Convince me to buy a BK15

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ocnLogan

Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
3,488
Right now though there is a good deal on the BK15 that I almost can't resist, even though I've never really thought about buying a BK15. Just know I'm contender for the "pinchinest penny pincher of the world", and even this cheap price has me second guessing myself. Also know, that I've not purchased a knife for myself in the last two years, and only have three Beckers. And for the record, I'm fine with having multiple blades, but I don't "collect", and every knife I have has a purpose, and I have a hard time with having multiple knives with the same exact purpose.

I was really active on this forum when the tweeners were in their prototype phase (remember the big 5/32in vs 3/16in debacle, as well the switch from a saber BK16 to the FFG?). I even got to handle and do a review on the preproduction BK17 that made the passaround. And during that review, I felt that I had learned that the BK16 was going to be my favorite knife ever. And then, it was released at a bit higher price than I was thinking (starving married college student at the time), and then more or less its been on my Christmas/birthday/any gift list since then (~2yrs now).

Now I've moved on a bit in life, and have a new job in a new area (Bay area CA ... :(). I don't get to carry anything more than a folder, and I think if I took my BK9 outside in my apt complex someone would call the cops. However, I did get assigned as a "high adventure leader" for the scout troop in my church. So I get to go teach 14-18 year old boys how to be men every couple months on campouts and the like, which at least has gotten me some dirt time again, and has gotten me chasing that perfect belt knife. And I like the design of the BK16 so much that I've been thinking of building what would be more or less a custom BK16. In fact, I have an active thread going where I'm trying to get quotes from some makers here on the forum. I'm adding it here just in case any makers come cruising through this thread :).

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nd-and-HT-d-blank-Pricing-information-request

Anyway, I've always thought the 5 and the 15 looked nice, but I didn't/don't know if I'd honestly use them all that much. I like how the blade shapes look very "traditional", and think they look excellent stripped, patina'd, and with some form of natural scales (micarta, wood, etc). But the blade shape of the BK16 just seems so much more useful for what I do (I don't hunt, but I enjoy basically everything else outdoors related, So lots of working with wood), which is why I'm having this dilemma. The deal is great, but I'm certain the 16 would be more my "style".

Anyway, help push me over the edge (in fact, I already have wife approval :)). Show me your BK15's working with some wood, or any other use.
 
It is out of production. Buy one now or or wait and get one for an inflated price later... That alone should do it...

And though I have only owned mine for a short time, it has quickly moved to the top 3 in my favorites. Great knife, feels great in hand, great balance, agile, slicey!
 
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Simple ... You need them all... I am working hard on my collection.. Just need the 14, 17 and the.... Wait I think that 's it
 
I was just sitting here watching the Miss State-Kentucky game while putting a better edge on my 17. I will definitely be getting a 15 soon to pair with its' big brother the 5. Becker has always been in my rotations (along with Busse(kin), ESSE, Fallkniven and others). The Tweeners are an excellent group of knives and no mistakes are made in purchasing at their price-points. IMHO that is.
 
My 15 gets used almost daily in the kitchen. Perfect for outdoor cooking. Can do a lot of other things too.
 
I have the 16 and it is my favorite knife. I just ordered the 15 and like you all my knifes are users. I am thinking the 15 will be great around the camp kitchen. Since it is rumored to soon be out of production the collectable aspect makes it more attractive.
 
I use my 15 primarily for food prep, as well. I agree that the 16 is a better "woodsy" knife; but everybody has to eat. I have two 15s - use them both...and have been fighting the urge to jump on that deal. As I mentioned in the other thread, the $8 shipping to my zip makes it a little less compulsory (but still a great deal). It's still sitting in my cart - I'll probably use this as an excuse to buy something else that I want, but couldn't justify. That BK4, a flashlight or two, who knows...I'll just consider it my birthday present.
 
Well, my birthday is in a few weeks, and I did indeed end up pulling the trigger. I grabbed the bk15, Mora, a pair of opinel 112's, and a Cold steel trail hawk. The hawk is because the scouts have been asking me to teach them how to throw knives/ hawks ever since they found out I knew anything about knives. So I figure I should learn how first :). The Mora and the opinels were on the"need to buy" list anyway.

And my plan is for this to more or less replace the mora in my setup. So we'll see how it does on a steady diet of wood, or if I'll end up swapping it for something else.

EDIT: silverthorn, what are those handles made out of? They look amazing. Also, care to expound on why its your favorite? Thanks everyone :)
 
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Buy one before they are all gone!

You can put a wicked edge on a 15:

IMG_1370_zpsbfe5cb0f.jpg
 
oncLogan, late to the party i am, but hey!

buy a 15 or you'll be banned :D

simple!!!

no no, it won't be me, i'd never do that ;)
 
I don't have any pics handy, but I love my BK-15. I just ordered a second one because the deal on KC right now is so good. $50 shipped, are you kidding? Buy it right away! :thumbup:

That said, the 15 did take some work before I had it where I wanted it. I stripped the coating with acetone and a razor blade. Took a a file to the jimping and rounded the sharp corners, rounded out the spine a bit as well. Then I flattened the primary grind significantly and blended the transition bevel to a shallow convex and reprofiled to 15dps. It is an absolutely wicked slicer now, but also still stout enough that I have no concerns about light batoning, etc...

