JUNGLEIZED BK-16 After Action Report

Man, looks like a great time! The BK16 looks like it was definitely the tool for the job. The jungle patina is a great working patina and the K9 scales are absolutely sick!

So, how does one get started on these sorts of adventures and what do you do/see while you're away? I've been holed up in the midwest for far too long.
 
mrn8 said:
Man, looks like a great time! The BK16 looks like it was definitely the tool for the job. The jungle patina is a great working patina and the K9 scales are absolutely sick!

So, how does one get started on these sorts of adventures and what do you do/see while you're away? I've been holed up in the midwest for far too long.
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You just have to go out and do it. If you're willing and even moderately competent, doors will open for you. It isn't like I'm some outdoor ninja. Most of the people on here have far more in terms of skills and knowledge than I do. I'm just average but it is good enough.

If you want to see some jungle stuff, check out the Randall's Adventure and Training videos on my youtube channel. It gives a pretty good flavor of what you might experience.
 
Yeah right on bro. The knife looks beautiful with that patina.
The RAT videos on your channel are awesome. I watched them all. Thanks for sharing !!
Jose

averageiowaguy said:
You just have to go out and do it. If you're willing and even moderately competent, doors will open for you. It isn't like I'm some outdoor ninja. Most of the people on here have far more in terms of skills and knowledge than I do. I'm just average but it is good enough.

If you want to see some jungle stuff, check out the Randall's Adventure and Training videos on my youtube channel. It gives a pretty good flavor of what you might experience.
Click to expand...
 
averageiowaguy said:
I also like the handle on the Becker knife better. The handle on the Pathfinder is very comfortable but for the way I use a knife I like a shaped handle like Ethan makes. Eventually I'm going to get around making a custom handle for the Becker. I would have done it at the outset but Ethan outsmarted me by embedding the nuts for the bolt in the handle and I don't know how to do that. I would change the shape of the handle very slightly and make the handle a little thicker in spots. It has to do with the anatomy of the hand.
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Nice pics, Doc. Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
As for making the handle thicker short term, you might try one of mrn8's liner sets (click link). He makes them out of G10 and orange is one of the colors.
He also sells the slightly longer stainless hardware to accommodate the liners.
 
averageiowaguy said:
I bought those scales from K9 Handler. They're basically stock scales that he waved a magic wand over. I'm not sure of his process. Whatever he did, the color held up in the jungle.
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Actually, I waved an airbrush over them, not a wand... :D
They are just DuraCoated. Not sure if I media-blasted them first. If they have a texture to them they were blasted first.
When averageiowaguy requested them for the trip time was short, so I just stole a set I'd done for the Zombecker Family of knives (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/953844-BRAINS!!!-Meet-the-ZomBecker-family!) rather than reinventing the wheel. It's good to get the feedback that they held up, since the most asked question I get is "How durable is DuraCoat?" :rolleyes:
Those are stock Becker scales. I also mould some thicker scales for the Tweeners out of epoxy.
 
AIG,

I'm really interested to see what you end up doing to the BK-16. I was just checking mine out tonight & thinking that the handle is too narrow, near the blade. You've already inspired me to start modding my own SAKs, so I'm looking forward to some new ideas from you. Hope you don't mind.

Thanks,

RP
 
K9-Handler said:
Actually, I waved an airbrush over them, not a wand... :D
They are just DuraCoated. Not sure if I media-blasted them first. If they have a texture to them they were blasted first.
When averageiowaguy requested them for the trip time was short, so I just stole a set I'd done for the Zombecker Family of knives (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/953844-BRAINS!!!-Meet-the-ZomBecker-family!) rather than reinventing the wheel. It's good to get the feedback that they held up, since the most asked question I get is "How durable is DuraCoat?" :rolleyes:
Those are stock Becker scales. I also mould some thicker scales for the Tweeners out of epoxy.
Click to expand...


That's a great idea.... I find the scales to be very thin around my primary and index fingers where I like more control over the knife but I got a knife in the shop from Gentemannv that he had added some 1/16+" liners to and it was absolute perfection. I couldn't believe the difference it made and I've waited too long to order a set of scales from Mrn8 so I'm off to do it right now.

