How big is too big?

J

James Martin

Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
15
Hey, I'm James and I'm trying to find a good survival knife and I've been thinking of buying the Beker Bk-2.

I've read multiple reviews so I know it's a great knife but I am worried that it is simply too big to do all the task I need it to do. Since I'm looking for a knife for a Bug Out Bag I need it to be a jack of all trades as I am only going to have one fixed blade knife in my BOB. (I will also have my Leatherman in there)

I've heard some people say that I would be just to big to do finer task such as preparing game (e.g: rabbits), however I've heard that it's great for wood processing, again I'm not going to be have a hatchet or a saw in my backpack because there really isn't the space.

So from your experience will this knife be too big to do these tasks or will it do (again, it doesn't have to be perfect, just a jack of all trades type of knife), and if not could you recommend a good jack of all trades type of knife.

I'm pretty new to this type of stuff so I'd really appreciate the help.

Cheers
-Lewis
 
Hi and welcome,

In my non-expert opinion based solely on what I use and like, if I was going to choose a "jack of all trades" knife to the exclusion of any other cutting tools better suited, I'd want a blade no longer than 6" in length. But that's just me.

James Martin said:
Hey, I'm James and I'm trying to find a good survival knife and I've been thinking of buying the Beker Bk-2.

I've read multiple reviews so I know it's a great knife but I am worried that it is simply too big to do all the task I need it to do. Since I'm looking for a knife for a Bug Out Bag I need it to be a jack of all trades as I am only going to have one fixed blade knife in my BOB. (I will also have my Leatherman in there)

I've heard some people say that I would be just to big to do finer task such as preparing game (e.g: rabbits), however I've heard that it's great for wood processing, again I'm not going to be have a hatchet or a saw in my backpack because there really isn't the space.

So from your experience will this knife be too big to do these tasks or will it do (again, it doesn't have to be perfect, just a jack of all trades type of knife), and if not could you recommend a good jack of all trades type of knife.

I'm pretty new to this type of stuff so I'd really appreciate the help.

Cheers
-Lewis
Click to expand...
 
I personally think the Becker BK2 is too big for a "jack of all trades" knife. Dont get me wrong, I think it is a great knife but I think if you get it just pick up a Mora, small neck type knife or a nice folder for all the little work! For doing small game you could use a Mora like I mentioned or a folder like a Spyderco Endura or even Delica. Heck, you could even use a Vic sak too.
 
The BK2 is a tank but is too heavy and not really suited for processing game.

The BK16 would be better suited for your tasks as would it siblings the BK15 and BK17. A step larger would be the BK10.
 
Wait is your name james or lewis... :p

Seriously though, for a BOB knife, it should be fine. It may be difficult gutting small game with it, but your leatherman should have a small blade for that.

The beckers a hearty knife. Good steel, nice coating. I would generally stay with carbon steel for a survival knife... but im about to contradict myself...

the spyderco fred perrin bowie would be my first choice. 5" vg10 blade, frn grips with rubber inserts and a huge choil. Its also very thin with a strong tip, and comes with a kydex sheath. I would bet my life on this thing if I had to pick ONE blade.

My second choice would be my SOG Ranger. Thats a personal choice though. You will need a kydex sheath made for it but the grip is just to die for.

The becker would be my third choice personally.

Bottomline, youre gonna be doing perfect with a fixed blade between 4-6" if youve got a more delicate slicing knife, such as a swiss army knife, or leatherman.

This may be a different conversation if you were ONLY going with one blade however.

Hope i could help atleast a little
 
Maybe get a BK2 and attach a small blade to the sheath. The BK24 would add very little weight or mass and is gonna do much, much better at processing small game or any kind of fine work.
 
A bk2 is a heavy knife and bigger than I would choose for processing game, but it can certainly work for wood. You can use your Leatherman for anything from squirrel to deer though. I have a bk2 but would choose my bk 16 for a Jack of all trades. I would also find room in your pack for a folding saw.
 
The Becker BK2 is definitely a stout knife. But I cut my teeth on the BK9, so it's not all that big to me. And it's sharp enough I can shave my fingernails with it.

It's the overall user skill level that determines if a knife is too big or too small, not so much the knife itself.
 
I have quite a few fixed blade knives in the 5-6" range, and if I could only choose one to take with me for an extended period of time, and one that I'd trust my life with, it would be my Bark River Bravo 1.25 in CPM3V steel. I have many more expensive fixed blades, but none that I would consider as a Jack of all trades like my 1.25.
 
