Initial thoughts with BK9 (my second Becker)

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offroadcmpr

Joined
Mar 13, 2009
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Thoughts on Becker BK9
I don't post much, but I got a BK9 for my birthday today! My collection of knives consists of a spyderco native, full size Kabar, Becker necker and a Leatherman. So this was definitely the biggest and most expensive knife so far. So I decided to post a few of my thoughts about the knife coming from someone with not tons of (high end) knife experience.
First off, it is way bigger than I thought. I knew it would be long, but it was way wider(taller?) than I thought it would be. But it doesn't feel that heavy surprisingly. Not that much heavier than my Kabar.
Second thought, the handle felt "cheap", almost like it was hallow. After looking closer and playing around with it a bit I realize it is not really cheap, I am just not used to a plastic handle on a nicer knife. It definitely feels solid and I don't think I have heard of anyone actually breaking the handle (unless you count having the screws come out) so I don't think I will have to worry about it. I think I do prefer the rubberized grip on my Kabar though.
Third, it kinda smells. Not like cigarette smoke that someone else had talked about, just new chemical stuff smell. I figure it won't take long for that to go away though.
I just now need to find a way to get out of civilization for a bit to really test it out. Not a whole lot to cut at my apartment complex.

Does anyone have any good easy enhancements that really make the knife better? I will probably put a little bit of super glue into the threads as I don't own any Loctite right now.

And here is the size comparison to my Kabar.
 
Good haul, and congrats, the BK9 is great blade.

Mods? Well, I stripped mine, ground off the thumb ramp, squared the spine, put a patina on it, and went with the micarta handles.

She's a mean bitch, lemme tell ya.

100_1738.jpg


Its wider than most blades you see, but the high grind and edge geometry really work well for a deep bite, and the light Grivory, and holow handle, make it feel lighter to work with.

The patina on mine is darker now, and it has more rust stains. Love that BK9.

Moose
 
Congrats on the 9. Sweet looking blade there moose.
 
I don't post much either, but lemme tell ya, you are going to love that 9. It 's the only Becker I have, and I really can't imagine how any other knife in the Becker line up can touch it.

The only mod I've done to it thus far is to put a mountain bike inner tube over the handle. It provides excellent grip and shock absorption.
 
Love my BK9 - great knife. As you said, you need to get outside and use the thing a bit (before you replace the grivory handle). Micarta looks better for sure but lots of guys seem to dislike the grivory... until they use the knife and realize 1) it's grippier than they thought and 2) it protects you from blisters.

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Beckerhead #42
 
GingivitisKahn said:
Love my BK9 - great knife. As you said, you need to get outside and use the thing a bit (before you replace the grivory handle). Micarta looks better for sure but lots of guys seem to dislike the grivory... until they use the knife and realize 1) it's grippier than they thought and 2) it protects you from blisters.

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Beckerhead #42
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What he said. Take her for a spin first. I was pleasently surprised with the feel of the stock BK knives. That said ... I ripped 'em apart and modded the $hit out of 'em (LOL)

(ADHD is a terrible thing)

Congrats on the new blade, 9 is one of my favs too.

MO PICS !!! Loves them pics. :D
 
Thanks for the responses. I will definitely have to go out and play around with it. At least it is almost the weekend :)

It definitely feels like it will be a wicked blade, I think I made a good choice.
 
awh said:
here's a cool mod. much better looking than the micarta scales imho.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Look-At-Some-Sharp-A-Scales!-(Thanks-Sh-rp!)
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Thanks for that awh, but I do want to say something about those scales on the 9. I use my 9 A LOT. Mostly for batoning at home for the fireplace during the winter, but some year-round chopping too. My intention for those scales is to go on my BK2 when it gets back from the sheath maker. I don't use a 2 for the same shock-inducing duty as my 9, and after several years of use with the Grivory on the 9, I don't have a single complaint about how it feels during that kind of use. I think the aluminum scales will serve me best on the 2, making fuzz sticks, cutting rope/550 cord, maybe some light, small batoning, but generally speaking, lighter duty than the 9. Of course, I can't recommend those scales more highly. They are phenomenally creative and well made. Having not had a chance to test them on the 9 with the kind of duty I demand of it yet, my gut just tells me I'm going to prefer them on the 2. As always, others' mileage may vary.......and mine might too after fully testing them! LOL Guess I'm not much help here, am I. LOL

Blues
 
I don't have one, but I know if will perform well for you. You made a good choice. :thumbup:
 
I was able to get out a bit and cut some stuff up. It was quite fun, and made easy quick work of smaller limbs and such. Anything under about 3/4 of a inch or so could be cut in 1 or 2 swipes. I only tried up to about 2 inches, that took maybe 3 or 4 before the weight of the branch did the rest.

