My beef about the BK2

CRKS

CRKS

Joined
Feb 24, 2006
Messages
1,280
I really like Ka Bar and the Becker Knives, I just have a little problem with the way they modified the BK2 and did not make a distinction in the name or inform the dealers of the change. I was expecting a new release in June and a new picture or something. In fact the 2010 dealer catalog still has a picture of the old version in it; this is understandable since the old version was all they had when they made the 2010 catalog.

The new version is out and I have been shipping them to customers however I didn't realize there was a difference. The name is the same. I was expecting something like BK2P which will identify that this version has a pommel. Or BK2 2nd Generation or revision 1, they could have come up with some cool name.

My second point (for every person out there wondering) is that the new version weighs less that the original Ka Bar BK2.

I am not bashing KA Bar here, this knife is still a "Train Wreck" (that is a good thing) I just want my customers to know that #1 All I have is the new version and #2 I apologize if you receives the Pommel version and were expecting the original version.

Tom
 
That's a fair position to take. Just as a consumer I found it a little difficult to even determine what I was going to get whan I was trying to order my Beckers. I wasn't sure if I was getting the new or old or anything. I had similar issues with the ESEE's I was looking at. It was not easy to know without calling, to find out if I was going to get the old sheath configuration or the new one
 
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I noticed this situation developing over the past week and was wondering how it would evolve. I like the changes to the new BK2 but agree that the confusion could have easily been avoided with some type of name change.
 
I agree to an extent, but many others do the same thing. How many versions are there of the Spyderco Military? We still have the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado too.
 
CRKS said:
the new version weighs less that the original Ka Bar BK2.

this knife is still a "Train Wreck" (that is a good thing)
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I've been waiting for the new BK2's to ship. :)
I'll be ordering one from you shortly.

As for the weight, IIRC Ethan had mentioned that the new version would be lighter due to the fact that it's manufactured with a hollow tang -
as opposed to the "old" version which had a solid tang.
 
Don't like the pommel or the lighter weight I think they should have left the BK2 alone and called the lighter pommel version the B2KL or something like that. Glad I got the old version when I did.
 
I'm glad I recently got the older version too. I will probably buy the "lite" version but I don't expect it to supplant my original BK2 knowing how much I like the feel of it in hand.
 
Reeek said:
I'm glad I recently got the older version too. I will probably buy the "lite" version but I don't expect it to supplant my original BK2 knowing how much I like the feel of it in hand.
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For those of you that are leery of the changes, don't give up on the new one until you try it.
I was intrigued enough by the production photos of the new Campanion to skeletize the handle of my 1st generation knife. I got it very close to the new version and it's an improvement, to me at least regarding balance and carry weight. It's chopping ability is the same, if not better as well. Look at the weight of an axe head versus the handle weight.
Strength still seems a non issue and carry weight being noticeably lighter makes the knife a greater candidate for packing distances. I was impressed enough with the skeletized BK2 that I did the same modification to my ESEE-5, with good results.
 
CRKS said:
I really like Ka Bar and the Becker Knives, I just have a little problem with the way they modified the BK2 and did not make a distinction in the name or inform the dealers of the change. I was expecting a new release in June and a new picture or something. In fact the 2010 dealer catalog still has a picture of the old version in it; this is understandable since the old version was all they had when they made the 2010 catalog.

The new version is out and I have been shipping them to customers however I didn't realize there was a difference. The name is the same. I was expecting something like BK2P which will identify that this version has a pommel. Or BK2 2nd Generation or revision 1, they could have come up with some cool name.

My second point (for every person out there wondering) is that the new version weighs less that the original Ka Bar BK2.

I am not bashing KA Bar here, this knife is still a "Train Wreck" (that is a good thing) I just want my customers to know that #1 All I have is the new version and #2 I apologize if you receives the Pommel version and were expecting the original version.

Tom
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Tom, Thanks and I wholeheartedly agree, as I am one of your customers that is dismayed at the changes and the lack of acknowledgment on Ka-Bar's behalf. And in response to our earlier conversation, refer to the post I left on page 4 of Tacoma Kid's BK-2 Question.
 
