Might be the best knife ever...

Have a 16FPR and the 17, can't decide which I like better. The 17 essentially is a 16fpr with a clip point so they are very similar in performance. Those and my Eskabar are my favorite 3. I can say that for sure. The design and construction is awesome. Feels, looks, and performs like a quality tool not a pretty boy knife. My only dislike is the sheaths. However if that keeps the cost down enough to allow people to get one who otherwise wouldn't, I could see it as a good thing. A sheath more to one's personal liking can be acquired later. Custom kydex is reasonable and even easy to DIY. Unfortunately many of the custom leather sheaths cost more than the knife itself. All in all I'd say Mr. Becker and KaBar did a great job.
 
A question for all you 16 lovers. I've seen some criticism about the width of the handle, close to the blade. What's your take on this particular criticism? It's been the thing that's holding me back from getting one.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
A question for all you 16 lovers. I've seen some criticism about the width of the handle, close to the blade. What's your take on this particular criticism? It's been the thing that's holding me back from getting one.

Doc
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I felt it was too small as well. Plus, the handle was too short for me.
 
The handle is a great fit for me.
I'd say it's as close to a perfect grip that I've ever found.
I've got Med/Large hands.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
A question for all you 16 lovers. I've seen some criticism about the width of the handle, close to the blade. What's your take on this particular criticism? It's been the thing that's holding me back from getting one.

Doc
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The "throat" of the handle right up behind the self guard is a bit small,but that is kind of visually accentuated by the "belly" in the grip bellow it making it look worse than it really is.

In terms of feel, the thin almost faceted Factory Scales don't help much. The factory scales simply do not have the fully rounded side contours that the larger BK grips have since they have been molded solid. Going with slightly thicker grips or .030" + liners and the factory scales helps the throat feel fuller and more rounded.

It's really not that bad. Here is a pic of the Tweener grip next to what I feel is an ergonomic masterpiece for the average hand- the Mora Cllipper/Companion grip. Note that the actual depth of the throats are pretty close. .870" deep for the Becker at the narrowest point vs .935" for the Mora..

001-96.jpg
 
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DOC-CANADA said:
A question for all you 16 lovers. I've seen some criticism about the width of the handle, close to the blade. What's your take on this particular criticism? It's been the thing that's holding me back from getting one.

Doc
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Jim speaks truth. It is thin in that area. Not uncomfortably thin, but thin. It was noticable. Once I put liners on it though, it no longer "felt" thin, but right. Oh so right.
 
So far, my BK16FFG has been linered and had a piece of inner tube put around it. SOOOOOO much better for work. Without the added thickness, I find it squirms in my hand quite a bit.

My micarta is just the right size, its a little larger than the grivory, and I look forward to seeing it hit the market.

I tried some after market scales that someone is selling, and they suck. Sorry, too triangular at the front finger relief, they rub the hand something fierce. They look good, but suck for actual use.

Moose
 
The Warrior said:
I may agree with ya Derek, if the handles would have fit my hands. I'll probably end up with another 17 one of these days, then do a handle mod on it. I think a bushcraft model would be cool too. Again, iffin it fit my hand.

TweenerBushcrafter2.png
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Holy crap! This needs to be made. I love scandi knifes and this would make it so I don't feel like I'm cheating on my Beckers.

Jeremy
 
dresnor said:
Holy crap! This needs to be made. I love scandi knifes and this would make it so I don't feel like I'm cheating on my Beckers.

Jeremy
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Probably won't ever see a BKT with a Scandi edge, unless you mod it that way. E's not a big fan of the SG and I doubt he will ever set one as a default grind on a BKT design.

Never know though, he is a huge Mors fan..........

Moose
 
Bladite said:
i hand the 16 to a lot of people for "kitchen prep" stuff, and they're like "AHHHHH KNIFE", and i point out the santuko they've been using is bigger... "oh yeah, heh"

the 15 is truly my favorite though. oh yeah.
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I knew there was a reason I liked you, other than being obligated to as a Beckerhead! Yeah, the 15 is my favorite. With liners, it's a good sized grip for me and I found that I had better success with the 15 in terms of all-around usage.
 
Well then I guess it will be the FPR 16 for me, Unless I can get Mors to influence Uncle E....... LOL!


Jeremy
 
dresnor said:
Well then I guess it will be the FPR 16 for me, Unless I can get Mors to influence Uncle E....... LOL!


Jeremy
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E was supposed to go hang out with him last year, on a 3 day event or something, but I don't think he made it. Double booked or something.

Mors is the man, for sure.

Moose
 
I love my 16, it is the knife I have on me anytime I am out in the yard, hiking, camping or just sitting around...fit is definitely a personal thing and for me the tweeners are just perfect and I am a drop point lover so the 16 is all around perfection....

photo%25282%2529.JPG
 
I don't know about the 16 being the "best" knife ever but it's sure as spit the most useful and versatile knife I own :D (replaced my mora as my "go to" knife); Ethan put his heart and soul into the tweeners and it definitely shows.
 
The Warrior said:
I felt it was too small as well. Plus, the handle was too short for me.
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That reminds me, I gots a present for you I need to finish up... Will try to have it to you by the end of the month. This week is busy for my other job, but then I can get back in the shop. Got a ton of knives I'm working on for other people, actually. Woo business!
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Thanks Warrior, Jim62, Derek and Moose for the replies. BTW, Jim62, nice scales.

Doc
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Doc..

You are most welcome. I had heard those same concerns raised about the tweener handle throats before and thought a comparison pic would illustrate things better.

And thanks for the compliments on my work , it's much appreciated...:)
 
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