Lets talk about the bk1 vs bk4 vs bk9…again

knifejunkie1928

knifejunkie1928

Joined
Feb 15, 2015
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Hello everyone this my first post on bladeforms.

Ive been doing some tests with my blackjack brute and kabar bk4 and 9. I do agree with the general consensus that the the bk1 is worst of the three when it comes to chopping. However, that thing can baton just as well if not better then the bk9. Whenever you look at the bk1, you can't help but think that it's a knife that's just designed for batoning! This knife needs to be reproduced! I no Ethan has said it won't happen because he has other designs that out perform it. But still, it should happen: people would buy it. The other knives don't massively out preform it. This knife can still compete with the best.

Now I'll step off my soap box…

Bk4. I got one fairly recently and love it! I no the bk9 is the big kid around the block but I like the bk4 better. The recurve on the bk4 is awesome. I can do small tasks better on the bk4. The bk1 is too top heavy for that. Now on the big debate that the bk9 can out chop it the bk4. I don't think thats true. I think the bk9 is just more user friendly. The sweet spot for chopping is bigger on the bk9. I think they both chop equally, but the bk4 just takes more technique. I'm sad that the bk4 is being discontinued. I'm sure the odd blade shape is why it's not a popular seller.

I'm going to put down my bk9 for a while and show my bk4 some love. The 4 is going to be the new chopper I keep strapped on my pack.



Thoughts on the whole bk1, bk4, b9 thing?

Also: I've heard talk about petitioning kabar to make the new batch of bk1s. Is this going to happen? Lets get organized and make it happen!

 
Hi KJ, welcome to the forums. Nice first post mate, unfortunately I don't own a brute and have a 4 on the way, so I won't weigh in on the debate. I domhave a 9 and What I can say is I love the 9, it's a beast for chopping, looking forward to receiving my 4 next Monday now. You've got some sweet steel there man. Anyway once again welcome aboard, look forward to hearing more from you.
 
Welcome to the Becker Forum and Bladeforums.

Bottom line on the Brute, it's a froe. Poor as a knife but great as a boat anchor.

It wasn't designed in it's entirety by Ethan, but by someone else with a less than stellar rep in the knife community.

It was designated BK1 by the then owner of Blackjack and was produced first in the Blackjack line up. It wasn't received well then and would do very poorly now, since there are better BKT's on the market and in the works.

Great first post and once again, welcome to the forums.

Moose
 
Welcome KJ1928.

I've done a fair amount of side by side by side comparing of these three blades. I'm on a couple acre suburban property with over a hundred trees. Lots of opportunity to experiment with wood processing blades. I bought the BK1 originally because I thought it would be a monster and make clean up chores or processing firewood easy. It does a fair job compared to the others but I can't see it ever getting packed to go anywhere with me. It'll stay right here at the house as others can do the same or better job and are a better carry. I thought for a while the BK9 would be my always go to choice. It's big, its got good reach and is manageable if you're on a ladder whacking suckers or other unwanted limb starts. It batons well and after taking down larger limbs or cleaning up fallen ones, it makes short work of delimbing for clean up. But, the BK4 has been getting a lot of love from me over the last couple of months. It does all of the above and the shape just makes it a more comfortable chopper and processor to me. I'd say the BK1 is a 'nice to have' if you're collecting Beckers (and I am) but the BK9 and the BK4 are must have's if you want to get some work done.

Enjoy your time here on one of the best forums going.

(edited to add: you're BJ Brute is one beautiful blade. congrats on finding it.)
 
I've never held a BK1 and have no plans to ever go looking for one based on feedback about it. But I totally agree with your assessment of the BK4 against the BK9. I'll take the 4 just about every time, certainly as a carry-in-the-woods blade. Lighter, does several things better, and everything as well as the 9 imho.
 
The "BK4 is being discontinued"? I thought that was the 5 & 15?
Really? That would be sad!
 
grinter said:
The "BK4 is being discontinued"? I thought that was the 5 & 15?
Really? That would be sad!
Click to expand...

Making room for more knives. Several designs in the works, and even though it would be nice to have them all available all the time, discontinuing slow sellers and making room for new knives only makes good sense.

Fret not, get them when you can before they are all gone and then you don't have to worry about it.

RBK, and many more will fill the empty slots.....

Moose
 
Some very, very cool stuff in the pipeline, and you can get the 4 for a price low enough to snag two. :thumbup:
 
Moosez45 said:
Making room for more knives. Several designs in the works, and even though it would be nice to have them all available all the time, discontinuing slow sellers and making room for new knives only makes good sense.

Fret not, get them when you can before they are all gone and then you don't have to worry about it.

RBK, and many more will fill the empty slots.....

Moose
Click to expand...

Makes sense to me, although this is the first I've heard of the 4 being officially discontinued (there were rumors when it was discounted though, so I'm not surprised). That, and the RBK is going to fill a similarish slot in the lineup in most peoples minds (each are KLO's).

That does pique the curiosity though, if they're discontinuing the 5/15 and the 4 then there aren't many other different bladeshape/handle combinations that haven't been filled. So what is in the works is more likely brand new (in my mind at least), which is more interesting in my mind.

Does this mean you've pitched my Becker Friction folder idea to Ethan yet ?

:p
 
If I could only have two bks it would be the 4 and the 15. Both slated for the ax! I much prefer the 4 to the 9. I agree with the op in that I find the 4 more versatile. I disagree with the op in that imho the 4 is more user friendly as to everything I've done with them, with the exception of sharpening. I better check my stash and make sure I'm good. These two blades are pearls.

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tradewater said:
Not me. Be patient. :D
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Easy for you to say, trade. I'll be 69 next month. How long do you think I can wait???? :confused:

Maybe they're bringing out a knife that doubles as a cane? or walker? Get the lead out, Kabar. :D

(BTW, I have 3 BK-4s - 1 Cinci, 1 Kabar stamped and 1 Kabar etched, NIB)

How's the saying go? You snooze, you lose?

Doc
 
As cool as the Brute is....I just don't think it compares to the 9 or 4.
It batons well. And it.....it can baton well. Lol
It really is unwieldy and handle heavy.
The 9 is more nimble and outperforms the Brute. It really does.
The 4 is more of a jack of all trades woods knife.
If I could choose only one of the three, it would be the Machax. Hands down. Versitility wins!

The Brute is cool, but I enjoy the rest of the BK&T lineup as far as performance is concerned.


 
ok what if kabar remade the brute but, made it thiner. Just as thin as the bk9 and bk4. It would cut down on the the weight and make it easier to wield.
 
knifejunkie1928 said:
ok what if kabar remade the brute but, made it thiner. Just as thin as the bk9 and bk4. It would cut down on the the weight and make it easier to wield.
Click to expand...

That could be interesting....
Although sadly do to some of the "issues" regarding one of the aforementioned half of the design team....the Brute will most likely never make it into production again.
It's an interesting design. I'd be interested in seeing how a thinner Brute performs...
 
Has the BK4 discontinuing been verified or is it still speculation. I bought one recently and LOVE it. If the aren't going to be produced anymore I might need another...two
 
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