Introduction and Bk14 or Bk24?

T

TimonyC

Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
11
Long time lurker, first time poster!

About a year ago I was shocker with a interesting proposition. My local Boy Scout troop suddenly needed a Scout Master and they said, "Hey, Tim's a half way smart and not to dishonest guy who's never actually killed a teenager. We should ask if he would do it! At the least, he's good at paperwork." So, here I am, a guy who literally hasn't camped in 20 years, with a group of (now 22) boys. After an early camp where the boys brought trash bags full of junk for an overnight and were still sorely unprepared, I decided I better learn how to camp and survive more minimally and teach them a thing or two along the way. Now with 13 camps and 21 nights over 12 month under my belt, I've learned quite a bit!

So, what the heck does this have to do with Becker right? Well! The first thing I wanted to get away from was tiny folding pocket knives! After a bit of reading, last January I picked up a BK2 Companion and have never looked back. What an amazing tool! That, a few water proof, and a ferro rod, and suddenly I can be comfortable just about anywhere (ok, and quite a bit of practice in things like fire and shelter making)! I haven't modded it much, other than adding a TekLok for scout carry. Its fell small trees and large branches, helped me to start innumerable fires, clean fish, cut and cook meals. I never realized what I was missing by not having a sturdy fixed blade knife. Now a number of the boys are tossing things out of their packs left and right because they are finding a becker solves a lot of their problems and keeps them well prepared. For Christmas half of them got their own BK2 and they sure are excited! All future Beckerhead's I am sure.

I was very excited to get my second Becker as a gift recently, a BK15, from a friend of mine who works for Cutco (good friend to have is this case!). Can't wait to put it through it's paces.

So now for a question that I am sure is more opinion than anything at this point, but I would love to know where you guys sits on this. I would like an EDC and I have been looking at either the BK14 or the BK24. I am just not sure which way to go! Eventually I will probably own just about every Becker, but one at a time. Which have you all purchased and how do you like them? Cost is not the real decider. Just functionality!
 
Awesome!! I'm a scoutmaster, too and have a few Becker heads in my troop. Don't let anyone tell you that your boys can't carry fixed blades. I got away from folders in scouts years ago. Anyways, all you need to decide on is if you want coating or not. Though, the 24 is D2 tool steel, and that can be a pain to sharpen in the field, but it's really tough and keeps an edge well. I prefer the 14. Coated and easy to sharpen. I also like the handle of the 14/24 over the 11 a little better. Great job spreading Becker knives to the youngsters. Good luck.
 
TimonyC said:
My local Boy Scout troop suddenly needed a Scout Master and they said, "Hey, Tim's a half way smart and not to dishonest guy who's never actually killed a teenager. We should ask if he would do it! At the least, he's good at paperwork."
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First of all, these are stellar qualifications. Congrats. :D

Second, welcome to Bladeforums!

Third, you won't go wrong either way. The D2 in the 24 is a little harder to sharpen, but it's not bad. The trade up is that you get a little more corrosion resistance since D2 is a so-called "semi-stainless." However, if you're comfortable with the 1095 in your BK2, then there's absolutely nothing negative I can say about the 14. It's really a fielder's choice. I have both, but honestly, there's nothing about the 14 I wouldn't trust. Spend the extra $15 or so and get a two-pack of the Zytel handles. To me, they're well worth the cash. However, if you're interested in a good cord wrap, I put up a tutorial here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1115152-Long-Awaited-Cord-Wrap-Tutorial?

C2DC247C-3DF7-4FA3-94E2-079EBB56E0E6_zpsu58gnn9p.jpg
 
Welcome to the BK family!

IMO, 14 or 24 is more a personal choice. I went with the 24 more for its look and the exotic-ness of having D2 steel. The 24 should hold its edge longer but will be harder to sharpen.

BUT ... with all those 'short' blades there is a glaring omission in camp - " You can't not have a 9" - bighoss
Get thee a 9, so sayeth the Beckerheads.
 
Thank you all for the warm welcome! You guys all seem super friendly.

CM_Rick, I can't tell you how many times I heard early on "scouts don't use fixed blade knives" or "that is against the scout's code" and other non-sense! Being the "paperwork and rule book reader" guy, I quickly found out it was all just myth. I am glad I didn't listen. I have converted a number of other Scoutmasters away from tiny folding knives and plan to do more. These are fantastic tools!

Guyon, to date, I still haven't killed any teenagers! lol But the other qualifications might be in dispute. Thanks for the picture! That is quite the collection. I was going to stick with just a paracord wrap. But you'd say the handles are well worth it huh? Thanks for the tutorial by the way!

TravisH, oh the great debates I have had in my head about the bk3, bk4 and bk9 for a longer blade. So the agreement seems to be on the BK9 for a longer blade choice? What do you think about the BK3 and BK4? I guess I have to start picking what I will buy next!
 
TimonyC said:
TravisH, oh the great debates I have had in my head about the bk3, bk4 and bk9 for a longer blade. So the agreement seems to be on the BK9 for a longer blade choice? What do you think about the BK3 and BK4? I guess I have to start picking what I will buy next!
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Being only a newbie Beckerhead myself, I'm sure my brothers will chime in with their years of experience with the longer blades.

The BK9 is the reigning 'King'. But there is much anticipation about the new BK21 Kukri debuting in Jan. Many consider a 9 and a 14 or 16 is all you really need. Until I got a BK9 for Christmas, my 'long blade' was the BK5. Luv that long sweeping edge. I don't chop much so it works for me.

