I own a BK2 and I have a question regarding survival/bushcraft use please!

B

byteblock

Joined
Jul 13, 2012
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Is the bk2 just way too much knife if I'm never batoning or splitting wood? I'm the right tool for the right job type of guy so I'm all about using a hatchet when necessary.
 
I'm of the belief that battoning is actually safer than an axe or hatchet. Granted, with proper technique, the hatchet is very safe, and super effective to split wood, but the technique of battoning lends itself to always being safer just by design. With battoning, both hands are required to be in the appropriate position, and away from any sharp edges. But with the hatchet, I've seen even the most seasoned outdoorsman try to hold what their splitting in their off-hand. Never a good ideal, and especially in a survival situation.
And honestly, if the 2 can split wood as effectively as it does, its other uses would make it more desirable than a hatchet for survival.
Just my opinion, fwiw.
 
No way friend! I love bushcraft and the BK2 is perfect! Test it, if you are confident it is sharp, like hair poppin sharp, make a feather stick. Tell me it doesn't do a good job. If you think about it, the blade is barely an inch longer, its just the size that's tripping you out. In my opinion, absolutely perfect for bushcraft. I have a marttiini carbinox and would take the BK2 over that any day.
 
Im a big fan of batonning myself. Not only is it relatively safer than splitting, carrying a smaller stout knife like the bk2 cuts weight. Also, you get this amazing feeling when you baton that you feel like the knife is putting itself to good use. I dont know it might just be me.
 
If your concerned bout weight check out the BK16 is a pretty good compromise between being enough blade, high strength, but much lighter weight than the 2. The two can do a bit more though for an all around knife. Its one of the few knives I would feel comfrotable digging/prying/hammering with. They are just about indestructable.
 
byteblock said:
Is the bk2 just way too much knife if I'm never batoning or splitting wood? I'm the right tool for the right job type of guy so I'm all about using a hatchet when necessary.
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Really it depends on what you are using it for. Myself, with the level of knowledge and experience I have, I feel that the BK2 is a wonderful knife, but I prefer the FPR BK16 as it is smaller and lighter, but still able to do many of the same things. You could even go with the normal production BK16 and be able to manage. If you are not batoning or splitting then really you just need something for the straightforward cutting tasks and smaller detail work, which you can do with the BK2, and with practice you can do very well, but that type of work can be easier with a smaller knife.

Now if you are looking at one knife and one knife only and not going to have a saw and a hatchet or axe with you, the BK2 would be a very good choice as it chops far outside it's size range thanks to it's weight.
 
I am with Derek on this one, I would get a BK16. It's not to say those things CANT be done with a BK2, but it doesn't mean you HAVE to do them with a BK2. Especially if you're a practitioner of right tool/right job. Axes are awesome, and hard to replace with another tool.
 
I'm with Derek. I have a BK2 and also a number of smaller Moras and Fallkniven knives. The BK2 can do just about anything. In my experience a smaller 3-4 inch blade is easier to handle for "bushcrafty" things. Don't get me wrong a BK2 can do it too its just the smaller knife is easier to handle for finer carving tasks for a long period of time. I could see my hand getting tired of holding a near pound of steel in my hand for awhile. The BK2 is more of a survival knife in the sense of a one tool option. The 16 looks like a great happy medium be"tween" the two (I know terrible pun).

I like the idea of being well versed in a variety of tools and knowing how to use them properly. I love splitting wood with an axe and I love batoning. Depends on how I'm feeling that day.
 
Yep, +1 on Derek's comment. The BK2 is an awesome knife for when you don't want to carry a BK-9 or hatchet/axe and expect to split things. But a hatchet will out-chop it all day long.
 
I know it's heresy here, but I'm also with Derek -- except I like 17's better than 16's.

The -2 has it's place. but I find it too clumsy, too heavy and too short to be all things to all people. It's like trying to use a sword who's blade broke off 6 inches from the hand guard.
 
K9-Handler said:
I know it's heresy here, but I'm also with Derek -- except I like 17's better than 16's.

The -2 has it's place. but I find it too clumsy, too heavy and too short to be all things to all people. It's like trying to use a sword who's blade broke off 6 inches from the hand guard.
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Pretty much my thoughts, 17 and all. The BK-2 is a heck of a useful mass of steel in an extreme situation as for as batonning, truncating, digging, and gouging...and will chop a lot better than it's length says it will. I hardly ever belt carry mine due to the weight, but it does ride in the truck a lot and in a pack now and then depending on where I am going and what I am doing. I would love to see a BK-2 in 3/16 and have even wondered about blanchard grinding mine, and if it is possible.
 
mistwalker said:
Pretty much my thoughts, 17 and all. The BK-2 is a heck of a useful mass of steel in an extreme situation as for as batonning, truncating, digging, and gouging...and will chop a lot better than it's length says it will. I hardly ever belt carry mine due to the weight, but it does ride in the truck a lot and in a pack now and then depending on where I am going and what I am doing. I would love to see a BK-2 in 3/16 and have even wondered about blanchard grinding mine, and if it is possible.
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A 3/16 BK-2 would be awesome. That's why I'm pretty excited to see the BK-10 coming back, can't wait for it, that being said I still love my -7.

I agree with what the others have said, if you plan on carrying a hatchet / small axe you're better off with a 16 or 17.
 
For me the BK2 will get the gob done but not my first choice.
Its a little bulky and not very lively in hand for finer work.
 
BK16 - looks like a BK2 after a hot wash and dry cycle = perfect bush knife. (for me - YMMV)
slice, dice, drill, carve, make feather sticks, etc...
BK12 (Ritter Perseverance 2) - 6" long drop point (almost a spear point) with the full size Becker handles is a good "only 1 knife" type knife as well.
 
byteblock said:
Is the bk2 just way too much knife if I'm never batoning or splitting wood? I'm the right tool for the right job type of guy so I'm all about using a hatchet when necessary.
Click to expand...

I'd rather have too much knife than not enough knife.
The BK2 will handle anything you throw its way.
Sure there may be knives better suited for specific tasks.
But I can't honestly think of much that the BK2 can't do.
 
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