More BK9 vs. BR Questions

B

biscuits

Joined
Mar 1, 2003
Messages
39
Howdy,
I have a few Beckers (BK2, BK5, BK11). I was thinking about a BK9 but thought I ought to have a look at SRKW. I’m specifically interested in the BR. I was attracted to the Beckers because I have long fingers and like the handle.
1) How do the coatings compare?
2) What kind of sheath comes with it and how easy is it to attach to the side of a pack? (I can lash it or slide it behind the compression straps and into a wand pocket.)
3) Is it flat ground?

I’d also like to know if the handle on the rat tail than the one on the BK11.

Thanks in advance,
Biscuits
 
biscuits said:
1) How do the coatings compare?
Click to expand...
In my testing of a BK7 and Busse knives (which I'm assuming have much the same coating as the Rats) by striking the knife spine with a steel hammer, the most noticable differences in the coatings were a breakdown characteristic.

The coating on the Becker was more plasticene than the coating on the Busses, which were more ceramic-like brittle. When the coating on the Becker failed, the hammerhead sort of squished it around until a "hole" got torn in it. Note: this was hard to see because the transformational zone from full-thickness coating to the uncoated steel was very, very small.

When the coating on the Busse failed, it broke (chipped?) off to full-depth no-coating holes with bare INFI at the bottom of the holes. Whereas the Becker coating thinned somewhat gradually to zero coverage, the Busse coating had sharp-edged holes.

In chopping use, the difference becomes less noticable. Both coatings will thin, then wear through at the sweet spot. IME the Busse crinkle-coat is the most durable finish, when compared to the Becker coating and Busse's earlier smooth-coat.

2) What kind of sheath comes with it and how easy is it to attach to the side of a pack? (I can lash it or slide it behind the compression straps and into a wand pocket.)
Click to expand...
The BK9 and BR sheaths are very similar: cordura outer, kydex liner, and a small pocket on the front of the sheath. Both sheaths have an extended ("drop") belt loop that places the top of the knife handle about at belt level.

3) Is it flat ground?
Click to expand...
Yes, the BR has a flat-ground primary bevel. The edge grind is convex-ground.
 
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