Coming this Spring - KA-BAR Becker BK40 Folder

OK, so ...

I like Ethan.
I like Ka-Bar.
I don't like Chinese products if they can be avoided.
I like Ethan.
I am not huge fan of liner locks.
I like Ethan.
I like Ka-Bar.
AUS-8 doesn't excite me, but my knives in that steel have been OK for me.
I like Ethan and his ergonomic handle design using form rather than texture for grip; comfortable for longer use sessions.

So, when you add, subtract, multiply and divide, it's a go and I ordered one. I'll let you all know what I think after I receive it.

I was pretty close to buying two, as is my habit with knives I like (a user and a keeper), but the liner lock is what gave me pause; not that there's anything terribly wrong with a liner lock, just that I can't see it being belly deep in a warm dead deer with all that fat, blood, gristle and what not up in there. Liner locks are OK but they can be finicky, prone to issues and not what is in keeping with Ethan's fixed blade range theory of application. Without mentioning brands, there are other locks that I much prefer for times when I have that half second to think, I probably should be using a fixed blade for this.

All of that being said, did I mention I like Ethan and I like Ka-Bar?

I do kind of wish it were twice the knife at twice the price but I don't even have it yet and ... besides, I like Ethan and I like Ka-Bar.
 
Hey Salty....I love you too!....I think you will enjoy the Forty.....Are you gonna be at BLADE?....I hope so....BTW it would be a bit more than twice the price and more like four times the price and pretty much all my more expensive folders are drawer queens because I tend to lose pocket knives and therefore see folders as consumables...Mind you, I have found personally that the more expensive the folder the faster the damn thing gets lost....The Vic in my pocket(close to the Forty) will not lose because it is (A) NOT collectible and (B) it is NOT expensive....😁😁😁

Hope you are well and that you will have the pleasure of my company at BLADE!....Come visit....
 
Thank you ethan for giving us a folder after all these years.
Many bk owners understand you make practical knives. Not fidget toys and/or pocket jewelry.
We still hope this bk40 to be a success and maybe get moved to usa production in time. (Maybe even just a special edition....)
 
Ethan Becker said:
Hey Salty....I love you too!....I think you will enjoy the Forty.....Are you gonna be at BLADE?....I hope so....BTW it would be a bit more than twice the price and more like four times the price and pretty much all my more expensive folders are drawer queens because I tend to lose pocket knives and therefore see folders as consumables...Mind you, I have found personally that the more expensive the folder the faster the damn thing gets lost....The Vic in my pocket(close to the Forty) will not lose because it is (A) NOT collectible and (B) it is NOT expensive....😁😁😁

Hope you are well and that you will have the pleasure of my company at BLADE!....Come visit....
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Love right back at you Uncle E.

I am going to try to fagigulate my schedule to permit my attendance at Blade, even if ever so briefly; but, to be honest, it will be tough.
Obviously at SHOT I expect at least a breakfast date. Lemme work on Atlanta.
 
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Well, worked with mine a bit more, adjusted the pivot a bit, and it's getting better. Minimal play, but decent smoothness, and easier opening and closing. I'll let it break in some more and I bet I'll get it to good action and no play eventually. Might have to put it into work rotation this week and get it good and dirty.
 
Totally turned off and looking to expand my collection with other styles and brands, example a good ole hawk. I am sure my little opinion won't matter.

The price point keeps coming up but when the 18 came out folks were buying 2, 3....several at a time. I would have been all over it as I am one that purchased 3 18s myself. Might get another BK7 but seriously i don't even have the urge to visit here.

I don't loose too many knives as I keep them on me. Only when I lend them out do I tend to loose them. If I want to buy someone an inexpensive but good knife I buy them an Opinel.

Just saying.
 
Been using it the whole week, although to be fair it has not seen much action. Only gripe so far is nitpicky - the cutout under the stud could be bigger to allow a better thumb dig to flick out, but that is an easy fix.
 
daizee said:
Handle length difference is 1/8"-3/16". Not much.
But the blade is shorter in length and height by necessity (must fit inside folded envelope), which makes the handles look relatively larger.

It does have metal liners. They're thinner than I'd prefer, but fine.
D2 is a miserable steel except under very narrowly optimized conditions, IMO ("miserable" compared to available alternatives). But for a folder you aren't going to beat on really hard, perhaps not an awful choice. Of course it seems to be the only other carbon tool steel Kabar plays with. Taiwan isn't magic; I don't think there's any reason design/material changes couldn't be implemented in whatever mainland China factory made this.

I'm struggling with the size. It's COOL as a Tweener folder, but I think I'm just not into folders this size. I have the same issue with fancy ones like ZT's and big Spyderco knives - I don't need a huge folder, but many of you do. This sexy blade shape in a 3" version with some handle contour adjustments would be an excellent EDC for me.
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i'm holding out for the folding kephart :D

for some reason i haven't been buying knives lately, any knives. kind of have too many, and consider down sizing tbh, for money of course...

this included the more recent couple offerings with Becker lineage. so it goes. sooner or later. i think my last Becker was a 30 yo mirrored DivTul :D

mostly other kinds of tools and stuff have made my way. a sailing bollard setup for logging / tree work, a drone, cool shovels, cooler old axes.

peace
 
OFFICIAL_KA-BAR said:
If Ethan's name is on a product he is intimately involved and familiar with it. He was very involved in this project, and while true he is not sitting at a desk designing on CAD, he works very closely with those that do. Ethan tested the folder out several times during development and has really liked it. I talk to Ethan 2-3 times every week for probably 3 hours a week and he is very involved in KA-BAR and Becker Knife & Tool, though he may not be as involved on Bladeforums as he used to be. Part of that is the rural area in Montana he now lives in and limited Internet access. He is really enjoying himself and is loving life - Montana really suits him. He has told me several times he wants to get back on BF, but he has kept himself so busy I think the virtual world tends to take a backseat for him.
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Hey Oh... OBK. Long time, no hear :)

The Bowie incident was a bit problematic in terms of custody of knowledge from what I've heard/seen (entirely public posts), but I'm sure that sorted out right nice? Knives sold is money in Ethan's pocket.

Miss chatting with the old man, but things change, and life is life. I'm sad myself that I'm no longer much involved with the cult.

Have a good Blade show :)
 
Bladite said:
Hey Oh... OBK. Long time, no hear :)

The Bowie incident was a bit problematic in terms of custody of knowledge from what I've heard/seen (entirely public posts), but I'm sure that sorted out right nice? Knives sold is money in Ethan's pocket.

Miss chatting with the old man, but things change, and life is life. I'm sad myself that I'm no longer much involved with the cult.

Have a good Blade show :)
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Always valued your views, and input.....
That history and depth is what makes This place what it Is.
Thank You.
 
Still gives us hope for the bk40 future. Might have go buy one of these new mk98 when they cone out. Just to support this endeavor.
 
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