ESEE or Becker?

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excalibur21

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
53
So, hope this doesn't start a flame war and stays civil, you guys seem pretty chill so I'm confident nothing bad will happen. I need major help deciding between a few knives and since I have no where nearby that has any of them, I need help from people that have handled both, hopefully extensively.

I know perfectly well that both are great companies and that I probably wouldn't go wrong with either but I still feel indecisive...

I'm torn between the BK-9 and the Junglas for my new "chopper". As well as the ESEE 3 or 4 for smaller work. and whatever the Becker equivalent of that would be? the 5? or maybe the 11?

or maybe someone has even heard of something entirely different they would like to share?

I live in the forests of the Pacific Northwest so that should give you a clue to the environment I will be using them in, a lot of Devils club and vine maple haha. I would like to buy them both at the same time and money is kinda a factor but if people say it's worth it I can splurge for all ESEE (not saying they're better right of the bat, just acknowledging that they cost more). I just want to be sure first. I'm also curious as to which people think would be best to invest more in, the chopper or the smaller knife?

I hope you guys can help,
Thanks in advance!
 
Both companies produce great stuff. Either way you decide, you'll be set with a great knife. I, personally, lean more towards the ESEE side, but it's a matter of personal choice. Good luck with choosing a blade!
 
Orion's Belt said:
Both companies produce great stuff. Either way you decide, you'll be set with a great knife. I, personally, lean more towards the ESEE side, but it's a matter of personal choice. Good luck with choosing a blade!
Click to expand...

That's what I was afraid people would say haha, what makes you lean towards ESEE?

Also another thing to add, if anyone has links to review of the above mentioned blades, or even better comparisons. That would be fantastic.
 
The equivalent for the becker would be the 11 or maybe the 2 if you are looking for something more like the ESEE4. I personally own a couple of Beckers and a RAT3 (similar, but not quite the same as a ESEE3). I love the Beckers and I love my RAT3.

My vote would be for the Beckers. The only drawback will be in the handles where they come stock with polypropylene handles instead of micarta. But hey, maybe you can try your hand at making some scales! It is loads of fun (though at times frustrating).

I say go BK 9 for your chopper then either ESEE3, RAT3, Fallkniven F1, BK2, BK11, or other for your smaller knife.

If you are looking for a more economical alternative to the ESEE, because you like their style more or for the handles, check out the Ontario Ranger Bush series knives. One thing to note is that the zinc phosphate coating looks a bit better on the ESEE knives.

Hope that helps! And happy buying :) You can't go wrong with any of these knives.
 
Just remembered that I had a Boker Plus PSK knife on my list. It is a small fixed, 3" in 12C27 and is .2" thick. It is stainless, which means it will be a bit less tough than the 1095 you'll find in the others, but since you are in a wet climate, that might help fight corrosion.
 
As far as customer service goes, both companies are top notch. The steels are practically equal.

You get a better sheath and micarta grips with ESEE, but you pay for it.

I'm a Beckerhead, so my vote naturally falls with Becker.

As far as equivalent knives go, the BK11 is closest to the ESEE3, whereas the ESEE5 is closest to the BK2. There is nothing really in the Becker lineup on par with the ESEE4 as far as size goes. The ESEE4 is a great looking knife and I would love to own one.
 
I've never heard of a Becker/ESEE flame war. The two companies seem to go together nicely (they even have a collaboration knife). Anyway, I was in the same position as you and went with the Junglas. I tried the BK9 out in the store and liked it, but something about the Junglas really drew me. When I got it, the feel was completely different. The quality is amazing, the ergo's just melt into your hand, and the sheath couldn't be better. The handles are individually matched up to each blade for fit, and each knife is serial numbered. You also get better grip and a better heat treat. Both the BK9 and the Junglas look similar, but there is a big difference in quality (hence the big difference in price). Both knives, however, are champions at their respective price points. So I guess it depends on whether you want to splurge on the small blade or the big blade?
 
Ah my bad! Polyphthalamide might be a better word for it ;) They are durable but at kind of slippery. Also a thumbs up on the Izula. Similar to to the RAT3.
 
get both! Get a bk9 for your chopper and take the money you saved and get a esee 3 or 4.

side note I have a few of each company, while I love my izzy and bk2 have multiples of both of those.... I love my esee4 it's the one knife I would never get rid of
 
As others are saying, all good knives.


