Out of Production

The Magnum Camp is one of the best cutting tools out there period. Other then chopping I might use it more then any of my other Becker blades. The MACHAX still haunts me. It was always on the list to buy, I just never did. Still searching though.
 
the original Machaxs as made by Blackjack were the sweet spots.

damn, if the hard chrome jobbies were not the sweetest ass blades i have ever held, period, end of story. that coating. goddam. i'm going to pull one out for rotation soon.

however, the Parkerized one, i've put 1000s of miles on that, and i see it everyday as it sits next to me waiting for a run to the woods outside, or a quick job of making kindling. those old sheaths too. flocked liners. bad ass.

i used the KaBar BK4 for a full 1.5 years as my kindling maker next to the wood stove. sometimes outside. for me, too thin, was not really in the spirit of what i loved about the Machax. even convexed and sporting a really stunning custom sheath. still by the fireplace, but i've a 100yo++ straight handle froe that teaches a wisdom about splitting wood. doesn't bind. low effort.

it's okay though, i have a LIFE TIME supply and then some of the good old ones. oh my yes.

the Magnum Camp - you really can't appreciate that knife in 1095CV the way i appreciate the original non coated models. Crazy. Still, in some ways i think KaBar made the best 1095CV version of that. something very very "rearrange the brainbox" feel to it. very stabby. gives me shivers. KaBar apparently made a LOT of those. they are hardly sold out yet. eventually?

the BK15 was probably the most perfect thing in that size for me. i love the BK16, but i have that shape, and then some, in smaller and bigger knives, and other makes. it's GOOD. it's just not unique the way that BK15 sweeps. so much edge.

so many of the new designers are getting s30v and s35v, that i have hope for sprint runs of older Becker designs, perhaps with an eye to the collector. i would expect STEEP prices, and excellent work. if they sell, i would expect periodic releases, if the tooling is easy. it just makes sense (to me, i'm not the guy watching the bottom line, eh?)

who wouldn't want a full picnic set of Becker s35v knives? :D
 
TravisL said:
The Magnum Camp is one of the best cutting tools out there period. Other then chopping I might use it more then any of my other Becker blades. The MACHAX still haunts me. It was always on the list to buy, I just never did. Still searching though.
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you'll have to go look for it, but it's there...

when the KaBar BK5 hit the scene, i got one of the first ones. i proceeded to brutalize it in a test, seasoned hard oak limbs, chopping, splitting, all that. wasn't frozen (i'm not stupid, oh, not for the knife, me, shooting a demo with cold hands in the snow? meh :>)

i touched up the edge, and that was a contest knife. someone is still using it.

i wouldn't want to build a log cabin with one, and i noted that the chamfered edge was nasty on the baton stick - did not like - the original no has - but Jerry Fisk assures us that it cuts rope better :D so... who am i to argue with the Father of Perfection of that style? well, i did! heh heh.
 
BK 4 I wish I got more.
BK 5 was barely alive.
BK 20 was wish I had plenty.
BK 29, see above line.

BK 20 and 29 had a handicrapped start with the higher prices and had to get others with it and no other choices.

Wish I got more BK4. But glad I got the one I did get.
 
Bladite said:
you'll have to go look for it, but it's there...

when the KaBar BK5 hit the scene, i got one of the first ones. i proceeded to brutalize it in a test, seasoned hard oak limbs, chopping, splitting, all that. wasn't frozen (i'm not stupid, oh, not for the knife, me, shooting a demo with cold hands in the snow? meh :>)

i touched up the edge, and that was a contest knife. someone is still using it.

i wouldn't want to build a log cabin with one, and i noted that the chamfered edge was nasty on the baton stick - did not like - the original no has - but Jerry Fisk assures us that it cuts rope better :D so... who am i to argue with the Father of Perfection of that style? well, i did! heh heh.
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I wish you would post like that more often Bladite. Always a pleasure to read your insites. And the rest of you this is your cue for the brown nose jokes lol I can take it :D
 
Xr6x said:
Hey Snow Walker I think you should get a few Beckers before there discontinued :thumbsup: you just never know when it's going to happen.
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Oh man...don't say that! I'm just getting started here. All finances in our house must be stamped and approved by the management, and she's tough. That's part of why I married her :D. After 30 years, I know what I can get by with and when I can get by with it. As long as the 16 stays around for a little while yet, I'll work one in. It's the 9 that'll be tough. I can just hear the conversation..."You want what..?!?" "But honey it's for the cabin..." "The cabin will be just fine without that monstrous thing..."
 
Snow Walker said:
Oh man...don't say that! I'm just getting started here. All finances in our house must be stamped and approved by the management, and she's tough. That's part of why I married her :D. After 30 years, I know what I can get by with and when I can get by with it. As long as the 16 stays around for a little while yet, I'll work one in. It's the 9 that'll be tough. I can just hear the conversation..."You want what..?!?" "But honey it's for the cabin..." "The cabin will be just fine without that monstrous thing..."
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Do you have a Bk2 yet?
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
I wish you would post like that more often Bladite. Always a pleasure to read your insites. And the rest of you this is your cue for the brown nose jokes lol I can take it :D
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i did. each unique time.

sorry, but the opportunities are not often presented, and i don't feel much like being ... i dunno wordy?

after 30 or so years, i can only say the same thing so much. i'm the original fanboy? but ... i'm not the brown noser :D

and there are other factors. for example, Camillius days. some things, not so good. i do not wish to speak ill.
 
