Fixed blade, outdoor/camping knife?

If your going to be using it for splitting wood, and heavier duty knife tasks, drop $20 more and go with the BK9.

The added length will make splitting wood much easier than the added width of the BK2.

Most folks that start with Beckers, do so because of the 2 or the 16. From there they tend to find out that the BK10 would be carried more than the BK2, since they are close in size, but the bk10 is thinner.
That being said, the bk16 is close in blade length to the bk2, while being lighter and more nimble for carry and lighter camp tasks (lighter meaning not splitting 6"+ logs, though it can if care is taken).

Once the user is comfortable with their knives, they tend to find out that:
- the 9 gets used most for wood breakdown.
- the 2 is used for processing fatwood, and other abusive tasks.
The 16 finds its home in camp duty/edc/ household tasks for most folks.
- the 12 has a loyal following, but I haven't handled one. Those that have, love it. Weighs about the same as the BK2,but has the stock thickness of the BK10 and some added length with a more typical drop point.

My personal choices are:
- the 4 is a Fantastic all around user for anything camp/woods and my favorite woods bumming knife. Though there is a bit of a learning curve, it is Well worth it. Smaller and lighter than a 9 but chops just about as well, and offersa bit more versatility.
- the 5 is my second favorite, and an absolute dream to use. Much stronger than one would think. And can drop limbs that are 1" in diameter in one swipe. A Great hiking tool, if going off trail.
- the 15 is my camp general use knife. Great for everythimg from zipping trout bellies, to breaking down wood for kindling, feather sticks, and camp food prep.
-----
Keep in mind that.you can find the BK4 in the exchange BNIB for around $50 sometimes. If you come across one, I would say get that ASAP!

I absolutely love it, and for the funds, it is hard to find a better knife for breaking down firewood. It also works great as a draw knife, for notching (if you make traps, shelters, beds or seats), chops near as good as the 9 while being lighter, keeps your hand off of the ground while batonning.

I can't say enough about it.
2017-07-31 14.10.07.jpg
Pic because why not.
 
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If you want something brutish, go bigger than a BK-2. The BK-2 for me while cool is not a practical choice. It's too small for chopping and too large (or thick) for comfortable carry and normal using for me. Car camping.... bring the whole house and be sure to include a saw of some sort.

I have a BK-2 and I keep it because it reminds me of what doesn't work for me.
 
Wow, thanks Bill, that was an excellent breakdown. And good feedback on the BK2 rimfire. I a, VERY interested in the BK5 now. The 12 is too expensive, though definitely a nice design. Probably something I wouldn't want to forget at the site and then never find again though...

I don't think I'm man enough for the BK4 quite yet. :)

Edit: Damn, the 10 looks nice too.
 
Xyrium,
Yes, it looks like BK and Mora are the consensus... but don't settle just yet

Questions for you:
Is your ultimate hunter in CTS-XHP?
Are you willing to hunt for a deal?
Would you consider a saw instead of an axe?
Are you aware of Cedric and Ada Gear's edge test on YouTube?

Here's a few things worth watching:
Knife
(Check out the cutting results list at the end for a reference of the edge retention of the different steels below)

Saw ( some say more efficient than an axe)

Axe technique
https://youtu.be/H10hVHCb-Ts

Shortcut to shaving sharp knives:
https://youtu.be/jKMFPpNxIbM

The Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V looks like it's currently priced at ~$130 USD on Amazon. It might be worth considering if you can find it on sale. It used to be priced at ~$99, and at that price point it's pretty good value considering the steel. It's an amazing all around knife that can slice and split.

Alternatively, as you concluded, it might be more cost effective to get a cheap knife and a saw or axe so you're fully set.

Hope that helps.
 
There is a saying amongst the "Beckerheads"; Beckers are like Lays, you can't have just one...

No problem, welcome to the fold.
 
Grr, thanks BB for tossing in that monkey wrench. LOL.

Answers:
Yes
Yes
Maybe
No

:)

With the mention of the BK12, now I think a nice balanced blade like the 10 might be nice. I see Ritter still sells the 12, but again, I'm pushin just to justify 100 bucks for an addition, so... :(

The 6 inch blade is VERY appealing though.

Edit: BTW, I have the $20 bushcraft saw already. Honestly, I really wasn't impressed by it. Perhaps I got a crap one.
 
22-rimfire said:
If you want something brutish, go bigger than a BK-2. The BK-2 for me while cool is not a practical choice. It's too small for chopping and too large (or thick) for comfortable carry and normal using for me. Car camping.... bring the whole house and be sure to include a saw of some sort.

I have a BK-2 and I keep it because it reminds me of what doesn't work for me.
Click to expand...

While many will disagree, I'm with you on the BK-2. I was never really able to warm up to it either. Any "all-arounder" type knife is going to be a series of compromises, and the compromises made on the BK-2 just don't fit my personal taste and equipment selection philosophies nearly as well as other choices. I actually prefer the somewhat less loved BK-7 to the 2 in the all-arounder category though I don't think I'd call the 7 an optimal fit for the op's described uses either.
 
