New BK7 on Its Way....What MODS to Do and What Handles to Get? New Sheath Too??

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
Hey all,

I am excited. Right now I have a brand new BK7 on its way to me. A guy on one of my gun forums had one that he was not using at all and saw where I was asking questions about a knife and asked if I'd be interested. He made me a deal I couldn't refuse. It'll likely be here in my hands by Tuesday!! I can't hardly wait as I have never seen nor handled one of these knives before.

What I have done is look at some of the pics you BeckerHeads post of your knives and the mods you have done to them. LOTS of great looking BK knives and mods done by you guys. Now I am wondering what I should do to my BK7 to make it more comfy in the hand and "user" friendly, if you will. I'd like to get a set of handles to add to it cause I don't think I'll care much for the factory black ones. Besides, the aftermarket handles look like they fit the hand much better and are more comfy. Is that true?
If it is, can you tell me where the best place to find these handles are? I don't have to have anything exotic or the like, just something functional and nice to hold and look at.

Next I am thinking about the sheath. How is the factory sheath that comes with it? Is it junk or is it a keeper? I plan on using this knife while hog hunting here in Texas and that could involve some camping chores as well as other things that might pop up in a weekend of hunting. I might go on a hog hunt where these guys have dogs that bay these big hogs up and then they come in and dispatch the hogs with a targeted thrust into the boiler room area. It does the trick and they usually are dead within 20 seconds, maybe shorter. I'm not 100% sure I could even do that cause I've never done anything like that in my life. SO...when called upon to come and do it, if I ever am, I very well might freeze in my shoes and then be forever known as a wussy.
If the sheath does need to be replaced, what do you suggest? As time goes on and I get more comfortable with this knife and find out its capabilities, I might very well want to get a smaller fixed blade and attach the sheath for it to the front side of the BK7 sheath so I'd have both knives at hand whenever I went out hunting instead of having to hunt for 1 and then the other.

Lastly, should I remove the black blade coating? I've seen some really gorgeous knives that you all have posted that have had the coating removed. Some of them have a nice patina left on the blade and others polish theirs out, which also looks very good. I can't decide what to do on this one.
If I do remove the black coating, the knife would be more prone to rust wouldn't it? Isn't it 1095 high carbon steel? I'd have to keep a light coat of oil on it all the time to protect it from rust if I get rid of the black coating. Is that right?
What do you suggest on this one?

Well there is one more thing. The ONLY sharpening gadget I have is a basic LANSKY system with 3 stones. As you well know, this outfit doesn't work well with large knives, especially ones that have 7 inch blades. Can you advise me on what sharpening system I need to get that's budget friendly that will handle these kinds of blades?

Any other info or suggestions on what to do with my new BK7, please feel free to chime in. I need all the suggestions I can get.
Sorry for the lengthy post and questions...I couldn't help it. After all, I have my very first Becker knife on its way to me as I type this so it's hard not to get excited about it.

Have a good Sunday all.
Larry
 
Hi Larry, and welcome to the subforum!
You've got a great blade on the way.

A number of thoughts:
1) keep the coating for now. Yes, it will prevent corrosion. You can always remove it later. If you DO remove the coating, consider LEAVING the coating under the scales, where moisture tends to collect and you generally forget to look for long periods of time.

2) most aftermarket handles have about the same geometry as the factory ones. Ka-bar's micarta upgrade will have more heft. There are grippier G10 scales available, Firefly (glow-in-the-dark), and of course wood. Micarta and G10 scales tend to have a little more texture on them than the factory Grivory. Wood is usually smooth. The factory scales are perfectly functional. Some people sand, paint, stipple, carve, or sleeve them. Ka-bar also sells grivory scales in Duplo colors. Plan to play with them a big to see what you'd like to change first, keeping in mind that most other scales fit about the same.

3) The sheaths are perfectly functional too. Most upgrades are for personal preference. You can spend $150 on fancy leather in a heartbeat, but the factory sheath has most of the necessary features and is reasonably rugged.

4) As far as actual steel mods go on the BK-7, I like to de-ramp and choil. But if you want to go pig-sticking, leaving the ramp as an additional bit of guard against slippage might be smart. There's a good BK-7 pictures thread around here somewhere, search will dig it up somehow.

5) A large bench stone is always a good tool to have for sharpening. I recommend a diamond stone - DMT, EZ-Lap, etc. But Ka-Bar's steel doesn't require that, so you can pick up a 6-10" engineered+Arkansas tri-stone (or a bi-stone!) and get by pretty well. Whether you put the stone on the bench and move the knife across it, or hold the knife still and wave the stone across the edge will be up to you.

Pix when it arrives, please!
 
Try the stock scales first, they are great.
Most people upgrade them because they want to, not because they have to.
Micarta scales are a little thicker, tkc g10 a little slimmer.
Sheath is fine, but it sounds like you might want to get a kydex with a piggyback setup for the smaller knife. As for the coating, leave it and the more you use it the smoother it will get. You can always remove it later if it really bothers you.

Btw, congratulations on the 7!
 
