ESEE 6 or BK 2

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Apr 26, 2016
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Hello all, first time user here....so I did lots of research on both the BK 2 and the ESEE 6. I know a better comparison would be (bk2 vs esee 5) or (bk 7 vs esee 6). But I really like the look of the bk 2 and the esee 6. Its going to be one of these two for me! So here's the problem, I like the lenght of the esee 6 but the strength of bk 2. Also I like the way the handle is shaped on the bk 2. Chopping ability would have to go to bk 2 also right?. But the esee 6 is lighter and longer.
I will be using the knife as my "go to" camping/hiking/fishing and survival training blade. Cost is not a huge issue as I'm willing to spend cash for what I see as a long term investment. I should mention I am hard on all my tools so durability is big. Also I'm a huge fan of leather sheaths so I will be swaping out the sheath no matter what. If I go with the bk 2 I would probably swap the handle too. I have smaller hands, will be bk 2 be a good fit, the handle looks big? So camping/hiking.....BK 2 or ESEE 6? Surival situation....BK 2 it ESEE 6? All around better/what would you want strapped to your hip....BK 2 or ESEE 6.
 
I would take the ESEE 6 over the BK-2 any day. You're right about the comparisons you made. The BK-10 might be an apt comparison with the ESEE 6 in terms of blade stock thickness.

Why? The BK-2 is over built to the point that I doubt you'll carry it after you use it a couple times. It is not a chopper. It is not a great slicer. It's more of a sharpened pry bar. ESEE has a better warranty than Kabar Becker. But if something is defective, Kabar will certainly replace it.
 
The ESEE will be a better chopper, as it would be longer.

The Becker will have a much more comfortable handle, especially for smaller hands, and be all but impossible to break.

They will both cut about the same due to having similar edge geometry while the ESEE will technically be a better slicer due to having thinner blade stock.

They both have warranties that will cover any normal damage, and both have also covered gross misuse too.

I've held both, I carry neither, I think the Becker handles are MUCH more comfortable than the ESEE handles and when you're using the knife a lot I think that's worth not having Micarta. The Becker is also cheaper, so another bonus.
 
I'm a big fan of the ESEE 6. I have very large hands and the handle is extremely comfortable. Surprisingly good chopper for it size. Very durable and takes a very sharp edge easily. He treating is nearly perfect for 1095 steel. I don't have a BK 2 so I can't comment on that particular knife. I would suggest something smaller and thinner for fishing.
 
They are both very good knives. I've owned both and used both. If it's that difficult to decide, get both and use them lightly. You can resell the one you do not want here for almost the same price you paid. It comes down to your preference which you will never know until you use both. Simple logic. I know....
 
The BK12 would be a closer competitor then the BK2 for the ESEE 6.
 
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I would take the ESEE 6 over the BK-2 any day. You're right about the comparisons you made. The BK-10 might be an apt comparison with the ESEE 6 in terms of blade stock thickness.

Why? The BK-2 is over built to the point that I doubt you'll carry it after you use it a couple times. It is not a chopper. It is not a great slicer. It's more of a sharpened pry bar. ESEE has a better warranty than Kabar Becker. But if something is defective, Kabar will certainly replace it.
+1

I think the FFG of the Esee is better for all around use. Some other good options would be the BK16 and Esee 4 if your willing to go with a shorter blade length. They will not chop quite as well as the others but, will be much more manageable and better for most other tasks. Either would also be better for your smaller hands and both have many different aftermarket scale and sheath options if the stockers aren't to your liking.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
 
Apples and oranges. The two really can't be compared. That said, I'd go with the 6. The bk2 as well as the Esee 5 in my opinion, are too much knife. Their heavy and don't really do anything well. I've owned both, and sold both. Some people love them, I'm just not one. There is, again in my opinion, no reason for such a heavy blade on such a short knife.

The six is a great knife. I personally love the stock handle. It fits me great. That said, Becker have some of, if not the most comfortable handles on the market. Youd be doing yourself a favor to check out the Esee 6 and Becker 7/10. These are more comparable, and you'll find they're much better users.
 
