and you should pick between one or the other. If not though, Hell, pack both tools, or just the one you "feel" more about. Either one will get the chopping work done. If that's all you plan on using either one of 'em for, just go with the one you like to look at the best, or handle, or whatever you do with your blades in between the times you're really using them.

Blues
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It's very light. Don't need justification from the wife. I already took back the Craftsman hatchet she got me and got a Gerber, lol. Realistically, I do minimal hiking. But I do some. I usually go camping at campgrounds, but love to go off the beaten path on occasion. What's it's really for is my long term BOB, aka an ALICE pack.
 
I'd say go with the bk9, but would you expect any different from a becker forum?
Seriously though, you would save weight and space going with the 9. Also you can pick up as heavy a baton as you want when you need one.

I would still find some stuff to do with the hatchet so she'll know you appreciate it.:thumbup:
 
Yeah, the BK9 weighs in at 18.25 ounces, and the hatchet at 24 ounces, so the 9 is def lighter. For sure a factor.
 
I say take both. Seriously, only thing stopping you from carrying both is you. If an additional 2 lbs makes or breaks your trip, you got bigger problems.
 
Seeing how this is the Becker forum I think most the folks here are going to lean to having the BK9 over a hatchet! I am one of those people.
 
I understand. I guess I was looking for a view from a practical standpoint.
 
The Warrior said:
I understand. I guess I was looking for a view from a practical standpoint.
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Understandable.

I have a BK9 and I have owned hatchets, I find the BK9 does everything a hatchet can do but it can also slice really well, and the tip can be used for many things, I don't find hatchets or small axes to be good for things like slicing food or notching something. They can do those things but not as well as a knife.

I guess in general I feel like I have more control with a large blade.
 
i'm not into ultralight crap so i tend to carry a 4" knife, a big knife/chopper, a machete and an axe especially if i know i'm going to start a camp fire. i want to be as proficient with as many tools as i can. plus, they're toys to me too.

i'd say go and get that bk-9 and just alternate between it and the axe if you want to keep pack weight to a minimum.
 
Well, like I said earlier, it was a decision for my long term BOB. I guess I could take both.
 
I take either one of my machete's or my BK9. I can do so much more with a large knife than I can with a hatchet. YMMV.

The main reason, is I used to carry a small axe with me, and I found that after a beating the trail or being cold and wet, having a 9" long cutting surface, than a 4" cutting surface is much more forgiving when fatigue and cold are upon you. I found it to be safer for me to use, and even in the dark, I can still swing and cut. With the 9, if I'm off a few inches, I still get a bite, but if I'm off with an axe or hatchet, then I miss, expend energy for nothing, and run the risk of snapping the head off. I haven't snapped a head off before, but I have split a hickory handle pretty good once, on an overswing.

I say take the 9 but if you can work an axe when your tired, wet, and cold go for it.

Moose
 
You make some very valid points moose. Thanks for the input, much appreciated.
 
The Warrior said:
You make some very valid points moose. Thanks for the input, much appreciated.
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You're welcome, and for the record, I don't like Gerbers axes, I do like their saws. I have a folding Pack Saw in my BOB 24/7. Those things work well, for the money and size. Plus, you get 2 blades, a green wood blade, and a bone/dry wood blade. I paid $9 for mine, and use the hell outta it for shelter making.

Moose
 
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