If only I'd known about the 20 and 29 when they were released, especially with the super combo deals. I would've gobbled up several just for the sake of modifying. I've been fortunate enough to acquire one 15, 20 and 29 since recently discovering Beckers outstanding value in the past year. When I heard the word round here the 5 was next, I grabbed one. Gotta get that 16 now. Well it's on the list.

Amazed the 15, 20 and 29 were ever sleepers!
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
Do you have a Bk2 yet?
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Haven't looked into a BK2...most reviews I've read said it was a great survival knife, but not a great all around knife. There seems to be a love group and a hate group associated with it when it comes to reviewers and bushcrafters. I think the description that got me was the one that described it as a "short sharpened pry bar"...
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
My profit is in using them
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I will never sell my bk20.
When they came out i didnt have enough and the thought of spending $200 on a knife seemed unnecessary. I couldnt get them off my mind and i found one on the secondary market nib for $200, i had the money at the time so i did it! I already had a bk5 (but could use another) and got a 4 later. Could have saved allot of money if i had just bought the bundle. The 20 is worth it on its own though so i dont feel too bad.
 
I didn't think I wanted a 15, but - found one on the Exchange, bought as much for the Micarta scales as I did to give it a go. I have more 15s than any other knife now. Doesn't get any more perfect for nearly everything I need a knife for. Customized one of 'em; goes with me damn near every day (in a fine sheath made by Nick). There's another that resides on my fishing pack thanks to Nikki; then there's the mobile one - got 15 sheaths laced to a couple packs so no matter which one I take, there is a place for it. Only thing I've done to the stock 15 is add liners to beef up the grip. No, I don't have big hands...just more comfortable, IMO.

My daily carry, with katalox scales and maple "liners", brass pins, file worked handle and spine. Thinned out the edge, too - it's a wicked slicah. I'm starting to understand trailing points, tho I can see (I don't understand, but I get it) why they don't sell, which is a shame. It's the one knife I'll have on me should the SHTF.

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Here’s my honest thoughts on most if not all the discontinued models.

BK-1 Brute: Good riddance. Cool looking knife, but a poor performer. It will barely take the Bark off a tree. You’d be better off to throw it in the River. Probably just a collaboration with an untrustworthy collaborator if I had to guess...

BK-4 Machax: Awesome, awesome design! My favorite go to woods/camp tool. I won’t go to camp without it. A truly do-it-all type blade. Quite possible my favorite Becker knife.

BK-5 Magnum Camp: A truly fantastic design by a world-class knife maker and National Living Treasure Mr. Jerry Fisk. As Ethan has said before, this was always the sleeper in the lineup. A big knife that is fast in hand, quick and agile. Quick and snappy in the hand. A laser beam with handles. I’m a fan on the BK5. Wish it wasn’t gone.

BK-6 Patrol Machete: I’ve always liked the looks of the Patrol Machete, but as far as function goes, I’m not sure if it functions well as a machete or a chopper. The only BK6 I’ve owned was a Camillus blank tempered and heat treated by a custom maker. It did not perform well. I’d like to someday put a stock BK6 through the paces. Jury’s still out on this one...

BK-8 Helicopter/Pilot Escape/Egress Tool:
from Phil Gibbs: '''The Helicopter Egress was a sample submitted for a Government need. it was a rapidly developed prototype, designed by committee, intended to perform too many tasks in a single design. Ethan Becker was not involved in it, hence the lack of finesse, style and appeal. Cost was surely a factor in it's demise. I believe I made a total of 5 of them.''

I’d bet that Bladite and The Gunyon can speak more clearly on this matter...

BK-15 Short Trailing Point: I couldn’t ever warm up to this one. I love the BK5 and always thought I should have loved the BK15. Just didn’t ever do it for me.

BK-17 Short Clip Point: I never warmed up to this one either. I really like the looks of it, but like the masses I was enamored with the BK16 instead.

BK-20 Bundock Bowie: Love it. I wish these were in production and priced similar to the BK9. If so, I would own one. I’m not a fan of limited runs.

BK-23DP Becker Skeleton Knife: Makes a really good firesteel scraper. *Wait...this one’s still in production?...

BK-24 D’eskabar: A BK14 in D2? What’s not to love? The price point was not much higher than the BK14 in Cro-Van. I’m surprised this one went away.

BK-29 Moses Bowie: I love it even more than the Bundock. I wish these were in full production. If it were priced similar to the BK9 I would own one. Again, not a fan of limited runs. At all.

BK-98 Becker Tuko: Very cool knife with premium steel and scales. Price point? Probably worth it, but see my above feelings on limited runs.

Becker/Esee Kitchen Knives: Absolutely love them for the price paid and use them daily. I would have bought an extra set had I known they’d be discontinued.

Am I forgetting anything?
 
Another vote for the 5 and 15. We have multiples of both and are constantly impressed at their functionality in real-world situations. I suspect that the lower than deserved sales are a result of their less than optimal tacticool/prepper/zombie-killer aesthetics.
 
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