Next : 14" BDC or Pen Knife

V

vrex

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
75
I'm still looking for my ideal Khukuri knife.
A general "overnight" hiking/camping or even "survival" knife.
It's obvious every one here has their own personal favourite(s).

I started my search with what seemed to be the consensus for a good first khuk and was even naive enough to believe the "if you could only have one" posts, so I got a 16.5" WWII last summer.
I really like it but it just feels a bit big for longer hikes (Nice for canoeing or base camp)

Next. I just received a 12" AK. No chance yet to try it in the field. Feels good in my (small) hand. No doubt it is tough as nails, but I think I would like a bit more heft. I think it will be great for day hikes.

I have also picked up a Sarge and JKM as well. So my collection and HIKV is coming along quite nicely thank you.
(I just bought a WWII Chiruwa (from Dave H) for my brother and I'm having second thoughts on giving it to him).

Any comparisons or opinions on the 14" BDC vs the Pen Knife would be appreciated.
 
I use a 15" AK or Bas for all my outdoor needs.

The 14" BDC doesn't have the swing weight for chopping as a 15" non chiruwa design.

I don't have a Pen knife.

Depends on the intended use too. Unless I get stuck out overnight I'd probably get by with a Swiss army knife. There is some satisfaction in carrying a piece of Nepali steel with you for some reason. Can't explain why. :)
 
BruiseLeee said:
Unless I get stuck out overnight I'd probably get by with a Swiss army knife. There is some satisfaction in carrying a piece of Nepali steel with you for some reason. Can't explain why. :)
Click to expand...

I'm with you BL. The SAK is with me at all times. That Nepali steel is comforting because its quality made, built like a tank and is proven over time. I trust it because it has proved itself in every test I have put it to.

Ice
 
I have one of each.....and an SAK on my belt.....:p :p


the 14" BDC is a handy all-around khukuri and looks great too. Can't go wrong with that. Easy to pack.

the Pen Knife is lighter and you still have some chopping ability in it too.


Hard to decide....since you want more heft....go for the 14" BDC
 
Thanks guys.
I'm on board with the SAK too, always with me.
I know many well planned back country trips using gas stoves etc., nothing more than a SAK has done the job.
I also know that the 12" AK will do more than I ever ask it. Some light chopping for a small camp fire or a shore lunch.

I'm probably just looking for reason to buy another.

Bruise I was looking at the BAS but I like the belly on the BDC and Pen.

I have read quite a bit on the design and history of your Pen Knife, Dan.
(None in stock right now)

Could some one bring me up to speed on the back ground design history on the 14" BDC (new model?)

Thanks
 
I would go Pen Knife 100% over a BDC. Just the way it feels to me, but I haven't done much with the BDC I have. Conversely I have 4 Pen Knives... Your 12" AK might have the length of a Pen Knife but a bit more of the shape of a BDC (I don't know about the weight of any of the 3). Try the AK out and see which direction you want to go. You mention a lack of heft for the 12" AK, again I don't know the relative weights, but you might look at one of the smaller BASs. Or move up to a 18" Gelbu Special or Sirupati, keep the weight lower than your WWII but retain the useful length. If the length of your WWII is the problem, you may end up just trying to find the heftiest example of any of the smaller knives.
 
Vrex?

If I remember correctly, the BDC just showed up one day in a package of product from Nepal. Bura made some...because he made some.

Then he made them in two different lengths because...he made them in two different lengths.


(Do not try to apply logic to an illogical situation.)

Not unlike the universe, they exist for some reason as yet unfathomed. Go with it.

I like a 12 in villager AK over the other khuks I have right now for general utility. The handle is a big longer, the edge is just fine, thank you, and I'm not about to hew a tree camping.
 
A friend of Terry Sisco's designed the 10" BDC and had Bura make it as a special order. Bill showed us a pic of it when it got back - I think they made extras, IIRC...anyway...we went hog wild on 'em.....only problem, the handle's quite short. So, with some begging and pleading, we got them to make a 14" version as well. There are some who would like to see a 17" version...and I'm one of 'em. ;)
 
I'd like an 18 inch version of the BDC.

The 14 incher is high on my personal list of favorites..

That and the Baby Ganga Ram are tops.
 
