-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
ESEE 4 vs. Becker BK16
- Thread starter Lakanen7
- Start date
I certainly didn't pay $120 for coated 1095, not then not now.
I provided a suggestion to something that has many of the same features on the knives OP posted as they ask for experiences. I've had mine with those knives, and suggested moving along, or considering a production blade that has many of the features in the OP, that while yes, costs more than the two, is in my experience a better tool for the cost. I don't expect everyone to agree, but coming from using these knives, that's where I landed at least. Sure prices change, as far as I know the knives stayed the same.
Everyone's financial situation is about as unique as their needs. No need for arbitrary math there, I just don't bother trying to assume random people on the internets financial stature to suggest a knife. What's next asking what the weather is like before making a suggestion?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
Well, that is what you said. Go back and read it. Others commented on how in accurate it was. It is okay to make a mistake. Be humble, admit it, and move on.
Actually one of the most requested factors we ask about when considering the recommendation of a knife is budget. It is one of the more important driving forces in knife selection. When someone is asking about 2 knives, it is safe to reason that his or her budget is somewhere around those knives being inquired about, not a knife double or triple the cost. And it is certainly even more unreasonable to refer to a knife double or triple the cost as just "a little more".
No doubt though that Survive! makes some great knives. Perhaps the OP will go with one.
Environment (weather) can also be an important consideration when recommending a knife
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
What I said that you are responding to: "The 4 will have better fit/finish (IMO), micarta handles, a much better sheath, and a better warranty. For me, that is worth the extra cost. That said, either would probably work just fine so pick whichever you like best."
But did you notice how I was comparing the knives the OP was asking about. And the extra cost I mentioned was between the knives the OP was asking about. What you did was double/triple the "extra cost" by comparing the knives the OP was asking about by bring in a knife that is, once again, double/triple the cost what the OP was talking about.
Nope, but I also didn't see him ask about other options that were double/triple the cost of the knives he was asking about. I also didn't see him ask for wildly inaccurate price comparisons, but you did that anyway without even mentioning how wrong you were. Just plunging ahead to argue. Nice...
I will no longer continue to try to reason with the unreasonable. Enjoy the rest of your time here. Hopefully you learned something about making prices up, not being accurate, and arguing to argue, but I doubt it.
Yup, that extra cost
But did you notice how I was comparing the knives the OP was asking about. And the extra cost I mentioned was between the knives the OP was asking about. What you did was double/triple the "extra cost" by comparing the knives the OP was asking about by bring in a knife that is, once again, double/triple the cost what the OP was talking about.
Nope, but I also didn't see him ask about other options that were double/triple the cost of the knives he was asking about. I also didn't see him ask for wildly inaccurate price comparisons, but you did that anyway without even mentioning how wrong you were. Just plunging ahead to argue. Nice...
I will no longer continue to try to reason with the unreasonable. Enjoy the rest of your time here. Hopefully you learned something about making prices up, not being accurate, and arguing to argue, but I doubt it.
I appreciate everyone's opinions and feedback thus far. It seems handle shape and size along with the blade thickness are the factors it will come down to on my end. I have already purchased the BK16 and the handle needs to be larger than it comes with already. From what I am finding from much of your feedback is the ESEE has a much more thin handle which would in turn mean even more modification to have it fit my hand. Keep the feedback coming as I appreciate it greatly!
Yup, that extra cost
Didn't see a budget in there did ya?
Yeah, I am really looking for the right blade. For $40 difference or even less as I have found recently as I saw a 4 for $80 the other day, I could get both for what others may pay for 1!
I'm kind of curious about what the heck people were doing to break either a BK-16 or an ESEE that size... neither is a big ol' chopper, obviously; so how much leverage/force can you really put them through? What gives? Prying open locked doors? Hammers and/or vices?
"Bulletproof" warrantees... heh. I don't know of many complaints about either of those manu's not standing behind their knives. Last time I was at SMKW there was an ESSE in the display case that had literally been shot with a deer rifle, to prove... I don't know what it was supposed to prove.