AIG: Got it.... I'm going to try to think my way around the surgical tube but I'll get with you on this.


Eli
 
GODSPEED TACTICAL said:
That's a great idea.... I find the scales to be very thin around my primary and index fingers where I like more control over the knife but I got a knife in the shop from Gentemannv that he had added some 1/16+" liners to and it was absolute perfection. I couldn't believe the difference it made and I've waited too long to order a set of scales from Mrn8 so I'm off to do it right now.

AIG: Got it.... I'm going to try to think my way around the surgical tube but I'll get with you on this.


Eli
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I've got surgical tubing and I actually like that system very well. It is simple and effective. I'm also going to start carrying a small amount of it in the pack. There are tons of uses for the stuff that I hadn't envisioned before I saw Mickey do it. For one thing, it makes an excellent straw. So things like drinking out of a coconut are a lot easier.
 
Red Panda said:
AIG,

I'm really interested to see what you end up doing to the BK-16. I was just checking mine out tonight & thinking that the handle is too narrow, near the blade. You've already inspired me to start modding my own SAKs, so I'm looking forward to some new ideas from you. Hope you don't mind.

Thanks,

RP
Click to expand...

There are just a few things I would change and the changes are slight but have a significant effect. I yacked with Ethan about it at PWYP. Of the production knife handles, I think he is the closest. Who knows. Maybe one day I'll design a knife handle for someone.
 
Hey Doc......

Thank you soooo much for your kind words........Glad you made it back....and in one piece....Sounds like you had a little (or way too much) excitement!!!!!!!!!........I am really looking forward to seeing you.......Come early....stay late......

I will be on the cell tomorrow and the next day if you are lonely and want to talk.......Thanks again......

All Best....

Ethan
 
It looks like you had a blast, I love my 16, I went rafting the other weekend on the Delaware river and bringing my 16 was an absolute no brainer
 
averageiowaguy said:
There are just a few things I would change and the changes are slight but have a significant effect. I yacked with Ethan about it at PWYP. Of the production knife handles, I think he is the closest. Who knows. Maybe one day I'll design a knife handle for someone.
Click to expand...

I completely agree that Beckers are almost close to perfection, from the factory. I have a BK-2 that fits my hand perfectly. I like to try out different knives, but if I was gonna be a fanboy of any one maker, it'd probably be Becker. It's pretty cool that he's so accessible, too.
 
Adding liners changes the feel of the 15-17 dramatically. I didn't believe how much until I actually did one of mine like that. I will be bringing some extras to the gathering and some extra screws if I can get em in so some people can try it out with liners and see what I am talking about.
 
Great review. One heck-of-a-test for sure.



Hey there averageiowaguy, got a question for you: If you ever go back to the jungle, is there any chance you could treat your knives with some "Fluid Film" ? , Just for a test ? I think if you did, there would be zero rust on them. I know the rust don't bother you, but i do think it would be a great test in some grueling conditions. If you Google "the rust store", you can find out more about the stuff. NO-i don't sell it, nor am i affiliated with them in any way. It is just a product that i use the works much better than most. Just a thought.
 
TwinStick said:
Great review. One heck-of-a-test for sure.



Hey there averageiowaguy, got a question for you: If you ever go back to the jungle, is there any chance you could treat your knives with some "Fluid Film" ? , Just for a test ? I think if you did, there would be zero rust on them. I know the rust don't bother you, but i do think it would be a great test in some grueling conditions. If you Google "the rust store", you can find out more about the stuff. NO-i don't sell it, nor am i affiliated with them in any way. It is just a product that i use the works much better than most. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I'd consider it. I reckon the problem would be getting the fluid film chemicals on the food that I'm cutting up with it and having to reapply.
 
averageiowaguy said:
I'd consider it. I reckon the problem would be getting the fluid film chemicals on the food that I'm cutting up with it and having to reapply.
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Made from sheeps wool oil (or lanolin). According to their claim: "Other products are made with 70-90% solvent. Fluid Film has no solvent. It actually imbeds itself in the pores of the metal for long lasting protection & resists wash off."

http://www.fluid-film.com/faq.html
 
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