This is what I love! The excitement you feel at getting your BK7 is exactly the excitement I felt when I got my first Becker (which, by the way, was the BK7). I still get excited by all the Beckers I have and any time I get a new one. At this point I own several (I have 11 now) but still love every one of them and still enjoy getting new ones.

I sleeved my 7 using a bicycle inner tube and it works quite well. On one of my tweeners, I used a dremel to rough up the scales a bit to give a better purchase.

I think you will find that you want a BK9 soon. I bought the BK7 thinking it would be perfect for my needs, but quickly moved to the BK9 and LOVE this blade!

I used to go hog hunting in Hawaii with a group that hunted with knives and dogs. It is tense, but what a rush!

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Also, I really like the BK7 sheath. The pouch is great for a few extras that can come in handy. In my BK9 sheath, I keep a SAK (Farmer), a medium diamond stone for touch ups and a ferro rod.
 
First, there's a couple other Becker's that I have had on my list for a while, thinking of buying and now I can mark off the BK7. I seriously don't think this one will be my last and one and only Becker. As for what I'll buy to join it, I like the BK5 and the BK15, 16 and 17. Oh and the BK9!! That BK5 is a bad A$$ lookin' knife. Boy it's a big one too. I'll have to figure out how I will use it though.
I also really like the SOG Bowies too.
One other that I have thought hard about is the Israel made DuStar ARAD 1. It's a copy of the Randall 14-7 Fighter. It's a workhorse and is issued to some Israeli troops so you know it's a great piece.
Long term....I want a RANDALL.


Thank you all for you advice. I asked those questions cause I was going on my quickly deteriorating memory thinking about the sheath and handles. I must've got it mixed up with another knife where people change the handles and get a new sheath soon after they get it.

I really thought that the stock handles weren't nearly as good as the aftermarket stuff. I thought they didn't look as good and more importantly, they didn't feel as good as the ones you buy to replace the stock handles. I'm happy to hear that they are just as functional and user friendly as the aftermarket ones. That saves me $40!! WOO HOO.

As for the sheath, here again I could've sworn I watched a couple YT videos where the presenter was trashing the factory sheath and talking about how inadequate it was. Must've been more of my bad memory. Glad to learn that the stock sheath will let me do anything I want to do with my new knife. More money saved!! A DOUBLE WOO HOO!!

As for buying more knives...there is no danger that I'll stop. I won't. Heck I've waited too darned long to get started and I've got to make the most of the 25 or so years I have left.....:)
I've got many knives I want. I have been looking at some RUSSIAN made knives lately. Really nice looking and functional knives. Not cheap, but not expensive either. Most are just a tad above the BK7 prices.

I've got a KABAR USMC that I am replacing the handle on and that will be ready to go in a week or so. It was a gift from a Beckerhead (I think he is) who saw my post asking about big hunting knives and how I didn't have anything large. He had one he wasn't using that needed some slight TLC so he gifted it to me. I was stunned by his generosity. His handle is BIKERECTOR. I sure appreciated him doing it and shows the kind of people that are members here. The kind of people you'd be happy as can be to have as a neighbor or friend.

So, now I am going to have 2 BIG blades. I love it. I'll post pics when the handle gets done and I get my BK7.

I think I'll follow your advice and just LEAVE IT ALONE and just USE it. I'll change things if and when they need changing.

Those are some nice pics guys. Thanks for posting them.

You all have a great week and thank you for helping me yet again.

Larry
 
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I wish I could send PM's. Is that a feature I have to pay to get? If so, how much do I have to pay to get to PM other members?

I was going to ask yellowSwiss if that is a stock handle he has there with the innertube on it and if it is, I just might "borrow" that idea.
 
Nalapombu said:
First, there's a couple other Becker's that I have had on my list for a while, thinking of buying and now I can mark off the BK7. I seriously don't think this one will be my last and one and only Becker. As for what I'll buy to join it, I like the BK5 and the BK15, 16 and 17. Oh and the BK9!! That BK5 is a bad A$$ lookin' knife. Boy it's a big one too. I'll have to figure out how I will use it though.
I also really like the SOG Bowies too.
One other that I have thought hard about is the Israel made DuStar ARAD 1. It's a copy of the Randall 14-7 Fighter. It's a workhorse and is issued to some Israeli troops so you know it's a great piece.
Long term....I want a RANDALL.


Thank you all for you advice. I asked those questions cause I was going on my quickly deteriorating memory thinking about the sheath and handles. I must've got it mixed up with another knife where people change the handles and get a new sheath soon after they get it.

I really thought that the stock handles weren't nearly as good as the aftermarket stuff. I thought they didn't look as good and more importantly, they didn't feel as good as the ones you buy to replace the stock handles. I'm happy to hear that they are just as functional and user friendly as the aftermarket ones. That saves me $40!! WOO HOO.

As for the sheath, here again I could've sworn I watched a couple YT videos where the presenter was trashing the factory sheath and talking about how inadequate it was. Must've been more of my bad memory. Glad to learn that the stock sheath will let me do anything I want to do with my new knife. More money saved!! A DOUBLE WOO HOO!!

