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ESEE-4 vs KABAR BECKER CREWMAN (BK10)?
- Thread starter JDX
- Start date
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- Mar 15, 2013
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Don't have a bk 10 bu my esee 4 is great for a general camp use knife
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- Jun 12, 2013
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BK10, no question. The BK10 is extremely comfortable in-hand, and quite lightweight. The saber grind will also put up a bit better fight. In regards to toughness they will be about even. I would hold off on the Micarta. You can wait and see if you like the stock scales (which I do) and try brushing them down with some 100 grit sand paper.
I would go with the Becker BK10. Try going over to the Becker sub-forum and asking about the 10. Becker forum here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/827-Becker-Knife-amp-Tool
I would go with the Becker BK10. Try going over to the Becker sub-forum and asking about the 10. Becker forum here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/827-Becker-Knife-amp-Tool
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
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I don't own a BK-10, but I do own a ESEE 4. I would choose the BK-10. If you have smaller hands, you may like the ESEE 4 better. For info, I seldom use my ESEE 4 for anything just like the BK-2... sits at home mostly.
JDX, have you bought anything yet with all these threads with recommendations? Sometimes you just have to go with your gut and buy it and try it out. If you're like most of us, you'll buy something else two months later to try out again.... this goes on for years.
JDX, have you bought anything yet with all these threads with recommendations? Sometimes you just have to go with your gut and buy it and try it out. If you're like most of us, you'll buy something else two months later to try out again.... this goes on for years.
fair enough, I'm going with the bk10!
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- Nov 20, 2005
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Congratulations! Progress....... YES.... I think you'll like the BK-10. Try it out with the factory scales before spending money on other ones. I actually like the factory scales on the Beckers. For info, I will probably be buying a BK-10.
Really? I've heard the grivory is either weak or not really "grippy"
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- Dec 26, 2009
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I have the Esse 4 and 6, and the BK-9, BK-2. BK-10, BK-7 and BK-16. I have not found the BK handles to be "either weak or not really grippy." The BK handles fit my hands better than the Esse handles. Others have the opposite experience. You should try the standard BK handle. You may like it. If not, then you can spend the money to replace it with a micarta handle.
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Yep! jibass said it for me. I think the stock scales are just fine. If you don't like them, THEN you can go get some micarta. However, I can assure you that you will love the micarta. They are great. But I just don't think that their worth the $40. You may be different.
The Micarta is a choice that you have to make. It doesn't really matter, you will love the knife anyway.
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- Jan 24, 2012
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Having owned knives from both companies I will say I think ESEE wins hands down in fit and finish as well as I there 1095 is better than the 1095CV used by Ka-Bar. About a month ago I snapped the tip right off a BK16 (much better comparison to the ESEE 4 than the BK10) splitting and prying on a pile of Birch. My ESEE Izula 2 has been treated worse on the same wood as the BK16 but has never missed a beat let alone broke. If money is no issue the ESEE 4 with TKC G10 scales would be my choice, I have lost all confidence in the Becker knives but they sure do have comfy handles.
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I might have to make a declaration of shenanigans - the ESEE 4 and BK10 are too different to fairly compare. I don't have have a BK10...but I have a 2, and the 10 is slightly larger (1/4" longer blade, 3/8" longer overall).
Let's take a look at the ESEE 4 and BK2, side by side
now, with the ESEE 4 on the BK2
See what I mean?
If one were inclined to compare apples to apples, the knives to look at would be the ESEE 4 and the BK16 - pretty much the same size, but the BK has a longer, thicker handle
Since the ESEE 4 and BK10 are obviously differently sized knives; the selection would come down to a) where one's brand bias lies; b) what size knife you prefer; c) what you plan on doing with it; and d)how much you want to spend. There are other things, of course, such as the sheaths; but I think a) and d) will be determining factors for most people, with b) factoring in once the actual thought process begins.
Let's take a look at the ESEE 4 and BK2, side by side
now, with the ESEE 4 on the BK2
See what I mean?
If one were inclined to compare apples to apples, the knives to look at would be the ESEE 4 and the BK16 - pretty much the same size, but the BK has a longer, thicker handle
Since the ESEE 4 and BK10 are obviously differently sized knives; the selection would come down to a) where one's brand bias lies; b) what size knife you prefer; c) what you plan on doing with it; and d)how much you want to spend. There are other things, of course, such as the sheaths; but I think a) and d) will be determining factors for most people, with b) factoring in once the actual thought process begins.
