Buck or kabar

My first two "real" (and not a swap meet Chinese hollow handle Rambo knife) fixed blades were an Ontario Spec Plus Pilots Survival and a KA-BAR USMC that my grandpa gave me when I was around 9-10 years old. I put both through heck and back over the years and they both came back begging for more. I'm talking yard work, throwing at trees, bushcraft before we knew it was called that, every camp duty imaginable, prying, screw driving, you name it, those two did it for me. So the KA-BAR USMC fills a little bit of a soft spot for me. I have two full-sized leather handles, a tan Kraton, a mini leather handle and a Mark 1 (which I think is a little better size- and ergo- wise). There's a hole inside me that would be empty if I didn't have a KA-BAR in my life.
 
The Buck is good for all kinds of food and "soft" cutting, the Ka-Bar is good for pretty much everything else.
 
Both the 119 and the USMC are very good knives. Don't be scared by those who complain about the weak tangs they have, as it's a myth. Any knife can break at the tang if they're improperly used. And if they're improperly made, then the warranty will ensure replacement with a properly made model.
 
Being a dedicated chopper, the bk9 is blade heavy.
To some, that's not a problem especially if it does nothing but hacks and chops.
The grivory handle is a tad smooth,
So extra caution comes to mind during use.
Great care too, when trying to choke up over the handle with a front weighted blade with such a handle.
It would be best to handle any knife in person before making the final choice...
 
Lost Cosmonaut said:
My first two "real" (and not a swap meet Chinese hollow handle Rambo knife) fixed blades were an Ontario Spec Plus Pilots Survival and a KA-BAR USMC that my grandpa gave me when I was around 9-10 years old. I put both through heck and back over the years and they both came back begging for more. I'm talking yard work, throwing at trees, bushcraft before we knew it was called that, every camp duty imaginable, prying, screw driving, you name it, those two did it for me. So the KA-BAR USMC fills a little bit of a soft spot for me. I have two full-sized leather handles, a tan Kraton, a mini leather handle and a Mark 1 (which I think is a little better size- and ergo- wise). There's a hole inside me that would be empty if I didn't have a KA-BAR in my life.
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I have an old Camillus version of the KaBar which I've used the dickens out of for over 25 years.;)
 
ZeroTurnDude said:
Lol if I had the money I would.

I thank I'm going to go with the bk-9

I like the looks of the kabars better but the Becker just look like it can take more of a beating.

Thanks for all the help guys.

ZTD.
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No problemo. When you make a purchase post pics.
 
GIRLYmann said:
Being a dedicated chopper, the bk9 is blade heavy.
To some, that's not a problem especially if it does nothing but hacks and chops.
The grivory handle is a tad smooth,
So extra caution comes to mind during use.
Great care too, when trying to choke up over the handle with a front weighted blade with such a handle.
It would be best to handle any knife in person before making the final choice...
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree here.

It's true that, compared to the USMC, 119, or similarly constructed models, the Becker BK9 is better as a dedicated chopping knife, due to the extra weight, the structure of the overall design, and the longer blade.

But the BK9 isn't an overly heavy blade. At just under 17 ounces, it has heft but without excessive weight. Once a person adapts to the balance and weight of the blade, it's actually quite light, and even nimble.

The BK9 by itself is good for chopping. But there are a number of other knives out there that are far better for dedicated chopping, leaving the BK9 better suited as a general purpose knife for a large number of fields.
 
OK, my turn. I'm trying to decide between a Gerber LMFII or a Ontario ASEK knife rig. Can you help me pick out a Becker to buy?

Geez, not sure who's worse, the folks that answer an A or B with a D, or Mr Pushover OP.
BTW, OP, I have a great waterfront property for you. It's in the Mojave desert, but it's sweet. Trust me.
 
If it came down to those two models then I'd go with the Ontario ASEK, due to the fact that it's made in America, and you know what type of steel and what kind of heat treatment is used in its construction.
 
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