On the receipt of the BK10 and other considerations

L

Lawrence Helm

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Jul 24, 2014
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I expected to like the BK10 and I do. In terms of weight it is slightly over 12 ounces. My BK7 is slightly over 13 ounces and my BK2 is slightly under 15 ounces. So for hiking the BK10 is moving in the right direction. For the hiker, lighter is better all other things being equal. As I was reminded on a hike this morning some knives just won't do. I took the Schrade SCHF10 for a hike and learned it would only stay in the sheath as long as I remained upright. I came near to taking a tumble and resolved to banish this knife/sheath combination from all future hikes. In the case of the BK10. It will fit in the one sheath I can use (for hiking) for the BK2 But I don't like the idea of just one useable sheath for the two knives; so I sent away for a "slim jim" sheath from Skystorm. It is hard to tell too much about this sheath from the small photos, but it looks nice and minimalist, boding well for being able to ride comfortably on my belt.

Skystorm will be sending my a BK7 sheath late in September. I had initially thought the BK7 would be my primary hiking knife, but it is hard for me to be sure when I haven't actually hiked with the knife/skystorm-sheath yet. It may be that the BK10 with the lighter-looking Slim Jim will be more comfortable.

The BK2 was designed to be the only knife you needed in an Armageddon-type scenario, but for other scenarios other knives are available. My emphasis is hiking; so I don't need a BK5 which is excellent around the camp; nor do I need a BK9 which is an excellent chopper. Actually, now that I have the BK10, BK2 and BK7 I don't really need any other knife, but hovering and being considered for my list is the BK17. It is 6.4 ounces, about half the weight of the BK10. My only hesitation about putting the BK17 on my list is that it is the same weight as the Ka-Bar 1250 and its ilk; which I like a lot. This is 3/4 the size of the USMC fighting knife. The blade of the Ka-Bar 1250 is 5 inches, long, a bit longer than that of the BK17. If anyone has an opinion about the relative worth of the BK17 (or 16) versus the Ka-Bar 1250 et al, I'd be interested. I've already got three of the 1250-type knives; so do I really need a BK17?

If you read any of my observations about the Schrade SCHF10 you would see that I was extremely uncomfortable with that knife. I was on the other hand instantly comfortable with the BK10. The sheaths are another story but since just about everyone else likes them, I'll say no more (at least in this note). Do I feel the same way about the Ka-Bar 1250, that is, comfortable? That is a complicated question. Having been in the Marine Corps I have a fondness for the USMC Ka-Bar fighting knife and the 1250 is a miniature version of it; so yes I like it a lot, but I have to admit that I have my doubts about it. It is so small that I wonder how it would do in an emergency. (How would the BK17 do I might wonder as well.) With the BK2, BK7 and BK10 I have no doubts. I'm completely comfortable. And if Skystorm comes through with some decent sheaths I'll be a happy man.

Lawrence
 
I do not have a Skystorm sheath yet, but I have heard Nothing but Great things about them. I have even seen people purchase knives on the exchange due solely to them having a Skystorm sheath and skipping a stock equipped one of the same model.

Pertaining to your query regarding the bk17/16 vs the 3/4, if you are looking for a knife that is More woods friendly, I would suggest the 16 based upon the tip shape alone. I have not handled any of them, so I am going based upon the information you have provided on the Kabar. In an exercise in full disclosure, I prefer a drop point for a woods knife due to the inherent tip strength that is hard to match with a clip point.

To sum it up, bk16 and have faith in Skystorm.
 
NJBillK said:
I do not have a Skystorm sheath yet, but I have heard Nothing but Great things about them. I have even seen people purchase knives on the exchange due solely to them having a Skystorm sheath and skipping a stock equipped one of the same model.

Pertaining to your query regarding the bk17/16 vs the 3/4, if you are looking for a knife that is More woods friendly, I would suggest the 16 based upon the tip shape alone. I have not handled any of them, so I am going based upon the information you have provided on the Kabar. In an exercise in full disclosure, I prefer a drop point for a woods knife due to the inherent tip strength that is hard to match with a clip point.

To sum it up, bk16 and have faith in Skystorm.
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NJBillK,

Thanks. I admit I've heard nothing but good things about these sheaths.

