KaBar BK10LE question for the Experts

[thrillbilly]

I recently bought a BK10LE, I didn't notice at first...but the other day I was gonna swap scales and realized something.

My 10's tang/handle seems under-sized... factory grivory and other sclaes are ''proud'' on it, sticks over the tang on top and bottom just a hair. I looked closer and the grivory scales that came with the 10 seems different then my other grivory...slightly blockier and maybe thicker.

From how I understand it, the 10LEs were Camm blanks that KaBar finished out, correct? Are all the Camm knives slightly smaller then the KaBar versions? I have a lot of beckers but they are all KaBars.

This is in no way a gripe about the knife, I like it, it was in excellent shape, and was pretty much LNIB.
I have handled other 10LEs...but can't recall changing out the scales on them.

My question is...is this normal? Are all the 10LEs like this?

thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Blunt Forged Edge]

I'm no "expert" but here's a picture of the KA-BAR BK-10LE here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/919874-Hooray!!-Becker-BK-10-LE-came-today

The one I have is from Camillus. I'll have to try out the Micarta and Grivory Scales from the other two to see what you mean?

 

[thrillbilly]

I was just curious if this is a odd-sized one or if all of them are like that. It aint a big deal, I was considering making custom scales for it anyways...or I could order factory micarta and just sand them to fit. Better the knife be slightly under-sized then over-sized IMO.

I recall other people talking about having to ''fit scales to their Camm Becker'' so I was wondering if the Camms were all slightly smaller.

 

[ac700wildcat]

Yup, thats how my 10 is too. The Kabar micarta that came with them needed a bit of fitting to make them flush.

 

[Blunt Forged Edge]

I recall other people talking about having to ''fit scales to their Camm Becker'' so I was wondering if the Camms were all slightly smaller.

Here's my Camillus Becker BK-101 with stock Desert Grivory Scales:

Handle comparison with the Becker BK-9

With the KA-BAR(?) aftermarket Micarta Scales

The Micarta Scales are not modified in anyway. Just a simple install that's all.

 

[Uncle Malice]

Hey BFE... what would it take to obtain that 101 from you?

I might be interested in mailing my girlfriend out that way for a weekend.... LOL

Man, that's a cool knife. I want one of those.

 

[thrillbilly]

BFE, the factory micarta is also proud a hair on your knife...just a tad over the tang looks like. I dunno, I do know mine is smaller...and it seems some other's are too. Interesting tidbit of Becker Knowledge I reckon.

I need to try the 10's grivory on one of my other beckers, see if it's too small...I SWEAR that grivory is different then the other ~10 sets I have, feels different and even to the naked eye looks different. I need a set of calipers.


If ya ever want to get rid of those Desert scales BFE, lemme know first please!

 

[ac700wildcat]

Pretty sure the grivory that came with the bk10le was camillus grivory and not kabar. It definitely feels different like you said.

 

[Uncle Malice]

The scales that come on the BK12 are different feeling than the Kabar grivory too.

 

[Blunt Forged Edge]

Here's a quasi comparison of the scales.

Middle screws sticking out for obvious reasons.

Just my personal observations on the Camillus Desert Scales, it does appear to be thicker and have a ceramic/porcelain feel to them. Also feels heavier.

 

[Blunt Forged Edge]

Hey BFE... what would it take to obtain that 101 from you?

I might be interested in mailing my girlfriend out that way for a weekend.... LOL

Man, that's a cool knife. I want one of those.

Whoa Hey Mai! I'm still on the Becker buying binge and kinda sorta liking this one too. Will see how goes it down the road. I'll give fair warning were I to get rid of it. How's that?

BFE, the factory micarta is also proud a hair on your knife...just a tad over the tang looks like. I dunno, I do know mine is smaller...and it seems some other's are too. Interesting tidbit of Becker Knowledge I reckon.

I need to try the 10's grivory on one of my other beckers, see if it's too small...I SWEAR that grivory is different then the other ~10 sets I have, feels different and even to the naked eye looks different. I need a set of calipers.


If ya ever want to get rid of those Desert scales BFE, lemme know first please!

If I do, you'll be the first to know!

 

[Blunt Forged Edge]

It appears there's a BK-101 up for Trade in The Knife Exchange right now.

 

[Moosez45]

Paint.

LE's didnt have it, Cam BK10's did.

Moose

 

[Bladite]

Here's a quasi comparison of the scales.

Middle screws sticking out for obvious reasons.

Just my personal observations on the Camillus Desert Scales, it does appear to be thicker and have a ceramic/porcelain feel to them. Also feels heavier.

nice!

 

[wasatchdan]

The grivory that came with my BK-10LE is definitely different from current-production Beckers. They are wider, blockier, and have different screw holes. The Ka-bar holes have cleaner, squared-off lines, while the screw holes on the Cam scales have more rounded edges.

I like the Ka-bar scales better, FWIW. They aren't as thick and have rounder lines.

 

[thrillbilly]

I prefer the KaBar grivory too, better feel in the hand. I guess it's just a good excuse to put some custom mycarta on it!

Now to decide the color(s) or maybe decide if I want wood...I wonder if Tommy has a 10?

 

[TwinStick]

I had to use the dremel on my BK10LE's micarta, to get a perfect fit. It was taller than the tang.

 

[EK20]

The Micarta on both of mine do sit ever so slightly proud, but the Grivory fits fantastic.

 

[1066vik]

Pretty sure the grivory that came with the bk10le was camillus grivory and not kabar. It definitely feels different like you said.

BK12/Ritter Mk2 has camillus grivory as well.

Paint.

LE's didnt have it, Cam BK10's did.

Moose

both of these -- which is why I put kabar micarta on mine, then sanded it to a flush fit while removing the thumb ramp and rounding the clip.