My BK-16 Has Finally Arrived.

C

CalmAsHinduCows

Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Messages
127
So happy!

All I have done so far is just take it out of the box, let my brother-in-law handle it, and sat it back on the table to take some pictures. Everything is completely stock and I love it. The handles are perfectly designed and I even like the feel of them in my hand. I'll probably switch the black ones out with the tan ones. I do love the sheath, but its just a tad too big for the knife. I'll definitely use it for now, but will be on the look out for a nice, sleeker Kydex one.

Overall, I think the knife is a beautifully engineered tool for bushcraft or any other purposed suited for the woods. My brother-in-law mentioned that the grind might be slightly off. He said it looks like the belly of the blade, towards the heel might be slightly higher than the curve of the blade, near the tip. Also, it didn't come quite as sharp as I would have hoped given all the shaving sharp reviews I've read about KA-BARs. You could really see the grind marks left behind on the edge and it was just riddled with burrs. I think someone forgot to finish up the last few steps in the grinding process before boxing it up. I'll probably have to take it somewhere to get it touched up as I don't have any sharpening equipment of my own. Other than that, everything seems great.

Edit - For some reason, the pictures I uploaded weren't working. I have to switch them to links.

http://imgur.com/8sneRSv

http://imgur.com/lGVUI4S

http://imgur.com/cOSVNAs

http://imgur.com/v2USHwb

http://imgur.com/imO3tZK

After I get the blade reground and sharpened, I'll take it outside and give a good use. Maybe even take in on my upcoming winter camping trip to really put it through some trials.
 
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I've seen a lot of Beckers with that problem. I frequently go to smokey mountain knife works, and they allow you to inspect every knife before you buy it. I went through two blades when I bought my 16 there. All the grinds were fine except a few of the final sharpening grinds. They were off pretty bad, but very usable, and easily fixable. My guess is the sharpener might be working a lot of overtime, or he's kind of new. I work in a factory (for now), and know how it goes. Use it, and it will work out on its own. Also, you NEED to get yourself a west India stone with a medium grit (tan in color). There are plenty of good sharpening tutorials on YouTube. Search for one done by Jerry Fisk. Every knife owner NEEDS to know how to sharpen themselves. Great looking knife. They are very impressive. Mine is still stock with the tan scales on it. It looks awesome like that if you haven't already switched them ;)

Btw, when I order a Becker over the net it will always be from Dex (Coyle Outdoors), who is here on the forum. He inspects them before he ships them out. So, you already know it's going to be just fine. Plus, he puts a few goodies in your box with a note. Kinda makes ya feel a little special in a way...
 
CM_Rick said:
I've seen a lot of Beckers with that problem. I frequently go to smokey mountain knife works, and they allow you to inspect every knife before you buy it. I went through two blades when I bought my 16 there. All the grinds were fine except a few of the final sharpening grinds. They were off pretty bad, but very usable, and easily fixable. My guess is the sharpener might be working a lot of overtime, or he's kind of new. I work in a factory (for now), and know how it goes. Use it, and it will work out on its own. Also, you NEED to get yourself a west India stone with a medium grit (tan in color). There are plenty of good sharpening tutorials on YouTube. Search for one done by Jerry Fisk. Every knife owner NEEDS to know how to sharpen themselves. Great looking knife. They are very impressive. Mine is still stock with the tan scales on it. It looks awesome like that if you haven't already switched them ;)

Btw, when I order a Becker over the net it will always be from Dex (Coyle Outdoors), who is here on the forum. He inspects them before he ships them out. So, you already know it's going to be just fine. Plus, he puts a few goodies in your box with a note. Kinda makes ya feel a little special in a way...
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That's understandable. I mean, if someone is working tons of overtime, accidents are going to happen when you're tired. The knife is still very usable the grind seems fairly straight enough. I just wished I could have bought a final product instead of paying extra to get it retouched like how it should have came in the first place.

My wife ordered the knife as late Christmas present and I didn't ask where she got it from. I probably should have gone with Dex if I had known I was getting the knife so quickly. I'm kind of on-the-fence about buying another Becker blade. I mean, I don't want to drop $50-80 on something and have a 50/50 shot of it actually being finished, to factory specs, and useable. But, if I happen to do go with KA-BAR again, it will definitely be through Dex.
 
