Help me choose and win a Tek-Lok!

I

ignatius

Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
126
This is my first contest and the prize is a brand new Tek-Lok that came on a custom sheath I ordered. I am the sole judge on this contest and I will ship the Tek Lok to the winner for free.

Here is the deal: twice a year I go on a fly fishing trip with a large group of guys and we hold a fundraiser/ raffle for the group ( Trout Unlimited) during the big Saturday meal. I want to donate a Becker to the fundraiser and hope that it will end up going to someone who might start to appreciate good knives as a result. Since this is a fly fishing oriented group the blade should be something that a guy would carry while out on a stream- probably NOT a BK 9 situation so think compact and maybe rust and corrosion resistant.

I am looking for suggestions and input about the best blade to donate and to compete you must suggest a blade and why it is suitable.

The contest will run for 3 days and the Best suggestion/ reason will be the winner.

Ignatius
 
BK15

For any fishing application, I think the 15 is hands down the best choice. Heck, for almost any game cleaning I would suggest it. Light, pointy, yet very capable and versatile. Leave the coating on for rust prevention (which goes for pretty much every Becker unless you managed to get a BK77). Heck it is pretty much just a filet knife on steroids anyways. A 5 would be good too, but maybe just a bit big considering what you are wanting to do with it. For me, my money goes on the 15 hands down.
 
I agree with the BK15. It is definitely a great knife for fish and game and I can't imagine anyone in a group like that would turn their noses up to it. It's pointy upswept goodness is sure to make short work of a trout. I've used mine on Lake Trout and Coho Salmon from Lake Michigan and for that type of fish, I was actually glad not to have the really flexible filet knife blade. For smaller fish, it may be a bit too rigid, but the BK15 works well for my area.

 
BK13CP Remora because it is stainless, has multiple carry options (vest pocket, neck carry, hung from vest, etc.) and is a practical size knife to have on you while fishing. Plus it is the only Becker named after a fish and is so inexpensive you could donate more than one and thus introduce more than one of your group to Becker knives.
 
Last edited:
I'm not entering, because I win too much. But I would say a BK11. It's small enough to not get in the way, easy for minimal carry. I've cleaned a fish with it...and....wait for it....it has a bottle opener, a must in my opinion. But you have to get the micarta scales to go with it...added grip yo.
 
My vote would be for the BK24. It's small enough that it could be forgotten about wearing it on your hip or around your neck, its less money then a new tweener, and the D2 is corrosion resistant. Also easy to clean depending on if zytel scales are attached. The orange would be handy as its highly visible if dropped in the water. Edge retention is also better with the D2. That being said I agree the 15 would be a great knife for fishing but IMO not knowing who is getting the knife and if they have the skills to sharpen it on a regular, the commitment to carry a medium sized blade, strip the coating (which would be ideal I think for fish cleaning), the BK24 would be a good beginners knife. Cheers for holding a contest and giving away a Becker to a non Beckerhead. Maybe whoever gets it will catch the bug. In the end any Becker is a great prize...
 
Looking at your post in a different light, I am more inclined to suggest a smaller knife:

The BK24 D'EsKabar in uncoated D2.

And here's why...

#1- D2 is considered a "semi-stainless" steel, which means it's damn close. With a Chromium content of 11.00-13.00% that is significantly higher than the 0.4-0.6% of the 1095CroVan. For a knife used by anglers on and around the water this would be highly desired to help fend off corrosion.

#2- The blade is uncoated. Sure, this promotes corrosion...however the one thing I've noticed is that the black epoxy powdercoating is EXTREMELY grippy. If this knife is going to be used in the dressing of fish, the meat will cling and make the job MUCH harder than it should be.

#3- The blade is a bit thinner, not much, but a thinner blade works well for cleaning fish, if that's what you are going to use it for...which brings me to #4.

#4- I see this knife as a companion tool for odd jobs on the water. It's skeletonized handle keeps the knife light and there are no scales for water to get trapped under and rust the blade. Most fishermen have a dedicated fillet knife that stays with their equipment, usually never seeing any belt time. These blades are razor sharp scalpels of destruction designed to get every last millimeter of meat off the carcass and are not to be used for anything else.

#5- Side thought: Seeing how the BK24 blade is uncoated, you could easily have it powder coated or cera-koted with a nice smooth finish. This would increase the corrosion resistance and provide a decorative touch to the knife.

Just my thoughts. I like the 15, but filleting fish without a flexible blade sucks.
 
My vote would be for the 15. Small enough to carry easy but still slicy and would be good for many fishing applications.
 
