Cliff Stamp
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Combat Bowie from Becker Knife and Tool (BK9)
- Thread starter Cliff Stamp
- Start date
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
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...Excellent review/test, Cliff. Thanks!
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Cliff,
Another nice comparison. Some good information there.
One point that needs to be stressed however is the bone chopping. While you were right in pointing out that sometimes the thinner edge (Becker) results in less stress being applied to the edge due to greater penetration. You did fail to mention that the larger Becker was packing much more power in the swing and therefore increasing the force applied to the chop. I think you probably thought of this and just failed to mention it. Thinner and more durable is a winner anyway you look at it.
I was also confused by the penetration tests. The Becker has a more fine tip yet didn't pentrate as deeply? Pentrator tip or not, a thick tip is still a thick tip. Could you explain this further?
Another nice comparison. Some good information there.
One point that needs to be stressed however is the bone chopping. While you were right in pointing out that sometimes the thinner edge (Becker) results in less stress being applied to the edge due to greater penetration. You did fail to mention that the larger Becker was packing much more power in the swing and therefore increasing the force applied to the chop. I think you probably thought of this and just failed to mention it. Thinner and more durable is a winner anyway you look at it.
I was also confused by the penetration tests. The Becker has a more fine tip yet didn't pentrate as deeply? Pentrator tip or not, a thick tip is still a thick tip. Could you explain this further?
Cliff Stamp
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blademan 13 :
Yes, I made a note of that earlier in the bone chopping commentary, but should have brought it in at the point at which you mentioned as well. I also forgot to note it later on when commenting on the difference seen when limbing. This has been corrected.
That was pretty unexpected. When I went through the phonebook it didn't seem sensible. I had done it before, but with much heavier knives. At first I thought maybe the book was softer or something. But the Becker Bowie got consistently lower penetration on the same book. Both were tested on multiple days to reduce a bias from strength variations. The difference was also consistent in the way they responded to wood digging.
Essentially the tip, due to it being actually sharpened actually cuts the material whereas the Becker has to just smash through. Consider chopping with two Bowies, one really sharp, with a relativly obtuse edge angle (say 22), and the other much more acute (say 15), but really blunt. Which blade chops better.
The Military tip is a really nice innovation by Busse, it greatly raises the penetration with little effect on strength. However it should be pointed out that with both tips damaged to a similar degree (dig a hole in rocky soil) the Becker wins easily as now the Military tip doesn't cut anymore and the tip is just thicker.
Of course there is nothing saying that you can't resharpen it again, or even just apply a Busse style penetrator tip on the Becker. I meant to do that as well as repeat the 2x4 digging a few more times, but forgot about that before I did the prying in the log which snapped the tip.
-Cliff
Yes, I made a note of that earlier in the bone chopping commentary, but should have brought it in at the point at which you mentioned as well. I also forgot to note it later on when commenting on the difference seen when limbing. This has been corrected.
That was pretty unexpected. When I went through the phonebook it didn't seem sensible. I had done it before, but with much heavier knives. At first I thought maybe the book was softer or something. But the Becker Bowie got consistently lower penetration on the same book. Both were tested on multiple days to reduce a bias from strength variations. The difference was also consistent in the way they responded to wood digging.
Essentially the tip, due to it being actually sharpened actually cuts the material whereas the Becker has to just smash through. Consider chopping with two Bowies, one really sharp, with a relativly obtuse edge angle (say 22), and the other much more acute (say 15), but really blunt. Which blade chops better.
The Military tip is a really nice innovation by Busse, it greatly raises the penetration with little effect on strength. However it should be pointed out that with both tips damaged to a similar degree (dig a hole in rocky soil) the Becker wins easily as now the Military tip doesn't cut anymore and the tip is just thicker.
Of course there is nothing saying that you can't resharpen it again, or even just apply a Busse style penetrator tip on the Becker. I meant to do that as well as repeat the 2x4 digging a few more times, but forgot about that before I did the prying in the log which snapped the tip.
