Neew help deciding on a new blade

wildnewfie

wildnewfie

Joined
Feb 23, 2012
Messages
868
Hi everyone,

I am looking at a new blade and having some issues trying to make a decision. I currently have the big blades covered as well as the mid size. I have the 9, 7, 4, 2 & 10 & 16 but was looking for something smaller that I can attach to either of the bigger blades. I was thinking the 14/24 or the 11 but would like to hear some feed back regarding the ergo's and edge retention when processing wood and food from real world experience. Ideally if you have both types which would you prefer and why.

Like I indicated the blade would be a general purpose blade for me mostly focusing on the more mundane aspects of camping as the bigger blade would be for the rougher tougher aspects however I do frequently hike in the local woods around my home while walking my dog so I would like to have it on my then as well in the off chance I need it..doubtfull but you never know.

Any advise or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
 
I would go with the 24 & invest in a set of handles from 710.
I've owned all 3 blades and the 24 has become my edc knife. The D2 is nearly stainless and holds an edge forever. The ergos on the 14/24 are better than the 11 in my opinion.
I have a set of wood handles on my 24 and sometimes wish they were a little thicker when I use it for more than a minute.
710 makes really nice micarta handles at a reasonable price. Plus he's a really great guy!
 
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Yeah I got one of the shirts he did a little while ago and there was a little surprise in there that I wasn't expecting. I've been looking over his website but got to admit that i didn't notice the handles...I'll have to take a look again.

Thanks for the input...ps the bk7 I got from you has been great. It gets lots of use as there have been many times when weight is a bit of an issue for me I leave my..wait for it big hoss...BK9 :eek:at home and go with the 7. I guess that is what I am looking for in the smaller blade..something that can fill the roll of something larger but in less weight.
 
I agree with RK's recommendation, The 24 is one awesome piece of steel. Edge retention is great. I have the zytel scales on it and they are ok. Been seriously considering G10 from The Knife Connection, they are pricey though.
 
I am a long time fan of the BK-11. With that said the 14 is much better in my hand with scales. I have used the kabar scales and 710 micarta. I recommend either, but the 710 micarta is nicer.





Jeremy
 
They do look nice. I would say I have a medium size hand which do you think would fit better, the 11 or the 14/24? I would be getting scales for whichever one I decide to go with.
 
I too have medium sized hands. Both the 11 and the 14 fits my hand fine, but the 14 fits it better. Especially with the scales. The scales I have fore my 11 are the factory micarta that don't fill my hand as well as the 710 micatra on my 14. There is a little more room for my pinkie to hold onto the knife. The 14 also has a smoother handle that will not get hung up on stuff like the bottle opener on the 11 sometimes does.

I just cleaned a meat rabbit with my 14 and it handled the job just fine.

Jeremy
 
Thanks for the info...it is greatly appreciated. I am unsure of the issue regarding the blade steel. I have no issues with the 1095cv even in my neck of the woods but I am wondering how the d2 would compare to 1095 in a knife of this size. If the difference is not clearly evident for basic day trips or the occasionaly weekend camping trip then I may stick with the 1095 as I am very comforatble with it and sharpening in the field is like second nature...
 
I have all three, prefer the 14. I haven't used my 24 yet. Get the 14 or 24 with the Zytel or 710s. You won't be disappointed in either.
 
I like the BK14 grip better then the 11. I also don't have the need for a bottle opener attached to my knife. Don't drink enough bottled beer to justify it. Here are all 3 of mine next to one another:

DSCN2621.jpg
 
BK11 all day long...
Feels way better to me than the 14/24 with or without scales.
Plus, if you use the 11 long enough, Ethan Becker's signature will magically appear. Most likely as a testament to hard work and clean living! :D


null_zps4fe1a8f3.jpg
 
I like the 24, with scales, for ergos and edge retention.
Of course, you can't go wrong with any of 'em.
 
