Is there even a competitor to Becker?

SALTY

SALTY

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Putting aside for a moment what a fine individual Ethan is and even ignoring his skills, experiences and overall gentlemanly and friendly ways - this thread is just about the knives. I doubt that there is real competition against Becker knives. Please allow to explain how I mean that.

There are certainly a plethora of knives in the price range of Beckers; there are even knives that cost less.
There are certainly a plethora of knives whose capabilities reasonably compare to Beckers.
There are knives as easy to sharpen afield as Beckers.
There are knives that enjoy a loyal following of passionate owners endeared to the brand.
There are knives designed by and/or inspired by good folk with significant knife and/or outdoors experiences.

BUT ... is there another knife that enjoys the confluence of all of these attributes simultaneously? I say no!
 
I've given this a lot if thought. And the short answer is no. The more interesting question is why not?
I have owned and used more knives and knife brands than I can remember. Most of them do not hold a candle to the Becker line up. The 2 that come closest are ESEE and Ontario.

ESEE is arguably a better made knife than most Beckers. I don't really agree with that argument but there is an argument to be made. ESEE is usually twice the price, or more, of a comparable Becker and IMO not worth the extra expense. I'd MUCH rather have a BK9 and a 16 than a Junglas. Or a 2 and a 14 than an ESEE 5.

Ontario knives compare favorably with Becker knives on price but that's about it. Becker knives are superior in heat treatment and in fit and finish plus they have a lot of aftermarket options for upgrading the handles and the sheaths.

As far as I know, there aren't any other knife companies that are even close to what you get in a Becker knife. The best value around in knives by far!

If anyone wants to tell me WHY others aren't able/willing to produce high quality knives at reasonable prices, I'm willing to listen. My guess is that it ain't easy. If it were, everybody would be doing it.
 
I agree, Salty!

What I don't know is what is technically "Becker" and what is "Kabar".

Clearly the blade designs and especially the handle designs are all Ethan, but if we're talking about fit and finish and heat treat and price point, how much of this was dictated by Maestro Becker and how much was done by Kabar?

I'm in no way discrediting Ethan, I just don't how the designer/manufacturer arrangement works.
 
rkmoore said:
ESEE is arguably a better made knife than most Beckers. I don't really agree with that argument but there is an argument to be made. ESEE is usually twice the price, or more, of a comparable Becker and IMO not worth the extra expense. I'd MUCH rather have a BK9 and a 16 than a Junglas. Or a 2 and a 14 than an ESEE 5.
Click to expand...

Once you put the micarta handles on a Becker, it's not much different in price than an ESEE.

My favorite knife EVER is the BK-5, but I prefer the ESEE-4 to the BK-16, and the BK-15 to either.

Beckers have much more comfortable handles... but ESEE's don't have the "skeletangs".

Overall I like BK&T and ESEE about the same, but I doubt any knife will change my mind about the BK-5.
 
In all honesty, Becker blade geometry is the answer to all of this. This is where Ethan's genius stands above all others, and the reason why we all just like how Beckers cut more than we like ESEE. Zeroing in on ESEE, which I agree is the #2... Ka-Bar's msrp is exactly the same as ESEE prices. But, Ka-Bars go cheaper, because they sell more product than Rowen. On a manufacturing stand point both companies equal out, but Rowen has a better quality control due to a lower volume of production. Another down side (not much of one) is ESEEs are made of 1095, and NOT 1095 CroVan. But, ESEE knives have the BEST stock sheath systems available, which is the reason for their prices. Also, Rowen offers the BEST warranty for a production knife in the world. I'll restate the fact that Beckers have the best blade geometry in the world. Just my $.02
 
Salty you sir are our resident philosopher, I enjoy reading your thoughts :thumbup:
 
Schrade is probably better than Becker's.

Their new line up is just killer.

And they are a fraction of the price. $$$$$

It's a no brainer man.




That's what learned on YouTube anyway. I'm just positive those guys know what they are talking bout...................right?

:D
 
Dex, I just about had a stroke. Schrade?!?!

Then I read the end of it and was relieved that I wouldn't have to disassociate myself from you and all of you descendants. LOL!
 
Dexwithers said:
Schrade is probably better than Becker's.

Their new line up is just killer.

And they are a fraction of the price. $$$$$

It's a no brainer man.




That's what learned on YouTube anyway. I'm just positive those guys know what they are talking bout...................right?

:D
Click to expand...