What about chopping? Have you tried chopping with an ESEE-4 ? I have both ESEE-4 and BK-10 and I Know that because of the total blade length, the balance and (mainly) the weight of the knife (BK-10 = 12.2 ounces while ESEE-4 = 8 ounces) the Becker product is superior, better than the ESEE product. Maybe the ESEE-4 is much more manageable (smaller than the BK-10) but you have to consider the handle dimensions also (for that reason I am in favor of Ontario TAK, instead of ESEE-4) but, IMO, the BK-10 is better as a general utility tool in camping, in hiking, in wilderness etc.
The bk10 is closer to the "one knife" school of thoughts ideal size than the esee 4 (seems that a fair number of people think of the 5-7in size is the ideal here). The esee 4 is really more of a beefy smaller blade than it is a mid sized blade. And yes the bk16 is much more comparable to the esee 4 than the bk10 is imo.
Did you order the 10 yet?
Did you order the 10 yet?
Last edited:
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- Nov 20, 2005
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The BK-2 and ESEE 5 are comparable; both prybars. I agree with the BK-16 vs ESEE 4 comparison. But the BK-16 was never really in the running with the OP. IF he likes his BK-10, I suspect a BK-16 or BK-17 will follow him home eventually.
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- Feb 11, 2014
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+1 to this
I have the Esee 4 and I'd have to say the BK10 would be better all around because of the size difference. The Esee 4 is a bit too small to chop, it will, but there's not enough heft. Batoning is fine with anything small enough to accommodate the 4.5" blade length.
You know when you try on some clothes that are "slim fit" and it feels like it's on the verge of being uncomfortable? That's the Esee 4; the ergonomics and blade length are at the border of being too small. (for an everything knife)
Both are .188" thick and states a 20 degree edge. Solely looking at the blade shapes, the BK10 should be a little tougher at the tip because it has more metal behind it; though I can't see the Esee 4's tip being snapped except for ridiculous use. I like Esee's drop point over the BK shape because it's a finer point, allowing slightly better dexterity. But the knife itself is a smaller, finer knife. Their shapes both fit the intended purposes equally well.
The Esee 4's scales are a bit thin and flat, combine that with the smaller handle length and your hands will find the hot spots on heavy work. The BK10's scales are much thicker and rounder. Esee's micarta feels really great nonetheless. It's more grippy when wet and extremely durable.
That being said, I preferred Esee's blade shape and was willing to rework the knife.
The handle length was fine for me. I like to carry a hatchet for chopping so the 9" overall length was okay. What I did was add wood scales, softened the choil, and brought down the edge angle a bit. I don't know what's up with Esee but I found my 4 to be a bit wider than that. As many people online have found, the knife screams after reprofiling and still has enough meat to stay really tough.
If it was a modded BK10 vs a my own modded Esee 4 I'd still choose the same because the extra 2" overall length really does make a difference. Not enough to put them in different categories, but enough to put them at the opposite ends of that one category. A Compact car vs a full size Sedan.
Hope that helps.
You know when you try on some clothes that are "slim fit" and it feels like it's on the verge of being uncomfortable? That's the Esee 4; the ergonomics and blade length are at the border of being too small. (for an everything knife)
Both are .188" thick and states a 20 degree edge. Solely looking at the blade shapes, the BK10 should be a little tougher at the tip because it has more metal behind it; though I can't see the Esee 4's tip being snapped except for ridiculous use. I like Esee's drop point over the BK shape because it's a finer point, allowing slightly better dexterity. But the knife itself is a smaller, finer knife. Their shapes both fit the intended purposes equally well.
The Esee 4's scales are a bit thin and flat, combine that with the smaller handle length and your hands will find the hot spots on heavy work. The BK10's scales are much thicker and rounder. Esee's micarta feels really great nonetheless. It's more grippy when wet and extremely durable.
That being said, I preferred Esee's blade shape and was willing to rework the knife.
The handle length was fine for me. I like to carry a hatchet for chopping so the 9" overall length was okay. What I did was add wood scales, softened the choil, and brought down the edge angle a bit. I don't know what's up with Esee but I found my 4 to be a bit wider than that. As many people online have found, the knife screams after reprofiling and still has enough meat to stay really tough.
If it was a modded BK10 vs a my own modded Esee 4 I'd still choose the same because the extra 2" overall length really does make a difference. Not enough to put them in different categories, but enough to put them at the opposite ends of that one category. A Compact car vs a full size Sedan.
Hope that helps.
Last edited:
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- Nov 20, 2005
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AntDog, I often respond to his threads and the other guy that posts similar threads. I asked the same question..... make a decision.... well if you look up a ways in this thread, JDX said he is going to buy the BK-10. I think he'll like it for a general everything camp and woods knife. The discussions since then have commented on the fact that the ESEE 4 (merits of) and comparison with the BK-10 or BK-2. I personally prefer a 4-5" knife and the BK-10 fits that mold pretty well. But it is no chopper, BUT he wasn't looking for a chopper.