Looking to purchase a new fixed blade camp knife (SP1 or BK7?)

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NYHiker

Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
5
Hey All

I've been reading the boards for a long time but never got around to registering because normally my questions have already been answered. This time however I need some advice and was unable to find enough information just by searching.

So anyway the situation is that I am planing on retiring my much loved Cold Steel GI Tanto to my bug out bag. I love that knife and have thumped on it for years which is why i want it in my bob. I know it can be trusted.

Therefore I'm in the market for a new general purpose knife for camp chores and minor wood processing.

The two blades (well 4 really) that im looking into are the Kabar Becker BK7 (which if I'm not mistaken still comes with the bk13 companion knife) or the Ontario sp1-8300 paired with a small kabar Adventure PiggyBack.

Im stuck because the Ontario combo would be around $30 cheaper and from what Ive read the Ontario has a better sheath than the bk7.

The BK7 however has superb reviews across the board. The only caveat ive read is that the sheath rattles.

Anyone have experience with these two knives and can give some advice?

Thanks Guys

NYHiker
 
I've only got experience with the BK7 and although you are correct on the sheath issue I don't think that would be a deal breaker for me. Prob because if you look in the Becker Knife & Tool forum you can find ways to modify the sheath in some awesome ways. Also you can do some pretty cool mods to the knife it self . For the knife itself it is a beast.
 
agreed. im just wondering if the extra $30 id be spending on the bk7 would yield a drastic improvement over the sp1
 
NYHiker said:
the Kabar Becker BK7 (which if I'm not mistaken still comes with the bk13 companion knife)
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You are mistaken. It came with a free Chinese BK13 for a very short while. Now if you want a (USA made) BK13, you have to shell out the $10-15 or whatever it costs.

Regardless - BK7 is an outstanding choice. The sheath may be something you replace at some point, but it's perfectly functional.

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Beckerhead #42
 
well thats disappointing kahn but thanks for the heads up. I would have been rather upset if i ordered the bk7 expecting the bk13 and it never arrived.

Ontario sp-1 aside. How would you rate the bk7 against the standard marine kabar?
 
NYHiker said:
well thats disappointing kahn but thanks for the heads up. I would have been rather upset if i ordered the bk7 expecting the bk13 and it never arrived.

Ontario sp-1 aside. How would you rate the bk7 against the standard marine kabar?
Click to expand...

Kabar Heavy Bowie is nice too but, for what it's worth, it's larger than the other ones you mentioned. That knife is more analogous to the Becker BK9 - my favorite woods knife.

If you are looking for a straight-up Kabar that similar in size and use to the BK7, then you would want to look at the Kabar USMC Fighting/Utility knife. The BK7 is going to stand up to heavier use than the USMC but there's something to be said for that sexy Kabar USMC look and feel. :)

If it were me, I'd try to handle several of the ones in which you are interested and then pick the one that feels/looks/seems best. If you're already leaning hard towards one - the BK7, for instance - you may as well get it because sooner or later, you will anyway. :p

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Beckerhead #42
 
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