I'm stuck. BK15 or BK17 for general utility?

R

raistlin65

Joined
Jan 13, 2014
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I've recently gotten into knives and have been lurking in the forums for the past few months. Unfortunately, I found that I was bitten by the Becker/Ka-bar bug. Just can't get excited about my other knives any more :D

I currently have a BK7, BK24, Ka-bar Mule, and Ka-bar 1213. Now it's time to add one of the Becker Tweeners to the mix. I've read a bunch of the posts here comparing them, and have eliminated the BK16 from consideration. Now I need you guys to push me over the edge one way or the other.

I'm not going to be using it for bushcraft, so batoning and chopping is not a concern. I car camp no more than a couple of times a year (but no hiking), and when I do I can take the BK7 or a hatchet. And this would be the knife I would be more likely to reach for at home to carry around for general use around the house/yard for general utility where, once again, there will always be the BK7 or a hatchet available if I need something for processing big pieces of wood.

I'm leaning towards the BK15 since the blade profile of the BK17 is the same style as the BK7, and a good slicer might be more useful given the clip points in my collection already. But then I like the look of clip points and am attracted to the slightly more heavy duty utility of the BK17.

Thanks for any help and thoughts, even if it's just voting for your favorite :)
 
From what you described, it seems like you need a 15 or even a 5. Both are plenty rugged for almost anything you plan on doing and they are definitely better slicers, and would nicely complement your existing blades.
 
I think the 17 is a little over-burly compared to the other tweeners due to its low grind. For your stated uses I'd go with the 15.
 
Another vote here for the 15. Absolutely fantastic and versatile blade. You will not regret it. I EDC'd the 15 for quite awhile and found that it is a very versatile blade and can take some punishment despite its thinner stock. It also is a very comfortable to use blade due to the handle ergos, blade shape, finger choil, etc etc. A mora was one of my favorite mid size/smaller crafting and general use blades for awhile but the 15 kicked the mora to the curb. By the way, if you want something larger but still on the uber-handy size the 5 is a great blade. I cannot recommend these blades enough. BUT that pretty much goes with all of the Beckers :D

 
I used to work in restaurants, so I'm drawn to getting the BK5 one day. Would love to see what that is like in the kitchen :)

I'm hearing enough love for the BK15, so I think I'll go with that. I can always get a BK17 next--or maybe the BK9 is next ;)
 
raistlin65 said:
I used to work in restaurants, so I'm drawn to getting the BK5 one day. Would love to see what that is like in the kitchen :)

I'm hearing enough love for the BK15, so I think I'll go with that. I can always get a BK17 next--or maybe the BK9 is next ;)
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Woah woah woah woah... .woah... No 9?!?! there will be someone shortly along to harass you I am sure... But still get the 15, just while you are ordering throw a 9 in there. Save on shipping :D

And just because I am such a nice guy throw the 5 in there too... save you even more! See I am a nice guy Becker Enabler helping you out by giving you life bettering advice!
 
iwouldhurtafly said:
Woah woah woah woah... .woah... No 9?!?! there will be someone shortly along to harass you I am sure... But still get the 15, just while you are ordering throw a 9 in there. Save on shipping :D

And just because I am such a nice guy throw the 5 in there too... save you even more! See I am a nice guy Becker Enabler helping you out by giving you life bettering advice!
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I read lots of posts in the Becker forum here over the last few weeks. I knew someone would suggest that I buy more than one :)

I think the next thing will be some 710 custom scales. I wear an XXL glove size, and I would love to have the BK7's grip a touch larger.
 
raistlin65 said:
I used to work in restaurants, so I'm drawn to getting the BK5 one day. Would love to see what that is like in the kitchen :)

I'm hearing enough love for the BK15, so I think I'll go with that. I can always get a BK17 next--or maybe the BK9 is next ;)
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That would have been my vote as well. You've already got the 7, so the 15 would give you a different blade shape for more versatility.
 
While the 17 is a sexy blade, you already have a few clip points and such but no trailing point! I would bet that the 15 will do everything the 17 will do and then some.

I you are still undecided get ahold of me, I live in Walker/Marne area and you can take a look at my 15 and slice some stuff if ya want too

bk15.jpg
 
GSO1962 said:
That would have been my vote as well. You've already got the 7, so the 15 would give you a different blade shape for more versatility.
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cschol said:
While the 17 is a sexy blade, you already have a few clip points and such but no trailing point! I would bet that the 15 will do everything the 17 will do and then some.

I you are still undecided get ahold of me, I live in Walker/Marne area and you can take a look at my 15 and slice some stuff if ya want too
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Thanks, guys. I'm going to order it when I get home tonight.

When I first got the BK7 and held in my hand, it was that feeling of a "tool of beauty." Years ago, I got to use a friend's Snap-on wrenches, and it was that same feeling of just well-engineered form to fit function. The BK7 is a little big for some uses, so that BK15 should give me more opportunity to use the Becker. :)
 
The 15 is rapidly becoming my favorite Becker. I find myself grabbing it first before any other, unless of course i have some serious wood-processing to do.
 
hawaiianhawk said:
That 15 is a thing of beauty. Did you do all that work yourself? And who made your sheath?
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I wish I was able to do work that nice HH, It was actually a forumite Named KonaBadger. He did the whole thing top to bottom to my specs.
Thank you for the compliment. I got the knife from Ethan, so I wanted to do something special with it.
 
GarnetandBlack said:
The 15 is rapidly becoming my favorite Becker. I find myself grabbing it first before any other, unless of course i have some serious wood-processing to do.
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Same here. Once you start carrying it a bit and learn the blade it really grows on you.
 
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