-Cliff
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... as always, Cliff. I was would have liked you to have compared it to a Fehrman or Busse of comparable size. I take it that you give the BK-9 a thumbs up. I would be interested in if you might do a review of the BK-10. I got the BK-7 because it was a nice medium between the BK-10 and BK-9. Now I am interested in what all of them are like in comparison to each other. Thanks for the review on this one.
Cliff Stamp
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shmoopiebear :
No arguement, I would have liked to have done it. It would have directly improved the review by allowing more direct comparisons. I considered using the Battle Mistress instead of the Camp Tramp, but my Battle Mistress is an old style one, no longer in current production, plus has been heavily modified.
Yes, it definately is a solid performer for its price range, and I would put it over many knives costing significanty more. With the Patrol Machete, CU7 and Crewman, these three knives round out a pretty wide range of uses.
There is little that I would refuse to have a look at. It looks like another solid knife from Becker.
Marty, thanks.
Blademan 13, the other thing I forgot to mention about the penetration is that this is influenced by the grip. The Becker handle is much slicker and thus on a stab more of the energy is lost as your hand slides up the hand. In retrospect I could have shown this by driving the points of the blade into the phonebook (or whatever) with a mallet. This would have removed the influence of the grip (and the blade weight) and focused the penetration comparison just on the tip properties. This would not replace the actual stabbing, but just been complementary . I'll keep this in mind for the future.
-Cliff
No arguement, I would have liked to have done it. It would have directly improved the review by allowing more direct comparisons. I considered using the Battle Mistress instead of the Camp Tramp, but my Battle Mistress is an old style one, no longer in current production, plus has been heavily modified.
Yes, it definately is a solid performer for its price range, and I would put it over many knives costing significanty more. With the Patrol Machete, CU7 and Crewman, these three knives round out a pretty wide range of uses.
There is little that I would refuse to have a look at. It looks like another solid knife from Becker.
Marty, thanks.
Blademan 13, the other thing I forgot to mention about the penetration is that this is influenced by the grip. The Becker handle is much slicker and thus on a stab more of the energy is lost as your hand slides up the hand. In retrospect I could have shown this by driving the points of the blade into the phonebook (or whatever) with a mallet. This would have removed the influence of the grip (and the blade weight) and focused the penetration comparison just on the tip properties. This would not replace the actual stabbing, but just been complementary . I'll keep this in mind for the future.
-Cliff
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Thanks for the review, I've been hoping you would get around to the BK-9. I'm taking mine on a short camping trip (the weekend) in about 15 min. I'll let you all know how it faired.
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Excellent review, Cliff.
Let me add one thing: thanks for pointing out that handle ergonomice are a very subjective thing.
I prefer the Swamp Rats' handles over those of the Becker line by a long shot.
Less slippery, shock-absorbant and just more comfortable.
Let me add one thing: thanks for pointing out that handle ergonomice are a very subjective thing.
I prefer the Swamp Rats' handles over those of the Becker line by a long shot.
Less slippery, shock-absorbant and just more comfortable.
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I just recieved my BK-9-1 (Desert Camo version).
There is not much I can add to improve on Cliff's extensive review, but let me add a few additional things to those who may be thinking about buying a becker.
* The camo version is a great alternative to the black beckers. It is light colored, meaning that it is easier to see in a dark environment (forest or at night) and less intimidating to the eye (at least the way I see it). I highly recommend the desert camo version for those who are interested in very useful knife, but don't need the black theme for stealth purposes.
* The sheath, despite the mixed reviews, I found to be excellent in its ability to contain the knife and hold accessories. Upon the suggestion by others, I put some nylon cord(soaked in oil) at the bottom of the kydex to prevent the knife from rattling in the sheath.