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I have the 11, and, 14 both with scales.
They both feel great in my hand, and as much as I wanted to like the 14 better, I find myself carrying the 11 more.
The 11 feels a little more comfortable in my hand, despite being a little shorter.
I have large hands and take an XL size glove, but can squeeze my hands in a large glove if I had to.

I also don't drink bottled beer(quit drinking over 4 years ago) but I have used the bottle opener on occasion as a little pry bar.

All 3 knives would serve you well though, I just tend to favor the 11.
 
I have all 3. I like and use the 14 the most. Then the 24 and then the 11 the least (but still a great knife and glad I own it). The 14/24 feels much better in my hand (w/ scales). I like the 14 over the 24 cuz I am used to sharpening the 1095 and my patina'ed 14 does not spot like the 24. Silly but I also just like how my 1095 14 matches all my other 1095 beckers. What can I say, good fashion sense:). But you can't go wrong either way. My buddy likes the 11 more. Good luck. Eventually you buy both anyways:)
 
Thank you everyone for the input. it is great to see peoples blades and hear thier comments and I just got some good news...i was just offered a new job with a nice bump in pay so will hold off on the new purchase until I get the whole payrole issue sorted... then...buying all three :D
 
i have had both blades. I just couldnt get used to the feel of the 11. The 14 just offers a tiny bit more area to grip (with your pinky) and feels so much better to me.
2013-01-23_00-57-23_463.jpg

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As far as 14 vs 24. I am not great at sharpening and while the D2 steel holds an edge longer, I have heard its harder to get a good edge on it and I think that would be harder in the field. Thats what I love about the 1095, its a good balance of easy sharpening and decent edge retention. Plus I dont know if you can force a patina on D2 or not and I like to do that to my Beckers to add a bit of my personal touch to them. Maybe someone else can chime in about that.
Which brings it to the 11 vs 14--I would say the only way to figure out which is truly the best for you is to buy both of them, hold them both (paracord wrapped) and see which you prefer. Then sell the other one right here on the exchange--you shouldnt have a hard time making just about all your money back---then pick up a set of handles--you really cant go wrong with any of them for either blade. I have the zytel scales and love them. Then I won a set of Kryptoglow scales and put them on my 14. They are a tad thicker and the only complaint I have about them is that they arent molded on the inside and do not stay in place like the zytel scales until you tighten them down. Its not that big of a deal but does take a bit of adjusting to get it all lined up. Just yesterday I thought I would try the zytel scales again. I put them on but immediately took them off and put the Kryptoglow scales back on. They felt too thin after having the Kryptoglow scales on it. I like them because not only are they cool looking but also they feel grippy and I will never lose my knife at night---they certainly wouldnt make good handles for someone trying to be stealthy and tacticool, but thats not me anyway.
I have posted these pics a few times lately but here they are again
20130816_002531_zpsbaa83a6d.jpg

20130816_004617_zpsee5063bf.jpg
 
All 3 FTW!

OFM4, it is possible to patina D2, but it doesn't turn out the same as the carbons do.

I soaked my 24 in a hot sauce / mustard / 3 vinegar solution for 2 hours, and it only got slightly darker:


The 7 was in there for all of about 20 minutes. It's quite a bit darker and actually more even.

I used the same solution on a paper towel wrapped around this D2 Trapper, re-dampening every two hours during the day, and letting is sit overnight, for 3 days:

It's just a dull gray. Feels kinda chalky, but doesn't flake off in use or anything.
 
wildnewfie said:
Thank you everyone for the input. it is great to see peoples blades and hear thier comments and I just got some good news...i was just offered a new job with a nice bump in pay so will hold off on the new purchase until I get the whole payrole issue sorted... then...buying all three :D
Click to expand...

grats on the new job and more $$$ :) Like I have answered on other threads of this type.. get them both or all 3 and if you don't like one of them, someone on the forums will buy it for sure.
 
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