Doug Ritter RSK MK2/Becker BK12 vs ESEE 6

A

ADDICTEDD

Joined
Apr 9, 2011
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OK guys I just want to start off by saying that I searched bladeforums to find this topic and nothing came up.

The MK2 and ESEE 6 both have the exact same: warranty and steel (both manufactured by Rowen)

MK2 costs $125 vs ESEE 6 $115 (roughly)

Both are similar sizes and seem to have similar strengths and weaknesses

Basically which would you buy first, because eventually I think I'm going to own both of these :p

oh and thanks ahead of time for your guy's help :thumbup:
 
the BK12 ;)

and only that :D i dig the handles...
 
I would really like to help but I have soooooooo many conflicts here I am gonna recuse myself......Having said that both seems like a good compromise.......lol.......

Ethan
 
BECKER BECKER BECKER......................ESEE 6

6 is one of my fav knives
 
Both are solid choices, both high quality made in the USA by Rowen, both will get the job done, whatever the job is. Some notable differences that may or may not matter to you, depending on your POV. Some folks have a true love or hate response to some of these differences. Whatever floats your boat...

While both are drop points, mine drops a fair bit more. The grinds are a bit different and the ESEE is a full flat grind, while mine is a high grind, but doesn't go all the way. Not much difference in the end. Mine has a thumb ramp, the 6 does not. The 6 comes with Micarta handles, mine has the original Becker Grivory handles. Mine has Personal Balance™. Mine was heavily influenced by Ethan Becker, the ESEE 6 has avoided that burden. ;) You won't go wrong with either. I have the utmost respect for Jeff and Mike and their products. Myself, I may a wee bit biased towards the RSK Mk2. :D
 
I have both & love them both -- especially now that I have micarta on the Mk2.
I really like the almost spear point on the Mk2 from an aesthetics point of view.
 
1066vik said:
I have both & love them both -- especially now that I have micarta on the Mk2.
I really like the almost spear point on the Mk2 from an aesthetics point of view.
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How worth it is it to get the Micarta handles?

and out of curiosity how many of the Brass Plugs did you remove, and did it make a difference?

And thank you guys so far for all the help i never thought I'd get either of the designers of the MK2 to comment let alone both :D
 
I took out all of the brass plugs out the instant I got the knife because I had micarta to put on it and I like them a little blade heavy.
 
Micarta really does change the whole feel of the blade. I drilled out the handle a little to accommodate the brass plugs. I like the balanced feel of the knife.
 
Both seem like solid choices, check out the video below.

[video=youtube;3LwHss0l470]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LwHss0l470[/video]
 
CamH_16 said:
Both seem like solid choices, check out the video below.

[video=youtube;3LwHss0l470]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LwHss0l470[/video]
Click to expand...

SWEET!
This is exactly what I've been looking for :)

OK so I'm deciding to go with the RSK MK2 :D
 
ADDICTEDD said:
How worth it is it to get the Micarta handles?

and out of curiosity how many of the Brass Plugs did you remove, and did it make a difference?

And thank you guys so far for all the help i never thought I'd get either of the designers of the MK2 to comment let alone both :D
Click to expand...

I like the micarta, but if it hadn't been free (contest prize), I'd have stuck with the grivory and all 3 brass plugs.
with the micarta in place, it doesn't need the brass to balance well.
 
I like both of them, BUT....Although I DO like ESEE, I have never pulled the trigger on one for the following reasons:

ESEE comes "pre-customized" with the Micarta, and there is no other option. I like the accessories, though they are a bit pricey.

Speaking of pricey...although they aren't even close to something like a Strider (which I would never buy, but then those are combat knives) they are still more than a Becker.

I have yet to hold a Becker I didn't think was awesome. If I was getting ANY overtime right now I'd probably have a '7 by now too.

Part of the appeal to the Becker series is although they are fine out of the box, the real fun comes from getting creative and customizing it yourself. So you can start with the knife at an affordable price, then customize it as funds allow to the degree you want.

The only ESEE I ALLLLMOST hit the "Buy" button on was the ESEE-4, as it filled a hole in my knife sizes/uses. Luckily, Moose came to the rescue at just the right time and turned me on to the Ka-Bar Navy MK-I, which I freakin' LOVE. It will keep me content until my "final" knives come out in the BK15 and 16. IMO, the ESEE-4 doesn't come even close to either of them.

Becker is one of the few knife brands out there that you really have to look hard to find a review or a video with a problem, and it is usually because someone did something stupid, like wedge it between some blocks and stand on it. In other knife forums where people are rabid about certain expensive brands, people rail on and on about having a knife YOU'D TRUST YOUR LIFE TO! Well...If I KNEW I was going into a life or death survival scenario and could pick any knife, I'd take the knives I already have....every single fixed blade is made by Ka-Bar, and all but one are Becker.

If you want something like the Brute, ESEE DOES have the Junglas, which is a big, bad, blade. But BBB's are usually overkill IMO.

I love the Ritter MK-2. If it were priced more along the lines of the rest of the Beckers, I'd certainly own it already, and it'd probably be my favorite. But as a prepper, I am very concious about how I spread my money out. I don't buy 5 knives if there are holes in another catagory.

