Looking for a new fixed blade for camping.

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Dekz

Joined
Oct 26, 2007
Messages
1,392
I currently have a Cold Steel Finn Bear, it's fine, but it's a $15 knife. An RC-5 is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for but I don't want to spend that much. Let's say $50-70 ish.

So far the only thing I've come across is the Becker BK2, does anybody have any experience with that?

Any other suggestions?
 
I've heard nothing but awesome things about the BK2, but be warned: Even though it's great as-is, you will want to buy a bunch of upgrades for it, which will end up costing you the same amount overall as an ESEE 5. :D

Also, machetes are dirt cheap and good for hacking-related tasks. If that's what you see yourself doing you could get a good one for about half of what a bk2 costs. They would be totally different blades though. Just something to consider...
 
Just save up and get the 5. You won't be sorry. Its better to wait and buy the blade you want later than buying the cheaper knife now because you will end up getting the expensive one anyways.

The 5 is a fantastic knife and comes with an amazing sheath. The BK2 is solid but doesn't have a good sheath and has cheap feeling scales.
 
i bought a becker bk2 and got rid of it. it was fun, but it was just friggin gigantic. chopped some wood, skinned part of a wild boar, and realized it was just comically big. finished skinning the boar with my spyderco salt I, and it worked way better. i may try to pickup a eskabar @ some point, but for now i've got a couple cheapish fixed blades that aren't lacking in the strength department, so they'll stand up to batoning etc if i ever find the need for it.... they just might not hold an edge well.
 
BK2 is a hardy knife that is loved deeply by many who have had the chance to partake.
SOG SealPup Elite is a very nice knife and about your price range.

You could also just do some more saving and buy the knife you really want, the RC5.

The Finn bear will do allsorts of stuff. I'd stick with it until you got the cash for the knife you truly want.
 
How about a OKC RANGER RAK KNIFE BY ONTARIO? The cord wrapped version is under $55 and the scaled version is under $72. I've held the knife but never used it. I've heard good things about the line, though.
 
I am kind of in the same position as you,so I'm going to get the schrade schf9 extreme survival knife. When I first heard 'schrade' I thought nah and then you hear all the good comments on you tube and stuff and it's ~$45-check it out
 
HarglBargl said:
I've heard nothing but awesome things about the BK2, but be warned: Even though it's great as-is, you will want to buy a bunch of upgrades for it, which will end up costing you the same amount overall as an ESEE 5. :D

Also, machetes are dirt cheap and good for hacking-related tasks. If that's what you see yourself doing you could get a good one for about half of what a bk2 costs. They would be totally different blades though. Just something to consider...
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Ya I was also planning on picking up a Cold Steel Kukri Machete for $20.

I don't really mind if the BK2 is on the large side, as I'll also be carrying a folder.

The issue isn't saving up for an RC5, I could buy one if I wanted to. I just don't want to spend that much on a knife that I will only use a few times a year, and never anywhere near its limit. I'm not in love with the RC5, I just want something similar; a tough ~5 inch blade and a full tang.

EDIT: But it looks like I've found a decent deal on a Rat-5 and I might as well cough up another $20 and not have to worry about buying a fixed blade again :)
 
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Get an ESEE-3 or 4 on the exchange here or elsewhere. They come up in good shape from time to time and not far from your price point.
 
You'll be happy with a BK2. If you want to spend less try the Condor Rodan, if those are to big get the Condor bushlore or buchcraft.
 
Dekz said:
Ya I was also planning on picking up a Cold Steel Kukri Machete for $20.

I don't really mind if the BK2 is on the large side, as I'll also be carrying a folder.

The issue isn't saving up for an RC5, I could buy one if I wanted to. I just don't want to spend that much on a knife that I will only use a few times a year, and never anywhere near its limit. I'm not in love with the RC5, I just want something similar; a tough ~5 inch blade and a full tang.

EDIT: But it looks like I've found a decent deal on a Rat-5 and I might as well cough up another $20 and not have to worry about buying a fixed blade again :)
Click to expand...

