Next-Generation Ka-Bar Versus BK7

M

martial_life

Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
96
I have been looking to replace my Ka-bar (it has been a long and faithful reliable companion) with either a Next Generation Ka-Bar or a BK7. I like the design of a Ka-Bar better, but a knife is a knife as long as it does its job. I was leaning strongly towards the NG Ka-Bar because i like it's penetration power and that the first 2 inches of the top of the knife is sharpened. Already i am skeptical to the comfort of the BK7's handle, so i decided i'd ask for an honest opinion. Is it gripable in freezing temperatures; is it comfortable; is it slippery? And how well does the BK7 compare to as far as penetrating as compared to the Ka-Bar? Thanks for any help given.
 
Sir,
I find that the Marine F/U (Ka-Bar) has very little to pitch against the Becker C/U-7, the handle on the C/U-7 is by far more comfortable than the Ka-Bar, the C/U-7 is just plan better overall, you will not be disapointed with the BK/7. Also you may want to check out the BK/10 Crewman. :)
 
Martial,
The original Kabar was a compromise between a fighting knife and a field knife. The need was for a more knife like tool than a bayonet but still retaining prybar like toolishness. There was also the off chance it would be used as a fighter.
The newer Kabar models dont differ too much from this design.
The Becker BK-7 is designed to be an excellent field knife and it excels at that role. It may or may not be as good a fighter as some of the Kabars.
I think not.
But since this is the Camillus forum lets muddy the waters a bit.
Have you considered the CQB1?
Its an excellent fighter designed by Bob Terzoula and one of my favorite designs.
Its design is almost pure fighter with utility definitely being a secondary concern. Though I can't see why it wouldn't do most field work.
You mention penetration as a concern, the CQB1 is a spear point which could easily have the top section sharpened and is 3/16" thick.
So do you want a Fighter, a field knife, or a muddle of both?
 
I have both the NG Ka-bar and the C/U 7. the Ka-bar is racier-looking, but the C/U7 is far and away the better field knife. The C/U7 has the vastly better sheath as well.
 
MC Chan-
I'm lookign to get a combat/utility knife that is decently priced to replace my current Ka-Bar. I have looked at the CB1 and while i like the design as far as fighting, it would do me little good on my rucksack compared to the Ka-Bar or BK7. Also, it costs at least twice as much as either of the two, and is outside of my budget range while being not as sturdy.
While i expect the BK7 to be slighly less convienent as a fighter, i was simply wondering if it gets that job done without a struggle. I am looking for a balance of work-ready/fight-capable that would lean slightly (60/40 to 70/30) to mildly the working side. As of now, I am starting to like the BK7 because it is the stronger knife, and the design seems to e well thought out and effective. The penetration part of my question was more of a side note. However, does anyone have an opinion as to whether it will penetrate efficiently? Many of the chores i do need a blade that will penetrate things(like opening a bad of feed by stabbing a hole in it). All in all, there is no such thing as a "perfect knife". However, the Ka-Bar and the BK7 lean about as close as i ask of a mass produced knife.
 
PS-the Bk10 crewman is rather short. I have already decided my next fixed blade to be of 7 inches. Also, looking as the BK7 from different angles is leading me to beleive that it would do combat well enough to satisfy me. I had initially failed to notice the shape of the blade, instead thinking it would be the same tip as teh BK10. Thanks for everyone's help.
 
There's also the CQB3 in carbon steel.
Its the same profile but about half the price.

But from your post it sounds like you are looking for a more utilitarian blade.
I'd get the BK-7. Its tough as a prybar and decently light.
I take it you are too far from a knife store to get one in hand first.
Thats too bad as some people have expressed reservations about the handle. It can seem a little slippery but is quite ergonomic and fills the hand well. It also lends itself to modification if desired. You could even cord wrap it.
Its the type of knife I would recomend holding first to see if its your baby.
But Im sure you'll like it. It's on my list
If not, I'm sure you'd have no problem trading it on the forums.
Besides you already had a Kabar.
 
The BK7 is a penetrator and a cutter but the one great advantage of the NG is the handle. Easily one of the most comfortable and secure handles ever. I have bead blasted the scales on my BK7 and am now very happy with it but for ultimate security in the hand I would choose the NG. Mr Siegle offers some bead blasted G10 scales that would then make the BK7 superior to the NG and my first choice in a production combat knife.
 
The Camillus/Becker BK-7 IS the one to get, between your two choices. There just isn't much about these Camillus/Beckers that can go wrong or fall apart.
 
Yeah, and have you seen the new desert camo treatment?
Snazzy!
Now if they could do it in a tree bark or woodland/tigerstripe fromat Id really be jazzed.
Don't spend that much time in the desert and the Northwest is mostly darkish greenish in the woods.
Course I could just breakup the pattern on the sheath with some spray paint or dye.

Think I'll probably get one regardless.
 
Hi Martial,
I remember reading a thread (and I think it was Mr Becker himself who wrote it), explaining that the top of the clip point on the BK-7 wasn't sharpened because he wanted the knife to be more compatible with different country's knife laws or something along those lines. You can always sharpen this section yourself, there is a "false edge" there when you buy the knife so it wouldn't take a lot of work to match the k-bar geometry for this section of the blade if you so desired.
Cheers, Bluey
 
Wow. I'm thoroughly impressed with Ethan Beckers logic on this one. My choice has been made now, I'm going for a BK7 in early June. Thanks a million.
 
When i do get my BK7, i will report it's performance in low and/or subzero temperatures, something that most ppl don't think about when it comes to knives. If the metal performs nething like the 1095 carbon in a Ka-Bar, it will prolly do great, just by simple blade design. Just thought i'd add my 2 cents for that since no one else here has prolly recorded the performance of their knive in very low temperatures.
 
I'm going ot be ordering my BK-7 this week from onestop knife shop. :) Can't wait till it gets here, i'm looking forward to replacing the standard Ka-Bar I have that BENT after some relatively light prying this past week. Luckily, it took only a little pressure with a bench clamp to bend the Ka-Bar back. Right in time to give it to a friend who has been looking for a nice hunting knife too. Hopefully my next post will be my review of the BK-7.
 
Originally posted by martial_life
I'm going ot be ordering my BK-7 this week from onestop knife shop. :) Can't wait till it gets here, i'm looking forward to replacing the standard Ka-Bar I have that BENT after some relatively light prying this past week. Luckily, it took only a little pressure with a bench clamp to bend the Ka-Bar back...
Click to expand...
If you want a sharpened pry-bar, you might want to take a look at the Camillus/Becker BK-3 TacTool...Otherwise, the (thinner) BK-7 Combat Utility is an excellent knife, and one that I chose above the Ka-Bar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top