Just can't choose

B

barber oregon

Joined
Nov 19, 2000
Messages
234
My dilemma arises fom the fact that I can purchase a Cold Steel SRK for $15-$20 cheaper than the Becker Combat/Utility knife/BK7 (I would have to order the BK7 from the States-hence the price differential). But my online research shows that the SRK is generally more expensive than the BK7.

So, I have a choice between the (lower-priced) SRK or the (higher-priced) BK7, which one should I choose?

P.S.
I will be using this knife for survival/camping duties.
 
i have both of the knives, and you wont go wrong with either, the bk-7 has a larger blade, both in width and length. you will like the becker handles a lot, i have a brute that i have hammered mercilessly and chopped with a lot and the handles- same as bk7- are great. the rubber handles on the srk are good to grip, and both hold well when wet. the kraton rubber may react with DEET. the blades hold an edge about the same, and both are high carbon steel. so it depends on which you like for the tasks you have in mind. i would not feel shorted with either of the blades in the woods.

alex
 
Like Alex, I have both of these knives. I agree with his assessment that either the Cold Steel SRK or the Becker BK7 would work as a decent survival knife. I have a two-part review of the BK7, SRK, and several other blades in the Reviews forum that should show up with a search. You might buy both knives, test them "head to head" in your own uses for them, then post your impressions here on BFC. ;)

IMHO the Becker is worth the extra $15-$20 because of:

1. The Becker handle is considerably more comfortable than the SRK handle in my hand. YMMV. Most comments about this handle posted to BFC are favorable. I would also worry less about the durability of the Becker handle in extreme usage than the relatively soft kraton SRK handle.

2. The grind on the BK7 rises so far up toward the spine that it is effectively a full flat grind. The SRK grind rises only about halfway up it's shorter blade (edge-to-spine as well as length). Thus the primary grind angle on the BK7 should be more acute, which yields more efficient cutting. This matches my experience with both knives. They both cut well, but the thinness of the BK7 just seems to make it easier.

3. The extra inch on the BK7, coupled with its thinner grind, makes it a better chopper.
 
I don't have any experience with the SRK and I am very partial to the Becker that I own. One of the things that drew me to the Becker was Cliff Stamps evaluation of the knife. Another thing that I considered before buying is the handle configuration of the Becker. As compared to the SRK, it seems to me that bataning would be much easier with the Becker because the hook design of the handle is easier to grip.
 
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