Is the BK5 the best?

S

Survivormind

Joined
Dec 18, 2012
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399
Dudes and rare females,

I have been wearing and using the BK5 every day but Sunday (church). It does everything I need it to except for falling large Ponderosa Pine and I have a double-bit Plumb to do that. I've considered getting a BK15 on numerous occasions because of the weight difference and the similar design. At the same time, the BK5 is so light at 12 oz that I don't even notice it. Besides, the BK5 can surely out-chop the BK15. I've thought about getting the BK10 when it comes out. I like the BK2 design but wish it was slightly longer and a little lighter. The BK10 is just that. Then again, never really held one and I'm not sure I'll get the chance with the shipping date constantly getting pushed out. Thought about the BK9. It's heavy though and would suck at the smaller tasks. Not likely. The BK2. We have one. It's great as an all-around survivor but just isn't really good at anything in particular in my opinion. Disclaimer: I've only got about 10 hours of use into the BK2 and most was spent batoning. I love the idea of the BK4 but once again, it's heavy. I have some real Kukris and although I know they are heavier, the design is pretty cool. The BK7 is probably the closest thing in dimensions to the BK5 and looks as though it may be more durable. How well does it work as an all-around knife though? Thoughts?

Anyways, it seems that the BK5 is going to be hard to beat at this point. Input anyone?

Survivormind
 
You know what brother? If that 5 does it for you, then who am I to judge? If I could only own 2 beckers, it'd be the 9 and the 15. My personal favorite knife I own, and now the one I use the most by far, is the 15. Its just a pleasure to use for everything from kitchen work, to carving and whittling, to batoning. I love the 15!!!!! Now when it comes time to chop or baton heavier things, I grab either my 9 or my hawk. I don't own the 5, but it WILL be my next Becker purchase, based solely on the love I have for the 15. I know this wasnt much help, but its all I got lol.
Stay safe and God bless my friend!!!
 
That makes sense though. I use the BK5 with my hawk. I've thought that maybe a 15 would be better in the combo but I don't always have the hawk in hand and the 5 works well by itself.
 
Have you thought about maybe getting a 14 then? It would be well suited to do the smaller chores that the 5 might be a little large for? I can see the 5 and 15 making a heck of a combo in the bush though. I think a lot of people underestimate that trailing point for bushcraft purposes, I know I did.
 
I should mention I carry a Victorinox daily. It gets used for the really small tasks but I have honestly had no need for it other than the odd tasks, like opening cans and such.
 
The 15 is one heck of a blade. I really do not know a better way to express it, but it fulfills so many roles is such a good looking package. It has been on my belt since it showed up.
I know you are hesitant about the 9 but man oh man it is one sweet piece. It is by far one of the best choppers I own. I have the edge dialed in and it will chop just as well as my CS Trench Hawk. The weight, balance, and thickness all work together to allow it to chop and slice very well. Overall it is a very versatile and reliable blade.
The 11 or 14 are excellent blades. I always say they are big blades in a small package.

Just to get something off my chest that bugs me so much is that the BK2 gets a lot of hate, and its usually people spouting out the same thing over and over, AND OVER. (I am not saying you are doing this because you actually own the blade.) (YOU ACTUALLY ARE USING THE BLADE AND WILL UNDERSTAND!)
The 2 is like a hatchet/knife rolled into one. It will slice, split, chop, carve, and anything else you need it to do and never quit on you. I think people see the thickness and think that it wont perform well. It is a heavy thick blade, but the edge is the important part. I have even put mine in a cooking/kitchen role and it will slice up food like a mad man. From the factory you have to give the edge a little bit of a makeover, IE convex works really well, but all in all the BK2 is a blade you can rely on.

The cool thing about Beckers from KABAR is that they ALL work, and they ALL work well. It is also such an adaptable line up that there is a blade for everyone. Strong, industrial, and precise blades that made to be used.

THIS THREAD NEEDS PICS



 
As an all around user? Maybe. Sounds like for you it just might be.

For me, BK16 til the bitter end, but then I have different needs than yourself. The second Becker Gathering with Jerry Fisk forced a lot of us outside our comfort zones, and really got to showcase not just what the BK5 can do, but what a thinner knife can do. The 15 is a fantastic small version, and everyone should own one, but the 5 can in fact do it all. If I was forced into a situation similar to yours, chances are the 5 would be the most used. I say stick with what works. A BK9 isn't that heavy (I have heavy knives, the 9 isn't even close) but if you already have an axe to chop with, no real reason to go that route unless you want to.
 
iwouldhurtafly said:
Just to get something off my chest that bugs me so much is that the BK2 gets a lot of hate, and its usually people spouting out the same thing over and over, AND OVER. (I am not saying you are doing this because you actually own the blade.) (YOU ACTUALLY ARE USING THE BLADE AND WILL UNDERSTAND!)
Click to expand...

I don't see why it gets hate. My wife has one and carries it constantly. It's a great knife. I just think that the 5 is more suited to the more everyday tasks. The 2 is probably the most indestructible knife I've used. I have been VERY hard on it and it couldn't care less.

That's interesting about the BK9. I've been telling my wife that I want one for my yearly gift. Maybe it will replace my hawk.

