First Becker - BK4 or BK9???

Wheeler80

Wheeler80

Joined
Nov 12, 2013
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I'm looking at picking up a new chopper type knife for clearing shooting lanes, processing firewood, etc. and I'd like it to be a Becker for no other reason than Mr. Becker seems like a class act.

I can get both for roughly the same price but can only afford one at this time. I've never had a knife bigger than a 5" blade so I have no idea if I'd like the 9. I've had a couple of Kuhkri's and they did the job but I never really warmed up to them so I'm not sure I'd like the 4.

So, what say you Beckerheads? All advice, opinions, criticisms, stories, musings, etc. welcomed and appreciated.
 
I'd say a 4 if you anticipate buying others later as it is being discontinued. That's what I did for that reason.
 
The 4 has a bit more of a learning curve than the 9 does. The 9 is my favorite Becker, but the 4 is a close second. Can't go wrong with either really.
 
I'm a fan of the 9. I like the 4 also no 9 , definitely the 9 but the 4 is good too! I really hate ta pick! Seriously though I think you would enjoy the 9 more!
 
The BK4 is being discontinued and can is being clearance which means reduced pricing, about $20 less than the 9. If that were not the case I would recommend the BK9, the capabilities are about the same but the 9 being a straight blade is easier to sharpen and the handle doesn't bottom out if you're battoning.
 
I'm surprised that you can get both for the same price....either you aren't shopping effectively for the 4, or you're getting one heck of a deal on the 9. If it's the latter, snatch that 9 without so much as a second thought.
I like the 4 a lot better than I thought I would; but I still prefer the 9 (admittedly, I may not be well positioned in the 4's learning curve)
 
hhmoore said:
I'm surprised that you can get both for the same price....either you aren't shopping effectively for the 4, or you're getting one heck of a deal on the 9. If it's the latter, snatch that 9 without so much as a second thought.
I like the 4 a lot better than I thought I would; but I still prefer the 9 (admittedly, I may not be well positioned in the 4's learning curve)
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I've got a gift card to the Evil Empire (***mart) and I can get the 9 thru them but not the 4. With the gift card my out of pocket is the same for each one.
 
The 4 is my absolute favorite so I'm a little biased. The 9 is a GREAT knife but I can use the 4 a lot better. The 9 was my first Becker knife and my favorite before I bought a 4. The 4 is balanced differently and IMO works so much better for finer tasks. The nice recurve really aids to feather sticking. I find that to be especially more difficult with a 9.

I would say get a 4 while they are cheap. Kabar is apparently discontinuing them so the sooner you get one the better.

However as it's said around here:

"You cant not have a 9"
 
I've seen some comparisons between the 4 and 9's performance when it comes to hard wood versus softer woods. I'm not 100%, but I think the 9 was slightly better with softer woods and the 4 with hard woods. If you want to get nitpicky, you could figure out what kind of wood you're going to be using it on.

Alternatively you can just get a 9. :D
 
The 9 is never the wrong choice, but since the 4 is being discontinued and is awesome, I'd buy it while you can. You'll almost certainly end up with all the other models eventually.................we al do. ;)
 
See what I mean? Can't really decide can you? It's not easy by any means when it comes to beckers! I'll tell you what's gonna happen. You are gonna end up getting them both! And when you finally get one and hold it in your hands and you feel the quality for your money and the feel of Ethan's design, well it's too late. Your infected and you will buy more and more and more happy trails!!!!
 
Bk9 all the way. The most versatile and easy to use large knife I have ever owned. They call it the king for a reason. I think the bk4 takes a little more time to get used to it and you stated that your not a big Khukuri person soooo. Good luck, you can't go wrong either way. Lately I have been going with a bk16 and bk9 combo. It has worked out really well for me.
 
You cannot not have a 9.

Since you didn't warm up to the Khukri, the 4 probably wouldn't do it either.

Use the gift card to offset the cost of the most expensive, in this case, the 9.

The 4 is on clearance and I'll bet vendors will start dumping inventory, especially as it gets closer to Xmas, just like they did with the 15.
 
Thanks guys! I think I'm going to go with the 9 since I won't be using it for any small tasks. I carry other knives for that.
 
Wheeler80 said:
I'm looking at picking up a new chopper type knife for clearing shooting lanes, processing firewood, etc. and I'd like it to be a Becker for no other reason than Mr. Becker seems like a class act.
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Good on you for wanting to support with your business someone who seems like a class act; that's a trait lacking with some consumers.

EB seems like a class act because he is! He is a class gentleman who is also passionate about knives, the outdoors and their interaction with each other.

You posted your decision before I could reply but I generally agree with all that has been said here - much truth in this thread:

You can't not have a 9.
The 4 is not as easy to sharpen as the 9.
The 4 is being discontinued.
You'll eventually will wind up with both - and more.
The 4 is better a small work.
The 4 has a learning curve ( I still wonder if I have rounded the apex yet).
You can use other knives for the smaller work and the 9 for the bigger tasks.
You can't not have a 9.

You could not have made a bad choice; you made a good choice for you, at this juncture. (That's code speak for: you are going to have both eventually anyway!)
 
Just got my 9 ordered. Cost me $59 out of pocket (Thanks Mamaw Rita!). I should have it Thursday. Thanks for the advice and insight everyone!
 
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