ESEE 6 or Kabar Becker BK7?

i'd get the becker. i don't care for the esee knives. just don't feel right to me and i thick the coating has too much texture. also having knives in plain 1095 and 1095 cro van, i like the cro van better. it takes a better edge and also holds it better due to the extra elements in the alloy. kabar is my favorite company for fixed blades by far.
 
I have the ESEE 6 so I cannot speak for the BK7. The 6 feels like a smaller knife than it actually is. Blade balance is right at the front finger guard so you have a 50/50 weight distribution, this does hinder it's chopping ability. Once you choke up and use the finger choil finer tasks are a breeze. Handle egro's on the 6 are excellent and the micarta feels great and provides just the right amount of grip. Plus you get a great sheath that just works.
 
I have a 6 and tested a 7...the 7 out chopped the 6. the Handle design allows you to grip it differently, which offers a technique and leverage that I couldnt do with the 6 without launching the knife from my hands. The 9 will chop better as well. Someone said neither can chop well and brought up a junglas...I have a junglas as well, it made it on one trip and was used/tested on several tasks...too big and is a one trip blade. It is heavy and difficult to carry. I have mine purely as a piece to have at this point. Depending on what your use is and how far you hike, camp, etc these knife become valued in far different ways.

I did a chop off with my RC6 and my A1, the A1 completely out chopped the RC6, but I still really like my 6! It is a knife to me I will never worry about breaking! So it gets beat on like ike to tina!

My last trip (Before thxgvg) I brought my Wetterling 19" hunting axe...It will again stay home going forward. It weights a lot, is limited in its use...too small to do much of anything well. My point is there is a sweet spot I have found. The BK7 and a folding saw seems to cover my tasks well. I was impress with the BK7, the saw would cut down stuff easier (Sven Saw and the bahco...sven I really like, small and eats up stuff great!) and the BK7 would knock of limbs and baton perfectly! It also chopped the smaller limbs when we need it. It outshined my RC6 once I saw how to grip it for a chopping style. I like to wear my blade on my hip, the standard kydex with molle rides high! For a pack...no problem. But I like my knife I my hip, for quick access or defense from an animal (We get near some smaller bear (100lbs) and other mean little mothers! So having it accessible is nice...the BK7 sheath rode lower but the handle strap is sometimes a two handed operation. I like kydex if it is done right...and I always thought it was better however I dont have a tac vest...ok I do but I dont use a knife with it...it is a range/trainer so molle and kydex dont really suit me well. I do find that I like my fallkniven plastic sheath the best. Light, small, simply and functional! I wrap them with 550 paracord and I am off! Just my 0.02 cents. Nick, get both, I think you will love them the same. I have the Bk7 on my list after I gave her a try! I liked the grip more than I thought...it is a little big but not as boxy and the end holds the butt of your hand a little better. Good luck.

Oh and one other thing, Check this out as well...I found this write up which made me give the BK7 another look.

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41102

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?37724-Becker-Vs.-Gerber-heh-this-was-fun.

I do like the setup of it with the small blade for meals and small food prep, cutting mountain house pouches open (Even though they are scored already...HAHA)...light work and they both fit in the same sheath along with a firesteel. I just found the whole setup very practical and very capable! Once again...IMHO
 
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soapboxpreacher said:
The 9 will chop better as well. Someone said neither can chop well
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Hold on a sec, someone said the BK-9 can't chop well? Rather than call that person an idiot or crazy or anything, I'll just say that I have a different opinion!

My choppers:
IMG_8413.JPG


My BK-7 is VERY noticeably behind the other 3 in chopping performance, but it is amazing how close the other 3 are. The BK-9 didn't quite match the HI Ganga Ram, but it wasn't all that far behind.

Here is my thread on the chopping tests: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718438
2m30s for the KA-BAR Kukri Machete, 2m45s for the BK-9 and the Ganga Ram was able to chop through the same wood in about 2min. The Ganga Ram does weigh about 26oz so you have to expect it to be a better chopper. If I improved my technique so that the BK-9 didn't jam in the wood as much I could have chopped noticeably quicker with it.
 
Nick15 said:
Very true, but I still wanted to see what peoples' opinions would be. I am surprised to see so many recommendations towards the Becker, but as you said, I'll still probably go with the ESEE.
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I'm not sure why. Becker and ESEE uses more or less the same steel. They both have excellent warranties and reputations for taking care of their customers. Both are built for serious, no kidding use (I think the knives get a bit sad when they are stuck inside :D ). They both look great. The ESEE sheath is superior - you're correct about that - not sure it's enough superior to warrant the difference in cost though.

All that and the Beckers are at a much lower price point. I like the ESEEs - don't get me wrong but the Becker seems to me to be a no-brainer.

You should still get the one you like though. If you get the BK-7 now (and you should! :D ), you'll eventually end up getting the ESEE too because that's the one you like. It's cool - we can still play nicely.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
Gadgetaholic said:
Hold on a sec, someone said the BK-9 can't chop well? Rather than call that person an idiot or crazy or anything, I'll just say that I have a different opinion!

My choppers:
IMG_8413.JPG


My BK-7 is VERY noticeably behind the other 3 in chopping performance, but it is amazing how close the other 3 are. The BK-9 didn't quite match the HI Ganga Ram, but it wasn't all that far behind.

Here is my thread on the chopping tests: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718438
2m30s for the KA-BAR Kukri Machete, 2m45s for the BK-9 and the Ganga Ram was able to chop through the same wood in about 2min. The Ganga Ram does weigh about 26oz so you have to expect it to be a better chopper. If I improved my technique so that the BK-9 didn't jam in the wood as much I could have chopped noticeably quicker with it.
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Meant the BK7 and the RC6...I was drinkin..HA.

You should have done some BK7 chopping using the 3 finger grip to see how it would have done. I am less of a big knife guy as I use to be..I just keep finding the limited capability and weight dont offer enough to camp and hike with (Car camping...totally different story, I like to bring everything). But here is why to cut those logs with the Sven saw is far better, It is much faster and takes far less effort (Less calories burned) combined with the BK7 (And BK13) to baton and hack branches and limbs this is a great camp setup. I would hip mount the BK7 and pack the Sven, it is slim and light...plus the blade is ridiculously aggressive! Once again my 2 cents. I will be adding the BK7 to my camp setup soon to test...I dont think it will replace my A1 but at least I have a less expensive beater to play with. My A1 has edged my RC6 way out. The front end mass makes it a better chopper and the convex grind makes it easier to maintain as well as performs significantly better.
 
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