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Can we get a Becker Knife guide?
- Thread starter Crayola
- Start date
Here's a photo guide: 
In terms of chopping, I rate the Campanion and Magnum Camp as similar, even though they look quite different. But the blades themselves seem to weigh close to the same and so you get about the same kind of power. The Campanion will probably take batoning more (I've hammered on both with a large chunk of wood and I can't tell much difference--it didn't faze either) because it is thicker, but one thing I like about the Campanion is that it carries well, i.e. not too long but will deliver big knife performance. This is the Becker I carry most often while hunting. It chops the little stuff like squirrel and rabbit paws or the ocassional briar and rides comfortably.
The Magnum Camp has a finer tip and is a better slicer than the Campanion. If you want to chop really heavy stuff or split kindling, I think it will take to a baton without much trouble. The Becker steel is truly excellent. I think it's far better that a lot of people realize. I met Jerry Fisk at a hammer in a couple weeks ago and got to chat with him about the magnum camp which he designed. I asked him what the closest steel would be to the Becker line for comparison,and he replied 52100 which ain't bad at all. My own experience is that the Becker line takes and holds a great edge and it has an excellent bite. Jerry showed me his personal magnum camp in which he reprofiled the edge to a nice convex grind on both sides. He then held up a sheet of paper and began slicing strips off of it. Pretty impressive for a big knife. The Magnum Camp qualifies as a mini machete and it will slice tomatoes too.
As for the Brute, it's an excellent chopper and easily superior to the Magnum Camp and Campanion for sheer chopping ability. The bent handle and weight forward design really makes it a solid chopper. I think I will reprofile the edge on mine though, and give it a convex edge like Jerry did on his Magnum Camp. It's an awesome edge. As for whittling with the Brute, it suffers from the same problem all big honking knives suffer from: it's not all that easy to choke up on the blade and use the tip for fine work. But you can if you need to. And it will definitely bite into wood for whittling. Again, the Becker steel takes a nice toothy edge. I can't wait until they bring out a hunter with that steel. BTW, the Becker handles are some of the most comfortable I've ever handled and especially comfy for chopping.
I really love the machete. Although it has a tendency to stick in green hardwoods while chopping, for wrist size stuff and below it is awesome. I've also used it as a draw knife and it excels at this. Maybe a thinner lighter machete would do a better job on light vegetation like grasses and such but this machete is more versatile and next to custom, I don't think you will find one made of better steel. Again, I am planning on reprofiling mine to give it that "Fisk edge" but it does pretty good without it and if you are clearing heavy brush or clearing shooting lanes for hunting, this would be the knife to take. It also has a spine rugged enought to take some heavy baton work.
I have no experience with the machax or tac tool so can't comment.
In terms of chopping, I rate the Campanion and Magnum Camp as similar, even though they look quite different. But the blades themselves seem to weigh close to the same and so you get about the same kind of power. The Campanion will probably take batoning more (I've hammered on both with a large chunk of wood and I can't tell much difference--it didn't faze either) because it is thicker, but one thing I like about the Campanion is that it carries well, i.e. not too long but will deliver big knife performance. This is the Becker I carry most often while hunting. It chops the little stuff like squirrel and rabbit paws or the ocassional briar and rides comfortably.
The Magnum Camp has a finer tip and is a better slicer than the Campanion. If you want to chop really heavy stuff or split kindling, I think it will take to a baton without much trouble. The Becker steel is truly excellent. I think it's far better that a lot of people realize. I met Jerry Fisk at a hammer in a couple weeks ago and got to chat with him about the magnum camp which he designed. I asked him what the closest steel would be to the Becker line for comparison,and he replied 52100 which ain't bad at all. My own experience is that the Becker line takes and holds a great edge and it has an excellent bite. Jerry showed me his personal magnum camp in which he reprofiled the edge to a nice convex grind on both sides. He then held up a sheet of paper and began slicing strips off of it. Pretty impressive for a big knife. The Magnum Camp qualifies as a mini machete and it will slice tomatoes too.
