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If you had to chose just one..............

W

wildernessnerd

Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
102
Hi all,

Due to finances I can only buy one of these knives, BK15, BK16, or BK17. I don't know what to chose, I want them all. What would you get and why would you get it. I would be using the knife for backpacking and hunting trips.

Thank you.
 
I'm in the same boat. Personally, I like the drop point so I chose the 16, but it's my first Becker so i'm still learning. I think a drop point is the ultimate hunting knife though.
 
Backpacking and hunting trips?

BK17.

I've said since I saw that clip point, it would make a showing from tackleboxes to hunting packs. I been fondling one of the ones I got here, and it keeps calling my name.

I wish it would stop talking so much. Freakin' chatty Kathy 17.

:D

Moose
 
You can't really choose any ONE Becker---you have to reside in the fact, that if you own one, you WILL want more, because they are THAT good !
 
If your going for more blade for your weight/good skinner, go with the 15, the trailing point will lend itself to skinning rather nicely (by appearance only, I have never been hunting), the weight to cutting edge ratio should work out nicely for backpacking, as long as your not going to baton to much with it, you'll be fine, the only reason I wouldn't baton with it is because it has very little metal on the tip itself, which is what will take the beating when batoning. I believe the 15 is in reality a flat ground trailing point, but I don't know if the swedge along the spine makes it a saber grind or not....

If you want a bushcrafter, look no farther than the 16, it is, at least my, be all end all medium bushcraft knife, perfect blade for it, and I have batonned through some tough 1 1/2 X 4s, worked rather nicely.

If you want a bushcrafter with more cool points and less baton points go with the 17, same as the 16 except it's a saber ground clip point, where as the 16 is a flat ground drop point.

Edit: I should note that the only one of the three I own is the 16 (saber ground first production model).
 
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Only one? 'The horrah, the horrah...' :D Seriously tho' I'm with those that have said BK16, for your stated purposes. Don't have one myself, yet!
It's next. I'm up to BK15, minus the BK8.
 
I'd go with the 16 for your stated needs. Just the right amount of metal to do most everything from batonning to sliceing.
 
My go to knife right now is a BK2, however I just ordered a BK14 for my pocket! My next one will be the BK16 for sure! I love it!

I'm sure you will be happy with any model!
 
Well this is my 2 cents. I am a die hard hunter and I am going to Idaho in Oct to hunt anything that moves!!! Really,I have a tag for every thing with four legs that is legal to hunt. I am taking my 9, 4, 15 for skinning, and 16 for bushycrafty stuff. If your going to be hiking and hunting I would go with the 16. Its blade shape is perfect I think. Sharpen that baby up and field dress away. My 2 cents!
 
For all around general use I would go with the BK16. Hard to beat a good drop point for doing everything well. Of course I say this as I'm sharpening my BK17 which my impatient self bought because I couldn't wait for the 16 to come in where I work. I love the 17 and am not dissapointed with it's performance but I will be getting the 16 as soon as funds allow.

The BK17 is my first Becker (not first Kabar) and I'm already ordering the BK2. Love the steel and the design.

Charlie
 
The 15 is my hunting knife from here on out. The 16 is my hiking knife. But if I needed one for both, the 15
 
I just got the 15 in today and already know it's my new hunting knife. I had a drop-point hunter and always had some issues with the design when using it for deer. The BK15 feels like it addresses those issues, and I'm perfectly thrilled with it. I have the saber-ground BK16 and I'd definitely choose the BK15 over that one.
 
Ah, the conundrum of drop vs clip vs trailing. Til the ends of time, it will rage, swallowing up any and all that stand in front or gets caught in the wake, of such a massive discussion. :D

Ya'll non 17 lovin' bastids. :D For the clip point lovers out there, and guys that spend time afield, the 17 is a very versatile knive.

So, for bushcrafty, woodsy, general use, Drop.
For field dressing small and large game, Clip.
For skinning and rendering, Trailing.

For everything else, BK9.

:D

Moose
 
Moosez45 said:
Ah, the conundrum of drop vs clip vs trailing. Til the ends of time, it will rage, swallowing up any and all that stand in front or gets caught in the wake, of such a massive discussion. :D

Ya'll non 17 lovin' bastids. :D For the clip point lovers out there, and guys that spend time afield, the 17 is a very versatile knive.

So, for bushcrafty, woodsy, general use, Drop.
For field dressing small and large game, Clip.
For skinning and rendering, Trailing.

For everything else, BK9.

:D

Moose
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I really really agree with this. My 9 and 17 will be my ultimate hunting-camping combo. God I love the tip on my 17. I suck at sharpening tips and really struggle with my 14 and 2.
 
B.Mauser said:
I really really agree with this. My 9 and 17 will be my ultimate hunting-camping combo. God I love the tip on my 17. I suck at sharpening tips and really struggle with my 14 and 2.
Click to expand...

Speaking of that, how are you with convex? I was thinking of including some sharpening supplies with your daughters 14 and making a quick how to video for her as well. But if you are comfortable with it ill leave the teaching to you.
 
clich said:
Speaking of that, how are you with convex? I was thinking of including some sharpening supplies with your daughters 14 and making a quick how to video for her as well. But if you are comfortable with it ill leave the teaching to you.
Click to expand...

I would really appreciate the help.

I am pretty sharpening challenged. I am learning to convex on a worksharp but am not confident enough to do it on important knives yet. I have a 2 and 14 I am limiting myself to until I get better. I have not figured out a plan to maintain them long term yet.

I have a diamond sharpener that I have my best luck with. What I always try to do is never let my knife get too dull. I touch them up after every time I use them doing my best to maintain the factory edge as long as possible. I keep them pretty sharp this way. If I let one get crazy dull I can never get them back as sharp as I want. I have actually watched your sharpening videos on youtube many times but it just doesn't get through my thick skull.

The sharpening supplies and video would be great. Thank you for thinking of that!
 
BK-15 for me, because it is a smaller and handier version of possibly my favorite knife evar, the BK-5.
 
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