There is a rather large difference between a Silky and most others. Some companies come close, but I have found Silky to be my ideal saw, folding for camp and fixed for tree work (I used to be a climber).
 
xyrium said:
Answers:
Yes
Yes
Maybe
No* check that channel out. He lists the cut test results at the end if each cutting video. It puts the different steels in rough context.

...$20 saw... I really wasn't impressed by it. Perhaps I got a crap one.
Click to expand...
Was it a Silky brand?
 
I have an mora bushcraft kansbol, I love the handle and the holster but i am not sure about the blade, the tip just looks too weak, I just bought a couple of mora bushcraft force, not a big fan of the handle or holster but i love the blade, mora stopped making them so it`s whatever stock is left.

I like shiny steel, must be the magpie in me, so it`s stainless all the way, though the kansbol has a brushed finish, not the chrome finish of the force.

Well i live in the UK, So my knives will never see woodland or a forest, my back garden and my imagination will have to do. :(

John.
 
Silky is a saw (mostly) company, and one of their more common saws amongst camp/woods crowd is the Gomboy. They tend to be $22-35. It works Very well.

The next step up would be their new Curve. It is similar to the Gomboy, but it has a curved blade to help the teeth bite on the pull stroke. This lowers fatigue and cuts slightly faster by being a bit more efficient.
 
Well, IMO for your budget you should/could get a nice Trifecta out of:

1- Light duty, slicer (Mora, Martiini, small Becker, small Condor, Cold Steel)
2- Chopper/heavy tool (Condor machetes, Cold Steel machetes, big KaBar, big Beckers, Ontario SP Series, Marbles or Tramontina machetes, big Buck knives)
3- Small axe or saw (Fiskars or Gerber, SOG or Marbles, and saws from Bahco, Silky, Corona...)
 
hexenjager said:
....I actually prefer the somewhat less loved BK-7 to the 2 in the all-arounder category though I don't think I'd call the 7 an optimal fit for the op's described uses either.
Click to expand...
I like the BK-7 too. For me, it is a tad large to just wander around the woods with if you don't need a big knife (and I usually don't). For camp it works, but the BK-9 is a better chopper. I have the BK-7, but not a BK-9. I use the Condor's for my chopping mostly.

Take a look at the Condor Moonshiner. It is very cool too. Too big to just wander around the woods with, but it's BIG and not real expensive. The Condor Hudson Bay makes a good camp knife, but it's a little weak in the chopping department due to the handle design (in my opinion). I have both of these. For pure chopping, I like the Condor Pack Golok and Village Parang. Again, not so expensive and I have all of these.

In case you haven't noticed, the scope of this thread just broadened significantly. :D
 
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I suggest a Buck Vanguard. Mine hold an edge well, are easily resharpened, and are an excellent size for carry.
 
The Buck Vanguard (192) is a good general purpose hunting knife. I like the Cabelas version.
 
Bang*Bang** said:
Was it a Silky brand?
Click to expand...
Ahh, no it wasn't. I believe it was a Bahco. I have to check out these Silkies now. Good gosh guys, what are you trying to do to my wallet? LOL

Edit: Crap, I just noticed the Silky's are made in Japan. Good stuff. The folders look cool, but I'm thinking the Zubat with 6tpi would be really nice in the sheath that they provide.
 
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xyrium said:
Ahh, no it wasn't. I believe it was a Bahco. I have to check out these Silkies now. Good gosh guys, what are you trying to do to my wallet? LOL

Edit: Crap, I just noticed the Silky's are made in Japan. Good stuff. The folders look cool, but I'm thinking the Zubat with 6tpi would be really nice in the sheath that they provide.
Click to expand...
Most landscaping supply shops, small motor/lawn mower repair places, will carry a few different hand saw sizes and types.
I can name 3 in my town that you can, and 3 more in the next ton over that carry Silky, Bahco, Stihl, Husqvarna, and a few other saws.

Look online for a local landscape supply house (commercial/professional lawn mower sales places), give them a call and see what brands of saws they carry.
 
I probably should do an intro at some point. Part of my problem is this oddball obsession with crafted metal objects, and using them as best as I can for what they are designed. o_O With all of the different types of steel and their purposes, I could collect the darned things forever.

Here's where I'm at:

Spyderco PM2 in S110V
Spyderco Dragonfly stainless in VG10
Spyderco Bill Moran in VG10
Benchmade Osborne Rift 950SBK in 154CM (my original camper)
Benchmade Nakamura 484 in lovely M390
Ka-Bar Fighter Serrated 1214 the usual 1095
Kershaw Blur in coated 14C28N
Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter in excellent CTS XHP (I really like this for everything except batoning, and my current camper)
Mora Companion in Stainless (camp food prep, sometimes feathering)
Kanetsune Kissui in a very hard VG-10
Some oddball HigoNoKami 7 parkerized
Opinel No 6 and 8

I could throw in that crappy Bahco saw, but since it will soon be tossed in favor of a Silky, I won't mention it again. :)

Here's the part that hurts, I sharpen these on either a Chefs Choice 120 or a Smith's portable...I was thinking Spyderco Sharpmaker, but will probably, and eventually get a Worksharp because I'm wayyy to lazy for stones.

Someone please help me with this craziness! ;)
 
I'd go with a Cold Steel Norse Hawk and a Mora. You can also use the hawk as an ulu in a camp kitchen.
 
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