Not much experience with either. I love my bk 16. I very much dislike the bk2. It it too heavy for me to want to carry while hiking. It is too thick to be my first, or second, or third choice for cleaning fish. It would probably okay as a camp knife. I would take the bk10/7/9/16 over the 2 any day. I guess my vote is for the esee 6. Love the beckers, just not so much the 2.
 
I like the Beckers too. I also like the factory handles that come on the Beckers in terms of comfort. Recommend just about any of them, but not the BK-2. Yes, I have a "2". (No it is not for sale, I like to keep it as a reminder of what not to buy.)

Added: I say essentially the same thing about the ESEE 5. Both the ESEE 6 and the BK-2 are pretty indestructible under normal kinds of use and yes, batoning.
 
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I have not owned the ESEE6 but I have owned the BK2 and the BK2 is not a knife I will buy another of. I remember wanting the BK2 really bad but once you get it it is too thick and can do nothing well. It takes a lot of work to do any chopping and its also not good at anything else either.

I have not had the ESEE6 but I do have the Boker Plus Vox Rold which is pretty much the same knife but in D2 and I would get the ESEE6 if I had to do it over again.

Gideonstactical does a pretty god review on the Boker vs. ESEE6 which is a good one to watch.

[video=youtube;5NBW_e7rEnM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NBW_e7rEnM[/video]
 
Ok so I. Leaning towards the ESEE 6 now. First my mind was allbut made up on the BK 2...but the weight. I do a lot of back country camping so it would be my primary knife. I just can't see why I would need the weight and thickness of the BK 2. It's a sweet looking knife but off I don't want to take it because of weight it dose nothing. So is there a real advantage to the thick blade, I will still be able to split some wood and dig I to to trunks for dry wood with the ESEE 6 right? Thanks for the input please keep it comming, I'm still on the fence about this.
 
Yeah I carry a 9 and/or a 15, the 2 is a knife that sells based on its indestructibility but is otherwise not a super performer in knife jobs. Splitting wood? Much better than most.

I think the 7 is a much better knife than the ESEE 6, but between the two in this thread is probably say the ESEE for general use, the BK2 for comfort and indestructibility.
 
For what it's worth, esee and beckers are pretty indestructible in general. Any of them should hold up just fine to normal outdoor use. I've even batoned with my bk 14 and my izula. Both brands are tough and well suited for work. I don't own an esee 6, but I imagine it is every bit as durable as the others in the esee line that I have owned or handld. Also, the warranty is pretty great too.
 
I have medium sized hands. The size of the BK handles are way to big for me. The ESEE6 is perfect in hand. What it sounds like you want is the RSK MK2 (BK12). I have one and to be quite honest it is a meh knife. I would 100% go with the ESEE6. The BK12's cutting edge is super thick so it doesnt carve or feather or slice well, plus the ergonomics do not lend themselves that way. What it sounds like is you need a GSO 5.1 Lol. Honestly just go with the ESSE6 you will not be disapointed
 
BK2 vs Esee 6?
That's a fairly common question with a simple answer: Ratmandu.
I really like the Ritter Perseverance (aka BK12), and it might be a better option for some people; but the RMD is probably my favorite 5-6" fixed blade.
 
... I'm willing to spend cash ...
Well then, buy both and 'test drive' them and see which on suits you best.

You'll have no trouble selling off the 'loser'. ;)

I have medium hands and do not care for the ESEE handles. The BK handles fit me better and can be easily mod'ed to fit any hand. The G10 scales from TKC fit me best right out of the box.

I find the BK2 a bit short and heavy. I like the ESEE 6 better but went with the BK12 aka Doug Ritter RSK Mk2 Perseverance.
 
ESEE hands down.

I hate how thick and short and heavy the Becker is.

At least the ESEE is thin enough to not get to your nerves with constant use.

If you want to blow some money just get a Swatmandu or an Infimandu from Busse.
 
Had them both, kept the 6. Actually I prefer my ESEE 4 regripped with TKC G10 handles over both of them, but that wasn't the original question.
 
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