First Becker

S

SurvivalEDC

Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
52
Got a BK16 today for Christmas after considering many fixed blades for bushcraft/camping tasks over the last few months. I believe the size, shape, weight, and construction will all suit the tasks I have planned for it very well.
The two things I can see that could use improvement are:
1) the sheath is not the most accessible with the double snap and similarly, takes a bit to secure with the double snap when putting the knife back.
2) the handles seem just very slightly thinner than ideal.
3) the coating on the blade seems very coarse and although adds to durability and rust prevention, it isn't really to my liking, at least on the blade.

I have plans for improving these, which are really no big deal, but I pretty much knew (from all the research) that I would be addressing these three areas before having the knife in hand.

If you have any experience with this knife please chime in here with your opinions on addressing these issues, or if you prefer the knife stock in any of these areas.

Thanks so much to all of you in this community that have helped in so many ways already...this knife is in large part a selection made after many suggestions, recommendations, and reviews from you.

Here are a few crummy cell phone pictures. Better pics from the woods will hopefully be coming soon. :)

rahybeby.jpg


y6e2esuv.jpg


zabutehe.jpg


judy3a9e.jpg
 
No experience with the BK16, but I own and use a 17, which is basically the same knife. I made custom wood scales out of maple. I made them to fit my hand perfectly.

I stripped the blade coating with "Zipp-Stripp". Apply, let sit, then scrape the coating off.
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
No experience with the BK16, but I own and use a 17, which is basically the same knife. I made custom wood scales out of maple. I made them to fit my hand perfectly.

I stripped the blade coating with "Zipp-Stripp". Apply, let sit, then scrape the coating off.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Are you still using the stock sheath?
 
Congrats on your first Becker!!

"If you have any experience with this knife please chime in here with your opinions on addressing these issues, or if you prefer the knife stock in any of these areas. "

There may be a few around here with some BK16 experience! :D


"1) the sheath is not the most accessible with the double snap and similarly, takes a bit to secure with the double snap when putting the knife back.
2) the handles seem just very slightly thinner than ideal.
3) the coating on the blade seems very coarse and although adds to durability and rust prevention, it isn't really to my liking, at least on the blade."


-1 Upgrade the sheath. I've got leather from Kelley Customs and NixKustoms. Both great! There are also some great Kydex benders around here. 710, Azwelke, and GODSPEED to name a few.

-2 upgrade the scales to the factory Ka-bar micarta, TKC G-10, or some wood scales from Tommythewho. Add some liners if it's still too skinny.

-3 Strip it! Force a patina or do an acid etch, or just sand it for a satin finish.



Here's my BK16. Stripped coating with green liners, Tommythewho Cocobolo scales, and a leather dangler from NixKustoms. It's a great knife and I have an attatchment to it after modding it into what I wanted.



 
Here are some mods to mine. 710 pants with K9 Handler scales. As you can see I left the coating on the blade, but I am considering stripping it at some point. I've noticed that when I do finer cutting tasks the blade wants to skip across the surface of the wood instead of bite into it, and I do not get a solid cut each time. Having said that, I have to really pay attention to blade angle and pressure when trying to do even simple cuts.....if that makes any sense. I love the 16, but feel it would be better without the blade coating as I do not have cutting issues with my 2 or 14 which have stripped blades. My daughter has a 16 as well and loves it like it came from the factory, sheath and all. It really comes down to what you feel you want, not what some others tell you you should have or not have. With all of that; I recommend, if you want to keep the stock sheath, to remove one of the straps using a razor to cut it away.


 
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The markings are laser etched. If you want the etchings to stay prominent after stripping the coating, there are several threads about etching them deeper before stripping.
 
I stripped mine. I find that they're not as prone to rust as one might think so no coating is no problem. I plan on getting kydex for mine eventually.
 
Congrats .... You will buy more. Lol anyways I didn't stil my bk 16's ( I have a ffg and a saber grind) but I did strip my bk2 and to be honest rust is not an issue. I am letting a patina form naturally on it. As for the sheath I like the standard sheath as it is very practical but my saber 16 does have an azwelke kydex sheath but both work great. Lastly the handles... Where to begin there are so many options ranging from factory micarta to custom micarta and wood scales (tkc for micarta and tommy the who for wood) I picked up a set of patalox wood scales from tommy and I really like the feel it gives the knife... Makes it feel a little warmer in the hand. If your hands are on the large side then you will need to use liners to fill out the scales a little more.
 
I didn't care much for the sheath that came with it, either. Look around here, and you can find several good custom sheath makers who make just about anything you can think of. Leather, kydex, pouch sheaths, firesteel loops, etc. I went with a simple pouch sheath from Skystorm Leatherworks, but there are many that you might like more so than the stock sheath.
 
Jonny1280 said:
Congrats on your first Becker!!

"If you have any experience with this knife please chime in here with your opinions on addressing these issues, or if you prefer the knife stock in any of these areas. "

There may be a few around here with some BK16 experience! :D


"1) the sheath is not the most accessible with the double snap and similarly, takes a bit to secure with the double snap when putting the knife back.
2) the handles seem just very slightly thinner than ideal.
3) the coating on the blade seems very coarse and although adds to durability and rust prevention, it isn't really to my liking, at least on the blade."


-1 Upgrade the sheath. I've got leather from Kelley Customs and NixKustoms. Both great! There are also some great Kydex benders around here. 710, Azwelke, and GODSPEED to name a few.

-2 upgrade the scales to the factory Ka-bar micarta, TKC G-10, or some wood scales from Tommythewho. Add some liners if it's still too skinny.

-3 Strip it! Force a patina or do an acid etch, or just sand it for a satin finish.



Here's my BK16. Stripped coating with green liners, Tommythewho Cocobolo scales, and a leather dangler from NixKustoms. It's a great knife and I have an attatchment to it after modding it into what I wanted.



Click to expand...

Now that is a nice looking setup!
 
I like the stock sheath and scales. If you put liners under the scales for thickness you won't be able to snap the sheath, tho. You can always trim off the snap straps or stitch in some elastic, or replace them entirely. Not a lot of work for the crafty.
 
Just buy the Condor Bushlore or Kephart and you're set. Both knives use the same sheath. The BK-16/17 fits nicely in the belt sheath. Neither is a bad knife to own in addition to the BK-16/17. The usual knife dealers sell them online.
 
I thought of a few more alternatives for you:
1. Averageiowaguy did a mod where he replaced the top snap loop with surgical tubing that slipped over the top. Giving fast access, but still allowing a second point of retention when needed.

2. Cut some liners from something cheap like a plastic notebook cover or cutting board.

3. Just sand the part down by the bevel nearly thru the coating and blend it into the stock coating it will protect and be much smoother while in the media.... or just use the crap out of it it will wear slick in time.

Happy cutting!
 
22-rimfire said:
Just buy the Condor Bushlore or Kephart and you're set. Both knives use the same sheath. The BK-16/17 fits nicely in the belt sheath. Neither is a bad knife to own in addition to the BK-16/17. The usual knife dealers sell them online.
Click to expand...

Oh okay. I just was wondering if you could buy the Condor Bushlore sheath by itself
thank you
 
Hey Survivaledc.....

First of all thanks for buying a Becker knife...... You choice seems to fit your screen name...... This blade was patterned after my favorite long term carry blade and was designed as an always there Jack of all blades...... Have fun with your mods keep her sharp and she should work her little fanny off for you.... Please, Post pix when you get a little dirt time with her....

All Best.....

Ethan
 
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