I just listed all my Beckers on eBay. It's all Schrade for me now! Thanks for the tip.
 
Beat me to that comment Dex!

I'll tagalong (GS cookie are available NOW!) with CM_Rick with believing Esee is a better made product than Kabar Due to quality control. I also think Ethan has simply destroyed anyone else with his blade and handle design. They aren't as flashy as an Esee and the sheaths don't come anywhere close to an Esee sheath but design is everything. I just like the way a BK feels in my hand before, during, and after use.....like magic.
 
Am I the only one who doesn't really see it as competition? Becker's niche is different than ESEE, yet it's not. Just like ESEE and scrapyard are sort of competitors but not.

It really depends on what matters to the end user. I've had/have ESEE, swamprat/scrapyard, and becker knives. What I've found is that I appreciate particular blade styles and if one of those makers made it, and it's price point is relative to it's desirability as a user, then I'm down. I'm not a collector per se, so highly rare/expensive/hard to justify using knives aren't my thing.

I doubt that I'll find a general service camp knife that I like as much as my bk15, but there's also not a heavier 6" knife that I'd trade my rodent 6 for either. (having previously owned an ESEE 6 which I thought was quite well done) I'm also very unlikely to trade my condor kukri for anything besides a RBK (but in that case, I'm just going to add the RBK rather than replace the condor.).
 
I'm not completely new to knives or outdoor tools or firearms for that matter. I've spent plenty of time researching before purchasing on many different levels. It seems very hard to make an apples to apples comparison and come to a conclusion of which is the "best" of any type of product. All are made by man and all have limitations of some kind. The cost of each of the knives alone makes it difficult to compare which is best. However, if we had th same components/scales/sheaths from each company you then may be able to make a comparison. Other than that, it comes down to your opinion of which you like more for a certain reason. I've bought from Becker, ESEE, CRKT, Kersaw, Buck, and Cold Steel and they all have a good product depending on what you purchase. Is there a best? Maybe. Can we decide that? No. Only individuals based off of their need and price point can do so.

For me, I'll keep purchasing from everyone and not limit my choices to just one manufacturer. I'll take some from anyone as long as it is quality and not junk!
 
If you like the Becker as it comes out of the box, it is hard to beat the value of the knife.
Some knives are better, some are worse but I can't think of many fixed blades that represent a better value.
 
My schrade brought back from a rust covered death...



But we all know they don't makem like that anymore.

For me, I can't drop the money for an Esee but I can for a stock Becker and put money into it later if I choose or just keep it stock. I'm a handy guy and I like to tinker so I can make it my own. Now I don't keep up with Esee, are there tons of mods? Why would I spend that much then alter it? Why should I spend that much and have to alter it? The Beckers seem to me to be asking for mods. They're killer knives stock, but I love and appreciate that they are so easily modified that almost no 2 are alike.
I know guys who spend outrageous cash on titanium folders and hand crafted Norwegian blades with rare wood handles. That's great, more power to ya but I'll stick with my Blades that I can use without fear and know they're gonna take it and ask for more. When I first saw the BK2 and all the mods, I knew it was for me and it went straight to my wish list. To me, there is no competition, just other knives.
 
rkmoore said:
ESEE is arguably a better made knife than most Beckers. I don't really agree with that argument but there is an argument to be made. ESEE is usually twice the price, or more, of a comparable Becker and IMO not worth the extra expense. I'd MUCH rather have a BK9 and a 16 than a Junglas. Or a 2 and a 14 than an ESEE 5.
Click to expand...

I have pondered this more than once myself. I am too lazy to look the specs up but I've always felt that ESEE and Becker use nearly the same steel, but with Becker Ka-Bars having a bit of a Vanadium boost in theirs. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me. I prefer ESEE's over Becker ka-bars but will always own and appreciate some Beckers. I wonder if ESEE's being basicly twice the cost of a Becker, up here, that adds to the mystique ? I don't lay awake at night wondering about these things, but these thoughts have crossed my mind a few times.
 
I have two Ontario knives from around 2007 when they were making the RAT series prior to the EESE. I bought a RAT3 and RAT5 both of which are great knives. Fit, finish, and grinds are better on my Ontarios then the last two Beckers I bought. Case in point was my 16 i just returned to KaBar. I also liked how Ontario had Micarta as a factory handle scale material.

Having said that I much prefer the Becker designs and knives better, and the service I have received so far KaBar. Take that for what it is. I like them both for different reasons.
 
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