New 24 and some 11 micarta. Need help with another matter as well

[Tdhurl1103]

Hey all,
I wanted to show off my latest BK’s. So here they are: The illustrious BK24 and some BK11 Micarta, both from Tomars. Sorry that some of these pics are sh/tty.



The 24 is perfect and everything I hoped it would be. I can’t wait to use it because it will soon become my EDC blade for sure. The 11 Micarta, well, it didn’t fit so good, it almost fit after pushing on it for a bit. But it didn’t sit flush with the handle so instead of sanding it a little, I just took it to the garage and banged it in with a hammer. Don’t worry I was ginger with it and the 11 and it fits in just fine now (but those suckers aren’t moving at all, LOL). Also, I was a bit upset when the Micarta didn’t come with two hex nuts, so I had to add the ones from my first 14 (which I had replaced with stainless a few weeks back). No problem there, but, well I thought I paid for the hex nuts (eh 70 cents, efff it). Ok, on to the problem I need help with: I’ve had a new 14 for about a week now (bought locally) but I waited until I got the other stuff to post about it.

So, I got out the 14 I bought locally last week and put it up next to the 24 for some comparison pics and I noticed something. The new 14, is off by maybe a few millimeters. I don’t have a high speed measurement tool but just from eyeballing it, the 14 looks off in its grind. Tell me if you see that too.






(this one at a slight angle for reference)


(both the 14 and 24 laying on their spine and lined up as precise as I could get them)



Now I know it’s off. My wife who is not a knife person and really couldn't give a rats ass about it also noticed this. She said the difference is negligible. I agree, but…..I’m kind of disappointed (No longer disappointed about it) about it because I was going to give this one to my son for Xmas. (still going to give it him for Xmas regardless, he'll love it) He won’t notice a difference, but I will and I don’t think I want to know I short changed my son, even if it is by a few millimeters. The difference does not affect the cutting ability at all but......

Anyway, I’m ecstatic about the 24 and I’m hopeful that the micarta on the 11 will help me like it more. We will see.

 

[Chameleonbear]

These blades I believe are hand ground. That would explain the difference in the grind. I wouldn't worry about that too much personally. But that is just me. I know after using and sharpening it a couple times I would probably change it that much on my own.

 

[Magus]

I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean when you say the 14 is off? Compared to what exactly? The 24 and the 11?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe some if not most of the final grinding is done by hand at Ka-Bar. Therefore you may get some variances.

I own a couple of 14's and the edge was slightly different on both. I personally wouldn't worry about it, seems pretty normal to me. But if it bothers you enough contact Ka-Bar and see what they say. Never hurts to ask and they "might" give you a replacement more to your liking. My opinion though, they'll say that's within spec and quite frankly just from the pics it does seem to be to my eyes. If that were my knife, I'd be fine with it.

Good luck.

 

[cschol]

Well I guess we all know now that there are actual people making these knives and not some CNC precision machine. I personally would be happy with either knife (I actually am) in that they are both well made and functional. I really wouldn't care about the grinds being different as they are made of different materials and probably ground on different machines.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

Cham. Thanks. I wasn't going to return it, I just wanted some opinion other than my own that the blade is off a bit.

Magus. Thanks, The only blade I had to compare it with is the 24. I have another 14 but I've sharpened that one so much that it would not have been a good comparison blade. You are most likely correct in the assumption that it is probably still within specs. I was just a bit peeved and needed some other eyes on it. I think I'm OK now.

cschols. Thanks, It is a comfort to know they are hand ground. That makes a lot of sense. Trust me, I love BK and KA-BAR, so its not like I'm going to go howl at the moon about it.

 

[cschol]

Disaster averted!
Enjoy the blades.

 

[Ethan Becker]

Hey TD......

Think different, not "off"....... The Beckers ARE all hand finished and there are no two blades that will be exactly the same......I used to sharpen the majority of the blades that came out of the shop in my garage in the early days and you should be very happy your blades were not sharpened by me!........ Have fun with them.......

All Best......

Ethan

 

[Tdhurl1103]

Thank you Sir. And, you may not remember but you did touch up my 14 (my first one) at BeckerWest this past April. You should give yourself more credit because it was sure sharp when you gave it back to me.