Machax Feedback...and New Coating

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NYOutdoors

NYOutdoors

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Honestly, I picked up the Machax to see what all the fuss was about. Now I know. It's easily my favorite Becker knife (and I've used/owned almost all of them). I'm very close to saying that if I could only have one knife (yup, this again)...it would be a Machax. I love the chopping ability, and the up close fine work ability with the narrow part of the blade is OUTSTANDING. It is the best cutting Becker I've ever used, also the best chopper. I love the fact that it can baton like a monster too.

You know that whole thing how the BK2 does everything but nothing the best? The Machax does everything...and way better than the BK2. If I could only take one of my knives into the woods and rely on it, it would be the Machax right now.

On a sidenote, the new coating they are putting on the Beckers is MUCH better than the old. It is more textured like ESEE's coating, but slicing performance was not impeded. Of course, it probably would slice slightly better if stripped, but not much. I made some of the best feathersticks I've ever made with the Machax today.

Props to Ethan for this design...you REALLY struck gold with this one. It's perfect. Oh by the way...the Machax sheath is MUCH improved on the older Becker sheaths without Molle straps... the Tweeners are much better too (same changes).

Sorry for no pics, but I don't have the camera here.
 
Hahaha, I agree with most of this, but the BK2 lovers will be along to destroy you soon. Shields up!
 
I would take both!!! I love the machax and my bk2 i cant part with either!
 
Bleh...I just find the Machax so much more effective in any real situation. If I had to cut through the roof of a car I may be wishing for the BK2 (but it will be in the car, not in the woods with me!)
 
I was hanging with a couple of friends this past weekend and I brought out my 2, 4, and 5.
I agree with your point although for my skill set (I'm no expert but I know a little and
am very acclimated to the blade) with the BK4 I can do a whole lot more with greater speed
then with a 2.

But when it came to my friends (novice, beginner knife users) they were far more comfortable
with the 2's ergo's and size. Which may be one reason why a lot of us (me included) started
with the 2. If somebody gave me a choice between 4 or 2.....4 would be my choice hands down.
 
Ahh .......love is truly blind.:D

As much as I like the Machaxe-in it's current KABAR configuration, it will not outchop a BK9 in my side by side comparisons. Maybe the old 1/4" thick convex ground Machaxes would, but the new version is a bit light to beat out the 9. To my eyes it equals it as a chopper but does not exceed it.

It also sucks at thrusting/stabbing compared to the BK 9 and is not very good as a slicer for food prep unless you grab it by the blade spine and use it like an Ulu with a really clumsy tail on it.

It also is not as compact as a BK2 nor is it as handy for game dressing chores. It also is not as cheap..;)

Actually if you look at ALL the big Beckers now available, they are all decent a a variety of tasks.. And all pretty good choppers if used properly.

After trying them all, I've decided that if I'm going to carry a Pound of Becker blade on my hip, it's going to be shaped like a BK9.

If I need more knife than that, I'm going to a saw or an Axe..
 
To each their own...but if I'm going to be carrying a BK9 type blade, I'll grab the Junglas instead. The BK4 may chop "just as well" as the BK9...but it does the same job with much less effort...those snap chops work wonders.

Thrusting and stabbing? I don't factor self-defense abilities into what knife I take into the woods...there's spray and handguns for those duties. A knife is for woodworking.

Food prep I can give the edge to the BK9, but neither are what any sane person would use...everyone would at the very least be carrying a small folder in their pocket and would use that instead. Moot point in my opinion.

The BK2 is "compact" compared, but it's extremely heavy. I'd rather have a lighter blade with more functionality that is a little bigger.

Game dressing? Again, I wouldn't use any of them! They are all too awkward and dopey for those types of tasks.
 
Well, Mr NewYorker.. Way to stack the deck and backpeddle. ;) It's just what I figured you would do when I read that first post.;)

Ignoring ALL the other advantages of the other Becker blades compared to the Machaxe does not make them disappear...:o
 
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Of course there are Becker blades better suited for some tasks than the Machax... for example, the BK14 is much better for EDC, the BK5/15 are excellent at food prep, etc etc. What I was saying is that the Machax (for me, at least) is the best choice to bring into the woods with me as of now as a "single blade to rely on." There will never be a perfect knife that does everything better than any other knife, and I never claimed the Machax was that. Not sure what you mean by back pedaling.
 
it's a great knife, imho

30 years of design goodness
 
Does it outchop the 9? No. But with its shape and snap cuts you can chop longer before tiring. I can't think of anything I would use a 4 or a 9 to skin except maybe an elephant. I must be doing something wrong because I don't seem to have any trouble stabbing things at all. I would rather carry 2 BK-16's than one BK-2.
 