Your best choice for a good fishing companion knife is one of three knives... We will start with the smallest and work our way up.

BK13- Stainless steel and easily carried as a neck knife or deep in the pocket. Stainless is an obvious choice for next to water and a small handy blade that can trim line, cut knots, and even clean a fish it would be a great choice, at less than twenty dollars it would be a great blade to just carry around 24/7 or keep in a tackle box... The only cons here is its size. Its handy size can be to its detriment, and using the skeletonized blade with wet hands might make the blade hard to handle, but this should not be an issue for any avid outdoorsman, its just a thought. Once again since it is so affordable, you can purchase more than one easily without breaking the bank.

BK14-24- Both designs are excellent for an everyday blade or to just have around in a pack in case of emergencies. The benefit of the 24 is of course stain/rust resistance, but I have found rust issues not to really be a problem on KA-BAR's 1095cv hence why the 14 is added to the mix. For around 30+ bucks the 14 is not going to break the bank and its one handy SOB. Short, stout, and easily sharpened, the blade can be used to clean anything from elk to fish. Also at this price point you can add the zytel scales from KA-BAR in black or Orange, and we all know how much hunters and the alike love that bright orange because they understand the vivid color is going to assist them in not loosing the blade. If the zytel is not for you, with a few minutes of time and a length of cordage (color of your choice) you have an even cheaper and still functional handle option. I own the 24 and I know what a great blade it is for the price. It is a great performer. I would say the 11 with its bottle opener, but I know you are not supposed to have glass bottles on the water so no issues with that... ;)

BK15- I have found this blade is an amazing companion. The swedged sweeping design is conducive to food prep, game cleaning tasks, or even bush craft. The most expensive option here I do not know of an person who would not love to have one. I carry mine with me everyday and it is amazingly versatile. I have carved traps and other bush craft tasks, used it for food prep, battoned, and cut anything from weed eater string to piles of cardboard with it. I do not consider it a small blade, but more medium to full size. The handles on the 15 come in tan or black so however its set up it can appeal to military, tactical, and outdoorsmen groups. The design is a modern representation of old roach belly trade knives, which have been a proven design through the centuries. There are users of the 15 who have reported that the 15 does great cleaning fish and game so that application has been tested. The 15 also has a great sheath with a pocket that an emergency fishing kit can be added into.

All in all I know you may have wanted a more specific answer but all of these blades have distinct benefits I wanted to make you aware of, and just to summarize them.

BK13- PRO- not expensive, small, compact, and rust resistant. Due to its price you could donate more than one, making more people happy, and even get one for yourself. CON- It is fairly small.
BK14- PRO- Super handy and tough, cordage or zytel can be added to improve its visibility, and its easy to sharpen and maintain, Black coated blade. CON- Even with its coating the edge is still uncoated, even though I have not found rust on carbon knives to be any sort of a problem, this is a consideration.
BK24- PRO- High end steel, rust resistant, will keep its edge longer, Visually attractive due to its bead blasted finish, can take the aforementioned zytel or bright cordage to improve visibility. CON- Not super easy to sharpen due to the harder steel, more expensive.
BK15- PRO- amazing blade, extremely versatile, easy to sharpen, best suited for game cleaning, full size design for comfort, would be a very, very nice give away gift. CONS- most expensive, non stainless steel.

Here are some pics of some well loved knives.






Bottom line is if you choose a KA-BAR Becker, everyone is going to be happy. Good on you for doing this.
 
I'd go with the 24 for corrosion resistance.
I've cleaned my share of fish this summer with my 14 and 11.
I always take the 14 or 11 when I kayak and fish and I kind of wish I bought the 24 instead of the 14 since it often gets wet.
I definitely wouldn't use any of the Becker line as a fillet knife unless I had to, but I use them for just about every thing else.
Haven't taken out my fly rod yet this year but if I do I'll have one of my Becker neck knives with me.
 
I'd go with the BK 13. Stainless so no issues around the water and it is small enough that someone can put it in a pocket on their fishing vest or even in their fly case. Small and compact but will serve them well and at roughly $20-$25 if you loose it you won't freak out too much.
 
iwouldhurtafly said:
Your best choice for a good fishing companion knife is one of three knives... We will start with the smallest and work our way up.

BK13- Stainless steel and easily carried as a neck knife or deep in the pocket. Stainless is an obvious choice for next to water and a small handy blade that can trim line, cut knots, and even clean a fish it would be a great choice, at less than twenty dollars it would be a great blade to just carry around 24/7 or keep in a tackle box... The only cons here is its size. Its handy size can be to its detriment, and using the skeletonized blade with wet hands might make the blade hard to handle, but this should not be an issue for any avid outdoorsman, its just a thought. Once again since it is so affordable, you can purchase more than one easily without breaking the bank.

