Convince Me.......Please!!

tiogatires

tiogatires

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2007
Messages
2,764
Hello all, New to the Becker area but not to the forum. Until now, I have enjoyed buying and using custom knives bought here and there. Recently, with the birth of our third child, I have come to the realization.......that I am broke. I just can't afford the customs any more. I have been eyeing up the Becker line for years but never bought any. I know the pricing is far easier on the wallet than any custom I've ever bought, so I am considering getting into these guys. Problem is, even though I have been eyeballing them, I never pulled the trigger. I'm not sure why. Blade snobbery? Perhaps. Elitism? Maybe... Either way, Since my budget no longer allows the purchase of other customs ( I still have a few tucked away) I am still in need of a fix.

Convince me that the Becker line is where my money belongs and that they are as good as you all say they are!! No fanfare, facts and serious opinions only pleaassseeee!!!

Also - I can say for fact that I don't care for the "look" of the factory scales. Is there anyone out there making slim micarta scales for these guys?

I should mention that I am particularly fond of the BK9 and Machax (sp?).

Respect and thanks in advance Blade Forums Cadre!
 
Welcome to our little slice of crazy! Well, the only facts and opinions I have are based on experience. I was Marine infantry enroute to Iraq when I bought my first Becker. We were actually headed to Kuwait to stage because the invasion hadn't officially begun yet. A buddy of mine from another platoon tells me his squad leader had a big knife he wanted to sell prior to departing the ship. He knew I was a knife guy, so he came to see if I wanted it. After my brief introduction to the guy I agreed it was a sweet piece o steel. For $80 it'd probably be worth it. It was a Camillus era Machax. Although I didn't use it much in the desert and urban areas of Iraq, it proved plenty useful around camp. My platoon dubbed it "The head lobber". Well my squad leader lusted after it a bit so I sold it to him before heading back to the states. He carried it on our second tour about a year later. He still has it to this day and takes it on all his camping trips.

For my second tour I needed a replacement for the Machax. Something a little more desert friendly, but stout enough to handle all jobs. I wanted a good back up if needed as well. Of course being an E-3 at the time, I also needed something affordable. I turned once again to BK&T. I chose the BK10 Crewman. It was extremely worth it. It handled everything I threw at it with ease. I still have it and I don't hesitate to use it. Beckers are always the first knife I suggest whenever someone is after a new production knife.
Ethan's designs are very well thought out and just plain work. As an outdoorsman himself and a chef (a fine one indeed),he knows what he's doing with blades. Ka-Bar has really done his designs right. They have a great manufacturing process and excellent heat treat. Couple all that with a damned good warranty and you won't be dissatisfied.


I now own a bout a dozen and plan to buy a few more soon, all as gifts. One is a new Ka-Bar Machax for my buddy that bought my old one. It'll be part of a retirement gift when he leaves the Corps in April. Stick around here man. If we can't convince you just by our use of them, we're slipping. Again, welcome!

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Welcome.
From the factory they are great working knives, but with a little help they are beautiful.

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BK4.

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KaBar makes micarta handles for them. If they're not slim enough for you, you can always remove material until you've got it where you like it.
 
I got interested in Becker knives about a year ago and can't say enough about them. Very wallet friendly and very tough! I love my nine and have used it for just about everything from food prep to breaking down firewood from a seasoned oak. It just keeps asking for more.
I also edc my 14. It has replaced all of my folders and basically I don't leave home without it.

But the best thing about Becker knives is this place! If you ever have a question or need help with anything Becker we will be here for you.
Don't like the Grivory handles - mod em.
Don't like the black coating - strip it, clich it or just blue it.
Want to completly go off the reservation and turn you BK-7 into a BK-10? We gotcha covered.

My only warning is....
They are very addictive!!! I got my first in January of last year and now I have 12 with more to come.
 
Yes for $35-40 Pick up a 11 or14. If after that you are not convinced PM me I will take it off your hands . Then find a good Doctor because something must be wrong with you :)
 
They are cheap enough to just get one and try it out, if for some reason you are not impressed you can unload it here for sure. This subforum is one of the best on the site and the people here are top notch and go way out of their way to help. Finally, Kabar's warranty and customer service are out of this world. I am still blown away that the knife designer and the head engineer at Kabar post here frequently...

Jump in, the water's great! :)
 
Heres a list of reasons:

1. For less than the cost of one of your customs ($200-a bit less if you shop smartly or buy used) you can buy a 3 knife combo that will handle any task (14/16/9)
2. They are better than customs because you can mod them and make them your own. There is such a feeling of accomplishment and coolness when you complete your first mod and show it off like you would a trophy your kid won.
3. There is no better "bang for your buck" blade out there. These knives run with blades that cost 2 and 3 times as much.
4. You get to hang out here and get the friendship of some truly great guys (and me).
5. After you earn your Beckerhead number (because after a few days here you will realize how elite you feel with a BH#) you get invited to hang out at the designer's pad and chop and shoot stuff.
6. And if you ever have a problem (with Beckers or life in general) we are always here to listen and offer horrible advice.
7. You get to see some truly amazing and truly disturbing photography (pg13 rated so not too disturbing) and you get to be your own judge about which is which.
8. If you are not convinced by what I have said and everyone else--this will do it for ya.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kers-amp-Bacon-Picture-Thread?highlight=bacon
 
Well, the Becker and Bacon got me. Looks like I'll take the plunge. Not sure yet what my "first" time will be like, but I'll make sure to post up my choice and initial impression here.

How does becoming a Beckerhead (Officially) work? (interest is peaked).

Thanks everyone!!
 
The Becker line has won me over simply because it their designs work. And what I mean is that they are great for their intended purposes, I mean sure they might not look as pretty as some customs ( debatable) but in the hand, hunting or camping, they are comfortable and do the job easy. I don't feel like I have to baby them with the tasks I use them for and still they are always ready to go.

None of us can convince you to buy one if you already have preconceived notions of which knife is better. Just take off the 'custom' glasses and go back to what a knife is. The Becker line covers all you need in various scenarios and we love them not just for their looks but for how good they are when put to use. The stock handle scales might not look great but if you give them a chance then they are not that bad. My beckers get used when I need to get some work done, and that is why you need a Becker.
 
I'm a Beckerhead because...

  1. I am also broke
  2. They live up to the hype 100%
  3. They are affordable
  4. Handled any abuse I could think to throw at them, and went on for more
  5. The designs are simple, functional, and pleasing to the eye in my opinion
  6. They are very user friendly in terms of use, maintenence and modification

I've put my Beckers to hard use In the Adirondacks in all seasons and weather, they've gotten me out of a pinch more than a few times, I've seen them turned into fixtures of functionality and skillfully crafted works of art. They work for a living bone stock or all fancied up.

My list of must have Beckers goes as follows

1. BK-9 (its the King for a reason)
2. BK-14 (my edc and an all around great knife)
2. BK-16 (my favorite of the tweener series but they all have their perks)
 
I wouldn't change the grips until you have used the knife/knives for a while. I like them stock. I decided to spend my bucks on some nice kydex sheaths made by a forum member instead.

In my opinion a knife is not something to look at. I don't buy a nice wrench or set of sockets and put them on a shelf in the closet. I don't mind scratching it up, dulling the blade or chipping it. I just sharpen it again and move on.

Try out the stock scales first and see if you like them. Also, don't order any custom kydex sheaths if you plan on changing the scales...might not fit anymore!

I've got the BK 2, 11 and 16. The 16 is my favorite. Good Luck!

Jon
 
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