If weight is a concern, I pack either my 12" AK or my 15" Sirupati. Both make good camp knives. Took my old 15" Sirupati Backpacking with me once in southern Utah. Never needed it, but it sure was nice knowing I had it just in case. :) Good luck with your search :D

Heber
 
Daniel Koster said:
A friend of Terry Sisco's designed the 10" BDC and had Bura make it as a special order.

So, with some begging and pleading, we got them to make a 14" version as well.

There are some who would like to see a 17" version...and I'm one of 'em. ;)
Click to expand...
I have a beautiful 14" BDC that I absolutely fell in love with when I saw it. The BDC is IMO another example of what a classic khukuri should look like.:cool:
Even if the special run of the 17" Foxy Folly turns out as we're hoping I too would also love too see a 17" version of the BDC.
And if that should happen then I will be forced to get a 10" BDC just so I could have a complete set of them.:D :cool: :D
 
I like my explanation better. :p

I have a 10 inch BDC. It is really a knife, not a khukuri. The handle is short (SHORT), the craftmanship is marvelous, and it is a light thing of beauty, or a beautiful thing of light.

I would not even try to compare it to a 12 in AK; they are different creatures. I also have a Pen knife, it compares favorably to the AK format; many like it much more for camp tasks and it IS a chopping/slicing tool.

Get both, run tests, and publish here. :)
 
can't say I disagree with that idea!

:D
 
I don't have a BDC.

I am a big Pen Knife fan and it definately outdoes the 12" AK I have.

Since the WW2 is a little heavy for what you are wanting I'd be interested to know what the BDC weighs versus the Pen. My Pen Knife is like just a tad under a pound.
 
For esthetics, the BDC wins hands down. Beautiful shape, and really elegant fullers.

For actual usage, I greatly prefer the Pen Knife. It may be because I haven't used the BDC much, but it forces a rather unconfortable angle on my wrist when I chop wood with it. Same when I'm using it to slice meat or vegetables on the cutting board.
The PK slices meat nicely, and does an OK job on vegetables. The thickness of the blade makes the pieces tend to jump off the cutting board after they have been cut through, but that can be lived with.

Both are a little light for any real wood chopping, but both will do the job for limbing, light firewood work, and the like.

My Pen Knife is 12.5" OAL, weighing about 13.5 oz. The 14" BDC is (I'll let you guess the length) OAL, weighing 16.5 oz.

My 'field' work is limited to the back yard (and the kitchen), so real campers may have differing experiences.
 
Another vote for the Pen Knife:) to be fair, i have never handled a BDC. I like them, but somehow they just don't strike my fancy. dunno why. But I have put the PK through hell and back. It excells as a camp knife in just about everyway. It retired my Ka-Bar, my 12" Siru, and my CS Trailmaster. I love my khuks, but for me they are a tad hard to pack around on my hip due to their curve. Strapped to the pack they are great, though. So, my hip riding blade falls in one of three fields depending on the trip. 1.) Everyday stompin' through the woods I have no need to cut anything, and getting lost is pretty much zero as i know these woods like the back of my hand. The JKM gets this duty. Should I need a knife, it'll do the job and then some. I also take a SAK explorer. 2.) Moderate/light hiking in a less well know, but more populated area. This is what the majority of my trips are like. The PK passes with flying colors here. It doesn't weight a ton, but it'll do everything you can ask of it. I'll also carry a SAK explorer and a LM wave to make sure i have all the tools i might need. 3.) moderate/heavy roughing it type hiking where protection might come into play (think Mountain Lion country). In this situation the AK bowie gets strapped to my hip along with the SAK and the Wave. Sure it weighs about 1.5 lbs, but it'll chop like no tomorrow i.e. build a shelter in a hurry. Plus, it still packs straight on the leg.
It's really going to come down to what you want in a knife. Really, a do all camping/hiking knife doesn't exist. someimes you need a bigger one. sometimes you don't. It makes a great excuse to buy another one though:) Good Luck!

Jake
 
Thanks again every one for the good info.
I had got the feeling that the Pen Knife is a great "user" for a while now.

But now I'm starting to get the impression that the BDC is a bit more of a show piece than a user?
 
No.

There is not a single product sold at H.I. that is not fully functional.

Some are just prettier.


(I have the same problem, frankly it is burden to be man-beautiful, but I cope.) :rolleyes:
 
no way...the 14" BDC is one of those rare pieces that is good-looking AND a beater...
 
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