The BK4 is no slouch when it comes to chopping and is considered by many to be an ax/hatchet replacement. I've only handled one for a few minutes and it's just not for me.

The BK3 doesn't get talked about much. A BK3 was recently used in a fungus hunt and that's the most I recall it being talked about in quite awhile.
 
At the moment the price difference between the BK14 and BK24 is only about $5 on a specific online distributor site. So if you have the money, you can easily get both.

Between the two, I just prefer the BK14. I'm more familiar with the steel, I've heard from others here that it's less prone to chipping if it accidentally strikes something hard. It's what I'm comfortable with in terms of thought.

And Guyon-

You rotten show off! I'll catch up to you yet!
 
I think I am going to go with the bk14, mostly because (although this seems like a less popular opinion but) I actually like the black coating and I am quite used to the 1095 CroVan Steal. So I am going for it.

TravisH I was working all afternoon (read: watching YouTube way too much) and happened to come upon the BK21 Kukri in a video wish Mr. Ethan Becker himself! Since my next knife purchase will probably be in February, I may just have to pick one of those up when they come out!
 
Honestly could not pick one over the other. Both great. First Becker I ever got was a 24. I like both D2 and 1095 alot. I bet which ever one you get you will also get the other soon.
 
I started my Becker EDC with a 14. I now carry a 24. Honestly, they are not that different and either one will serve you well.

After all the Beckers I have bought and used, I still wear and use my 2 the most when camping. After I got the Spec Ops Combat Master sheath for it, I could not stop wearing it. Of course my 24 is in my pocket as well.
 
Come on in and hang around. Personally, I like the 24 and carry it daily. Takes a very aggressive edge and holds it well.
 
funny thing about coatings - good old Krylon, when properly applied, allowed to start curing, then baked at 350 for 45 minutes becomes hard as a rock.
what does this mean to you?
you can paint a BK24 any color you want, bake the finish, and have a one-of a kind knife that still won't rust easily and stays sharper, longer than many lower numbered becker knives. :)

as to your other questions:
BK3 good for extricating things from an otherwise locked car, field expedient fence demolition, and emergency coffee grinding.
BK4 chops well, drawknifes fair, scares hash browns into flipping themselves.
BK9 chops well, drawknifes well, digs cat-holes with no danger or petarding yourself, can be used to crush coffee, flips snakes without their willing participation, and can be used to convince psyop to wear pants.
 
Welcome Tim......

Glad you showed up and glad to see you getting your scouts into fixed blades........ Folders and kids scare the crap outta me based on my own childhood........ Scars have faded over time but the memories are fresh......... I carry a folder everyday and treat it gingerly.........

I wish you were a little closer to East Tennessee........ I would be happy to do a class .........

Stick around..... The natives may be restless but they know a lot........

BTW I carry the Eleven but either the Fourteen or Twenty four will work just fine...... You can save a bit on the Fourteen.....

Ethan
 
I have the 14, and the 24, however the 11 is the one I carry every day. I reprofiled mine to 25 degrees inclusive and I carry it in a neck sheath. I cycle through my belt knives but the 11 is ALWAYS there.

If they made the 11 in D2, that would be something right there!

As for the 3/4/9 debate, I have a 3 that I keep in the car. It's great for vehicular extraction and various other heavy use demands. However I have a harder time chopping with it. The chisel grind for me is harder to chop with. I don't have a 4, I keep meaning to get one and trying it out but I just forget to and get distracted by other pretty pretty shiny. I have a 9, and I have a 5 that I use as my main "large Becker knives", and I have no qualms using either one of them hard. The year the 5 was released by Ka-Bar (I believe it was) they did a BK-5 rodeo at Half moon ridge, used one knife for EVERYthing and it had surprised everyone that used it. As for the 9... It's the king! It's a great knife! It outchops for it's size because of how it's designed and yeah just wonderful!
 
I have the 4, 5, & 9. They are all awesome. I say get the 5 & 15 next. As a scouter, and frequent outdoor cook I can tell you these knives are a dream for cooking, and all around camp use. You NEED these blades. Get them fast, because they are both being discontinued. You'll think the 5 is too thin for hard use, but stick to leave no trace, and BSA fire wood guidelines and the blade will be totally fine. You just don't want to baton that blade hard through narly, knotted wood. After those get a 9. The 9 is perfection, and will replace a hatchet nicely.

Also, I'd like to hear more from you, and your troop outings. Post up pics, and I'll do the same in the future.
 
You are all gentleman and scholar's! I am so glad I finally joined up and stopped by lurking about.

Now that Ethan mentioned the bk11, which I had not really considered because of the handle, I started to consider it! So many knives to buy and so little time. And I do wish we were closer to Tennessee, the boys would die to meet you, I am sure of it. If you are ever in the Northern Utah area, you have a whole hoard of people who would love to meet you!

I have to say, at the moment, I might just have to wait for the BK21 to come out in order to debate the BK3/BK4/BK9 AND BK21! If I had to lean one way right now it would probably be the BK21... or BK9... ugh

CM_Rick, I plan to show off quite a few of my troop activities! We're doing some really fun things leading up to our camp this summer which will be a 50 miler with a bit of a survivalist spin on it. It means quite a bit of bushcraft learning which the boys really enjoy. I'll definitely make sure to get plenty of pictures!
 
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