The BK 9 is one of my favorites. Just got a great feel for a big knife. And for $75 you really can't got wrong. Some like the Grivory handles some don't. But if you get one give 'em a try. I made some wood ones for mine, but I liked the stock handles too.

The BK 2 is NOT a small knife. It's a tank. 1/4 inch thick. Very different
from the ESEE 4. I have them both. The 4 is a great little knife. Very handy size. The Izula is handy too ...

All depends on personel choice and budget. Remember - you can always sell a GOOD knife, if you don't like it for some reason.

My combo is the BK 9 and the ESEE 4 (Becker doesn't have a 4" or "tweener" ... yet)

Give it some time ... you'll have them all :D

Stop by the Becker and ESEE forums for more info.

Good luck.
 
For a large chopper, small utility knife combo, you are either looking (IMO) at a ...

Becker BK9 combined with a BK11 or BK14. I think you can make that happen for around $100.

-or-

ESEE Junglas combined with an Izula or a ESEE3 or ESEE4. That combo will cost significantly more. As has been mentioned the steel and service is about the same. Is the additional price worth it to you for the nicer sheaths and the micarta? Only you can answer that.


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Beckerhead #42
 
On a budget, I'd get the BK9. But otherwise I'd get the Junglas, my reasons are:

Better sheath
More precise fit and finish (IMO)
I prefer micarta to Grivory (and if you add the optional micarta scales to the Bk9, it starts getting a lot closer in price to the Junglas)

But you can't go wrong with either.
 
hmm, I find the lack of a 4" Becker disturbing... I guess that means I have to get the ESEE 4 then :p

I think I'm going to get the Junglas as well. Sounds like it's worth the extra coin.

I think Cobra had a point though haha, I will probably end up with all of them at some point :D.

Thank you for the opinions guys, helped out a lot!

EDIT/PS: where would be the best place to buy from?
 
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I have a Junglas and a BK7 not a 9. I like the handle on the 7 and 9 better for it holds the butt of my hand without slipping off the back end...this is something the junglas lacks. My hand slides off the end and needs to be regripped constantly during heavy chopping. This is really my only gripe about the Junglas. They heat treat amazing! But so does Becker. I think the fit and finish is nicer on the ESEE knives and the warranty is un-matched!! Becker is a better value and in my opinion the 9 is easier to chop with because of the handle shape. It does need the micarta scales for the shock comes thru the BK handle more. Sheath...junglas all day! This is a tough one. Also the junglas is longer so technilcally it should do better in chopping but once again the handle...it just does hold the butt of my hand to the handle well enough to stop it from slipping off.
 
excalibur21 said:
hmm, I find the lack of a 4" Becker disturbing... I guess that means I have to get the ESEE 4 then :p

I think I'm going to get the Junglas as well. Sounds like it's worth the extra coin.

I think Cobra had a point though haha, I will probably end up with all of them at some point :D.

Thank you for the opinions guys, helped out a lot!

EDIT/PS: where would be the best place to buy from?
Click to expand...

My favorite Charity sells ALL of them ...

Committee Against Social Hypocrisy

Just make the check out to the acronym: C A S H

And send it to me :D

I'll make sure you get your blades

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Joe Isuzu
 
I have the Junglas, 4, BK2, Escabar.
The grind of the Junglas starts very near the spine, noticable further down on the BK9. That seems to me that the BK2 would be a bit heavier, and have a stronger blade for digging, prying.
I like the Junglas, but I'm just pointing out a difference you may have not noticed. I use a lanyard on my Junglas, it's not going to slip from my hand. Junglas has an amazing sheath system, and a nice handle, fit and finish is excellent.
The Escabar has the short Izula handle, too short for heavy handed use, IMO. The ESEE 3 and 4 have longer handles, and sheath options that the small Beckers do not.
The BK2 has a thick spine, but the grind starts higher than the ESEE5. My BK2 can make fuzz sticks, and do other small tasks, maybe not so great at kitchen prep. The ESEE 4 is the all around best knife size, IMO, it can do everything.
You can't go wrong, but on a budget, do the BK9, and then choose your other knife based on price and size.
 
WOW! You really cannot make a bad choice with either brand. I chose a BK2 over the ESSE only because I liked the grip better. Handle both and see what feels best in your hand.
 
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