I personally am not a huge micarta fan, since it gets pretty dirty easily and soaks up stuff like a sponge. If I have it, it's wrapped.

In the case of this comparison, if I had to choose one, I'd probably cough up the extra $10 and get the MKII. If I was a knife collector, I'd get both.

In all fairness....even though I don't own any, if there was no Becker, I'd PROBABLY be an ESEE fan.
 
C_Tanner;10561144]I like both of them, BUT....Although I DO like ESEE, I have never pulled the trigger on one for the following reasons:

ESEE comes "pre-customized" with the Micarta, and there is no other option. I like the accessories, though they are a bit pricey.

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None needed.

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Speaking of pricey...although they aren't even close to something like a Strider (which I would never buy, but then those are combat knives) they are still more than a Becker.

I have yet to hold a Becker I didn't think was awesome. If I was getting ANY overtime right now I'd probably have a '7 by now too.

Part of the appeal to the Becker series is although they are fine out of the box, the real fun comes from getting creative and customizing it yourself. So you can start with the knife at an affordable price, then customize it as funds allow to the degree you want.

The only ESEE I ALLLLMOST hit the "Buy" button on was the ESEE-4, as it filled a hole in my knife sizes/uses. Luckily, Moose came to the rescue at just the right time and turned me on to the Ka-Bar Navy MK-I, which I freakin' LOVE. It will keep me content until my "final" knives come out in the BK15 and 16. IMO, the ESEE-4 doesn't come even close to either of them.
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Interesting opinion since you don't have any of the 3 to even make a fair comparison of.


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Becker is one of the few knife brands out there that you really have to look hard to find a review or a video with a problem, and it is usually because someone did something stupid, like wedge it between some blocks and stand on it. In other knife forums where people are rabid about certain expensive brands, people rail on and on about having a knife YOU'D TRUST YOUR LIFE TO! Well...If I KNEW I was going into a life or death survival scenario and could pick any knife, I'd take the knives I already have....every single fixed blade is made by Ka-Bar, and all but one are Becker.

If you want something like the Brute, ESEE DOES have the Junglas, which is a big, bad, blade. But BBB's are usually overkill IMO.

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Interesting. I've always found it alot easier to make a big knife perform big and small tasks than say trying to chop down a tree with an esee 4 or bk 15/16/17

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I love the Ritter MK-2. If it were priced more along the lines of the rest of the Beckers, I'd certainly own it already, and it'd probably be my favorite. But as a prepper, I am very concious about how I spread my money out. I don't buy 5 knives if there are holes in another catagory.

I personally am not a huge micarta fan, since it gets pretty dirty easily and soaks up stuff like a sponge. If I have it, it's wrapped.

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Also gets clean easily and drys fast too.


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In the case of this comparison, if I had to choose one, I'd probably cough up the extra $10 and get the MKII. If I was a knife collector, I'd get both.

In all fairness....even though I don't own any, if there was no Becker, I'd PROBABLY be an ESEE fan.
 
C_Tanner said:
I like both of them, BUT....Although I DO like ESEE, I have never pulled the trigger on one for the following reasons:

ESEE comes "pre-customized" with the Micarta, and there is no other option. I like the accessories, though they are a bit pricey.

Speaking of pricey...although they aren't even close to something like a Strider (which I would never buy, but then those are combat knives) they are still more than a Becker.

I have yet to hold a Becker I didn't think was awesome. If I was getting ANY overtime right now I'd probably have a '7 by now too.

Part of the appeal to the Becker series is although they are fine out of the box, the real fun comes from getting creative and customizing it yourself. So you can start with the knife at an affordable price, then customize it as funds allow to the degree you want.

The only ESEE I ALLLLMOST hit the "Buy" button on was the ESEE-4, as it filled a hole in my knife sizes/uses. Luckily, Moose came to the rescue at just the right time and turned me on to the Ka-Bar Navy MK-I, which I freakin' LOVE. It will keep me content until my "final" knives come out in the BK15 and 16. IMO, the ESEE-4 doesn't come even close to either of them.

Becker is one of the few knife brands out there that you really have to look hard to find a review or a video with a problem, and it is usually because someone did something stupid, like wedge it between some blocks and stand on it. In other knife forums where people are rabid about certain expensive brands, people rail on and on about having a knife YOU'D TRUST YOUR LIFE TO! Well...If I KNEW I was going into a life or death survival scenario and could pick any knife, I'd take the knives I already have....every single fixed blade is made by Ka-Bar, and all but one are Becker.

If you want something like the Brute, ESEE DOES have the Junglas, which is a big, bad, blade. But BBB's are usually overkill IMO.

I love the Ritter MK-2. If it were priced more along the lines of the rest of the Beckers, I'd certainly own it already, and it'd probably be my favorite. But as a prepper, I am very concious about how I spread my money out. I don't buy 5 knives if there are holes in another catagory.

I personally am not a huge micarta fan, since it gets pretty dirty easily and soaks up stuff like a sponge. If I have it, it's wrapped.

