After being interested in a couple different Beckers but holding off for this or that reason, I recently bought a BK4 Machax.
My first impression was "Wow, this is a heck of a knife". The BK4 is no EDC pocket fixed blade. It has nice thick stock, a tip heavy balance with a nice belly, even grinds, and a shaving sharp edge. The sheath is pretty standard, pretty much what I was expecting. At first I thought the handle was too short and too wide for me, but that has changed from actually using it.
I put it right to use breaking down some 2x4s and logs for kindling at a friend's camp. It was fun, and everyone there seemed to enjoy using it. I've used it for several fires since, and it's a great size for splitting off kindling and breaking down bigger branches. I also used it to clear out a space and set up camp for work, as well as clearing a good amount of trails.
It has grown on me and thoroughly impressed me in use. The handle has grown on me, and feels secure and comfortable. I haven't experienced that notorious slipperyness. It chops like crazy, when you get the right swing it can surprise you how deep it bites. I've also used it as a draw knife some and it definitely handles that. What has really surprised me, being that I'm pretty familiar with 1095, is the edge holding. I've used it quite a bit, and only stropped it on a sunshine cloth, and it's still nice and sharp (even shaving on most of the blade).
I almost never think to take pictures when I'm using knives in the woods and such, but here are a couple pictures that show the use marks a little:
Anyway, I'd love to hear about your first Becker and if any of your first impressions have changed?
My first impression was "Wow, this is a heck of a knife". The BK4 is no EDC pocket fixed blade. It has nice thick stock, a tip heavy balance with a nice belly, even grinds, and a shaving sharp edge. The sheath is pretty standard, pretty much what I was expecting. At first I thought the handle was too short and too wide for me, but that has changed from actually using it.
I put it right to use breaking down some 2x4s and logs for kindling at a friend's camp. It was fun, and everyone there seemed to enjoy using it. I've used it for several fires since, and it's a great size for splitting off kindling and breaking down bigger branches. I also used it to clear out a space and set up camp for work, as well as clearing a good amount of trails.
It has grown on me and thoroughly impressed me in use. The handle has grown on me, and feels secure and comfortable. I haven't experienced that notorious slipperyness. It chops like crazy, when you get the right swing it can surprise you how deep it bites. I've also used it as a draw knife some and it definitely handles that. What has really surprised me, being that I'm pretty familiar with 1095, is the edge holding. I've used it quite a bit, and only stropped it on a sunshine cloth, and it's still nice and sharp (even shaving on most of the blade).
I almost never think to take pictures when I'm using knives in the woods and such, but here are a couple pictures that show the use marks a little:
Anyway, I'd love to hear about your first Becker and if any of your first impressions have changed?
