Mini Review: BT6 Variant, Mini Bowie, and G-clip

M

MRpink

Joined
Sep 17, 2007
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3,057
Just a quick review on some BT gear in the kitchen.

BT6 Variant (aka Pineapple Express), and Mini Bowie with swedge.
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With the LaGriffe Pikal.
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The BT6 is made of AEB-L so I had to test it in the kitchen. Although this is a slightly more tactical design, the thickness and edge geometry is similar to that of Ban's Santoku so it slices everything with laser precision. The BT6 wasn't designed as a full kitchen duty knife so the finger guard can get in the way at times.
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The black and yellow liner is great looking!
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My personal favorite of the two is the Mini Bowie!
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Steel is S35VN, great utility knife that can do it all! The long swedge on the spine can be used in pikal form as well.
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A quick pose, haha.
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Girlfriend was making meatballs in the background for the spaghetti.
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Also got a hold of the G-clip as well. Compared to small tek-lok.
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I love the G-clip, similar to the small tek-lok but a lot more versatile since it can clip onto pretty much anything, and best of all, no belt required! I've been wearing it on my shorts all day and will definitely be sleeping with it on as well. Can't even tell I have it on.
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As always, Ban's knives are stupid sharp, super clean, and look awesome. They deserve to best tested hard, but I only borrowed them temporarily to make dinner with the girlfriend. The BT6 would make an awesome light camp duty knife with no maintenance required. Not sure what it is, but after using the Mini Bowie, I'm in love! The overall size, ergonomics, design, and steel mesh together perfectly. It can be used in the kitchen, self defense, EDC, field, etc. It's the ultimate utilitarian knife.

Thanks again for letting me try these out Ban! I was worried the girlfriend might lop off a few fingers but all is well! Also, I hope I don't see you anytime soon so I can keep these a little longer. ;)
 
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Damn, I gotta come over for dinner next time. What the hell happened to the spaghetti? I guess you went straight for the protein and garlic bread. Trying to cut down on carbs ? ;)
 
That settles it. I don't know when exactly, but I'm getting a Mini Bowie like that. I think I'll wait to see what Ban thinks of the ELMAX he's going to try out. And that food looks damn good.

I also have to say, I thought I was the only one to sleep with a knife on! I keep my LGP in basically the same position as you have the Mini Bowie. I haven't stabbed myself with it or any of the others I've done this with so far thankfully.
 
i've always been partial to drop points over bowies, but the more I see and use Ban's different takes on bowies, the more I like them. i can't stop fiddling with the mini bowie, i even brought it in to work and taking it out when nobody is around! it's seriously one of the most ergonomic handles I've felt, comfortable and secure from every grip style.
 
Ban said:
Damn, I gotta come over for dinner next time. What the hell happened to the spaghetti? I guess you went straight for the protein and garlic bread. Trying to cut down on carbs ? ;)
Click to expand...

hahah! trying to lose another 10-15 lbs so cutting down on carbs where I can. beers are only on special occasions. :D
 
Thanks for the review Huy :thumbup: What do you think about the mini-bowie as an all-around EDC that can be used defensively in forward-grip-edge-in and reverse-grip-edge-in? Can you take some shots of it in either grip? I've been wanting something a little more on the utility side that can still function in pikal or forward grip. That way I would feel better about EDC-ing it...although I'd probably need a 3" version to be even safer with municipal codes.

I love the point on that BT6. And the g-clip looks mighty interesting...I can use it with boardshorts/gym shorts!
 
On paper it seems a tad bit large for EDC, however after EDCing it for a couple days, I think it carries great. Maybe it's a combination of the light weight and low profile design, but it literally disappears in my pocket (not as much as Ban's Ti knives, but close).

Are you thinking mini bowie with or without the sharpened swedge? I STRONGLY suggest sharpened swedge because you get the best of both worlds (utility and self defense).

Sorry, I don't have pics since I returned the knife today, but for defensive carry, the swedge would work great for pikal form in hammer or icepick grip. It also feels super secure and comfortable in either orientation.

It also makes a great utility knife; there's enough space on the spine to comfortably rest your thumb (and more than enough cutting area on the swedge to do some serious damage), however the tip was extra fine on this particular one due to the swedge. This knife wasn't designed to be a prybar, but based on your preference and what you think you might be using it for, you can always ask Ban to leave extra meat on the edge and tip.

I was torn between choosing a BT4 or Mini Bowie, but after returning the bowie, I miss it so much! The BT4 is a classic, and I'd definitely choose that if it was going to be a dedicated bushcraft/utility knife, however as a urban utility/self defense knife, I think the mini bowie with sharpened swedge is king!
 
Definitely sharpened swedge. I don't mind (and probably do prefer) a fine tip and edge either, for a light duty EDC knife either :thumbup: Thanks for your thoughts!
 
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