So I just took delivery of a new BK-10 and figured I'd add a few data points that I'd like to have seen when I was doing my research. There is a lot of great information here so don't take that as a gripe against the forum. I just have, like most people, different perspectives.
Number one first impression is..... THIS THING IS A BEAST! I'm not a small guy either. Sure I looked at the pictures and read the dimensions but for some reason that didn't really convey how really beefy this thing is. I can't imagine what working with some of the larger/thicker models would be like.
My purpose for this knife was/is and what I wanted was a full tang fixed blade for all around camping/hiking/in the truck toolbox etc. It will fill that bill fine. I would say that if there were a BK-10 type blade that was about a third smaller, I'd snap one up in a heartbeat also as something that could stay on me more often.
As far as fit and finish go, I have no complaints considering the price point. It's a well made tool. It does have some of what I'd call "rough manufacturing" marks. The edges of the metal clearly show how the blade blank was punched from a sheet of steel. I don't know how much time and cost it would take per unit to run the edges of the blank around a wire brush to clean up the punch marks and it'd be nice if they had done so. I can see how it is possible that at this price point, they are working on a razor thin margin as it is. If I ever refinish the blade, I'll clean these up. It in no way effects the function though. The marks are not rough enough to cause a handling problem except in the jimping where those cuts are a little rough. For me, I'd run a round file over those to break the edges a bit.
I have seen some complaints about the sheath and I can see how they might come about. I think it is perfectly serviceable as is. My only preferences are just like for a handgun holster, I'd like to be able to one hand re-holster/sheath and while I have been able to snap the retention straps one handed while just holding the sheath, I don't know how practical that might be with it on my belt while hanging from some tree or rock face, crawling on the ground or some other awkward position with my other hand occupied.
There was some concern about the kydex like insert being very loose but I suspect it's only purpose is to protect you from the blade, not for retention. Looking at it that way it is doing it's job. I, on rare occasions do have a need to practice noise discipline in my job and, should I ever decide to add this knife and sheath to my kit, I have already come up with the idea of just taking a small length of 550 cord and stuffing it down in the sheath. I think that will prevent any rattle and might actually give the blade something to stick to inside just in case I can't get the straps done up right away.
All in all I'm very satisfied.
TG
Number one first impression is..... THIS THING IS A BEAST! I'm not a small guy either. Sure I looked at the pictures and read the dimensions but for some reason that didn't really convey how really beefy this thing is. I can't imagine what working with some of the larger/thicker models would be like.
My purpose for this knife was/is and what I wanted was a full tang fixed blade for all around camping/hiking/in the truck toolbox etc. It will fill that bill fine. I would say that if there were a BK-10 type blade that was about a third smaller, I'd snap one up in a heartbeat also as something that could stay on me more often.
As far as fit and finish go, I have no complaints considering the price point. It's a well made tool. It does have some of what I'd call "rough manufacturing" marks. The edges of the metal clearly show how the blade blank was punched from a sheet of steel. I don't know how much time and cost it would take per unit to run the edges of the blank around a wire brush to clean up the punch marks and it'd be nice if they had done so. I can see how it is possible that at this price point, they are working on a razor thin margin as it is. If I ever refinish the blade, I'll clean these up. It in no way effects the function though. The marks are not rough enough to cause a handling problem except in the jimping where those cuts are a little rough. For me, I'd run a round file over those to break the edges a bit.
I have seen some complaints about the sheath and I can see how they might come about. I think it is perfectly serviceable as is. My only preferences are just like for a handgun holster, I'd like to be able to one hand re-holster/sheath and while I have been able to snap the retention straps one handed while just holding the sheath, I don't know how practical that might be with it on my belt while hanging from some tree or rock face, crawling on the ground or some other awkward position with my other hand occupied.
There was some concern about the kydex like insert being very loose but I suspect it's only purpose is to protect you from the blade, not for retention. Looking at it that way it is doing it's job. I, on rare occasions do have a need to practice noise discipline in my job and, should I ever decide to add this knife and sheath to my kit, I have already come up with the idea of just taking a small length of 550 cord and stuffing it down in the sheath. I think that will prevent any rattle and might actually give the blade something to stick to inside just in case I can't get the straps done up right away.
All in all I'm very satisfied.
TG