As for the Brute, it's an excellent chopper and easily superior to the Magnum Camp and Campanion for sheer chopping ability. The bent handle and weight forward design really makes it a solid chopper. I think I will reprofile the edge on mine though, and give it a convex edge like Jerry did on his Magnum Camp. It's an awesome edge. As for whittling with the Brute, it suffers from the same problem all big honking knives suffer from: it's not all that easy to choke up on the blade and use the tip for fine work. But you can if you need to. And it will definitely bite into wood for whittling. Again, the Becker steel takes a nice toothy edge. I can't wait until they bring out a hunter with that steel. BTW, the Becker handles are some of the most comfortable I've ever handled and especially comfy for chopping.
I really love the machete. Although it has a tendency to stick in green hardwoods while chopping, for wrist size stuff and below it is awesome. I've also used it as a draw knife and it excels at this. Maybe a thinner lighter machete would do a better job on light vegetation like grasses and such but this machete is more versatile and next to custom, I don't think you will find one made of better steel. Again, I am planning on reprofiling mine to give it that "Fisk edge" but it does pretty good without it and if you are clearing heavy brush or clearing shooting lanes for hunting, this would be the knife to take. It also has a spine rugged enought to take some heavy baton work.
I have no experience with the machax or tac tool so can't comment.
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- Dec 29, 1999
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Didn't BK&T make a Khukri, that was designed by Hank Reinheart:????
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- Sep 23, 1999
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Hoodoo (and others), I have a question about the machete. How much does the recurve of the machete affect performance, in your opinion? Most machetes I have seen are straight nacked and there is a large, curved tip. The Becker machete has a recurve and a relatively large, bulbous tip. I suspect this makes it really cut great, but your opinions would be appreciated. Also, where would the machete shine and, say, the brute or the Matchax shine? I'm thinking in terms of thickness/density of vegitation. There isn't alot of jungle growth here on the praries, but there is a bit of wood when I head towards the Rockies!
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- Nov 17, 1999
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- 3,061
I was looking at a BK&T brochure that I picked up recently and was wondering the same thing.
Hoodoo - Thanks much for the review and the pics. I just Ordered the BRUTE and am anxiously awaiting its arrival! I think I fell in love with the Recurve look as well as the tough reputation. However, after reading of your experience I think I will have to get the COMPANION also.
Thanks guys.
Hoodoo - Thanks much for the review and the pics. I just Ordered the BRUTE and am anxiously awaiting its arrival! I think I fell in love with the Recurve look as well as the tough reputation. However, after reading of your experience I think I will have to get the COMPANION also.
Thanks guys.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 45,029
Crayola,
I don't have the Patrol Machete yet, it's still on my "to do" list.
The Brute is an excellent hybrid in that it offers a long recurved blade with forward heavy chopping ability. It has a small "anvil" on the spine above the belly which allows you to use it with a baton, hammer in tent pegs (or similar) and puts the weight over the sweet spot. (The Brute also can be used in "short machete mode" according to the BK&T brochure.) To me, this is a very versatile tool and fills a niche in my collection of outdoor steel.
I don't have the Machax but I have several khukuris. These are more dedicated choppers (generally speaking), and though they will still slice, the Brute would be closer to an acutal "knife" in that respect.
The Patrol Machete would seem to be the best choice for clearing vegetation, shooting lanes etc, with some light chopping to boot, but again, it depends on your environment and terrain.
For the types of forest and mountain environments I generally spend time in, the Brute seems to be the best "jack of all trades".
I don't have the Patrol Machete yet, it's still on my "to do" list.
The Brute is an excellent hybrid in that it offers a long recurved blade with forward heavy chopping ability. It has a small "anvil" on the spine above the belly which allows you to use it with a baton, hammer in tent pegs (or similar) and puts the weight over the sweet spot. (The Brute also can be used in "short machete mode" according to the BK&T brochure.) To me, this is a very versatile tool and fills a niche in my collection of outdoor steel.
I don't have the Machax but I have several khukuris. These are more dedicated choppers (generally speaking), and though they will still slice, the Brute would be closer to an acutal "knife" in that respect.
