Need a volunteer - Moose?

[DOC-CANADA]

Considering how many weird weather things have been happening, I thought it would be appropriate to put together a foul-weather GAG bag. Something I always thought would be a useful addition, would be a BK-3. Over the years, I have toyed with the idea of picking one up, for different purposes, so I finally blew the cobwebs off the Visa, and took the plunge. (Yes, Guyon, I finally got one and, yes, I know - pictures).

After I ordered it, I browsed previous threads pertaining to the TacTool, hoping to pick up an idea or two. In one of them, it was suggested that something like the instruction sheet for Vic SAK's, demonstrating the various uses, would be useful for the TacTool.

Moose, given your experience/knowledge with said BK-3, and your relationship with Uncle E. (so you can consult on what, exactly, the features are for), how about it?

Doc

 

[whereismyclock]

Neat! I was going to buy one of these for a truck kit. But ended up buying a serrated tdi, first aid kit, flashlight, umbrella and crowbar for the same price.

 

[Moosez45]

Considering how many weird weather things have been happening, I thought it would be appropriate to put together a foul-weather GAG bag. Something I always thought would be a useful addition, would be a BK-3. Over the years, I have toyed with the idea of picking one up, for different purposes, so I finally blew the cobwebs off the Visa, and took the plunge. (Yes, Guyon, I finally got one and, yes, I know - pictures).

After I ordered it, I browsed previous threads pertaining to the TacTool, hoping to pick up an idea or two. In one of them, it was suggested that something like the instruction sheet for Vic SAK's, demonstrating the various uses, would be useful for the TacTool.

Moose, given your experience/knowledge with said BK-3, and your relationship with Uncle E. (so you can consult on what, exactly, the features are for), how about it?

Doc

Sounds cool to me. Lemme see what I can do. Can you give me a good clear pic of it, with that same blue back ground? I'll post some commentary and some arrows.

Moose

 

[dresnor]

I too am very interested in the BK3's features. I got to hold one at a surplus store and my knees buckled from the sheer awesomeness. It is next on my list, that or the bk9.

Thanks in advance Moose!

Jeremy

 

[DOC-CANADA]

How about this one?

Doc

 

[Guyon]

 

[clich]

i thought the nugget slicer and the gash starter were the same thing it just depended on which side of the tracks you come from

 

[Moosez45]

How's this, Doc.

The design was orginally based on what a SWAT Officer needed, one John Benner, if memory serves. It has been changed and modified to suit multiple situations.

As a breeching/entry tool, it excels at bashing though thin interior doors, and can pry some heavy doors open. Its a full 1/4" thick stock, and the full chisel grind, adds durability to the edge.

As a woodland tool, it falls short in a few arenas, primarily, as a chopper. You must swing lefty in order to get it to "bite", most right hand swings result in a glancing blow that races towards the knee, and/or out of the hand. This is a personal experience, yours may vary.

The temper is on par with what a knife temper is, but its on the lower side, for more flex when used as a prying tool. When you are prying with it, you need to have the "flat back" of the blade facing outwards, if you face the grinds out, it slips. Edge up is the way we remember it, we being the EMT/Firemen that I work with.

Wrong

Right

The "hook" can be used as a leverage pry (think claws on a claw hammer), but it will break, as the OAL will give you enough leverage to shatter the tip. Another one of those personal experiences. Its best to use it to grab and secure something, you can put rotational force on it, and "lock" something in, as well.

The chisel tip, allows you to get deeper penetration when you are wedging the blade in, and it aslo "grabs" material, and allows you to put more force behind the handle, when you are prying.

The Glass Breaker point works well on glass, given the knife's OAL and full swing, even tough ass auto glass breaks. Plus, it gives better penetration in metal.

How's that Doc? Anything I didn't cover? Lemme know.

Moose

 

[Moosez45]

In action, for those that haven't seen it. If you don't like the music, mute it. E talks three times, you can unmute for that if you want to.

[youtube]QSuZxLT8_iY[/youtube]

Moose

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Wow Moose, I didn't expect you to post all the vid pictures. I have already downloaded the video. I saw quite a bit mentioned about hinge pullers and wire cutters in previous threads. Was that not in reference to the hook?

Also, keeping in mind I have yet to go out and get it dirty, why would I have to chop left handed? It seems to me that a lefty would have to chop right handed, say on something like standing dead wood. Usually, when I am chopping a small log to shorten it, I hold it vertical and chop downwards, turning the log every hit. When I've chopped all the way around (to weaken it), I bash it against a rock, etc. to break it.

Doc

ETA: I just used it to chop a 2x2 in half, and while it's no Machax, it did the job right-handed.