C'mon now, people... that's a bit silly. These are light, handy cutting tools. Use 'em as such.
As for HT and certain company's "magic" with 1095... don't kid yourself too much. HT of simple steels like that is pretty straightforward... you either get it good and hard with good grain structure, or not. After that, it's just a matter of how far you temper it back.
I appreciate this as my gear is taken care of really well. I have a BK9 and BK11 already and I am sure they will last a lifetime with appropriate TLC even with good use AS THEY ARE INTENDED. It seems that many people do forgo appropriate use and abuse their equipment and try to take advantage of said bomb proof warranties or great customer service.
Well, truth of it is most people are happy enough with a bunk knife. Even those of us here who will not use a poorly made knife, are actually able to use said knives more effectively than those who don't care.
I always draw similarities between knuts and gearheads. Gearheads will avoid boring cars for the most part, but you can be sure they would get the most mileage and fun out of any car compared to the normal commuter.
So the rule of thumb, get what you want, should be a general unspoken rule here. Any stipulations after that is just icing on the cake.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
Yes, but B34NS was suggesting you get a $200-$250 dollar blade which is well above the other two blades you asked about. Maybe it would work, so have a look at the Survive! GSO line. But be prepared to pay a lot more for them. I had a 7/7 but found it not too my liking. The handle was fine for me but so is an Esee 4, so the GSO line handle might be too small for you as well.
As far as the handle size, if the BK16 handle is too small, the Esee 4 will be also. As for the Esee, you could look at the TKC aftermarket scales. I have had them for the 5/6 and they increased the width of the handles. They will also increase the length of the 4 handle. They will add cost though.
Another place to look would be Bark River. I have a Bravo 1 and love it. The handle is palm filling. I sold my Esee 4 because the Bravo 1 just felt so much better. And in use it is great. They have lots of different steels to choose from. They are a bit more than and Esee but not much, especially if you look here on the exchange.
Because the bravo 1 isn't an almost $200 knife right?
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
Oh, you don't have to tell me. I'm done trying to respond to that guy, as I said in my last couple of replies.
On topic, if you can get the 4 at $80, why not give it a try? Sounds like a great price.
Another thought is that it is very hard to find that perfect knife. What a lot of us here do is buy and sell a lot of knives in the pursuit of one that works best for us. If you get a gold membership here you can sell, not just buy. This allows you to try out lots of knives and resell the ones you don't like at not much of a loss. You can keep the ones you like. This is how I figured out the 4 was not the best knife for me in that size. I had the 4 a long time. Then a smoking deal came up on the exchange for a bravo 1. I bought it to try and figured out that i liked the bravo 1 much better. Sold the 4. Think of it as test driving knives. I have done this with many knives both fixed and folders.
Yeah, $80 is a good price. Is that the knife only? I got mine from knifecenter, knife+kydex for about $100
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 866
You'd be hard pressed to find the whole package for $80. But you could keep an eye out in the Exchange, used 4s come along once in a while for really good prices.
If the handle of the 16 is already too small, I would be ware of the 4, which has rather thin, square scales.
You could also look at the Laser Strike, which has a larger handle:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/814430-Laser-Strike
Or the TOPS BOB, which also has a larger handle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x0bIvrlN6U
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 29,050
Yup, I sold my 4 on the exchange at a very good price.
Absolutely. A common complaint with the 4 is that the handle is too short. That is why I suggested the TKC scales. They make the handle longer and thicker but add significant cost.
I forgot about the Laser strike. Could be a good option. I see them come up on the exchange frequently as well, along with the BOB.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 866
Yeah, I had a 3 with TKC scales and it really filled it out Really nice, but like you said, it adds significant cost, especially if you can't find blanks to buy.
I haven't used either, but I've been told the LS addresses some of the typical ESEE ergo issues. If I see one for a decent price I might snag it.
Blanks don't seem too hard to find though, especially at a lower cost than the tkc scales. I used scrap birch I had laying around and the only extra I paid was $6 for the Danish oil. So I saved $45-$55 and spent a couple hours a day, over a weekend, ending up with something a little more personalized.