My beloved BK16 is bent!!!

[Guyon]

Yes, it's bent. Don't beat on the handle.

 

[Sharp Steel]

I saw a TV show that was talking about swords and metal a few years ago. The host was showing that when a piece of metal is bent, it changes it in some manner. He demonstrated with a flexible piece of steel wire, and after it was bent it became much stiffer. It could not be bent back to its original shape. You may break that handle trying to bend it back to the original position.

I think the show was called Secrets of the Samurai Sword, but I am not certain. Secrets was interesting to watch anyway.

 

[keroscene]

I'm onboard w/ the Mini-Chax project!! make it happen!!!

sorry bout your blade bro, know that had to be a sad moment in your life......

 

[granitestateofmind]

I saw a TV show that was talking about swords and metal a few years ago. The host was showing that when a piece of metal is bent, it changes it in some manner. He demonstrated with a flexible piece of steel wire, and after it was bent it became much stiffer. It could not be bent back to its original shape. You may break that handle trying to bend it back to the original position.

I think the show was called Secrets of the Samurai Sword, but I am not certain. Secrets was interesting to watch anyway.

I think that's referred to as "work hardening". It also (AFAIK) makes the steel more brittle. I'm sure someone with knowledge in this area will correct me as I am too lazy right now to back up my words with actual research.

Mini-'chax. ¡Buen idea!

 

[Chameleonbear]

Threads like this make me sad...

This could be why Ka-Bar views batonning as abuse. I'd say use it as is, or mini-machax it. But don't warranty claim it.

 

[hhmoore]

It's interesting to me how many people comment to "Suck it up" and "Buy a new knife." Although I don't think it's a failure on the Becker design, I DO think it's an opportunity to improve an existing design. EVERY failure is an opportunity to improve. Shouldn't Ka-Bar be interested in this failure? Who knows that they are and who knows how many other failures they've had similar to this one that were NOT posted on Bladeforums.com?

If Ka-Bar is interested in pleasing their customer base, one that seems to appreciate the durability of the Becker line, they need to consider every failure. Even those that come from "abuse" of the tool in question.

Survivormind

Simply put, what happened to that knife is not a manufacturing defect.
Having a great warranty is good; but there's a big difference between a knife failing because of a problem in production vs it falling because some f-nut (not referring to the OP) decides to do a destruction test. Granted this was not a destruction test....by the same token, the knife didn't fail. It was subjected to extreme forces; and, when one part couldn't move, another did.
Years ago, this situation would have played differently:
Guy pounds on knife
Knife bends/breaks
Guy shows friends - enjoys attention & revels in how he really f-d up that knife
Guy buys new knife, and probably tries not to wreck it.

Now, it seems that people think they can do whatever they want without consequence. No need to worry about damaging something, when the maker is expected to replace it for free. But, those replacement aren't really free - they still cost the company money; and those claims add up. Eventually, those costs trickle back to the consumer in the form of higher prices.
I guess I'm just old school enough to think that a company shouldn't have to replace something that I break myself.
That said Ka-Bar may well replace it...I just happen to feel that they shouldn't be asked to.

I can agree with letting them know how the knife performed, for the sake of feedback and R&D - but it should be with full disclosure and without any claim. The knife performed exactly as it should have.


Why would a Beckerhead steal from the company that makes the knives?

 

[Bowxpress]

I do not agree with filing a claim either, if your knife became stuck instead of beating on the handle why didn't you just use another piece of wood or something to put in the split of the wood you was batoning to take the stress out of it, or help free it up. clearly no thinking was involved here, common sense does go a long ways sometimes.

 

[Revolverrodger]

I agree that technique is extremely important when batoning. And knowing the limits of your gear is essential as well.
You need to see where the knots are in the wood before you baton and ideally you should choose the diameter to be less than 3/4 of the blade length (1/2 is safer).
I never had my BK-16 break when batoning but then again I baton only smaller pieces of wood with it.
Up here in Canada I always bring an axe as my main chopping / spitting tool in the woods so the knife is for smaller wood.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

As Derek Mentioned, I've hulked out and broken a thing or two in my day...
but I think there's hope for this one yet!