Strapped to my sheath, or inside the belt loop or the pouch in the front, I have
(1) Leatherman pst (2) yellow bandana (3) altoid box with bandages, fishing stuffs (line, hooks, flys) (4) compass with mirror(5) 45 feet of thin but strong nylon climbing cord (6) relfective survival blanket (7) flint and steel (8) mini maglight (9) knife sharpening stone.
This is a keeper.
cheers
ll
There is not much I can add to improve on Cliff's extensive review, but let me add a few additional things to those who may be thinking about buying a becker.
* The camo version is a great alternative to the black beckers. It is light colored, meaning that it is easier to see in a dark environment (forest or at night) and less intimidating to the eye (at least the way I see it). I highly recommend the desert camo version for those who are interested in very useful knife, but don't need the black theme for stealth purposes.
* The sheath, despite the mixed reviews, I found to be excellent in its ability to contain the knife and hold accessories. Upon the suggestion by others, I put some nylon cord(soaked in oil) at the bottom of the kydex to prevent the knife from rattling in the sheath.
Strapped to my sheath, or inside the belt loop or the pouch in the front, I have
(1) Leatherman pst (2) yellow bandana (3) altoid box with bandages, fishing stuffs (line, hooks, flys) (4) compass with mirror(5) 45 feet of thin but strong nylon climbing cord (6) relfective survival blanket (7) flint and steel (8) mini maglight (9) knife sharpening stone.
This is a keeper.
cheers
ll
Cliff Stamp
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Quiet Storm :
Yes, I would say much the same. The Becker grips are more durable in many regards, but the Swamp Rat handles are superior in most other respects, and are under the same guarantee as the blade so if they do get damaged, no worries. These two groups of knives are in two very distinct price ranges though and are thus more complementary than in direct competition with each other. There are also fairly broad difference that tend to do much the same. The Beckers are more neutral in balance and with thinner clip points than the Swamp Rats for example.
-Cliff
Yes, I would say much the same. The Becker grips are more durable in many regards, but the Swamp Rat handles are superior in most other respects, and are under the same guarantee as the blade so if they do get damaged, no worries. These two groups of knives are in two very distinct price ranges though and are thus more complementary than in direct competition with each other. There are also fairly broad difference that tend to do much the same. The Beckers are more neutral in balance and with thinner clip points than the Swamp Rats for example.
-Cliff
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... if the BK-7 in the desert motif has got a grippier handle in comparison to the other models? Mine feels almost abrasive and slate like in the hand. It feels very course and not slippery at all. Perhaps BK&T are bead blasting their handles now to make them more stable for when they get slippery from any foreign agents on them. I would like people that have other models compare them with the BK-7 side by side. It would be interesting to know.
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I guess you're right.
While I haven't had any first hand experience with the desert tan models yet, I can say that the black Becker handles are very smooth (IMO even slippery as I already mentioned above) and definitely not "almost abrasive". Glad to hear that the scales of the sand colored models are obviously grippier than those of the regular line, maybe I'll buy one of those.
Cliff Stamp
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shmoopiebear, if you are interested in a comparison, I can send you the scales off the Combat Bowie, just drop me an email.
-Cliff
-Cliff
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My father wore his BK 9 3 times, nothing extreme, just walking around, crouching down, sitting and standing, and the stitching gave way! The whole sheath is now falling apart. The first thing I did with my BK 7 was reinforce the stiching, then I got a new sheath from Scott Hendryx.
I can't argue, for a $55.00 knife, the BK 7 was a solid value. The sheath is still better than alot that come with knives off the shelf.
I can't argue, for a $55.00 knife, the BK 7 was a solid value. The sheath is still better than alot that come with knives off the shelf.
Cliff Stamp
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It seems there is a fair amount of variance in the Cordura sheaths. Problems of very quick degredation have been reported with the sheaths of both the Becker and Swamp Rat line. The four I have used (two from each) were solid, and held up to extended use with no significant fraying. It speaks maybe of a QC issue.
-Cliff
-Cliff