Large Fixed Blades

R

RandGuy

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I'm planning a backpacking trip. I am looking for a large fixed blade to do all sorts of tasks. Splitting wood would probably be the primary task, along with whatever else I encounter that needs doing. I'm looking around the $60 pricepoint, give or take a bit.

Here's some that I've considered:

Kabar heavy bowie: Seems like it would fit my needs, but I don't like the sheath, and that's important if I'm going to be carrying it.

Kabar fighter: It has the kydex sheath, which I like. Blade is shorter than the heavy bowie, and is thinner, so I'm not sure it would do the wood splitting/chopping as well.

Becker BK9: Bit more expensive than the other two. Nylon sheath is a disadvantage. The plastic handle is also a turn off, versus the kraton of the other two.

Any thoughts?
 
First: Welcome / bienvenue!

Out of the three you mention, I'd go with the Becker. A bit "big" for backpacking, if you ask me. The Becker Companion would be just right. YMMV, of course.
 
The BK7 and BK9 are superb choices and if you do your shopping correctly should be able to find them around 60 bucks. Although the Kabar fighting knife isn't a perfect design for camping and bushcraft it's one tough SOB. Take a look at Condor, the Kumunga, Rodan, Hudson Bay, Inca and some of the small machetes. Their blades are top notch for the 20-30 dollar pricepoint, I got a bolo machete from them that I paid 12 dollars for. It's very thick with an awesome full convex slicing edge.
 
How is the handle on the BK9? I am hesitant about it since it is plastic, which I don't think would be as comfortable as the kraton ones?
 
Wouldn't a hatchet work better for splitting wood? If you must I would say an HI khukuri would be the best for that task.
 
TWBryan said:
Wouldn't a hatchet work better for splitting wood? If you must I would say an HI khukuri would be the best for that task.
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I was thinking about that, and it seems like hatchet is a very specialized tool, where a knife might be more versatile.
 
RandGuy said:
How is the handle on the BK9? I am hesitant about it since it is plastic, which I don't think would be as comfortable as the kraton ones?
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I like micarta much better than the plastic handle. The BK9 handle gets a little slick when its wet but they feel pretty good overall.
 
Maybe you would be better off with a combo,a hatchet and 4"-5" knife. Together they would be more versatile than a single large knife.
 
Kabar heavy bowie: Seems like it would fit my needs, but I don't like the sheath, and that's important if I'm going to be carrying it.

Kabar fighter: It has the kydex sheath, which I like. Blade is shorter than the heavy bowie, and is thinner, so I'm not sure it would do the wood splitting/chopping as well.

Becker BK9: Bit more expensive than the other two. Nylon sheath is a disadvantage. The plastic handle is also a turn off, versus the kraton of the other two.

Any thoughts?
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You are hard pressed to do much better than these knives or the suggestions given, if not then there's no pleasing you. You can't get Fehrman, Busse, Scrapyard or Essee quality for that matter, in a large fixed blade at your price point w/o some compromises. :)
 
that texture was done with a soldering iron, looks worth a try. alotta my cop buddies do it on their Glocks and M&Ps with great success.
 
The Becker scales a made of a good material. The problem is they're too slick. You can add texture to them or just wrap them in hockey or tennis tape. The BK-9 is the best of the ones you mentioned, in my opinion.
 
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