However, all is not lost, even if Kabar won't replace it. Looks like the beginning of a major mod to me.

personally, i'd probably find a safe way to chuck that up, and get a pipe, and bend it back

I'm on board with these two and the numerous others, but I have a bit of a different take:
I was thinking to try the thing out in a monkeyfist grip and see if the new angle gives you more leverage on push cuts, like making fuzzsticks, etc.
If it does, then I vote to just make it some custom scales to fit its new cant. I dunno 'bout the mini machax project or not...but a nessmuk ...

hope you can make some lemonade of this somehow.

 

[james terrio]

This is exactly why I don't warranty my own knives against batonning... because so many people do it completely wrong.

I found out what the issue was. When I got the blade stuck, it wouldn't go ANY further and I had to beat on the handle to work it out...

I am 100% UNsurprised. That nearly always turns out to be what happened in cases like these. Don't do that anymore.

If you need to split a large section, use a wedge. If you just need to get down to dry wood for kindling, simply baton around the perimeter and take off small splits. Easy-peasy, no breaky-breaky.

 

[Darksidedenny]

Ok i have to get on this...as far as asking for a knife replacement,i agree with most...you put it thru extreme challenge and it felt...your fault,kabar shouldn t fix that problem as you made a mistake. Now for people pulling the trigger on you,well i remember a not so far thread about putting a bk2 thru much worst,like thru a fridge,a lawnmower....everyone was in awe...so give the kid a break(no pun attented),his only mistake is to ask kabar to replace a knife when well,they shouldn't...never hurt to ask righ?
I do think your beloved 16 is up for a mod and you should embrace this challenge and go for it.it's fate.
Now,if kabar decide to send you a new knife,good for you,if not oh well,you still have a 9 and i suspect many more....happy trails man,it s only a knife and you can replace it at some point.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

Using an axe or hatchet prevents bends as well. Who knew?

Good point! Mora's out-carve my small beckers, so why buy beckers? Just use an axe and a mora, save money too!

I have a Mora and like it very much. I buy Beckers because I respect the blades, not because I think I can, or should beat the crap out of it and then expect smarter individuals to understand my predicament. All that aside, Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it.

 

[knife chop]

I have the same knife and i've batoned through a dried mesquite once and I remember hitting the tang pretty hard. The knife is a lemon.

You should have gotten a busse lol.

 

[338375]

ah, that's clearly abuse. that's akin to clamping the knife in a vise, and trying to bend it with a pipe.

you should withdraw your warranty appeal, and do something cool with your knife, or bend it back.

Agreed...

There are several companies that have customer service that goes above and beyond, but there are some people that think it should cover absolutely everything, and are quick to take advantage of the service.
Sometimes we as consumers have to take a step back, and say, Ya know what ? I f...ed up, so I guess this one is on me.
When too many people take advantage of a great warranty, it could potentially lead to changes in that coverage.

 

[UffDa]

These usually work better.

 

[idaho]

Nice bend. It is good to see how the knife deformed. It is a good thing, not a defect.

Do not try to make it straight again.

 

[Eero]

it's kind of nice to see where the limits of a 16 are. Thanks for showing us what not to do

 

[wildnewfie]

I must say this... I have seen some snarky comments in this thread. The Op did something that more experienced people have turned their noses up at and put him down as a result. The OP's technique may have been flawed or it may have been an issue with the blade but to insult his intelligence or to call him greedy for asking about the warranty I think is uncalled for. Kabar offers a limited lifetime warranty which they say doesn't include batoning but Mr Becker says a knife should be able to baton.

One of the great aspects of being a becker head is the support we provide each other wether it be modifications, advice on the next blade, kick a$$ giveaways or the occasional oops I broke something.... But not what this thread has started to turn into.

I think it is unfair the put someone down for beating up a blade....life's progression is learn to walk then run.... I have yet to see it done in reverse.... Just my thoughts

 

[Billu]

I would try to bend it back. If it broke I would just call it my own bad luck....then get another. I really think it could be bent back if you went slow. Probably not good as new....but better than the way it looks now. I would build a wooden jig, 2x4 "t" post and a 10 ton hydraulic jack and push it up towards a solid object like a house beam in a garage. It would not take much to bend it.

 

[wildnewfie]

I would try to bend it back. If it broke I would just call it my own bad luck....then get another. I really think it could be bent back if you went slow. Probably not good as new....but better than the way it looks now. I would build a wooden jig, 2x4 "t" post and a 10 ton hydraulic jack and push it up towards a solid object like a house beam in a garage. It would not take much to bend it.

From past exp bending a bent blade back usually doesn't end well... Granted it has been on the blade side ...