ESEE 5 v. Becker BK2 v. Fallkniven A1

[OnlyUseMeBlade]

Hello everybody! It has been a long search for the right survival knife, but I've come down to three options which all meet my standards.
The ESEE 5, the Becker BK2, and the Fallkniven A1.
My standards are:

-sturdy, rugged, long-lasting survial knife
-under $200
-thick blade
-fixed blade
-blade between 5 and 6 inches long

and some standards i want, but not sure if these knives possess:

-ability to chop, baton, and carve like a boss
-easily sharpened
-for the most part, fairly resistant to corrosion

But the reason I posted this thread is because I simply can't decide which one I want. I've searched the internet high and low, watched every youtube video and review I could find, and I've realized what I need is first hand opinions and recommendations from users on the most knife-knowledgeable site on the internet. So I'm asking you guys to help me by simply giving your argument as to why which knife is best suited for me. I know most of you are going to say that it's all depends on my personal preference. I like all the specifications, and the appearance of all the knives, but I don't know how I could ever experience them first hand because the only place I can get them is on the internet. So please, if you could take some time and help me out it would be very much appreciated.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Only the Fallkniven is stainless steel, and only you can decide how important that is to "fairly resistant to corrosion." (Lots of folks will now tell you what to think about that issue. ^___^ )

They are all high-quality knives with knowledgeable fans.

 

[Jack Black]

Hello everybody! It has been a long search for the right survival knife, but I've come down to three options which all meet my standards.

Hi, welcome to Bladeforums. The three knives you've listed all have respectable reputations, but out of interest what other knives have you looked at in your search and why did you reject them, it might give an indication of what you'd prefer, and in the end that's really what it comes down to?

 

[ml100]

BK 2 and ESEE have the bulkier handle.
A have a Fällkniven A1, S1 and F1., I had beckers and ESEEs.

 

[zcd]

At that size range you're not going to get fantastic chopping performance, however those 3 are all fine choices for your needs. As Thomas Linton said, only the Fallkniven is stainless, but carbon steel will be fine as long as you aren't negligent with it (ie: putting it away wet). Also in the interest of muddying your waters, look at the Swamp Rat Ratmandu

 

[OnlyUseMeBlade]

Hi, welcome to Bladeforums. The three knives you've listed all have respectable reputations, but out of interest what other knives have you looked at in your search and why did you reject them, it might give an indication of what you'd prefer, and in the end that's really what it comes down to?

Well to name a few:

-Cold Steel SRK
-Cold Steel Outdoorsman
-Cold Steel Bushman
-Gerber LMF
-Gerber Bear Grylls
-Koster Bushcraft
-Koster Bushmaster (actually a possibility)
-Buck 119

 

[ocnLogan]

I have no experience with the A1, but do own a BK2. The BK2 is a great knife, if you're looking for a sharpened prybar. In theory the BK2 should be a bit more slicey than the ESEE 5 (same blade thickness, but with a higher grind), and I hear most people prefer the handle shape of the Becker. But both blades have a great reputation, and are made by companies that know how to produce 1095 knives the right way.

In my opinion, the BK2 is a great knife, but its not one that I've found myself carrying tons (because of weight). It CAN do pretty much anything that you would ever ask of it, its just perhaps not the BEST tool at doing anything (other than batoning, its a champ at that). I've carved traps, prepared food, chopped limbs, and batoned pieces larger than the blade with my BK2. It does it all, I would just suggest at least looking at other options (maybe a two blade system?). I carry a small knife, and a bigger chopper and to ME that has proven to be a bit easier and more effective.

How thick is your "thick" requirement?

at 3/16 (still plenty thick in my book), you have the ESEE 4, ESEE 6, and Becker BK12 (aka, ritter MK2). You might want to check them out as well.

 

[Big Mike]

The Fallkniven is the obvious choice.




Big Mike

 

[OnlyUseMeBlade]

I have no experience with the A1, but do own a BK2. The BK2 is a great knife, if you're looking for a sharpened prybar. In theory the BK2 should be a bit more slicey than the ESEE 5 (same blade thickness, but with a higher grind), and I hear most people prefer the handle shape of the Becker. But both blades have a great reputation, and are made by companies that know how to produce 1095 knives the right way.

In my opinion, the BK2 is a great knife, but its not one that I've found myself carrying tons (because of weight). It CAN do pretty much anything that you would ever ask of it, its just perhaps not the BEST tool at doing anything (other than batoning, its a champ at that). I've carved traps, prepared food, chopped limbs, and batoned pieces larger than the blade with my BK2. It does it all, I would just suggest at least looking at other options (maybe a two blade system?). I carry a small knife, and a bigger chopper and to ME that has proven to be a bit easier and more effective.

How thick is your "thick" requirement?

at 3/16 (still plenty thick in my book), you have the ESEE 4, ESEE 6, and Becker BK12 (aka, ritter MK2). You might want to check them out as well.

I Was planning on carrying a mora companion mg on the side

 

[Balldboy]

I would comb the Knife Maker fixed blade sale threads and the Indiv. Sales Custom Knife pages....that's what I do...YMMV.

