Like any company them issues come up. They are based here in the USA and if you call you talk to a person and they answer the phones quickly too. I haven't had any problems, but those who have, have had the issue resolved quickly with little questioning.
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Fixed blade for camping / basic bushcraft?
- Thread starter JWheel
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Like any company them issues come up. They are based here in the USA and if you call you talk to a person and they answer the phones quickly too. I haven't had any problems, but those who have, have had the issue resolved quickly with little questioning.
Sadly, I probably have "city slicker" hands nowadays (desk job for me). But about an hour and a half or so is the longest I've ever used my BK9 in one sitting, and never had any problems with it. And I was aware that the schrade was also designed for the "rearward handle grip" or whatever we want to call it (hence the weird jimping on the underside of the rear of the handle on the tang).
I haven't handled the SCHF37, but like I said, it "looks" uncomfortable to me. I haven't handled one yet, so that's just me going off of the looks.
I'm not surprised the Schrade out chops the BK7. IIRC, the BK2 out chops the BK7, which is 1.75in less blade length. The BK7 was never really designed for chopping, so it makes sense why the Schrade would be better at is (under the assumption that the Schrade was designed primarily as a woods/chopping knife). And the BK9 being thinner/higher grind is why it can bind more in some wood (it penetrates farther, and on some wood types it can get stuck, similar to how a machete will).
I was looking around for a HRC rating for these, but didn't see one. Do you happen to know what the HRC rating is supposed to be? And while maybe I don't use my Beckers every day, I can assure you that in the 4 years that I've owned my BK2 and BK9, they've done fine by me. I didn't make any youtube videos about it though.
Good input there. I feel the same way about small fixed blades vs folders, and my favorite fixed blade size.
The small knife + big knife + saw combo works great. If I was only going out with a single blade, I'd likely be getting the BK12/16/10. But with the multiple knife system, the BK10 starts to feel pretty redundant with the BK9 around, hence the smaller other knife.
But yeah, its always a work in progress, trying to find what works best for how we each use our knives and what works best for where we use them.
Cheers
Agree on everything, but most will tout the chopping ability of the BK7, just pointing out the SCHF37 does it better.
I couldn't find the HRC either so I emailed them. Got a response rather quickly. I also got the literature on their steels and the HRC they use on all of them. They treat the 1095 to 57-59. Like I said with extended use, you notice it. Playing around, not so much.
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Klutz
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I would suggest not spending to much money to start with. Start inexpensively(not cheap) because your opinion may change once you start camping. I would suggest an Ontario 12" machete. It is rugged enough to chop, clears brush and American made for less than $20.00. Any Mora model should be able to handle the rest. If you need more or want to change it up you only spent about $35.00 at the most.
Is it weird when I feel better that other people also can't find something? I always hate it when I can't find something, and someone else finds it in like 20 sec, so when the reverse happens, I guess I feel validated
.But thanks for checking that out. That is a touch harder than Becker and esee run their 1095 (I think they both do 56-58, but i could be wrong). Its nice to have data that is accurate
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Find a carbon steel Mora that you like and learn to use it. Yes its cool to take big knives and chop up trees but 95% of people can do 99% of what is needed while camping with a Mora. Now since Moras aren't "fun" here are some suggestions:
production knife - BHK Highlander H1 saber ground
custom knife - NWA Sierra Scout
production knife - BHK Highlander H1 saber ground
custom knife - NWA Sierra Scout
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I still believe that the better majority of the time batoning is the answer to a non-existent problem. I feel like having a larger knife lends to the temptation to do stupid things with it that can result in unnecessary injury. I get by with just a folding saw and a 5 inch knife but I guess some people may camp way more hardcore than I do.
Unless your camping and your only source of fuel is sequoia trees in which case baton and chop away. Not trying to derail the thread just my opinion and I can see the need for an axe or to baton but lets be honest sometimes we just want to play with our big boy toys.
Unless your camping and your only source of fuel is sequoia trees in which case baton and chop away. Not trying to derail the thread just my opinion and I can see the need for an axe or to baton but lets be honest sometimes we just want to play with our big boy toys.
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I'll sum up what I've learned on this thread. Thanks, everyone, for your input. Extremely educational.
1. You CAN get a knife to replace a hatchet or a machete, but the best hatchet is a hatchet and the best machete is a machete.
2. Moras are cheap and very handy.
3. Schrade makes a great budget alternative. (Thanks for all the info, Boris!)
4. People on this forum really love Beckers and they tend to love ALL of them.
5. James Terrio, JK Knives, BHK, and Jarrett Fleming make some beautiful knives if and when I decide to spend more money.
Based on all of that, I'm going to go with what seems to be the most practical, all-around knife - the BK16. I'm picking it over the Schrade for the simple reason that I'd rather support US manufacturing whenever I can afford to. And I'm picking it amongst all the Beckers because it seems to be the happy medium that everyone can agree on. Also, it's well within my price range, freeing me up to also pick up a Mora, a hatchet, and a saw.
1. You CAN get a knife to replace a hatchet or a machete, but the best hatchet is a hatchet and the best machete is a machete.
2. Moras are cheap and very handy.
3. Schrade makes a great budget alternative. (Thanks for all the info, Boris!)
4. People on this forum really love Beckers and they tend to love ALL of them.
5. James Terrio, JK Knives, BHK, and Jarrett Fleming make some beautiful knives if and when I decide to spend more money.
Based on all of that, I'm going to go with what seems to be the most practical, all-around knife - the BK16. I'm picking it over the Schrade for the simple reason that I'd rather support US manufacturing whenever I can afford to. And I'm picking it amongst all the Beckers because it seems to be the happy medium that everyone can agree on. Also, it's well within my price range, freeing me up to also pick up a Mora, a hatchet, and a saw.
Sounds like you made it through all of the side conversations, and got good info from the thread
.You'll be very happy with the BK16. Its a great blade with excellent ergonomics and a proven blade steel and grind. The upside, is that if for some reason you find that it doesn't fit your needs as well as you'd like, you'll have learned what you do like, and should be able to sell the BK16 very easily (they hold their value pretty well).
And I think getting a folding and a hatchet is a great idea as well.
Good luck with the new steel, and let us know what you think of them when you get them
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At least you were paying attention...
Not a bad choice at all. I still think you'd be better off with a larger bk15 or even a potbelly as your "tweener" since you're getting a 4" mora + a hatchet, (plus like I said before, their current sale prices are great), but the 16 is a fine knife as well.
Have fun... Keep 'em sharp... And be safe...
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I would just skip the Mora for now unless you just want to buy one. They aren't bad, but I use my folder for slicing and little jobs and the BK-16 (or in my case the BK-15) for most everything else. Yes, I have a BK-16.
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BK2 is a great choice and the recommended add-ons are purely subjective. The original handle is great, imo and I wouldn't change it. The original sheath is just fine and the ONLY reason I now have a custom kydex sheath for mine is that a buddy of mine makes kydex and produced the sheath for me for next to nothing. Get the BK2 - can't go wrong with it.
Edit: See you've already picked the BK16 - another outstanding choice. Hope you like yours as much as I like mine!
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The Schrade SCH37 is much like the BK-2 just with a longer blade. With reasonable steel, I feel sure it would make an adequate chopper, but I find 1/4" bar stock to be clumsy to use for much of anything other than chopping or splitting firewood. A comment above by Boris that the SCH37 will out chop the BK-7.... that does not surprise me in the least with 1/4" blade stock.
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It does fine detailed work just fine.
Nice!