I'm torn on which to buy 14 or 24?

L

limp_noodle

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Aug 5, 2012
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I've already got a 2,4,9,and17. I want to get a smaller knife. I had an 11, but traded it for the 2 since I didn't like the grip. My brother has the 14 and I like that handle better. Now I've decided to get one for myself, but I'm torn between the 14 and the 24. I've sharpened 1095 and gotten it to a sharpness of my liking. I've never dealt with D2 before so I don't have any experience with it. Could you guys shed some light on why you think one would be better than the other?
 
With a price difference of $8.90 and the properties of stainless steel I'd be hard pressed not to buy the BK24. I have both the 14 and 24, sharpened convex, the only thing I can say so far is the D2 was a bear to get sharp and is staying that way while I have to strop the 14 every so often.
 
I chose the regular BK-14 because I love 1095. I have a lot of knives made of 1095 and a lot of positive experiences with it. I have no personal experience with D2; just what I've read on the Interwebz.

KaBar's 1095CroVan is probably my favorite version of that steel. This was not a hard decision for me.
 
^^^what Chris said. End of problem. But get the 24 first, in case stock runs out for a while.
 
It all depends on your confidence in sharpening. I've got several Beckers in 1095CV and 5 or 6 knives in D2 made by other makers. I wouldn't exactly say D2 is hard to sharpen, maybe a little bit more difficult than "average", there are certainly more difficult steels to sharpen. The thing is 1095CV is "super easy" to sharpen, its almost fool proof putting an edge on it. D2 will get just as sharp as 1095CV, it's edge will generally deteriorate slower than 1095.

D2 also isn't stainless, its resistant to stain, but less so than a lot of other steels that are marketed as stainless. I've got a KoA caping knife in D2 that has several small blotches on it, it's over 10 years old, the blotches are at least 8 years old, and haven't grown.

I've already got a BK-14 and enjoy it, I pretty much carry it whenever I'm not legally restricted to a folder. I'll be buying a BK-24 as soon as Tomar's gets the JAB Gamestalker in stock, the big savings at Tomar's is when you can combine shipping.

Erik
 
You guys aren't making this easy for me, haha.

Both, huh? I found a good deal on a 14 with ztyel scales so that's what's leaning me towards that. Otherwise I'll be forced to buy the 24 and scales from tomars (a bit more, but I might as well order a 15 while I'm at it :D)

Thanks for all of the help everyone!
 
Hmm, rethinking this a little, if I didn't already own a 14, I'd get the 24 (and the 15, I've got a 5 and a 16, and really want a 15), doubt I'd ever miss the 14. But then, I know I can get D2 sharp.

Bottom line, its a great little knife, and a really good value in either steel. You really can't go wrong, especially if you get the 15 too! ;) We are such a bunch of enablers here.

Erik
 
limp_noodle said:
You guys aren't making this easy for me, haha.

Both, huh? I found a good deal on a 14 with ztyel scales so that's what's leaning me towards that. Otherwise I'll be forced to buy the 24 and scales from tomars (a bit more, but I might as well order a 15 while I'm at it :D)

Thanks for all of the help everyone!
Click to expand...

go with the good deal -- it'll cut, it'll get sharp, it'll be easier to resharpen.
later when you feel more flush, you can buy a 24 and a 10 at the same time to save on shipping. :D
 
limp_noodle said:
You guys aren't making this easy for me, haha.

Both, huh? I found a good deal on a 14 with ztyel scales so that's what's leaning me towards that. Otherwise I'll be forced to buy the 24 and scales from tomars (a bit more, but I might as well order a 15 while I'm at it :D)

Thanks for all of the help everyone!
Click to expand...

problem solved....end of thread
 
I just purchased a 24 to replace my 14 that thatt i won from Ethan at the fall 2011 GATHERING. I gave it to my Son in law's brother who couldn't take the BK17 he got for Christmas on the carrier he is stationed in. 17 was a half inch too long. I was proud to give it to him I just forgot that I had a new sheath from 710 on the way... well I have the new 24 at home in the sheath. I need to get another 14 now.
 
Both 1095 and D2 are great choices in blade steel, it just depends on what you prefer. Ease of sharpening or edge holding capabilities.
D2 will stay sharp for a LONG time if you touch it up from time to time, just don't ever let it get really dull.
That said, my BK14 works great for me, and holds it's edge for a decent time as well.
 
I'd get the 14 and the matching zytel scales but thats because without the scales I'd never seriously use the 14. If you can live without the scales and plan on stripping the regular 14 anyway then go for the 24.
 
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