 

[Moosez45]

Wow Moose, I didn't expect you to post all the vid pictures. I have already downloaded the video. I saw quite a bit mentioned about hinge pullers and wire cutters in previous threads. Was that not in reference to the hook?

Also, keeping in mind I have yet to go out and get it dirty, why would I have to chop left handed? It seems to me that a lefty would have to chop right handed, say on something like standing dead wood. Usually, when I am chopping a small log to shorten it, I hold it vertical and chop downwards, turning the log every hit. When I've chopped all the way around (to weaken it), I bash it against a rock, etc. to break it.

Doc

ETA: I just used it to chop a 2x2 in half, and while it's no Machax, it did the job right-handed.

Everyone that I have seen that chops wood with it right handed, glances a shot off. It flew out of my hand, and about buried itself in the knee of Mr. Machine26 when he glanced.

I just caution everyone, but the grind bites better when you swing with your left hand.

The Hook has lots of uses, but the paracord grabbing thing is what Ethan told me about it. I like it hook and pull stuff. One guy I know, sharpened his hook up great, and it tore seatbelts like mad, so, its just like the others, whatever you want it to be.

No, its no Machax, and I haven't forgotten about your new Machax, either, Ol' Man.

Moose

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Moose,

First, the 2 x 2 - no work of art, but it was just a quickee bashing. In this application, it's more like a sharpened club than a sharpened pry bar.

Probably it's senility catching up with me, but I don't understand how it would work better left handed.


In the following, the left side of the diagram shows a wood chisel approaching a piece of wood, one way, and then upside down.

'A' orientation is the normal way you would take a chisel to a piece of wood.

'B' orientation would allow the chisel to slide right along, glancing if you will.

'A' orientation is the way the TacTool would strike the wood with a right handed blow (picture the user is on the other side of the wood facing you).

What am I not taking into consideration?

A couple of buddies are suggesting a get-together in the next few weeks. If so, I'll try to get some video of this.

Doc

 

[Moosez45]

Moose,

First, the 2 x 2 - no work of art, but it was just a quickee bashing. In this application, it's more like a sharpened club than a sharpened pry bar.

Probably it's senility catching up with me, but I don't understand how it would work better left handed.


In the following, the left side of the diagram shows a wood chisel approaching a piece of wood, one way, and then upside down.

'A' orientation is the normal way you would take a chisel to a piece of wood.

'B' orientation would allow the chisel to slide right along, glancing if you will.

'A' orientation is the way the TacTool would strike the wood with a right handed blow (picture the user is on the other side of the wood facing you).

What am I not taking into consideration?

Doc

I think you are taking everything into consideration, Doc. I can't argue the diagrams. Well done, by the way.

When I hold the BK3 in my right hand, the flat to my left, when I chop a horizontal piece of wood, I swing at an angle roughly 30-45 degrees from my centerline. Angle high on the right, cross to low left. That puts the edge hitting like we see in diagram B.

You got it spot on, and I think where the confusion is coming, is you are cutting on a vertical piece, where as I am cutting on a horizontal piece. Perhaps?

Moose

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Thanks Moose.

You are correct, almost all of my chopping is vertical, the same way you would take down standing deadwood, although I don't chop it the same way as you would with an axe. I cut only in a down direction, enough to weaken it and then I break it, keeping in mind that I'm not taking down large trees. With loose pieces, I hold it vertically, give it a whack, turn it a bit with my hands, then whack it again. Not sure if you're following this, but I find horizontal chopping counter intuitive. Probably just another of the things that make me a little strange.

Doc

 

[Moosez45]

Thanks Moose.

You are correct, almost all of my chopping is vertical, the same way you would take down standing deadwood, although I don't chop it the same way as you would with an axe. I cut only in a down direction, enough to weaken it and then I break it, keeping in mind that I'm not taking down large trees. With loose pieces, I hold it vertically, give it a whack, turn it a bit with my hands, then whack it again. Not sure if you're following this, but I find horizontal chopping counter intuitive. Probably just another of the things that make me a little strange.

Doc

Strange it is a good thing.

I go with what works for the moment, there are times when it vertical is better/safer, other times, horizontal is the safer method, its a tool box in my eyes, take out the tool for the moment.

Moose

 

[DerekH]

When did they start putting the tang extension on the BK3? Mine is a Kabar version I thought, and it has no tang extension.

 

[Moosez45]

Shortly after we made the video.

Moose

 

[Bladite]

it's going to want to skitter towards the left if the blow is not good, or you hit a knot or something. just a thing to keep in mind.

that said, imho, left or right handed , just learn to deal with it.

personally, i feel like the whole bk3 is backwards edge-wise compared to the rest. lay any other full size becker next to a bk3 and note handle and screw orientation.