:thumbup:I wish other vendors had your integrity. I had ordered a CS Bushman from another vendor - picture in their catalog was of the original Bushman, which led me to believe that was what I was getting. But I received the Bowie version instead, without any explanation of why they made the substitution. As a result, I haven't ordered from them again.:thumbdn:
 
Pommel yes / lighter weight of course not / this must be the 'new high speed rail' / personally i don't want my train to be on a diet / don't want to make my feather sticks with a feather stick / bring back the old char cloth spewing, fire steel smashing, if ya don't watch ya leg gashing BK2 / thin may be in, but fat's where its at /
 
Hey dcbowtecher.....

The "NEW" Campanion is NOT thinner...........there are a couple of cutouts )as in the BK7 and BK9).......The pommel adds back a tich, but the only difference is a slightly more forward balance that will enhance chopping.......It is just as strong.....Please note that if laser cutting was doable when this knife first came out it would have had the cutouts....30 years ago !!!!

Please also note that it increases the cost of manufacture (the laser guys charge on a per inch basis......It is a change I was insistent on......and all concerned thought it an improvement..... Try the new one before you get too irritated with me........We all thought that the changes were so minor that there would be nary a ripple in the calm waters we love.......

Hey Tom......

This has, I think, been a learning moment......I am certain that notes are being made !!!!!.......

All Best....

ethan
 
Mr. Becker, pardon my ignorance, as I don't know how to re-post or move a posted comment to the current place. I made a personal request to you. See page four[4] of Tacoma Kid's current post. I also wanted to apprise you of my situation. At your convenience, if you will, entertain my request. Mind you, I received an updated pommel version BK2 yesterday from Tom at Chestnut. But the problem is that he was not aware of the issue either. I don't necessarily want to return the knife, but it is not what I ordered. So my request is congruent with your offer to Tacoma Kid. Please entertain my request. Again, due to my ignorance, please view my post on page four of Tacoma Kid's current post.


P.S. ..... I really love my steak with some fat on it and a thick bone!!! LOL
 
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Hey dcbowtecher.......

I can't do the quote thing either......I may not have more than one "old one" in the house.....I will check around tomorrow and if I do I will be happy to do what you want done.......An even swap is good for me........

We will talk on the morrow.....

All Best....

ethan
 
This situation with the BK2 reminds me a bit of the time when Spyderco introduced the Endura 4.

Most people IIRC were unhappy with the changes - the slightly shorter blade and the less pointy tip in particular.
But also the shape of the handle and a couple of other things.
Sal, though, was insistent that the Endura 4 was nonetheless an improvement over the Endura 3.
While some might still disagree, I think the Endura 4 has "proven out".


Ethan Becker's been designing great knives for a long time, as we know.
Many have rightfully become "classics".

I, for one, will be giving him the benefit of the doubt on the new BK2 - that it's an
improved version of the knife, and more fully achieves his original vision for it than the discontinued version.
 
LOVE the new BK-2, but that's not what this thread is about. I personally spoke with two vendors well liked here on the forum. When I asked when they will have the NEW BK-2 in stock they both said... "huh? new?"

One called KA-BAR to confirm and emailed me back. The other opened the box when the new shipment arrived and emailed me as well. Both were unaware any change was being made and both had shipments on the way.

I love the KA-BAR brand and Beckers in particular, but agree that KA-BAR could have kept their vendors better informed.

FWIW...
Greg
 
mmm, troubled waters without perhaps more news releases... we and i tried with the FAQ and many pictures, and links... some super curious people found them. i'm noticing a lot of folx with double digit or less total post counts finding this forum, and chiming in. this is good.

as for the weight change? if someone at a bar could tell the difference in weight, 5 times in a row, blindfolded, i'd buy them a drink; but they buy me a drink for every miss... i think i'd be drunk fast ;)


Bladite
 
I once had two girlfriends and I sure could tell which one was knocking, by the 'not so sheer' weight on the door. Of course, I let the heavier one in. I definitely needed a drink then.
 
dcbowtecher said:
I once had two girlfriends and I sure could tell which one was knocking, by the 'not so sheer' weight on the door. Of course, I let the heavier one in. I definitely needed a drink then.
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the big ones are a lot of fun aren't they!

much like a BIG ARSE BK2 V1 or V2! :D

it is my mission to get a lot of people holding and using a BK2, no matter the version.....

BK2 ROCKS! :thumbup:
 
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