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Introduction and question on BK2

G

Gustaf

Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
2
Hi guys!

My name is Gustaf, I live in Johannesburg (South Africa) but am originally from the bushveld and I am a knife nut! I've been reading this site for about a year now and the knowledge gained has been tremendous!

I have a question that has already been answered on the forum but I need to know if there is any new information. I have an obsession with the KA-BAR knives but I cannot decide between the USMC with the Kraton handle or the Becker BK2. I've looked at the LMF 2 as well but the steel just doesn't match the Cro Van Steel of KA-BAR so that's out. Over here the price is around $30 more for the BK2, now I really like this knife, the tang is much thicker so it seems to be able to chop through Wolverine's skull. But there's something about the USMC that just screams "legacy". I mean this knife really has proven itself over generations, it's just that I can't see it taking as much punishment as the Becker because of the thin tang.

I don't get a lot of time to go hunting these days but when I do, I want a knife that can do anything and looks as mean as the hulk on a bad day, but I also want to sit at home and just admire the hell out of it. Both of these knives do that. So I figured I'd go by your advice, if you had to pick one, which one do you pick?

Thanks for a great site fellas!
 
I have a BK2 that I bought after reading all of the great stuff about it. It's a super knife.
 
Both great knives. If you want something that can take a beating, that's the bk2. It IS heavy duty. It is not for fine tasks. Similar blades but slightly thinner and,I feel, a bit more versatile are bk10 or ritter/bk12. But if you need "hard use" get the bk2.
 
The BK-2 has noticeable weight, not a boat anchor, but it's there. I put micarta on mine, squared off the spine for ferro rods and slipped it into a modified Combat Master sheath.
I love it.
 
Hello, Gustav. I, too, have just registered on this site after reading it for some time.

I own a Ka Bar USMC knife. It was presented to me upon my uncle's return from Vietnam in 1968. Everything you hear about the knife is likely true--it is one hell of a knife for a lot of things. It has served me flawlessly for many years in a variety of environments.

I do not own a BK2. However....I have long been of the opinion that if I wanted a SHTF (that's an expression we use here; you should be able to Goog it pretty easily. Basically it means "doomsday.") knife it would be the BK2. Say what you want about various knives that compete with it on the market, when it comes down to it the BK2 may be the toughest all-round knife out there in a reasonable price range.

On the other hand, the USMC is a wonderful knife and certainly one you can not only admire above the mantle (probably a little more than you would a BK2) but one that will handle anything a person is likely to run into either urban or bush.

The BK2, however, with it's Kydex sheath, lends itself to becoming the base of a total basic bushcraft rig if you add an Esse accesory pouch which is built to attach to such a sheath. Are you familiar with these rigs? You can find photos on this, and various bushcraft sites, of some remarkable kits that have been built upon the BK2 and its sheath. Many implement the attachment of fire steels and various items warranting inclusion in such a kit. I'd recommend you look at a few of these rigs before you make your decision.

I built a similar rig...around a HEST II Woodsman and its sheath. I attached my M4 Sebertool and its pouch to the sheath and went from there, with rings, attachments, clips and hang points. Even some decorative paracord and leather. Sort of a 'mini-rig' as compared to what you can carry on a BK2 but it was fun to do and ended up great. Some day I'll post a pic of it.
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Such a kit can be put together much easier and 'cleaner' on an out-of-the-box BK 2 setup than the USMC knife and leather sheath. Of course a bushcraft rig can be built around either knife if you want to spend the money. It will be easier and look better on a BK 2, however.

Tough choice I know. If you aren't planning for Armageddon, the USMC makes a mighty fine all around knife for life. But if I had to chose one knife to take to Camp Doomsday it would likely be a BK2.

Check out a few of the pics of what all you can do with a BK2 and sheath to come up with a custom kit. Some of them are very nice.

Best to you on whatever you decide. Let us know.
 
Thanks for the replies fellas, I think with all that in mind it's gonna be the BK2 then, I like the idea of a SHTF knife! Knivery, thank you for the additional info on the sheaths in particular. I'll get a USMC at a later stage, it is still a collector's item for me!
 
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