I must say that the handle was comfortable, and the way it was shaped helped make sure that it wasn't going to fly out of my hands. That is especially good because it is not the most sticky handle.

Here are a couple of pics. It was getting dark and the pics with the the flash didn't turn out quite as well so the pics are a little blurry and grainy unfortunately.


 
Just one suggestion, but you might want to put a lanyard on that puppy. If it slips out of your hand, a BK 9 is not a good thing to have sticking out of your leg. :eek:

I put lanyards on the stuff I chop with (Hatchet, 9, etc.) They may not make a difference, but at least it's a line of defense.

Glad you like it. Mine is always with me when I'm in the woods ... and when I'm not, and when I sleep and eat, and, and, and ... :D
 
I have thought about a lanyard, I am just mixed on it. If I don't have a lanyard and it slips out it could hit me in the leg or something, but it could also just fall harmlessly to the ground. So it won't hurt me every time. If I have a lanyard attached to my wrist, I can imagine it swinging back at me and hitting me almost every time. So in a way I can think of a lanyard being even more dangerous.
Anyone else have a similar thought?
 
offroadcmpr said:
I have thought about a lanyard, I am just mixed on it. If I don't have a lanyard and it slips out it could hit me in the leg or something, but it could also just fall harmlessly to the ground. So it won't hurt me every time. If I have a lanyard attached to my wrist, I can imagine it swinging back at me and hitting me almost every time. So in a way I can think of a lanyard being even more dangerous.
Anyone else have a similar thought?
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Not a lanyard fan here - partly for the reason you mentioned and partly because they tend to catch on things. They look nice though. :D

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Beckerhead #42
 
offroadcmpr said:
I have thought about a lanyard, I am just mixed on it. If I don't have a lanyard and it slips out it could hit me in the leg or something, but it could also just fall harmlessly to the ground. So it won't hurt me every time. If I have a lanyard attached to my wrist, I can imagine it swinging back at me and hitting me almost every time. So in a way I can think of a lanyard being even more dangerous.
Anyone else have a similar thought?
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You're not wrong. Lanyard can keep / make a knife swing around if it slips. Can hurt you there too. Like I said, just a suggestion. Like most of this stuff, it comes down to what works for you. Myself, I like a lanyard for chopping. Tend to get more tired chopping. Lots of down strokes. More chance of a leg injury.

I Don't always use it either. Esp. for small jobs. But, like the saying: Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

Plus, they look cool :D
 
offroadcmpr said:
I have thought about a lanyard, I am just mixed on it. If I don't have a lanyard and it slips out it could hit me in the leg or something, but it could also just fall harmlessly to the ground. So it won't hurt me every time. If I have a lanyard attached to my wrist, I can imagine it swinging back at me and hitting me almost every time. So in a way I can think of a lanyard being even more dangerous.
Anyone else have a similar thought?
Click to expand...

If you're wrapping a lanyard around your wrist, you're doing it wrong, or at least you're not doing it in the safest way possible.

Here's a good video showing how to use a lanyard on a big knife. Coincidentally, the guy uses a BK9 for his demonstration.

As far as lanyards catching on things, there's a great solution to that too, and it is demonstrated using the same technique as above for how to use a lanyard. An added benefit to using this particular lanyard is that it is made by Paracordist, a registered Blade Forums dealer/maker/craftsman. Check it out here.

If someone doesn't like a lanyard, period, end of discussion, then cool, there's nothing to discuss. But of the concerns mentioned above, these two options are easy, and pretty darned cheap if you ask me, solutions to those concerns, and from my personal experience, prepare you for a much safer way of chopping or otherwise swinging several ounces of sharpened steel around.

Blues
 
Nice man, thanks for the pics. If you're concerned about having the knife fly outta your hands, you may want to try put a piece of bicycle inner tube over the handle. That should give you a nice tacky grip.
 
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