Loyal Becker Fans, I Need a Recommendation...

Survivormind · Dec 28, 2015

Hello All,

My Mexico trip for this winter was destroyed when a close family member was charged with numerous felonies and I needed to testify at the trial. The trial date has since been postponed 3 TIMES because the DA doesn't have enough evidence to convict. Speedy trial? :jerkit: We might still be able to make it to Mexico for a couple of months if the trial truly goes through as scheduled in January.

The good news is that we sold our other sailboat, the SV Slurricane, and now have the money to finish the SV Rad Mode, an extra well-built Westsail 32 that will be a sailboat of epic awesomeness (hence the name) once finished.

I'm a little long winded sometimes, I know, but here's the deal...I've been living on freshwater for months and months now but within the next 6 to 8 months, Rad Mode will be complete and we'll be doing most of our sailing in the Bay Area. After that, it's down the coast and very likely, a sail to Mexico next fall.

Frankly, I'm concerned about corrosion resistance of 1095CV having seen more corrosion on my 1095CV Becker knives since moving out to this area. Not to mention, I'll be residing over and sailing in salt water areas. I've looked at the Blackjack BK5 and it's just not in my price range . Can anyone suggest a good stainless or other salt water resistant variety of knife that would suit my needs in the new environment? I'm looking for something in the same size range as the BK5. Something between the BK10 and BK9 range would be ideal. Use would be for nearly everything from cleaning fish to building shelters on beaches and use as a general camp knife.

I'll also be taking BK knives along with me and have some ideas to slow and fight corrosion that I'm sure will be fairly effective. I'll have to report on that much later though.

Survivormind

CM_Rick · Dec 28, 2015

I'd go with D2. Also, I wax my blades with dry paraffin wax. It repels all moisture extremely well. It should do very well against saltwater corrosion. I would recommend the D2 Ka-Bar fighting utility knife. Probably the most inexpensive D2 option in that size range.

Totally jealous of your lifestyle, btw. You suck, but rock at the same time. Cheers...

spikebot587 · Dec 28, 2015

if you still want the bk5, maybe look into having dex parkarize yours.
check it out at coyle outdoors

abrasion · Dec 28, 2015

Just get a BK5 and leave the coating on.

Survivormind · Dec 29, 2015

CM_Rick said:
I'd go with D2. Also, I wax my blades with dry paraffin wax. It repels all moisture extremely well. It should do very well against saltwater corrosion. I would recommend the D2 Ka-Bar fighting utility knife. Probably the most inexpensive D2 option in that size range.

Totally jealous of your lifestyle, btw. You suck, but rock at the same time. Cheers...

Haha! Thanks, man.

I was thinking anhydrous lanolin instead of parrafin. It's used on sailboat hardware and is beef when it comes to creating an impermeable layer against moisture. And why D2? II know it's more corrosion resistant than 1095 and 1095CV but II believe stainless 440 and 420HCSS would beat D2. What do you think?

Survivormind

Survivormind · Dec 29, 2015

spikebot587 said:
if you still want the bk5, maybe look into having dex parkarize yours.
check it out at coyle outdoors

I'll have to look into parkerizing but I'm pretty sure it's not excellente versus saltwater exposure.

Survivormind

CM_Rick · Dec 29, 2015

Survivormind said:
Haha! Thanks, man.

I was thinking anhydrous lanolin instead of parrafin. It's used on sailboat hardware and is beef when it comes to creating an impermeable layer against moisture. And why D2? II know it's more corrosion resistant than 1095 and 1095CV but II believe stainless 440 and 420HCSS would beat D2. What do you think?

Survivormind

D2 for edge retention/durability over stainless, and I like the paraffin because it's 100% food safe. Parkerizing does help the steel hold waxes, and oils a lot better, but will rust badly if not coated. I find that stainless is just too brittle. It may not break on you, but the edge will roll, and chip constantly. Just my opinion based on my experience with it.

B.Mauser · Dec 29, 2015

I dont think there are many options in a saltwater specific knife that size. The spyderco salt line is the most recommended knives for saltwater use. They do have a fixed blade but I dont think it will take any where near the abuse the BK5 does. Cleaning fish sure, building a shelter..I dont know.

I think no matter what knife you take you will just have to get used to lots of maintenance. There was a guy posting here in the past that camped in the rain forest for 6 months with a BK9. He had to carry a tub of petroleum jelly and keep it heavily coated at all times.

I like the idea of a spyderco salt backing up a BK5 with a tub of Vaseline and a bag of steel wool.

Here is the fixed blade spyderco salt. http://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Aqua-Salt-Fixed-Blade-Dive--26850

Looking forward to following you on your new adventure what ever you decide. :thumbup:

granitestateofmind · Dec 29, 2015

Tough part is the price point in that size range. I'll respectfully disagree with CM_Rick re: brittleness of 420/440 series stainless, especially given that this is the about the only affordable steel for a BK-5 sized blade. Done right, it's decent enough. I have a (USA made) Gerber LHR made of 440(J, I believe) that is pretty damn stout and was meant to be (and was used as) a service knife. Not available any more, sadly. My two cents would be to see what Buck has to offer in fixed blades in the size your looking for. I think it's going to be very difficult to find something reasonably priced made here in the States. I just picked up a China made Buck Selkirk (BOS HT'd 420HC, BK-16 size) that seems pretty durable so far....though I haven't beat the snot out of it yet. Micarta handles, full tang, and it comes with a fire steel for a little more than a Grant.

From there, it just gets more expensive. The Gerber Silver Trident made in the USA with a 6.5" blade is made of 154C stainless - and you're looking at a couple C-notes (maybe a little less). For that kinda money, I'd see what James Terrio can make you.....

