Bummed about my new BK7

Battle Creek Knives

Battle Creek Knives

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Feb 23, 2010
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Finally my new BK7 arrived.. Upon inspection I was impressed with the overall condition of the knife, didn't think I'd like the thumb ramp jimping and had intended to take it off, but I actually like it.. Knife feels great in the hand..

So I decided to take it out in my back yard and get it a little dirty before I take it camping this weekend.. I did just a little batoning, then moved over to chopping (the media used was 1yr aged oak firewood) the 7 was doing really well considering its extremely hard wood and I've used other knives in comparison. I was working away on a 4" diameter when I noticed the middle screw was GONE !!!!.. I found the nut but the bolt is still MIA>... really bummed out as this knife is totally brand new, now I have to go hunting around for a screw to match those in the knife............. I've heard to use loc-tite on the bolts and intended to when I was done, I had no idea it would come loose so quick....... There should be a disclaimer about the screws coming loose in hard use.. I wasn't to impressed with the sharpness out of the box but I've also had other production knives twice the cost come about as sharp, so no worries.. seems some come sharper/duller since its production.. with that said, this sucker didn't loose the edge it had on it at all !!! NICE !! Cant wait to convex it, I've already put loctite on the remaining bolts.. so when I get another I'm good to go....

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aftermath
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I agree they need a method to securely fasten the scales at the factory.
 
There was a thread that said the exact specs of those bolts. I cant remember off the top of my head the exact specs but they can be had at a local hardware store cheap....
 
Eureka...was in the FAQ

Extremely popular question... From Toooj '''The Fasteners for the BK-2, 3, 7, 77, 9 are Socket Head Cap screws #10-24 x 5/8" L. The BK-11 Screws are #6-32 x 5/8" (Not positive on the length) Socket head Cap screws. You should be able to go to any hardware store and buy these'''
 
theedge13 said:
Eureka...was in the FAQ

Extremely popular question... From Toooj '''The Fasteners for the BK-2, 3, 7, 77, 9 are Socket Head Cap screws #10-24 x 5/8" L. The BK-11 Screws are #6-32 x 5/8" (Not positive on the length) Socket head Cap screws. You should be able to go to any hardware store and buy these'''
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go go magic FAQ, and that's why it's there :)

i assume the screws on anything i buy brand new are loose and fix them... perhaps KaBar could include a note, but it seems like common sense, so i dunno.

in some cases loctite might be overkill, so i use a little strip of saran wrap or something similar - even teflon plumbing tape if you have it. think of it as a home made nylock washer...

if one wants, stainless hardware can be obtained, and even go so far as to ditch the hex-heads and go with a -, +, * or other head of choice.

your local hardware store should have lots of options.


Bladite
 
I just want my bolt.. the teflon is a good idea, but I've already used the blue loctite which isn't as extreme as the red.... I've probably never checked to see if something was tight when I buy it new.. besides the scales weren't loose, a lock nut would be in order here.
 
TheLastDaze said:
I just want my bolt.. the teflon is a good idea, but I've already used the blue loctite which isn't as extreme as the red.... I've probably never checked to see if something was tight when I buy it new.. besides the scales weren't loose, a lock nut would be in order here.
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go out to your work area at night with a flashlight. might be easier to spot? or a magnet.

those screws are easily found at stores and should set you back like $0.25

good luck!


Bladite
 
Sorry to hear about the screw issue. I replaced my 2 and 9 with stainless, but they where hard to find . I had to special order them here. Even regular screws where nowhere to be found. Hope you have better luck.
I checked my 7 when I got it and all 3 screws where not tight at all ! I have all the Esee line as well, and after checking all the fasteners on those, found on average one or two ( on each knife;about 10 knives) not as tight as I would like them;and they where loc'tited at the factory! Not enough loc-tite and/or not enough torque. I posted a thread in the Esee section to advise other users and even seemed to raise a few eyebrows. All my bolted knives are torqued down now ,with blue or red loc-tite as needed. The last problem I want to deal with when using a knife is a missing or loose fastener. Other than this "minor" issue , I find Becker and Esee knives the best production knives I've ever used.

Congrats on the new knife ,Btw ! It's a great user, and very versatile !
:)
 
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I found that if you want to use locktite with the intention of holding a non-rotating part in place with the ability to unscrew it later without having o use a 12 foot scaffold pole as a lever, you simply place a drop (red locktite) at the very of the thread, so that it does not flow all the way along. That way you only need to release about 10 degrees of thread and its easy from there.
 
I found the screw.. I forgot I had a heavy magnet roller in the garage.. (thanks bladite)...

Hiwa, from the little I've used the knife I'm impressed that it still had the edge it came with, and I was hitting hard wood, so hard even my 30oz HI Khuks have trouble with.. this thing did admirably well.. I will give it a good work out later today or tomorrow in the woods...

Falcor I would only use Red loctite on my enemys or on a vehicle I planned to sell:D I like the blue as its not as aggressive and allows for easier removal.
 
TheLastDaze said:
I found the screw.. I forgot I had a heavy magnet roller in the garage.. (thanks bladite)...
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i have a metal detector i use for lost items... never got around to buying the big magnet yet - those are great for ferrous items though. esp nails. esp after the contractor leaves about 500 of them for kids to step on :)


Bladite
 
;) Hey Rob, I can't even imagine where you you would use red locktite on your enemies .:D
 
This is why my 9, Crewman, and 2 all have hockey tape wrapped around the handles, well not losing bolts and it gives you a better grip without ripping your hands up.
 
Bladite said:
i have a metal detector i use for lost items... never got around to buying the big magnet yet - those are great for ferrous items though. esp nails. esp after the contractor leaves about 500 of them for kids to step on :)


Bladite
Click to expand...

LOL, that would be me.. no were not that bad, actually I should rephrase its not a roller mag but something similar to your metal detector in looks..

I do complete restoration and sometimes that includes roofs (mostly repairs though), that said we keep grounds clean but there's always that couple loose nails..

I've applied loctite to screw and I'm good to go, I played a little in the garage on a 2x4 paired it up to my marbles bolo 14" and there really is no comparison.. but the 7 is VERY nice, can't complain about the sheath either.. I'm very happy and will with out a doubt buy more becker products !!!

*Side note: for some reason over the years I was turned off completely by Kbar and refused to buy their product, I was trying to remember why but for the life of me don't remember, silly reasons we tend to stand behind... :foot:
 
The screws were extremely loose on both my BK2 and BK7 when I got them. Only reason I noticed was due to the fact the first thing I did was change the scales. Pretty surprised they were as loose as they were and most certainly would've backed out over time with use.

Sometimes it's the little details that matter and to me it's those little details that show that a manufacturer really cares about what kind of product they're putting out. I really like Becker and KaBar and I think they're more capable than this and need to do a little better.

All that said I do really like my BK2 and BK7.
 
Magus, well stated & I agree with you.

Beckers are great values, but really....letting them past QC like that is lazy in my book. Someone or something is putting them in there, just tighten them up.
I ran into this on both my 2 & 9 as well.
 
I took my hex wrench and tightened the screws until I felt like my fingers would pop off, they heven't come loose in over a year. :D
 
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