Looking for alternatives to a Becker BK2 and ESEE 5 - let me hear your thoughts.

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Munzer

Munzer

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I'm looking to get a knife with similar blade width, thickness, overall length, and blade profile of a BK 2/ESEE 5. I like the GSO 5.1 or 6 or 7/7, but they are difficult to get. I'm not looking to break the bank, but I am willing to spend a fair amount if the knife is right.

These are the general specs for what i'm looking for...

5 to 7 inch blade length
About 1-1/2 inch wide blade
Thickness between 3/16 and 1/4 inch
Steels like 1095, A2, O1, 3v
I prefer drop point to spear point (don't care for clip point)
I do like a choil, but it's not required
Custom or production knives
Made in the USA

Meant for general field use while tending to my 70 acres. No recommendations for other Becker or ESEE please, as I own several already. Looking for recommendations for a knife I may have overlooked. I appreciate your help.
 
I've looked at all the Busse and Busse kin offerings in the past and none of them really did it for me. I am picky about what suits my taste, and there have been a few Busse/Swamprat/Scrapyard knives I have been interested in over the years. I'll have to check back and see if their current offerings appeal to me.

thanks for the recommendation.
 
Check JK knives or other Makers on the forum. Id bet you can find something you like at a reasonable price.
 
TOPS possibly or maybe a Grayman. Some of the Graymans are over the top, but there may be one or two that tickle your fancy.
 
I have tagged a few of the custom makers, JK being one of them. I recently picked up a pre made Big Chris custom, and it's damn near perfect, but I get some hot spots from the handle. So a custom order may be the way to go. I like the Tex Creek XL from Tops, but the false edge/swedge (as offered on many of their other knives) is kind of a deal breaker, not a fan of false edges. The Hogue EXF 01 is an interesting choice, and I have been checking it out. That is high on my list to do more research on. I need to look into Grayman. I've checked Miller Bros Blades, and i do like thier offerings. I've missed out on some of the Fiddelback friday offerings, some sweet knives there.
 
The Koster Bushmaster in 3v doesn't have the blade width you are looking for but is one of my current favorites in a 5" blade.
I find it many times more useful than a Bk2
The Tops Dragonfly is another 5 incher I really like. It has a nice thin 1/8th blade that cuts like mad.
 
Look at Knife Research, they make some of the toughest and most underrepresented knives on these forums.
 
I've looked at the offerings from Koster, they seem to well executed, but don't appeal to me. I have considered the Cochise and Dragonfly from tops, i really enjoy my Tops BOB, so I may still dig deeper into the Tops options.

I am a fan of Knife Research, and I would love a Rasul and the Legion SC is something i'm really considering. The Enki may be the right knife, but the price is a little above my budget, but still a possibility. I also really like the Lionsteel M7, a lot of features that real appeal to me, but I'm waiting for more reviews and videos for that one.
 
Fletcher's Bush Operator XL is what I'm looking for, but it's been discontinued. I'll have to email him to see what is going to replace it. Great recommendation!
 
The northern lights (frej and idun) are options, but some of their other rubber/kraton handled knives are off the list. The idun is particularly sweet.
 
I don't know what it is up with the handle on the Bushmaster. It looks so simple but that thing just melts in my hand and becomes an extension of my arm. Its like I forget I am holding it while in use.
 
I've been very impressed with my ESEE products. Both the Laser Strike and ESEE 6 fit your criteria. Check 'em out.
 
The bushmaster and other Koster knives do look great and comfortable, and I'll probably order one at some point.

I own a couple ESEE knives, the 6 being one of them. That happens to be my favorite blade profile, but the handle ergos need work to fit my hands. I've done some filing and sanding on the handle to lessen the hot spots, and even purchased the aftermarket TKC G10 scales. The TKC scales are awesome and the ergos are great, but I wasn't a fan of the G10 material. It's a great knife to use for a day, but for an extended multi day trip, i find the handle fatiguing. But I do really like the knife.
 
Munzer said:
I've looked at the offerings from Koster, they seem to well executed, but don't appeal to me. I have considered the Cochise and Dragonfly from tops, i really enjoy my Tops BOB, so I may still dig deeper into the Tops options.

I am a fan of Knife Research, and I would love a Rasul and the Legion SC is something i'm really considering. The Enki may be the right knife, but the price is a little above my budget, but still a possibility. I also really like the Lionsteel M7, a lot of features that real appeal to me, but I'm waiting for more reviews and videos for that one.
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Yes! the Rasul is the one, I saw some guy on a video hammering through nuts and bolts and no damage to the edge. It was awesome. It used the Vanadis 4 steel too. I'd love to just try one at some point, tax return willing. I agree, that M7 looks like it can handle a lot of work the Legion is an awesome design too. I'm glad I am not the only one that noticed those. ;)

Have you tried any offerings from BRKT? There are a couple that have caught my attention as of late. I have the Bravo 1 and it's a very well made knife. It suprised me when I got it.
 
OK, I hear where you're coming from on the 6. Didn't like the stock scales myself, but I'm looking forward to the TKC scales (ordered some this past Monday). At this point, I'm going to echo Crazyfingers' suggestion above to take a look at the Survive!Knives series. I think the GSO 6 might be right up your alley. A bit spendy, with the 3V steel and all, but their handles are some of the most comfortable I've tried. And, if you grab one and don't like it, the resale market is pretty strong around here from what I've seen.

Munzer said:
The bushmaster and other Koster knives do look great and comfortable, and I'll probably order one at some point.

I own a couple ESEE knives, the 6 being one of them. That happens to be my favorite blade profile, but the handle ergos need work to fit my hands. I've done some filing and sanding on the handle to lessen the hot spots, and even purchased the aftermarket TKC G10 scales. The TKC scales are awesome and the ergos are great, but I wasn't a fan of the G10 material. It's a great knife to use for a day, but for an extended multi day trip, i find the handle fatiguing. But I do really like the knife.
Click to expand...
 
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