*edit* Took a pic.
xf832s.jpg


Sad that these are being discontinued, but at least I've got mine :)
 
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ocnLogan said:
Well, my birthday is in a few weeks, and I did indeed end up pulling the trigger. I grabbed the bk15, Mora, a pair of opinel 112's, and a Cold steel trail hawk. The hawk is because the scouts have been asking me to teach them how to throw knives/ hawks ever since they found out I knew anything about knives. So I figure I should learn how first :). The Mora and the opinels were on the"need to buy" list anyway.

And my plan is for this to more or less replace the mora in my setup. So we'll see how it does on a steady diet of wood, or if I'll end up swapping it for something else.

EDIT: silverthorn, what are those handles made out of? They look amazing. Also, care to expound on why its your favorite? Thanks everyone :)
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Tha handles are Spalted Maple.

As to why its one of my top 5 production knives. Some of it is personal taste. I LOVE a trailing point knife. The rest of it is pure geometry. The purpose of a knife is to cut, and the 15 truly excells at that. People tend to look at it and the 5, or handle them and say, it feels quick, its a great cutter, but its so thin. How will it hold up to abuse, or real outdoor use. Then people say stuff like, its great in the kitchen, or its a world class steak knife. Those statememnts bother me because they take ALOT away from what it actually is.

The one in the pictures I posted was gifted to me by Ethan at a Gathering. I used it for some of the contest stuff, used it for food, and generally beat the crap out of it. At the end of the gather it was still sharp as it came, (which was very) and perfectly intact. Combined with the fact that it had been a gift from the boss this motivated me to make it something even more special, so I had it customized with the wooden handles and a trade knife style leather sheath. I also thinned the edge and it still handles being beaten through wood like a champ.

So I guess its one of my favorites because.

1: Fantastic designers, and company behind it.

2: Exceptional cutter, and thats what knives are made for.

3: Much tougher than people give it credit for.

4: Great size. Ever since I got my first BK-5 I thought "Man I wish I could get one that was just a bit smaller" and Bam enter the 15

5: Its very good as a belt knife. I have tried drilling, batoning, food prep, and even attempted some trap/shelter building, (Although I am not great at those things yet) It handled everything without a hitch.

6: Personal preference. Its such a classic style, but done in a modern way with modern materials. This knife is very much in the style of the knives that tamed this country, and traveled the length and breadth of this country on the belt of guys who used them for EVERYTHING, and counted on to keep them alive.
I am sure most of those guys would have given their left nut to have this version.
 
Silverthorn said:
Tha handles are Spalted Maple.

As to why its one of my top 5 production knives. Some of it is personal taste. I LOVE a trailing point knife. The rest of it is pure geometry. The purpose of a knife is to cut, and the 15 truly excells at that. People tend to look at it and the 5, or handle them and say, it feels quick, its a great cutter, but its so thin. How will it hold up to abuse, or real outdoor use. Then people say stuff like, its great in the kitchen, or its a world class steak knife. Those statememnts bother me because they take ALOT away from what it actually is.

The one in the pictures I posted was gifted to me by Ethan at a Gathering. I used it for some of the contest stuff, used it for food, and generally beat the crap out of it. At the end of the gather it was still sharp as it came, (which was very) and perfectly intact. Combined with the fact that it had been a gift from the boss this motivated me to make it something even more special, so I had it customized with the wooden handles and a trade knife style leather sheath. I also thinned the edge and it still handles being beaten through wood like a champ.

So I guess its one of my favorites because.

1: Fantastic designers, and company behind it.

2: Exceptional cutter, and thats what knives are made for.

3: Much tougher than people give it credit for.

4: Great size. Ever since I got my first BK-5 I thought "Man I wish I could get one that was just a bit smaller" and Bam enter the 15

5: Its very good as a belt knife. I have tried drilling, batoning, food prep, and even attempted some trap/shelter building, (Although I am not great at those things yet) It handled everything without a hitch.

6: Personal preference. Its such a classic style, but done in a modern way with modern materials. This knife is very much in the style of the knives that tamed this country, and traveled the length and breadth of this country on the belt of guys who used them for EVERYTHING, and counted on to keep them alive.
I am sure most of those guys would have given their left nut to have this version.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, I really appreciate the feedback.

And any blade given out by Uncle E would be one to cherish, thats for sure. I'm still just really unsure how I'll like it, where the 16 I know I'd like. But the 15 and the 5 both have enough good reviews by people that have really grown to love them over time, so I figure I should at least give it a shot, and since it is going out of production, and was cheaper than the neckers... it was kind of hard not to get one.

Either way though I've already ordered the 15, but I still haven't gotten shipping confirmation yet. Anyone else that ordered one this weekend get their confirmation yet?

*waiting*
 
ocnLogan said:
Either way though I've already ordered the 15, but I still haven't gotten shipping confirmation yet. Anyone else that ordered one this weekend get their confirmation yet?

*waiting*
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Did you place your order while they were still in stock? If not, you won't hear from them until they get the next order.
 
The Warrior said:
The day after I ordered it, it shipped. I ordered it Friday.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that helps. I ordered mine on Saturday afternoon, and I saw that the order went through, but nothing is charged yet, and nothing has shipped. I'm not to worried yet though.

hhmoore said:
Did you place your order while they were still in stock? If not, you won't hear from them until they get the next order.
Click to expand...

When I was checking out it said "usually ships within 2-3 business days", but it said that for ask the items in my cart, so I didn't think much of it.

Anyway, like I said, I'm not too worried about it yet, I was just curious.
 
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