 

[Jack Black]

Well to name a few:

-Cold Steel SRK
-Cold Steel Outdoorsman
-Cold Steel Bushman
-Gerber LMF
-Gerber Bear Grylls
-Koster Bushcraft
-Koster Bushmaster (actually a possibility)
-Buck 119

Thanks. Only had experience of the Cold Steel knives, the Buck, and Gerber LMF, and be interested to see what you thought about the knives listed and why you rejected them, but I think you're now looking at three practical knives with excellent reputations. Personally, I'd probably go for the ESEE, though that Ratmandu does look pretty good!

I Was planning on carrying a mora companion mg on the side

It may not be what you're looking for, but have you thought about just carrying the Mora, and partnering it with a small axe?

 

[ocnLogan]

I Was planning on carrying a mora companion mg on the side

Perfect, That really does make a great combination.

Now, if you're wanting something larger and more "choppy" then that makes perfect sense. So, the BK2 is a great chopper for its size (because of the weight, and the handle shape lets you hold WAY back on the knife). But if you're looking for a chopping and batoning monster, then I might look at something longer. My BK9 for instance chops almost exactly twice as well as the BK2.

Anyway, not knowing exactly why you chose that range of knife sizes to compare (could be local laws, etc), I would go with the BK2. It really is like a larger knife stuffed into a smaller knife, and that sounds like what you're looking for.

But also, you could look into an ax of some sort, or a larger chopping knife (BK9, junglas, 911, etc) or even a heavier machete. Just throwing out some more options for you .

 

[Balldboy]

Thanks. Only had experience of the Cold Steel knives, the Buck, and Gerber LMF, and be interested to see what you thought about the knives listed and why you rejected them, but I think you're now looking at three practical knives with excellent reputations. Personally, I'd probably go for the ESEE, though that Ratmandu does look pretty good!



It may not be what you're looking for, but have you thought about just carrying the Mora, and partnering it with a small axe?

Mora Robust and a small axe would be a great combo.

 

[jwolf90]

Yep Bk9 would prob be the best bet if your already planning on taking the Mora, sounds like a good combo to me. Out of the other 3 you mentioned I would go Fallkniven, just cause I've never experienced one but there all great knives:thumbup:

 

[Misanthropia]

I'm sure this will inevitably be brought up, but the whole "VG10 is more prone to chipping" thing isn't actually as big of a deal as it is made out to be. If you accidentally hit a rock, there's going to be some pretty unpleasant edge damage regardless of steel with these. May as well take advantage of the better wear and corrosion resistance of the Fallkniven.

 

[habaz72]

Is there some hidden advantage to using a knife for chopping large pieces of wood?

I have a pocket chain saw for camping, not one of the pieces of wire.. this is actual linked pieces of metal that folds up into a can about the size of a can of dip. It zips right through limbs and even small trees. And I've got a hatchet on my shopping list before I go out again. I have a Mora, BK11, or a BHK Cascade (not all at once) for knife tasks and a hatchet or a saw for the hatchet and saw tasks.

 

[The Mastiff]

Out of all the knives listed in the forum including suggestions and list of

Well to name a few:

I like the Bushmaster in 3V the best. 2nd is the Ratmandu in 52100.

Aside from the Bear Grylls and the new version of the SRK there isn't any knives I couldn't get along with.

IMO, the A1 is sufficiently different from the Becker 2 and ESEE 5 that it shouldn't really be in the same class. The Becker 2 is a great knife, and I have one but it's a short, thick, stout knife that doesn't keep up with some of the smaller ones with the finer slicing jobs. If you decide to get a knife like that I'd pretty much always be sure to have a nice slicing folder in my pocket for the finer jobs.

They are pretty much all good, well built knives IMO.

Joe

 

[GingivitisKahn]

Can't speak to the other two (and wouldn't denigrate them if I could) but here's why I'd choose the BK2...

It whittles tiny spoons and forks and things...

It prepares the most flamable object in the known universe...

It chops seasoned oak for no good reason...

It cleans fish...

It batons...

It takes a beating and comes back for more...

It poses majestically...

It survives nuclear blasts...

What's not to love?

---

Beckerhead #42

 

[Jack Black]

What a great post!:thumbup:

 

[tholiver]

I love my two BK-2s but just recently fluked into an Esee-5 for a substantial discount on that auction-site-that-shall-not-be-named,lol.
So Far i'd say the Esee 5 is very similar and almost as good as the BK2, except that the BK-2s flared butt makes it a better chopper because it gives you more to grasp.
With the Esee-5 the end is not so flared and when i was chopping i was more worried about it sliding out of my hand. However it has a HUGE lanyard hole so next time i chop with it i will definitely use a lanyard.
Other than the skinny butt the Esee-5's grip is very similar in feel to the custom wood grips i put on my two BK2s.
I was just looking at pics of the Esee Junglas and thinking that its too bad the Esee 5 grip isn't more like the Junglas's grip.