Looking for a nice knife.

[DerekH]

We had some impromptu chopping testing going on Friday night. The Bear Grylls Parang held it's own very well, being outdone only by the classic $7 Tramontina Machete.

 

[sqoon]

What is it about the BK2 that is making you want something else? Knowing where it is coming up short might help in getting suggestions for something "better."

 

[1066vik]

If you want something dressier, check out BACustom, KFU, or JK here on the forums - all 3 make a good knife at a fair price point, and I know for sure that JK will work from your drawings if you have something specific in mind.

 

[MrKnifekid]

Well, he's 16, not to young, but he has his mind SET on a Prodigy. I tried to talk him into a 14 or even a 2, but alas, he wants a Gerber Baby product.

Edit: does anybody know why they have the same name anyway?

 

[TwinStick]

My daughter had the same mindset. She wants what she wants. I told her, but she had to have it. So, i bought her the Bear Grylls fixed blade "ultimate survival knife." 10 minutes after her testing began, she bent the tip of it, while wiggling it L & R to get it out after her stab test. I told her your not supposed to wiggle it L & R, but up/down, with the blade to remove the tip. I then handed her my BK2 & told her to stab it in the wood as hard as she could. She did. Then i handed her a baton piece of wood & told her to hold the handle & give it a couple whacks on the extended tang---just to make sure it was in there good. She did. Then i told her to pull it out & wiggle it L & R just like she did on the BG USK. She did. NO DAMAGE AT ALL---except to the stump ! Sometimes kids just gotta learn for themselves. It was worth to me just to watch her & see the look on her face.

 

[trailbum]

What is it about the BK2 that is making you want something else? Knowing where it is coming up short might help in getting suggestions for something "better."

The BK2 is my favorite knife.
I wanted to see what else is out there.
Some companies are useing more expensive steels, are they better, or just more money.
Is the ratmandu or the skyco 511 really worth the money compared to a Becker.
I don't know.
I have no complaints about Becker knives.

If you want something dressier, check out BACustom, KFU, or JK here on the forums - all 3 make a good knife at a fair price point, and I know for sure that JK will work from your drawings if you have something specific in mind.

I have checked them out. Very nice knives.
I like my BK2, at $60 it is hard to beat.
I had this idea I needed something more refined.
I already have a nice one or two.

 

[sqoon]

The BK2 is my favorite knife.
I wanted to see what else is out there.
Some companies are useing more expensive steels, are they better, or just more money.

1095 is no slouch for an outdoor knife. It's been around the block more times than any of the newer or more expensive steels. If you could take a more expensive steel, mold it into a BK2 and tell me you see a difference in performance, I would be surprised.

I know the feeling though. You can't help but wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere. Let us know what you discover!

 

[1066vik]

The BK2 is my favorite knife.
I wanted to see what else is out there.
Some companies are useing more expensive steels, are they better, or just more money.
Is the ratmandu or the skyco 511 really worth the money compared to a Becker.
I don't know.
I have no complaints about Becker knives.

I have checked them out. Very nice knives.
I like my BK2, at $60 it is hard to beat.
I had this idea I needed something more refined.
I already have a nice one or two.

no problem - just tossing some reputable and reasonable options out.
just wait until January -- the camptweener may toss the BK2 out of your rotation.

 

[Shotgun]

Yep, stick with beckers, They are greatness at it's best.

LOL...exxagerate much. Beckers are a great value but they're not "greatness at it's best." I don't think any factory blade can claim that title.

To the OP. I've owned the Ratmandu and it's a great knife and has great steel. The problem with Swamp Rat is they tend to grind their knives on the thick side so what advantage you get out of the better steel is negated with the poor edge geometry. I say buy another BK2 and send it out to be pimped. 1095 done right is all the fancy steel you need IMO and you have that with the Becker. Have it polished, throw some nice scales on it, some killer kydex made, and have someone put a wicked convex edge on it. You'll have all the niceness in a package you know you like.

 

[Bladite]

We had some impromptu chopping testing going on Friday night. The Bear Grylls Parang held it's own very well, being outdone only by the classic $7 Tramontina Machete.

yeah, that was funny. the tramontina was about 5-6 inches longer, and Moose knows it better, first time for me chopping with the parang.

i've managed to convex the parang the next day, so rematch time not bad for $29 shipped.

i don't know about the other knives, but they have orange handles. can't hate that!

the condor golok on the other hand, just did not work well at all. it was like a club. not sure what's up with that.