Congrats!

If you own a knife, you should at least own a Norton India stone so that you can maintain said knife. You can pick up a coarse/fine stone for less than $20. Practice on a $5 truck stop knife or flea market knife till you have some confidence with the stone. Any old leather belt makes a fine strop for a final edge.
 
Can you post some close ups of the edge from different angles for us? If it's too bad, they will make it right.
 
CM_Rick said:
Can you post some close ups of the edge from different angles for us? If it's too bad, they will make it right.
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My new BK-10 is off too Rick. Big time if you ask me. Doesn't affect me to much. I generally don't run factory bevels for very long anyways so I'll fix it.
 
CM_Rick said:
Can you post some close ups of the edge from different angles for us? If it's too bad, they will make it right.
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I'm heading out to Boston to go pick up someone from the airport. But, once I get back I'll post some more pics either tonight or tomorrow. The best way I can describe the feeling of the edge is it almost feels like someone tried to sharpen it on a cement block or the sidewalk. Its sharp, the same way a jagged piece of metal with dozens of burrs on it is sharp.

I know it probably won't take much to fix it and it will probably be good practice to learn how to sharpen as well. But, damn, I had no idea this was such a common occurrence with the Becker blades. I thought quality control was in place for a reason.

Ah well, I guess I'm going to have to plunk down even more money in hopes of getting my Christmas present in presentable shape.
 
CalmAsHinduCows said:
I'm heading out to Boston to go pick up someone from the airport. But, once I get back I'll post some more pics either tonight or tomorrow. The best way I can describe the feeling of the edge is it almost feels like someone tried to sharpen it on a cement block or the sidewalk. Its sharp, the same way a jagged piece of metal with dozens of burrs on it is sharp.

I know it probably won't take much to fix it and it will probably be good practice to learn how to sharpen as well. But, damn, I had no idea this was such a common occurrence with the Becker blades. I thought quality control was in place for a reason.

Ah well, I guess I'm going to have to plunk down even more money in hopes of getting my Christmas present in presentable shape.
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Don't let it bug you too much. I've had two with slightly off grinds, but neither case resulted in poor performance. 1095CV is relatively easy to sharpen and takes a wonderful edge. Besides, once you get good at sharpening, you'll probably end up putting your own edge on a lot of your future knives. Looking forward to seeing more pics once you get it dirty.
 
Calm,
That sounds worse than anything I've seen, yet. The pics will help.

.357mag,
I've seen primary edges just off, mostly. Probably like what you have there. My 2 has that problem, but I've been gradually working it out.

Guys,
If nothing else comes of this I would be happy to fix your edges for free. I do all of my sharpening by hand on bench stones. I'll even strop them out to a mirror finish for you. That is if you want my help.
 
If it has burrs on the edge, just run it on your kitchen steel.
 
CM_Rick said:
Calm,
That sounds worse than anything I've seen, yet. The pics will help.

.357mag,
I've seen primary edges just off, mostly. Probably like what you have there. My 2 has that problem, but I've been gradually working it out.

Guys,
If nothing else comes of this I would be happy to fix your edges for free. I do all of my sharpening by hand on bench stones. I'll even strop them out to a mirror finish for you. That is if you want my help.
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I'm good. It's the way it is as far as I'm concerned. Human error.. I'm betting them guys at the factory lay down more than one bevel a day. :).
 
.357 mag said:
I'm betting them guys at the factory lay down more than one bevel a day. :).
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This. ^^^

Remember that we're talking about relatively inexpensive production blades here. And yes, the final grind, in my understanding, is put on by hand and done quickly, especially relative to the the time most of us spend sharpening our knives. If you want perfect, mirrored bevels, you're going to pay more for the knife. Me? I'd rather pay less for the knife and put the edge I want on it, and I think Ethan's knives are bought and used mostly by folks who don't mind--heck, even desire--some modification on the user end. As far as the more coarse grind goes, it is actually a better and longer cutter because it has some micro "teeth," and some people (like Moose) sharpen their knives to have such bite to the edge. If Ka-Bar put perfectly smooth grinds on their knives, people would probably complain that the knives have to be sharpened too soon. :p

And I stand by what I said earlier. If you own a knife, even if it's just in the kitchen, then you owe it to yourself to learn to sharpen a knife.
 