Not to take anything away from Ethan, because I love me some BK&T, but Buck also has a lifetime warranty similar to KA-BAR's. The Reaper and the Nighthawk are both reasonably priced 6.5" 420HC blades, if you like the style. I live on a tidal estuary and I will say that I really appreciate all of my stainless knives for NOT having to deal with maintenance and upkeep like those of my non-stainless ones (not just Beckers, BTW). Good luck with your search. I'll agree with Rick on one point, tho: your lifestyle does have a certain attraction.....

Creaky Bones · Dec 29, 2015

I picked up a Buck Reaper recently. I stripped the coating off, and added some liners to give the handle a little more girth. It's actually a decent USA made knife, considering it was only ~$40. The thread is here- http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1344009-Rosewood-Reaper-mods

You could also look at the Cold Steel SRK in San mai or in Aus 8, or if you were willing to go higher in cost a Fallkniven S1 or A1.

neffarious · Dec 29, 2015

D2 will corrode badly in salt air with long term exposure. I live in FL. Spyderco's h1 is the best. MORA's companion series has served me well so far as well. There is also s90v. Spyderco's southfork might be one to consider as well.

spikebot587 · Dec 29, 2015

just throwing this out there, this is also in H1

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SPF...h1-satin-plain-and-serrated-blade-frn-handles

the spyderco warrior

Yetidayhiker · Dec 30, 2015

This isn't a heavy duty knife but Mora makes a stainless 8" knife, it's model#749. It's a thin blade. It might serve a purpose and its inexpensive. They also make a 6" fishing knife in stainless. Here's a review.

http://www.cliffstamp.com/knives/reviews/butcher_puukko.html

tanglediver · Dec 30, 2015

I have this one stainless knife, it holds a good edge, Japanese made. I never gave up hope that I could fix my old, broken, U.S. Diver's/Aqualung Seahawk. Finally after many years, and learning basic tig welding, I rewelded a full tang to replace the half/rat tang that broke on me after pounding it with a hammer. (I have no idea why pounding it with a hammer would break my knife, but...)
They come up at the auction sites every now and again.
[video=youtube;OQ16BN8M5m0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ16BN8M5m0[/video]
This knife has butchered many a hapless chicken.

NCSlice · Dec 31, 2015

I was going to recommend Buck as well. There's some crazy reasonable prices they offer on a fine American product. I find myself time and again looking at Bucks and lurking their forum for my non-1095cv needs. Haven't pulled the trigger yet but plan today to snatch the 877 Maverick (USA model) and now, thanks to Creaky Bones, that Reaper I saw yesterday for -$40. Been eyeballin some S30v models as well.

There's a BK77 around that notes obo after the price. It's def stiff on the wallet but what a great Blade that will last a lifetime. That's my #1 recommendation. Doesn't have to be just for the boat ya know.

I feel like whatever you go with, you should reconsider your price point and don't be stuck on the water with a $100 Blade you don't like or just doesn't cut it. Then your on the market again at $200 into it with a $100 Knife you don't like and another $100 that may just be mediocre.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

Yetidayhiker · Dec 31, 2015

Just thought of an option that may fit your criteria. Cold Steel SRK. 6" AUS-8 stainless with a protective coating. Has a decent sheath to boot. Might be worth checking out; they aren't too pricey. Navy uses them for seal bud/s training in saltwater.

Happy New Year.

DavidCAndersen · Dec 31, 2015

Even if you decide to get something else as well, it never hurts to have a few Mora's laying around. Their stainless (12C27) and carbon (1095 equivalent) are both quite good.

Creaky Bones · Dec 31, 2015

NCSlice said:
thanks to Creaky Bones, that Reaper I saw yesterday for -$40.

I'm such an enabler

Tdhurl1103 · Dec 31, 2015

spikebot587 said:
just throwing this out there, this is also in H1

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SPF...h1-satin-plain-and-serrated-blade-frn-handles

the spyderco warrior

I was going to suggest the same thing. Spyderco's H1 is phenomenal. The Salt series is, perhaps, the best saltwater knives out there today. I'm sorry to say this but I cannot recommend any 1095, unless you take steps to cover it with some form of water repellent. Perhaps you'll fair better getting a BK24 for in the pocket. But on the belt? I'd have to take Spyderco's H1. Its a no-brainer.

Good luck.

Oh, perhaps I haven't been keeping up as much lately, but, I thought you were going off grid? Sailboats and international travel does not sound "off grid" to me, LOL.

spikebot587 · Dec 31, 2015

NCSlice said:
I was going to recommend Buck as well. There's some crazy reasonable prices they offer on a fine American product. I find myself time and again looking at Bucks and lurking their forum for my non-1095cv needs. Haven't pulled the trigger yet but plan today to snatch the 877 Maverick (USA model) and now, thanks to Creaky Bones, that Reaper I saw yesterday for -$40. Been eyeballin some S30v models as well.

There's a BK77 around that notes obo after the price. It's def stiff on the wallet but what a great Blade that will last a lifetime. That's my #1 recommendation. Doesn't have to be just for the boat ya know.

I feel like whatever you go with, you should reconsider your price point and don't be stuck on the water with a $100 Blade you don't like or just doesn't cut it. Then your on the market again at $200 into it with a $100 Knife you don't like and another $100 that may just be mediocre.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

I recently picked up oNE of the mavericks at wally world, and ended up returnin it. it's a nice enough knofe, but I just didn't like it. while not uncomfortable, the handle just felt... weird. and I felt the ricasso was to big, my hand felt way to far back from the edge for a knife that size. YMMV