The Patrol Machete would seem to be the best choice for clearing vegetation, shooting lanes etc, with some light chopping to boot, but again, it depends on your environment and terrain.
For the types of forest and mountain environments I generally spend time in, the Brute seems to be the best "jack of all trades".
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- Sep 23, 1999
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- 3,831
Thanks Blues for your insight.
For some reason I'm on an outdoor knife/chopper kick. I don't know where these urges coem from, I just do my best to satisfy them! Though I'm not in the market for a bush blade now, I will be later, so I'm kinda gathering info.
I really am interested in your comments about the Matchax being more of a "knife" than a Khukuri, with respect to slicing chores. This is what I've been thinking about most. I think I'll e-mail you sometime soon in hopes that you respond so we can talk about this further
For some reason I'm on an outdoor knife/chopper kick. I don't know where these urges coem from, I just do my best to satisfy them! Though I'm not in the market for a bush blade now, I will be later, so I'm kinda gathering info.
I really am interested in your comments about the Matchax being more of a "knife" than a Khukuri, with respect to slicing chores. This is what I've been thinking about most. I think I'll e-mail you sometime soon in hopes that you respond so we can talk about this further
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- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 45,029
Originally posted by Crayola
I really am interested in your comments about the Machax being more of a "knife" than a Khukuri, with respect to slicing chores. This is what I've been thinking about most. I think I'll e-mail you sometime soon in hopes that you respond so we can talk about this further
Email me anytime, Crayola, I'll do my best to help. (Though, in all honesty, in this arena Hoodoo is the man and I place great stock in his opinions and experience.)
I didn't mean to give this impression: "Machax being more of a "knife" than a Khukuri, with respect to slicing chores".
I was saying that the Machax more closely mimicked a khukuri which though it slices pretty well, is more of a dedicated chopper. I think the Brute would be closer to a standard knife than the Machax, yet still offer quite a bit of chopping power. (I hope that is a bit clearer.
)I think the Becker designs are great and lead the pack in "bang for the buck". You could buy the whole set of six knives online for less than the cost of a custom knife and some high end factory knives.
(Of course, that won't keep me, like you, from indulging my "need" for other knives of various sizes and configurations regardless of how likely (or not) it is that they will be pressed into service.
)
Brian Jones
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 17, 1999
- Messages
- 7,560
I used the Brute as my main big knife on our recent outing in Idaho filming Hoods Woods Volume 11 "Solo Survival." It kicked butt. I have review posted in the archives of my pre-trip use of it in the Reviews Forum archives. Hoodoo has covered the Brute and other tools nicely, as he always does.
To add to the list of Becker Products in this discussion:
A nice surprise for me was when we brought along the Becker Tac-Tool on the trip. This turned out to be one of the most versatile and handy outdoor knives I've ever used. The flat tip, sharpened, made the knife an outstanding diging tool (digging post holes and digging up thistles). Using the smaller top edge for this made it cut quickly into the ground, and preserves the edge of the main blade. The serrations were nice for cutting vines and paracord, and the heft of the thing overall made it a great chopper!
The gut hook on it was great for removing coffee cans (with a clothes hanger handle on it) from the fire without burning yourself. You could also use that for cutting cordage, too.
I have one on the way to me, because I was so enamored with it. I would not hesitate to use the Tac-Tool as my main outdoors big blade as well. Awesome!
Best,
Brian.
To add to the list of Becker Products in this discussion:
A nice surprise for me was when we brought along the Becker Tac-Tool on the trip. This turned out to be one of the most versatile and handy outdoor knives I've ever used. The flat tip, sharpened, made the knife an outstanding diging tool (digging post holes and digging up thistles). Using the smaller top edge for this made it cut quickly into the ground, and preserves the edge of the main blade. The serrations were nice for cutting vines and paracord, and the heft of the thing overall made it a great chopper!
The gut hook on it was great for removing coffee cans (with a clothes hanger handle on it) from the fire without burning yourself. You could also use that for cutting cordage, too.
I have one on the way to me, because I was so enamored with it. I would not hesitate to use the Tac-Tool as my main outdoors big blade as well. Awesome!
Best,
Brian.