Thank you for the input, everyone! :D

Sorry if I came off as complaining before. I really do love this knife! Also, my brother-in-law is going to help me get a decent set up for sharpening. He'll show me to regrind that edge and make it my own. It's a skill I'll have to learn sooner or later, anyhow. I'm sure it was just an over-tired grinder who just happened to screw up. It's no big deal, really. The knife is still solid as a rock, useable, and able to be customized. It's definitely a keeper.
 
CalmAsHinduCows said:
Thank you for the input, everyone! :D

Sorry if I came off as complaining before. I really do love this knife! Also, my brother-in-law is going to help me get a decent set up for sharpening. He'll show me to regrind that edge and make it my own. It's a skill I'll have to learn sooner or later, anyhow. I'm sure it was just an over-tired grinder who just happened to screw up. It's no big deal, really. The knife is still solid as a rock, useable, and able to be customized. It's definitely a keeper.
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The word "grinder" gives me chills.. Sharpen freehand please! Or send it to me and I'll do it for you.
 
Hey O Calm one.....

Factory bevels tend to be a little"off" because anyone's right hand stroke is a touch different than the left one..... Very human..... The average KaBar factory edge will make over one hundred push cuts through one inch Manilla rope.....Not ALL mind but most...... The edge tends to look a bit unfinished but will cut well for a loooooooong time.......

Sharpening is a "must" skill and is way less complicated than usually thought...... Jerry Fisk is the man to watch and the Norton Fine India stone is the best and it is quite inexpensive.....Under twenty bucks most places.......I have three Norton Bench stones.....Two live in the kitchen and alternate through the dishwasher for culinary work and a long one in the shop for field knives...... Longer is better......

I prefer an edge with a bit of bite to it.....Others,Derek, Tradewater and Pointy come to mind, want a glass smooth razor edge..... I am,I guess, either just a little too lazy or really do like a bit more saw to my edge...... Always a compromise, mind, always a compromise....

Try using the factory edge for a bit, get a stone, watch the Great Fisk, practice and enjoy....... Above all Enjoy.....

Hope this helps.....

Ethan

PS.... Thanks for buying your Sixteen.......
 
Guyon said:
Remember that we're talking about relatively inexpensive production blades here.

...snip...

Me? I'd rather pay less for the knife and put the edge I want on it
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Agreed. I tend to sharpen the factory edge pretty soon after receiving the knife anyway, so if I can get a high value knife that just needs to be sharpened a bit, I'm pretty content.

Ethan Becker said:
Sharpening is a "must" skill and is way less complicated than usually thought......
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Plus 1095 is a very, very forgiving steel to a beginning sharpener. Freehanded this factory edge (sorry, don't have a Becker pic handy) to a mirror level without even using a strop, took me less than half an hour. Go for it OP!

uzuqbeY.jpg
 
The beauty of KaBar's 1095 is that, as stated above, it's very forgiving. I've found the edges to be very easy to maintain, and they keep their bite quite a while. Following the advice here, picking up a stone, and going for it is going to pay you long-term rewards.

If you want to spend a little more than a Norton stone (and there's no reason to), the Spyderco Sharpmaker is a great, easy way to sharpen your knives. Also, the Sharpmaker seems to pair very well with KaBar's 1095, in my experience.
 
Again, thank you everyone! I'm very sorry if it sounded like I was complaining. I've actually been watching sharpening videos all day and practicing on one of my old kitchen knives. I'm no where near expert level, but I'm certainly a little bit better than I was yesterday. As long as I keep practicing, I'll only get better. :D

The knife is great! I'll be taking it out very shortly. It's -20 with windchill here, but my wife and I planning on going camping. I want to see what this beautiful knife can do for me.
 
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