As for buying more knives...there is no danger that I'll stop. I won't. Heck I've waited too darned long to get started and I've got to make the most of the 25 or so years I have left.....:)
I've got many knives I want. I have been looking at some RUSSIAN made knives lately. Really nice looking and functional knives. Not cheap, but not expensive either. Most are just a tad above the BK7 prices.

I've got a KABAR USMC that I am replacing the handle on and that will be ready to go in a week or so. It was a gift from a Beckerhead (I think he is) who saw my post asking about big hunting knives and how I didn't have anything large. He had one he wasn't using that needed some slight TLC so he gifted it to me. I was stunned by his generosity. His handle is BIKERECTOR. I sure appreciated him doing it and shows the kind of people that are members here. The kind of people you'd be happy as can be to have as a neighbor or friend.

So, now I am going to have 2 BIG blades. I love it. I'll post pics when the handle gets done and I get my BK7.

I think I'll follow your advice and just LEAVE IT ALONE and just USE it. I'll change things if and when they need changing.

Those are some nice pics guys. Thanks for posting them.

You all have a great week and thank you for helping me yet again.

Larry
Click to expand...
Dont believe half of the stuff you hear on youtube reviews. Most of the reviewers are just regurgitating what they have heard from someone else who may or may not know what they are talking about.
 
I was going to ask yellowSwiss if that is a stock handle he has there with the innertube on it and if it is said:
Yes sir, it is a stock handle. The tube idea was thrown out there my another member of the forum and I decided to give it a try. Has worked out quite well! If you do find the stock handles a bit slick for your personal taste, give it a try. Also, batter's tape is an option.
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I would keep the stock handle and finish as is for the time being and use it. The stock handles are the same on the larger Beckers. This is about the largest size of knife I am willing to carry on my belt and often feels too large. After that, I go to small machete size or about 12" blades and longer. For camp use, any size goes as long as you get it to camp (base camp kind of approach).
 
GREAT IDEA GeofS!! Never can be too careful.

I tell ya, this is one HELLUVA knife! I am really glad I bought it. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't what came out of the packaging it was in. This knife is PURE BUSINESS!! I can't wait to go Hog hunting with my Longbow and hang this baby on my belt.

Not only is it BIG and meant for WORK...but it's also beautiful! Some might think I'm flat out crazy for thinking this BK7 is beautiful, but to my eye it is. It's the first substantial knife I've ever bought.
I also know that NOTHING needs to be changed on it. The handles are great and comfortable and the sheath is nice too. The pocked is pretty roomy in case you want to carry some additional items.
I'm thinking of putting my Buck 110 in that front pouch when I take it hunting so I'll have every base covered. Big HOG....CHECK......little piglet....CHECK.
Just a thought!

I'm sorry I don't have pics yet. I'll take some tomorrow and post them. Thank you all for your help with this beauty!! I'm looking forward to YEARS of use with it.

Have a great 4th of July guys and gals. Our country is still the BEST thing going despite what problems she may have.

Larry
 
I'll be honest N Nalapombu , I don't like the smoothness of the stock becker handles but love the G10 ones offer by TKC or the micarta kabar handles. However, I also didn't mind throwing some cheap electrical tape or bicycle handlebar wrap on handles either. The wrap also puts a little something between your hand and the exposed steel of the full tang design. It was really helpful on the BK4 I had since it was used a lot for chopping and batoning, per it's design. I eventually cut up some bicycle inner tubes and wrapped it with that, worked really well IMO. I sold it to on the forums a little after getting a BK9.

It's a bit ugly, but it was functional. I used it a bit clearing trails behind my house and then at the local mtb trails. The orange worked out nicely when I dropped it.
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And to be honest, first "mod" would be to get some use on it and try to knock some coating off. Knives look better used ;). I think playing around with some grip stuff on the handle could be nice if you don't like the smoothness, the shape is spot on though. I know some people take the thumb ramps off if they use it more for woodsy stuff than stabbing pigs, personal preference.

Sheath, I've seen a lot of youtubers trask on nylon sheaths even though they are perfectly adequate. No, it's not a premium, but it functions. I like them, personally. I don't need kydex like retention as long as there is a strap and like loose retention more so I can undo a strap and then it's an easy draw and drop for unsheathing/sheathing the knife. Works out really nicely for making a couple cuts or chops, getting the knife put away while manipulating things with your hands or switching tools and so on.

Glad you're still liking that USMC :thumbsup:
 
Nalapombu said:
I wish I could send PM's. Is that a feature I have to pay to get? If so, how much do I have to pay to get to PM other members?

I was going to ask yellowSwiss if that is a stock handle he has there with the innertube on it and if it is, I just might "borrow" that idea.
Click to expand...

You have to have a paid membership for PM's; which you now have (check your current membership status).
 
I love seeing the type of excitement you see in Nalapombu's post! That is how I feel every time I buy a Becker. The BK7 was my first as well and I was super excited to have it...but that was nothing compared to how I felt when I got my first BK9.
 
I would remove black coating and polish the steel to a shine. Have somebody make you a set of wooden handles of your choice of wood then glue them and pin them to the blade so they dont come off and make a nice leather sheath and your set.
 
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