If you are going to carry it in a gear bag, you could get the BK2 and then add a lightweight folder for the finer tasks, even something like a Rat 1 or Delica.
 
I have owned and used many fixed blade knives and my Survive Knives GSO 5 is my favorite so far . However it's hard to find and costs about 3 times what the BK2 does .

Another knife that I really like (that is basically the same price as a BK2) is the Ontario TAK 1 . The TAK 1 was designed by Randall's Adventure and Training ( the ESEE guys ) to be an all around survival and bushcraft knife . It's made of the same 1095 steel as the Becker , so easy to sharpen , nice micarta handles and lighter weight as it's made of 3/16" stock instead of Beckers 1/4" .

Also , for all the space it takes , get yourself a Victorinox SAK Farmer . Great little knife that has a saw blade on it as well as a few other tools and a nice size knife blade . The Swiss Army Knife saws actually cut , surprisingly well too .
 
In general I prefer either a full flat grind instead of the saber grind of the becker. Either that or a thinner stock. For my emergency do it all that I keep in my truck on a pack I have a Boker Apparo while its a saber grind it is tough as nails and I keep a couple of razor blades in the handle along with some kevlar cord and a fire steel. Its also stainless and has a decent heat treat so it holds an edge pretty well. The Becker bk7 or Esee6 are also knives I've used a lot and both can skin game just fine. Mostly I use and carry customs but for the toss in the trunk and don't worry about it all of those will work. A pack of single side razor blades though can really give you a small skinning tool for practically nothing so keep that in mind.
 
A very famous survivalist once recommended a large fixed blade, a small folder for fine tasks, and a small axe. His pen name was Nessmuk or George Sears. He had many years of experience and many valid points for this recommendation. I have the ESSE 6. I would not process a squirrel with it. I would chop a tree with it. I have a Letherman Wave that I have processed deer with. The combo of a big knife and a small multi tool will get you through nearly any conceivable emergency situation. IMHO. As the saying goes... the perfect knife for a survival situation is the one you have with you. The more important point is your skills with the tools at hand. Practice your knife skills to compensate for the lack of the ideal tool and every knife's usefulness will unfold before you.
 
Howdy and welcome aboard!

My personal recommendation would be for a smaller knife than the BK2 made from thinner stock. I've tried hundreds of knives over the years (Including a BK2) and I've narrowed my selection down to the following few models: Bark River Bravo I, Bark River Aurora, Battlehorse Renegade in sabre grind or a Battlehorse Essiac in FFG (full flat grind). If those are too expensive, then take a look at the TOPS BOB.

There are no "Knife" jobs that these blades cannot handle. If you need something larger, then you need a folding saw and/or an axe imo. Good luck!
 
James Martin said:
Hey, I'm James and I'm trying to find a good survival knife and I've been thinking of buying the Beker Bk-2.

I've read multiple reviews so I know it's a great knife but I am worried that it is simply too big to do all the task I need it to do. Since I'm looking for a knife for a Bug Out Bag I need it to be a jack of all trades as I am only going to have one fixed blade knife in my BOB. (I will also have my Leatherman in there)

I've heard some people say that I would be just to big to do finer task such as preparing game (e.g: rabbits), however I've heard that it's great for wood processing, again I'm not going to be have a hatchet or a saw in my backpack because there really isn't the space.

So from your experience will this knife be too big to do these tasks or will it do (again, it doesn't have to be perfect, just a jack of all trades type of knife), and if not could you recommend a good jack of all trades type of knife.

I'm pretty new to this type of stuff so I'd really appreciate the help.

Cheers
-Lewis
Click to expand...

Hi James, I just deleted a fairly informative lare post to you by pressing log in when requested. Never mind, look up "ultimate technologies saber cut 4.0". I carry it in my
Kifaru E&E.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.
 
Hey thanks, yeah my name is James, Lewis is my brothers name. My family does this strange thing where we get our names mixed up, my grand father always calls my mum my cousins name. Anyway back on topic.

Yeah thanks that helps a lot I'll look into the other knives, the only other fixed blade was one my dad got my birthday a few years ago, it's a cheap half tang knife from some brand I can't even find a website for, he's not exactly the outdoor type.

Thanks
 
Hey, I have a Swiss army ranger with a good large and small blade as well as a saw that's part of my EDC, I've seen some Ontario knives in the store but I've never known about the brand, I'll look over them and tell you what I get.
 
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