And to DerekH, I don't think the BK9 is heavy as in, "I can't carry it all day because it will hurt my back." It's heavy at over a pound and long. I spend a 1/4 of my day working in spaces without much room and on my knees. Another 1/2 of the day I spend in a skid steer loader. Anything longer than a BK5 would be not fun to wear. Also, the weight of the BK5 seems to be ignored rather easily. I just don't need more knife on me all day.

Tell you what, if I end up getting a 9, I'll wear it all day for a while and report on what I find. Maybe it would be better, save me some time that I have to spend now to walk over and retrieve my hawk from whichever tree I left it it.
 
Survivormind said:
I don't see why it gets hate. My wife has one and carries it constantly. It's a great knife. I just think that the 5 is more suited to the more everyday tasks. The 2 is probably the most indestructible knife I've used. I have been VERY hard on it and it couldn't care less.

That's interesting about the BK9. I've been telling my wife that I want one for my yearly gift. Maybe it will replace my hawk.

And to DerekH, I don't think the BK9 is heavy as in, "I can't carry it all day because it will hurt my back." It's heavy at over a pound and long. I spend a 1/4 of my day working in spaces without much room and on my knees. Another 1/2 of the day I spend in a skid steer loader. Anything longer than a BK5 would be not fun to wear. Also, the weight of the BK5 seems to be ignored rather easily. I just don't need more knife on me all day.

Tell you what, if I end up getting a 9, I'll wear it all day for a while and report on what I find. Maybe it would be better, save me some time that I have to spend now to walk over and retrieve my hawk from whichever tree I left it it.
Click to expand...

I think its an excellent chopper all in all. I do not want to hate on hawks because I think they do very well for their weight and size. Before I had the 9 the CS Trench Hawk was my go to chopper but after getting the 9 I have found that I took the hawk off my pack and I have not taking it out recently. Keep in mind the CS Trench Hawk is a chainsaw. I just find the 9 a little better suited for what I do.

As far as carrying the 9 I hated how low it hung and kept it off my belt. So I did a Paracord mod/wrap on the sheath and it carries so much better now.

 
I'm confused. You love the 5 because it does everything you want but you want to get a lighter knife but then again the weight's not a problem? Seems to me this thread fleshed out the fact that you don't need to switch up. Of course being knife knuts I suggest you buy one of each model. :D
 
The BK5 is one incredible blade, that's for sure. Interestingly enough, it's probably my favorite Becker and I don't own one anymore.

I use the BK15 a lot around the house and work. It's a fantastic size for many tasks that I just don't need the BK5 for (or 9). The BK10 is only ~1/4" longer than the BK2, but I've found it to be vastly more useful. It's just a great size for most woods tasks, unless you want to chop.
 
The BK5 is one incredible blade, that's for sure. Interestingly enough, it's probably my favorite Becker and I don't own one anymore.

I use the BK15 a lot around the house and work. It's a fantastic size for many tasks that I just don't need the BK5 for (or 9). The BK10 is only ~1/4" longer than the BK2, but I've found it to be vastly more useful. It's just a great size for most woods tasks, unless you want to chop.
 
Shotgun said:
I'm confused. You love the 5 because it does everything you want but you want to get a lighter knife but then again the weight's not a problem? Seems to me this thread fleshed out the fact that you don't need to switch up. Of course being knife knuts I suggest you buy one of each model. :D
Click to expand...

A BK-5 partnered up with a BK-15 is a great set of cutting tools. I don't do any butchering without both of them.

Plus the 5 makes a great short machete and the 15 will make a great scalping knife when civilization collapses.
 
If I had to pick just one big Becker, it would be the 5.
It is extremely light and fast. Easy to use. Never feels clumsy.
It's a devilish slicer. It can excel at fine work while still having enough heft to chop.
It has the best balance of any of the large Beckers IMO and is a pleasure to use.
Is the BK5 the best?
Well...I like mine.



640CF244-8A2D-4535-A4F4-A19DF3DC0627-3461-000002EE5CC5E31B_zpsa32fe64f.jpg
 
Yep, the 5 is my own favorite Becker, and the one that gets the most use in camp. You just can't go wrong with it.

And here's some pics of my 5's, just because.



 
Shotgun, the weight of the BK5 has not been an issue. At the same time, I feel like I have literally been in a terrible fight and gotten my &#$ beaten at the end of every day. It has occurred to me that even saving 4 or 5 ounces of weight on my belt might make a bit of difference after walking up and down hills all day and moving boulders. :)

Iwouldhurtafly, I dig your sheath mod.

Wolf, I will bet you money that the 5 will out-scalp the 15. The 5 would do in one swipe what it would take the 15 two or three swipes.
 
Personally I prefer the 7 over the 5. It does feel more sturdy but that isn't an issue for me (Weren't those old knives used by pioneers and mountain men like 1/16ths thick?), it just seems to work for me. Threads like this wanna make me give the 5 another chance and start using it again other than just as a handle scale template but eh...Maybe I should try and use it as my sole knife and see if I feel differently about it after a few months. Might have to give the BK-2 the same treatment and see if I like it more too.
 
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