NYOutdoors said:
Of course there are Becker blades better suited for some tasks than the Machax... for example, the BK14 is much better for EDC, the BK5/15 are excellent at food prep, etc etc. What I was saying is that the Machax (for me, at least) is the best choice to bring into the woods with me as of now as a "single blade to rely on." There will never be a perfect knife that does everything better than any other knife, and I never claimed the Machax was that. Not sure what you mean by back pedaling.
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Comparing your diatribe above to these direct quotes from your first post is EXACTLY what I mean by "backpedaling". You need a better shovel.

Direct quotes from your first post-

NYOutdoors said:
It is the best cutting Becker I've ever used, also the best chopper.

You know that whole thing how the BK2 does everything but nothing the best? The Machax does everything...and way better than the BK2.
Click to expand...

As an owner and ACTUAL USER of a Bk 2, 5 ,& 9 AND 2012 Machaxe I find those quotes from your first post very funny and easily refuted with facts.:p

Like I said, the BK 2 does many things better than Machaxe. So do the 5, 7 and 9 Beckers. If your Machaxe actually out sliced knives like the BK 5,7 or 9 ,I suggest your sharpen all your knives equally before directly making such comparisons.

I will say this about the Machaxe- OUNCE FOR OUNCE, the 2012 Machaxe is the best Chopper of the current Becker lineup. Not the best all around large Becker blade, but the best chopper for it's weight. That's a VERY limited achievement IMHO. I would like the chance to try out an old thicker bladed Machaxe though.. Me thinks it would run with a Junglass easily.
 
I keep all of my knives sharp enough to shave hair. I'm not kidding you when I say I actually get the best cutting performance from the Machax. That doesn't mean I would sling around a large blade like that when processing game... I don't understand what's so difficult to understand here. I prefer its cutting abilities to any other BK, but its size makes it overkill and awkward for many tasks. However, GIVEN ONE KNIFE, I'd want that one. Yikes...
 
NYOutdoors said:
Honestly, I picked up the Machax to see what all the fuss was about. Now I know. It's easily my favorite Becker knife (and I've used/owned almost all of them). I'm very close to saying that if I could only have one knife (yup, this again)...it would be a Machax. I love the chopping ability, and the up close fine work ability with the narrow part of the blade is OUTSTANDING. It is the best cutting Becker I've ever used, also the best chopper. I love the fact that it can baton like a monster too.

You know that whole thing how the BK2 does everything but nothing the best? The Machax does everything...and way better than the BK2. If I could only take one of my knives into the woods and rely on it, it would be the Machax right now.

On a sidenote, the new coating they are putting on the Beckers is MUCH better than the old. It is more textured like ESEE's coating, but slicing performance was not impeded. Of course, it probably would slice slightly better if stripped, but not much. I made some of the best feathersticks I've ever made with the Machax today.

Props to Ethan for this design...you REALLY struck gold with this one. It's perfect. Oh by the way...the Machax sheath is MUCH improved on the older Becker sheaths without Molle straps... the Tweeners are much better too (same changes).

Sorry for no pics, but I don't have the camera here.
Click to expand...

Glad you are happy with that Machax, and I couldn't agree more.

There are lots of differences between the BK2 and Machax, so, I don't think a fair comparison could be drawn, but that Machax design, is the FIRST BKT ever. Yup, numero uno, el ultimo hombre.

Alot of thought and trial and error went into that blade, and you can certainly tell.

Next time, pics dammit.

:D

Moose
 
Right before the current bk4 came out I recall Ethan saying on here that the late Cinci Machax was the best all-around big camp knife he'd ever designed, and that he expected the Ka Bar to meet or exceed that. I haven't seen him comment on this since the new 4 has been out, but I sure like mine. Would love to get my hands on one of those Cinci's though...
 
jim62 said:
.........I would like the chance to try out an old thicker bladed Machaxe though.. Me thinks it would run with a Junglass easily.
Click to expand...

You would be thinking wrong. The Camillus 1/4" Machax is a poor chopper and the only BK4 that I have sold. It sucked.
 
Skystorm said:
You would be thinking wrong. The Camillus 1/4" Machax is a poor chopper and the only BK4 that I have sold. It sucked.
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Nope, I think I'm correct...;)

And I never mentioned Camilus made ANYTHING ,did I???

The older knives I was thinking about were the older Cinci / BlackJack made knives.

But thanks for trying to do my thinking for me.

It must be a heck of a burden for you.;)
 
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