I hike in the woods but I don't build fires there -- it is almost always against the law in my nearby mountains. We are very dry, especially during this drought and at high risk for fires.

I should probably rephrase my question: I already have one full-sized USMC Ka-Bar with a sharpened "false edge" (I don't know what to call it when it isn't really "false.") I also have three 3/4 size Ka-Bars, the 1250 and two other models. I like these a lot. Given that I like the BK17 (being more like my Ka-Bars) than the BK16, would there be any advantage in adding a BK17 to my collection? In other words will the BK17 do more, or be stronger in some respect than my three 3/4-sized Ka-Bars? Maybe no one has put these Ka-Bars to any sort of test; so perhaps my question can't be answered.

The tangs on the 3/4-sized Ka-Bars are just as wide as the tang on the full-sized Ka-Bar. Also, the part of the tang going through the stacked leather looks to be exactly the same size as the tang going through the stacked leather of the full-sized Ka-Bar; so it seems to me it ought to be fairly strong, if the full-sized Ka-Bar is, and it is, but I have no real evidence.

Lawrence
 
Lawrence, take a look at the BK-15. Somehow I think you might like it as your use goes beyond woods craft and it is certainly a pointy blade but still strong. People say it excels at food prep, I suspect it would. I think it would and could excel with your needs in mind as well as a general woods or trail use blade.

I like the BK-16. I don't have a BK-17 but the blade shape of the BK-17 tends to be one that appeals to me. This kind of focus with about a 4" knife all started with the SOG Seal Pup Elite in the $100 price area for me. But I like the Beckers much more. I don't regret buying the SOG years ago as I learned a few things. Still a good knife, I just prefer something else.

Hope you like the BK-10. I have been thinking about picking one up. Ever since I bought a Dozier Pro Guide's knife, I have resisted buying the BK-10 as I would use it for the same purpose with the Dozier being a better hunting knife for me overall. If you look at the BK-15 and the Dozier, they are somewhat similar.

Sorry for the change of direction on your thread, but I wanted to get this in while I was thinking about it on one of your active threads as you have been buying and considering a number of the Becker knives of late.
 
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22-rimfire said:
Lawrence, take a look at the BK-15. Somehow I think you might like it as your use goes beyond woods craft and it is certainly a pointy blade but still strong. People say it excels at food prep, I suspect it would. I think it would and could excel with your needs in mind as well as a general woods or trail use blade.

I like the BK-16. I don't have a BK-17 but the blade shape of the BK-17 tends to be one that appeals to me. This kind of focus with about a 4" knife all started with the SOG Seal Pup Elite in the $100 price area for me. But I like the Beckers much more. I don't regret buying the SOG years ago as I learned a few things. Still a good knife, I just prefer something else.

Hope you like the BK-10. I have been thinking about picking one up. Ever since I bought a Dozier Pro Guide's knife, I have resisted buying the BK-10 as I would use it for the same purpose with the Dozier being a better hunting knife for me overall. If you look at the BK-15 and the Dozier, they are somewhat similar.

Sorry for the change of direction on your thread, but I wanted to get this in while I was thinking about it on one of your active threads as you have been buying and considering a number of the Becker knives of late.
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Yes, I have been buying a number of Becker knives of late. It may be about time for an austerity program. Something I have to take into consideration eventually is Becker sheaths. I may pay $70 for a BK10 but I have to pay another $70 for a leather sheath. I haven't seen the sheath for the BK17 but I suspect I'd have the same problem with it. I'm not sure Skystorm makes sheaths for all the Beker knives, does he. However in the case of my original question, as to whether the BK17 or 16 would have any sort of advantage over the 3/4 Ka-Bar knives, not only have I already paid for the 3/4 Ka-Bar knives but they came with leather sheaths excellent for hiking. They are made of good leather and are very light weight.

I will look at some reviews of the BK15 tomorrow. I see it weighs the same as the BK17 and the 3/4 Ka-Bars.

Thanks,

Lawrence
 
sweating a couple ounces on a knife? nah.

BK10 is thin and slicey and good. glad to see it making the rounds again.
 
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