Companion: Becker vs. CRKT - Opinions?

M

midnight-ramble

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Apr 13, 2002
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Folks - Knife purchasing over the internet is difficult; you can't pick them up and examine them in person. I'm looking at mid-sized affordable fixed blades at 1SKS, and two seem to stand out. Oddly enough, both are called "Companion", one from Becker (URL is http://www.1sks.com/store/becker-knife-and-tool-campanion.html ) and a CRKT (URL is http://www.1sks.com/store/crkt-black-companion.html ). The Becker is bigger and heavier, and I think the steel is better. But the handles are slippery and I don't know a thing about the sheath. The CRKT is smaller and lighter, but the handle looks better and the sheath system is interesting. The CRKT comes with 2 Kydex sheaths and an interchangeable belt clip.

I own a Becker CU-7, so I know a little about them. I like the CU-7 a lot, except for the slippery handle.

Does anybody have experiences positive or negative with either of the "Companions"? If you can make a direct comparison of the two knives based on personal experience, I'd really appreciate it. I'm still a bit of a rookie regarding modern knife choices.

Thanks in advance...

... Midnight Rambler
 
What are you using the knife for?

I have a CRKT Kasper/Polkowski Companion, and I carry it IWB, along with whatever folder I might have in the right-hand front pocket. A search on BF will inform you that the sheaths are not exactly loved by forumites, and the general consensus is that CRKT should have made one good sheath instead of two crappy ones.

The sheaths are loud when you insert/take out the knife. They also don't hold the knife well, so when you're moving around, it might make clanking noises. Yuck. I'm going to try and make my own Kydex sheath for it.

The knife is light, well-balanced, and I use it on things that my smaller folders can't handle. However, if you're interested in a camping knife, I don't think this is the right choice. It's a light, so I wouldn't want to use it for chopping, and I think it was designed as a fighter (like the similarly shaped Crawford/Kasper Fighting Folder).

I really like how the knife feels in my hand, but that's not to say that it will fit everyone. The handle is thin, but fat enough from top to bottom that it's comfortable.

Overall I'd say it's a great value knife, like all other CRKT knives. Also highly recommended on BF is the Crawford/Kasper Professional, the folding, aluminum-scaled version of the Companion.
 
The Beckers are made to be your only blade/axe/pry-bar
I LOVE my Camillus BK2 (Companion).

I don't see how a AUS-6M 3.5" blade of any kind could
replace it.

The sheath for the Becker line (Except for the BK7 and BK6)
are somewhat like the one for the CRKT Companion only with
a strap (like on the BK7 sheath) around the handle of the knife,
and instead of a tek-lock type loop for you belt,
It's a seat belt type webing loop, which puts the knife alittle
below your belt line (about the same place as the BK7 [I think])

If you have any direct questions, I could get my camera out
and take you a picture.

But get the Becker! :)
 
Becker is obviously larger and more robust, much better sheath and designed for camp activities. CRKT comparison does not makes as much sense as comparison with other heavy camp-style small fixed blades, e.g. Busse or maybe Fallkniven for stainless. Different styles they are, but all are much more optimised in design for camp/ outdoor activites.

Becker handle can be wrapped with sports tape, or possibly roughed up (see recent thread in Camillus forum).

Regards,
Martin
 
I, too, am the proud owner of a Becker C/U7 and I will grant that the handles can become slippery once you've worked with it a while and get sweaty and tired... HOWEVER, I find alot more security in the whole "double-guard" design of the handle, so even if your grip slips from fatique or sweatiness, it slips very little, I never felt like I was in risk of losing handle on this knife, even on the hardest, most exhausting chores.

Since the CAMPANION (the CAMP part is intentional, it's supposed to sound spiffy) has the same handles, I assume the same rules apply. Also, something to consider, the Campanion is of .230 wide stock, I would call this a very good width for serious chopping and general hard use.
Also, for whatever my cynical opinion is worth, I wouldn't be caught dead with one of those CRKT AUS6M/Zytel sheath cheapo numbers.
 
I feel that the quality of the BK&T knives far surpases that of CRKT on fixed blades. That is strictly my opinion. The handle problem is minor to fix. If you don't care about having a beauty queen, simply groove your handle slabs. Another option is to get them bead blasted with something pretty rough or add some grip tape. Removing the slabs and cord wraping is another fix to the problem. I made some micarta slabs for my Brute and they were not that difficult to do. (In fact, they were my first big knife project of any kind. A guy at the local gunshow wouldn't take no for an answer. I had taken it there to get a leather sheath made for it. I quoted a ludicrously high price for a BK&T Brute and the fellow didn't flinch. He produced a wad of cash, counted out the bills and walked away a very happy sucker. I was only trying to discourage him but if he wanted to buy it that bad, it was his problem.
Right now, Bill Siegle is advertising G-10 Slabs for BK&T knives over on the Custom Fixed Blades For Sale forum. I think he's asking around $55 a pair with mounting hardware.
Hope this helps.
Doc
 
I've the CRKT Companion... not a bad blade, pretty handy and I've actually used it in the kitchen. Not bad.
It's definately not as robust as the Becker.
I don't have the Campanion from Becker, but I wish I could get one... maybe after I get a good BM folder ;)
 
Thanks for the input, folks! Looks like the Becker "CAmpanion" has moved to the top of the list. I guess I'll customize the grips somehow. At this time, I've got baseball bat tape on my CU-7, but I think I can do better.

... Midnight Rambler
 
have you seen the benchmade nimravus? its a similar style but with a slightly more utilitarian blade and what looks like a good quality sheath, that was a close contender when i was buying my fallkniven A1 the other day. the fallkniven won out because it is alot heavier and stronger but the benchamde looks a fine knife i would like one one day, i thought i would mention it as the styles are very similar. a little more expensive though
 
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