BK14-24- Both designs are excellent for an everyday blade or to just have around in a pack in case of emergencies. The benefit of the 24 is of course stain/rust resistance, but I have found rust issues not to really be a problem on KA-BAR's 1095cv hence why the 14 is added to the mix. For around 30+ bucks the 14 is not going to break the bank and its one handy SOB. Short, stout, and easily sharpened, the blade can be used to clean anything from elk to fish. Also at this price point you can add the zytel scales from KA-BAR in black or Orange, and we all know how much hunters and the alike love that bright orange because they understand the vivid color is going to assist them in not loosing the blade. If the zytel is not for you, with a few minutes of time and a length of cordage (color of your choice) you have an even cheaper and still functional handle option. I own the 24 and I know what a great blade it is for the price. It is a great performer. I would say the 11 with its bottle opener, but I know you are not supposed to have glass bottles on the water so no issues with that... ;)

BK15- I have found this blade is an amazing companion. The swedged sweeping design is conducive to food prep, game cleaning tasks, or even bush craft. The most expensive option here I do not know of an person who would not love to have one. I carry mine with me everyday and it is amazingly versatile. I have carved traps and other bush craft tasks, used it for food prep, battoned, and cut anything from weed eater string to piles of cardboard with it. I do not consider it a small blade, but more medium to full size. The handles on the 15 come in tan or black so however its set up it can appeal to military, tactical, and outdoorsmen groups. The design is a modern representation of old roach belly trade knives, which have been a proven design through the centuries. There are users of the 15 who have reported that the 15 does great cleaning fish and game so that application has been tested. The 15 also has a great sheath with a pocket that an emergency fishing kit can be added into.

All in all I know you may have wanted a more specific answer but all of these blades have distinct benefits I wanted to make you aware of, and just to summarize them.

BK13- PRO- not expensive, small, compact, and rust resistant. Due to its price you could donate more than one, making more people happy, and even get one for yourself. CON- It is fairly small.
BK14- PRO- Super handy and tough, cordage or zytel can be added to improve its visibility, and its easy to sharpen and maintain, Black coated blade. CON- Even with its coating the edge is still uncoated, even though I have not found rust on carbon knives to be any sort of a problem, this is a consideration.
BK24- PRO- High end steel, rust resistant, will keep its edge longer, Visually attractive due to its bead blasted finish, can take the aforementioned zytel or bright cordage to improve visibility. CON- Not super easy to sharpen due to the harder steel, more expensive.
BK15- PRO- amazing blade, extremely versatile, easy to sharpen, best suited for game cleaning, full size design for comfort, would be a very, very nice give away gift. CONS- most expensive, non stainless steel.

Here are some pics of some well loved knives.






Bottom line is if you choose a KA-BAR Becker, everyone is going to be happy. Good on you for doing this.
Click to expand...

Winning post! /thread
 
Well, I wish I had something new and exciting to say. But I don't.

I agree with most others here and say the BK-15 is the logical choice.

I worked in the Beaverkill Vally (Rocky Land) years ago, does that count for anything?

My choice,
 
OK- The WINNER IS: EERO! for being the first to suggest the BK-24! It makes the most sense in terms of durability/rust resistance and ease of use, and I will be a good chap and include the g10 grips in orange and black.
PM is outbound requesting an address so I can send the tek-lok Thanks!
Honorable mention to Nikkir- because I had been thinking that the bk11 would be a great choice and it is actually what I use as a neck knife when I am flyfishing.

Thank you everyone who made a suggestions and DerekH's post now has me wondering if I "need" a bk15 as part of my permanent fishing gear...hmmmm.
 
Congrats Eero!

ignatius said:
Thank you everyone who made a suggestions and DerekH's post now has me wondering if I "need" a bk15 as part of my permanent fishing gear...hmmmm.
Click to expand...

The 15, like the 5, is a very subtle knife, and punches way out of it's weight class. I say get one.
 
Nice! Thanks for holding the contest. PM sent with my info. I think the winner will really like that 24. Mine is used in the kitchen often...I have yet to clean a fish with tho.
 
I would say a BK 24 without handles scales would be the best bet D2 is way more corrosion resistant than 1095, also it should hold an edge longer. It is also light weight, small and looks threatening.
thanks for the contest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top