City Slicker Eskabar?

Yetidayhiker

Yetidayhiker

Joined
Jan 13, 2013
Messages
321
I've fallen in love with my bk14. Stripped it ; added factory scales and an awesome azwelke taco sheath. I find myself using it all the time. It's bigger brothers (bk2, & bk16) are starting to get serious sibling rivalry...

I really want to keep it with me for edc and car carry with some kit. I trust that small fixed blade over any folder type.

Unfortunately; the state I live in limits carry of >3" blades; under 3" is no issue but beyond that can cause issues depending on how the police feel about the situation.

I really would like this "city slicker" becker escabar:

1) 2.9" blade for legalities; current 3.25" just is too long for worry free carry for me.
2) D2 or ideally stainless. I know, stainless is blasphemy for Becker working knives but I think it has a place for lighter duty "city slicker"duties like mostly slicing; humidity environments and food prep.
3) same handle

Any interest out there for this? (I'm patiently waiting for the eese izula 440c version as it is close to meeting these needs but prefer to buy one of Ethan's designs.) A slightly scaled down 3.25" > ~2.9" bk14 blade shape would be more effective than the published eese 2.63" bladelength; IMHO.
 
It's called the BK13 and looks like this:
2ntehc9.jpg


Can be had for under $20

Otherwise, it awfully sounds like a bk24 (which is the 14 in D2) on which you grind a little bit of the length off. Maybe drop the point a bit and you're at 3in.
 
Thanks for the recommendations. I checked out the us made bk13; its a nice stainless knife but after looking at it and the izula; I perhaps understand Ethan's reasoning of why the bk14/24 are a 3.25" blade; it's just long enough to do a lot of things.

I REALLY like the notion of modding a eskabar to 3"; especially if the point could be a little more functional for piercing. I've never tried grinding down a knife like that. Do any forum members have any recommendations, method-wise. I think I'm going to try it.
 
with a disc grinder, I might just grind the end flat to make a pry of my tip end.

from where i am .. there are no clear cut length for a carry around fixed blade .. its kinda grey area but for certain places, its safer not to have one with me .. i use stronger folders such as DPX and ZT for those options
 
Around here our blade length is 4.5 or 5 inch... So I have no problems, I've even been able to pocket carry a BK-10 :D

As for how you go about grinding it, go slowly and make sure you dip it in water OFTEN. As long as you are able to hold the blade all the time it won't be too hot. Just make sure it stays cool enough and you'd be fine.
 
Yeti, I don't believe it matters on a fixed blade. Any length fixed blade would carried that way would be illegal.
 
I remember a few years ago somebody added a choil (therefore making the blade shorter) to the 14 and it didn't look half bad. Anybody remember who did that mod?
 
I've got that blade actually (or at least one that sounds an awful lot like it). Whereismyclock did the mod, and eventually gifted it to me. I'll see if I can get a photo of it up sometime soon (I'm on my cell right now).
 
ocnLogan said:
I've got that blade actually (or at least one that sounds an awful lot like it). Whereismyclock did the mod, and eventually gifted it to me. I'll see if I can get a photo of it up sometime soon (I'm on my cell right now).
Click to expand...

That would be cool. I've always thought about doing that mod on one of my 14s it'd be fun to check it out again.
 
Eero said:
I remember a few years ago somebody added a choil (therefore making the blade shorter) to the 14 and it didn't look half bad. Anybody remember who did that mod?
Click to expand...

I don't know anything about Michigan knife laws, but does reducing the cutting edge count as reducing blade length? Would the measurements still reach from blade tip to handle? Like I said, I really have no idea on what they consider to be blade length.
 
Silver Needle said:
I don't know anything about Michigan knife laws, but does reducing the cutting edge count as reducing blade length? Would the measurements still reach from blade tip to handle? Like I said, I really have no idea on what they consider to be blade length.
Click to expand...

I've been wondering this as well. Its probably important to find that out before you do any mods :).
 
+ 1. Add a choil. And be ready to explain to LE that the cutting edge is under the limit. Maybe even carry a print out of the law. Communication and cooperation can go a long ways.
 
Chameleonbear said:
Around here our blade length is 4.5 or 5 inch... So I have no problems, I've even been able to pocket carry a BK-10 :D

As for how you go about grinding it, go slowly and make sure you dip it in water OFTEN. As long as you are able to hold the blade all the time it won't be too hot. Just make sure it stays cool enough and you'd be fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip; I can see how a small hobby disc grinder along with patience like you described could work.
 
ocnLogan said:
I found the thread where I reviewed the BK11 with the choil. Its photos aren't amazing, but its all I've already got online for now. I may have some time tonight to take a few more photos. Right now its "mid mod", as I'm trying to fit some old ZK war sword scales to it to see if I like it more with additional handle size :).

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...K11-vs-AK-Archeron-courtesy-of-Whereismyclock
Click to expand...

Thanks for finding that choil modified bk14. I was doing some reading about Michigans confusing knife laws; I think I will be conservative about how the length could be interpreted. For example; a bk7 that has a 4" long choir (God forbid) is still a dangerous device...
 
Forum members; I appreciate the feedback.

One question; do you think a factory 3" version of the "city slicker" eskabar would appeal to Becker fans? Especially a shiny stainless version? Just curious.
 
Personally?

Not really. I think it would be too similar to all of the other blades available. And if I'm worried about blade length laws, I'll likely be carrying a folder anway, because I feel it would draw less attention. That might just be me though :/.

Good luck with your mods :).
 


This might be what everyone is looking for. May be just a hair over 3" Courtesy of mod Derek.

I love this mod so much its my desktop background.
 
^ That is the way to go. It appears better than a factory original.
A nice sleek look with a four finger grip.
 
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