I would worry about the weight of the 5, especially if I also had to carry the kukri. Weight often becomes a deciding factor, and you may find yourself choosing which one of the 2 to take on your hike. I'd go with the machete and a smaller knife like an ESEE 3 or 4.
 
I also own a Becker BK2. IMHO, it is an AWESOME knife & is the best bang for the buck for a SERIOUS knife, that there is right now on the market. For around $60 or so, it's hard to beat. You may, at some point, want a custom sheath for it, but the stock one has been working excellent for me with just a simple modification.

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You can't go wrong with anything that has the Becker name on it.
 
Get the BK-2, and use it. If you think it's too thick, and would like a thinner knife, then sell the BK-2. If you then still think about an ESEE 5, then get some flat micarta scales, and a kydex sheath, and remember that you have the better camp knife. I own both, and I'd rather take the BK-2 camping, and the ESEE 5 would be more for some other hardcore uses. Look at the grind lines of the two, the BK-2 starts sooner.

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That small difference in the grind makes a better cutter of the BK-2.-
The Ontario Afghan is okay, it's a full flat grind, so with a good edge cuts well. The handles of mine were pretty painful during hard use. Some sanding, and they are better.

I think the best value is the Becker BK-2, of those 1/4" thick knives.
If you want something more light weight, you might have to go with a thinner knife.
 
The more I look at the BK2, the more I start thinking it might actually be my first choice.

Could somebody post a picture of how thick the handle is? Maybe some reviews on comfort?
 
HarglBargl said:
I've heard nothing but awesome things about the BK2, but be warned: Even though it's great as-is, you will want to buy a bunch of upgrades for it, which will end up costing you the same amount overall as an ESEE 5. :D

Also, machetes are dirt cheap and good for hacking-related tasks. If that's what you see yourself doing you could get a good one for about half of what a bk2 costs. They would be totally different blades though. Just something to consider...
Click to expand...

The BK2 is great as is and you don't need a single upgrade. The grivory handles are outstanding - they look like they would be slippy but they are not. Some replace it with micarta - I view that as a downgrade but to each his own.

The sheath is serviceable though there may be a break in period. Lately they seem to be coming a bit tight but it doesn't cost a nickel to fix that.

As to the knife itself - it's an outstanding camp knife. It does fine work - well, as fine as I can anyway - heh. It will chop and splits wood like it was made for it.

BK2 is right in your price range and you can pass it to your grandkids.

I use the heck out of mine. :)

20110531_img_0237.jpg


Dekz said:
The more I look at the BK2, the more I start thinking it might actually be my first choice.

Could somebody post a picture of how thick the handle is? Maybe some reviews on comfort?
Click to expand...

Comfort is one of the first things that drew me to the Becker line. That handle couldn't improve much, imo. I've chopped, whittled, batoned, and generally dinked with my large Beckers and have yet to have a hint of the first blister.

Here's a profile shot...
20110514_img_0217.jpg


Here's a BK2 on top compared to a BK9 on bottom...
img_0247.jpg


As to the previous poster that was using his to dress game - I think you could dress game with a BK2 but it wouldn't be my first choice for that. To me a three inch blade, give or take, is about perfect for the job. Seems like a weird thing to count as a strike against the BK2 but whatever.

For camping tasks - it rocks out of the box.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
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i just bought a benchmade nimcub 2 since i wanted to try out the 154cm steel.
looks like a super light knife and a 3.5inch blade size. i should have it this week. it was $75 shipped.


 
BK 2 is one of the best values out there. But make no mistake, it's a monster blade.
(As is the ESEE 5)

BK 2 is a great all around, beat the snot out of, camp knife.
(Or if you need to hack you're way out of a downed plane) LOL

The stock Grivory handles are actually comfortable. Though it's a point of debate.
Best thing to due is to try it. Doesn't matter what people on the internet say,
it's what works for you.

For example: My little $15 Mora is prob. the knife I use the most.

Remember you can always sell a good knife if you don't like it.

Check out the Becker forum. LOTS of good threads on the BK 2.
 
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