In the case of this comparison, if I had to choose one, I'd probably cough up the extra $10 and get the MKII. If I was a knife collector, I'd get both.

In all fairness....even though I don't own any, if there was no Becker, I'd PROBABLY be an ESEE fan.
Click to expand...

Almost exactly this. I have a hard time buying a blade when I already have that use case covered, which is why I'm kind of fighting buying either the MK1 or the Bushlore because I know they'll both likely be replaced by the tweeners (BK17 for me).

However, I do think that the MKII looks like the be the best "do everything" knife in the lineup especially if you're weight conscious. I think 6in seems about perfect for a single knife belt carry. It won't make a great chopper, but it will do about anything else very well. If I had the cash, I would grab one. As of right now though I am more likely to carry two or more blades (BK9 and a smaller blade) so the need for the compromise is not as great.

If I were to be choosing between these two blades I would go with the Becker each time. I love the handles, and the blade has more usable length and it is missing the swedge.

Thats just me though. Good luck :).
 
What, are we debating Skystorm? I may not OWN any ESEEs, but I have handled them all, and in no way did I knock them.

EDIT TO ADD: I also think I applied a liberal use of IMO (aka "In MY OPINION") and is not meant to be the final word on anything.

When I said "IMO, BBBs are overkill" I am talking about big, heavy 10" plus knives that are venturing into Machete size. I've chopped a LOT of stuff down with my BK9...thats about as big and heavy as I want to go with a KNIFE. Once you get too big, about the only thing it is good for is chopping. I am very particular about what I carry in the woods and how it evens out in the weight vs use catagory. Thats why I would own a Junglas if I was collecting, but I don't think I would ever carry one in the woods.

I don't know why someone would feel the need to pick apart a post which is simply my personal opinions and has no malice toward any brand in it at all.
 
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i have an esee 6 and its an excellent,well made knife.i havent handled a mk-2 but if its anything like its becker counterparts,it kicks serious ass.either would be a good choice,as they have the same steel and heat treat,but im diehard beckerhead all the way,so ill just stick with my bk2 and bk9:)
 
ocnLogan said:
Almost exactly this. I have a hard time buying a blade when I already have that use case covered, which is why I'm kind of fighting buying either the MK1 or the Bushlore because I know they'll both likely be replaced by the tweeners (BK17 for me).

However, I do think that the MKII looks like the be the best "do everything" knife in the lineup especially if you're weight conscious. I think 6in seems about perfect for a single knife belt carry. It won't make a great chopper, but it will do about anything else very well. If I had the cash, I would grab one. As of right now though I am more likely to carry two or more blades (BK9 and a smaller blade) so the need for the compromise is not as great.

If I were to be choosing between these two blades I would go with the Becker each time. I love the handles, and the blade has more usable length and it is missing the swedge.

Thats just me though. Good luck :).
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I agree. And as for the MK2, it's not that I don't think it is worth the asking price, its just a combination of my frugal-ness when trying to be a prepper/survival-student/outdoor guy which involves a lot more gear that just knives, all of which costs money that I currently don't have much extra of right now. Another one of my habits is I don't stockpile...I'm not a collector. When I got my BK10-LE I didn't think it was for me, so I sold it to another Beckerhead (he wasn't at that time, but he is one of my oldest friends) at my cost because he'd appreciate it more and I'd just have it on a shelf. Also, All the knives/machetes I own have different strengths and weaknesses. I don't like looking at 3-4 knives trying to figure out which one I want to carry.

But if money wasn't an issue, I'd have all the Beckers, and All the ESEEs. The current Rowen ones are way better than the Ontario ones were, IMO.
 
C_Tanner said:
What, are we debating Skystorm? I may not OWN any ESEEs, but I have handled them all, and in no way did I knock them.

EDIT TO ADD: I also think I applied a liberal use of IMO (aka "In MY OPINION") and is not meant to be the final word on anything.

When I said "IMO, BBBs are overkill" I am talking about big, heavy 10" plus knives that are venturing into Machete size. I've chopped a LOT of stuff down with my BK9...thats about as big and heavy as I want to go with a KNIFE. Once you get too big, about the only thing it is good for is chopping. I am very particular about what I carry in the woods and how it evens out in the weight vs use catagory. Thats why I would own a Junglas if I was collecting, but I don't think I would ever carry one in the woods.

I don't know why someone would feel the need to pick apart a post which is simply my personal opinions and has no malice toward any brand in it at all.
Click to expand...

Not really debating or being unfriendly, But making blanket statements that X knife doesn't even compare to Y knife when you haven't got either one to compare with really makes no sense. Compare how? Looks, price, steel, quality?

BBB's are overkill? Not really, It means I don't need to carry a hatchet too, one tool lots of jobs. The 9 is actually slightly bigger overall than the Brute.

Between the 12 and the E6, for me it seems the larger the Esee's go the less comfortable they are with the flat slabs they call handles whereas the Becker handles are comfy for just about anyone who picks them up except for maybe really small handed individuals from what I have noticed so I would go for the 12. I haven't quite figured why the 12 costs significantly more than the rest of its brothers though low production I would guess.
 
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