my thoughts on my BK-4 so far

J

jontok

Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
194
I got my BK-4 a couple of weeks ago at a Bladeforums Meet and, I must say it's an... interesting knife...

Pros & cons so far are:

Cons: (please don't tar and feather me just yet)

Sheath:
Don't get me wrong, it's a nice sheath, but some one made a slight miscalculation somewhere because A) the lower retention strap is a B....H to fasten (especially if you have micarta scales, or if you put some innertube on the original handles for extra grip) and B) it's too difficult to fasten the retention-straps when the sheath's on your belt.
This the main reason I haven't worn it on my belt when out so far.
Thinking of making my own sheath for it. Something like this:


Scales:
The usual here... Grivory scales are too slick (even when your hands are dry). Some innertube slipped over the handle will fix this though. Better yet; get some micarta scales!

Coating:
I don't know what possessed them to change to the new and rougher coating! It's more of a hindrance than anything when both cutting and chopping. If they must have a coating on it, they should have stuck with the old (smooth) one.

Looks:
Let's face it, this knife is ugly as sin. But it's ugly in a fascinating way. (like a car crash...It's difficult not to look at it)

Now for the Pros! (There's only one, but it's a BIG one)

Functionality:
This knife works! It's good for all manner of camp craft (chopping, fire prep, food prep, detail work, ect.) It's a well thought out piece of steel, that clearly puts function above everything and, once you pick one up, it's nearly impossible to put it down again!

So, to conclude, I'm pretty impressed with this knife and (after some modifications) it'll be seeing a lot of bush time!
If you don't have one, GET ONE NOW! :)
 
My bottom retention is very easy to snap, but I do have the stock grivory. I like the grivory. Has plenty of grip for me, and less hot spots than something overly grippy. The coating isn't an issue to me. The rough only last for a little while, once you start batonning with it, etc. I'll probably end up stripping it off anywhos. I also love the looks of the 4. Very unique looking. :thumbup: I agree with your conclusion though. It is a hell of a good tool, and hard to put down.
 
I used my 4 for the first time today for trimming brush for deer stand...It was a real winner!
Very different feel,but easy to get used & very effective.
I will always have my 9 to use but the 4 is a great chopper as well.
 
I used my 4 for the first time today for trimming brush for deer stand...It was a real winner!
Very different feel,but easy to get used & very effective.
I will always have my 9 to use but the 4 is a great chopper as well.
 
The Machax is such an awesome woods tool.
It's so versitile!
It's definitely the most addicting Becker to use. It's so much fun!!
Congrats jontok on a fine knife and tool!!
 
Sand the blade with 220. Put a light coat of bowstring wax on the grivory. Make the sheath. I think she's curvy, and fun when you get her out in the woods.
 
I'm gonna agree with the conclusion, but not the ugly part. I Like the curves and decided to accentuate mine a bit:

15536759530_61f0778474_b.jpg


Too bad postage to Norway would be cost prohibitive, trailbum makes kickass kydex for the Machaxen:

15563701287_3b450d182c_b.jpg


I wear it weak side, kinda cross draw. Plus, notice the lanyard....I find for anything I wanna chop with, a lanyard is a must; then it doesn't matter so much about the Grivory. Usually I'm wearing some sort of gloves anyway; they grip the Grivory pretty well.

Congratulations on your new 4 from the First Annual Scandinavian Gathering. Looked like it was a great time despite the weather (and blood ;)).
 
Tanks for the comments guys. :)

Granitestateofmind: Your BK4 looks a ell of a lot better than mine!
 
"Grivory scales are too slick"

Before I purchased the #4, I listen to videos of Ethan discussing how to use the knife

He talked about using your wrist in snap cuts, I guess to speed the forward momentum
I find (from practicing sward in Akido) that the small finger to palm grip allows that forward snap motion from the wrist
But to do this effectively it means not gripping the handle tightly, so alleviates whether the scales are slick or not
 
The Machax seems to be an awesome knife. I got to fondle one while talking to Ethan about the new Khukuri. We also talked about the grivory scales. He told me a story about two guys he knows, a bottle of whiskey, two BK9s, and a bottle of hydrolic fluid. These guys killed the whiskey, dipped the grivory in the hydrolic fluid, then, bare handed mind you, stabbed as hard as they could into oak barn walls over a hundred times each, and their hands never slipped once. Now that's a story from the man himself. I've never had a slip, either, and don't use lanyards. The scales are grippier than you think.
 
Did I really say a hundred times...???..... I actually don't know how many times they did it...... A couple of times would be enough to prove the point....

Just tried to reach young Will about the incident and when he calls I will be back....... The design of the handle does make it damn difficult to lose the grip during a thrust....... The nylon will not give you hotspots for a long time....... The inner tube will give a bigger grip.....

E
 
Used my new 4 last weekend for clearing shooting lanes and removing some suckers from the apple trees. Really enjoyed it and it gave me a sense of confidence wearing it around the farm. The bottom retaining strap was difficult to snap with the factory slabs for me too, I'm betting it will loosen with use. I wish I had a sheath that retained it without having to deal with the straps at all, still the supplied sheath does the job. The blade was a little short for the briars, but was much easier to carry than a machete, no problem getting in and out of the truck with it on my belt. It packs a lot of versatility and for the record, I think it looks pretty cool!
 
Ethan Becker said:
Did I really say a hundred times...???..... I actually don't know how many times they did it...... A couple of times would be enough to prove the point.....
Click to expand...

You mentioned something like that leading to a lot of unnecessary repitissions. Ha. Story blew my mind.
 
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