Pick the becker line up.

knifejunkie1928

knifejunkie1928

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Feb 15, 2015
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So with all the beckers that have been discontinued recently, it begs the question: what knives would you like to see remain in the becker line-up? What knives would you like to see removed?

Justify your reasons for removing. Don't feel like you need to appeal to the masses, if you don't like it just say so. Just because we are Beckerheads does not mean we have to praise every knife in the line-up. (mods please don't take me number! :D)


So my ideal line-up from kabar would be bk3, bk9, bk10, bk11, bk16, bk20, and bk21.

I would add the bk4 and bk5 if they go back to making them the original way. The bk4 like the original Cincinnati version. The bk5 like the original blackjack version.

I would also add the bk6 if they made it out of thinner stock to make it a real machete.


So no bk1 because I don't like Mike Stewart and it's a bad blade and doesn't perform well compared to others in its class

No bk2, because while it's a tank I find it to be too heavy and too thick for my taste. I much prefer the bk10.

No bk7 because you should just get a bk9 or bk10.

No bk13 because its too small too be useful, just get an bk11.

No bk14 because I don't like ESEE and I find the bk11 better and more useful. Some people say they can get a better grip on the bk14 as opposed to the bk11. With my hands this is not the case.

No bk15 because I don't like the choil and the bk16 is better.

No bk17 because I HATE clips and it has the same edge profile of the bk16. Just buy a bk16.

No bk23, because no bk23. This just should never have happened. Its just not good.

I did not mentioned the bk12 because Ive never owned one and therefore can't make a fair judgment.
 
I feel the BK2 is a vital contributor to the BK lineup as it is a gateway knife that seems to be the top selling BK knife out there, and it certainly keeps up the image of Becker's ruggedness and dependability.

I feel the BK10 is redundant and, while it fills a niche in the BK lineup, is not the best of designs for the length. Too big for a small knife, too small for a big knife. A BK7 or a BK16 should be a better option than the 10 for almost any task.

I wish the BK20 would be introduced as a standard model, but I also understand the reasoning behind it staying out of production. I think it is the best design Becker has made so far, and has no downsides for the role it fills.

The BK13 is a great emergency knife if you are making up a glovebox emergency kit or something where a full-sized knife is not an option. For the price I don't see any reason to discontinue it.

Everybody has their favorite knives, but only the folks at Ka-Bar know which ones are worth making, so if they decide to discontinue (or keep) a design I'll assume it was the right decision business-wise.
 
Bk9, Bk12, RBK, BK16 is a good choice to stick with from the tweeners from a standard drop point marketing perspective. And I guess we'll always have to have the 2.
 
More options doesn't seem like a bad thing to me. I wish that Kabar hadn't started a discontinuing spree. I was especially sad to see the 4 and 5 go. The more Becker models to choose from, the merrier.
 
Actually, love all of them, but the 11,16, and 9 do all the basics for me.
0b82aa6b2e955146732300aac3119c8d.jpg
 
I have alot of the different models and these are what I choose to stay in production.
BK24
BK15
BK16
BK2 (wish it had a 6-6.5" blade)
BK9
BK20
 
My list:
11, its got a bottle opener, duh.
24, we all need D2.
16, cause its perfect.
7, its my HD do it all knife.
9, everyone needs a 9. Okay, so I dont have one yet but one day.

The omissions..well, I dont own them yet.
 
I may very well be the Anti-becker. (Small b, no offense to the big E)
Either that, or the good folks at KaBar have me perfectly targeted, and use me for data on what not to make.

Absoutely love the 15... gone
Next favorite is the 5... gone
Close behind is the 4... gone
Then the 20... gone

Afraid to add the 9 to this list.
 
As I hate to see any models to go away, I can do fine with the 4, 9, 11, 14 and the 16, I've had every model put out by Camillus and Ka-Bar over the years and these are the ones that I've used and kept. I would like to see a 2 with a FFG in 3/16" , been wanting something like that for a while.
 
Interesting question. I might have to break this one down a little. I think a list of how useful they are from where I sit might help out. then from there, it's up to the fates.

Must haves These are the knives that everyone has use of, almost regardless of their lifestyle. Whether they know it or not.

BK-2 - It's the Bread and butter, suffers a bit on weight, makes up for it with diesel-gutting strength. It delivers.

BK-9 - My personal "control group" for how well any other knife snapcuts or chops, also super for making large potatoes into small cubes as well.

BK-11/14/24 - These really are the same knife from the plunge up. which you need depends on your anatomy and application. The small, thin package size and light weight makes this a hackuva work knife, I've used mine to cut everything from packages to drywall to helping remove staples in flooring. Even cut a small tree or two. The cost/size/utility ratio is through the roof on this one.

BK-16/17 - The classic "belt knife" the edges are similar, but the clip/no clip needs to be a choice for the user. There are two camps firmly established on the issue and neither are going anywhere. Another note on these is that the BK-17 does come in a tad stronger due to the saber grind, vs. the BK-16's FFG. another choice best left to the user for their applications.


dead useful These are not "niche knives" but systems with tons of utility and designs that make sense, but often get passed up for other, shinier options.

BK-5 - Way stronger than it looks. This knife can do anything I've ever asked of it and more, and it does it with a minimum of tradeoff or compromise. but lives in the shadow of the BK-9. Could live without the choil myself, though.

BK-10 - More or less a lighter, thinner BK-2 with a clip. hard on batons, but this thing can do *lots* of work. It's a knife that you didn't know you needed. For you "BK-16 isn't enough guys", here's your knife!

BK-7/12 - kind of an "all arounder" but gets passed on for the 2 or 9. these knives do almost everything that the big ones do, but they are in the middle on size, which makes them less appealing. There are design differences, but the overall package is of similar enough size and use that I felt justified in lumping them together.

Bundok - This thing is friggin' cool, essentially a bigger BK-9, this is the knife for someone that has heavier chores in mind, or wicked underbrush.


situational these are knives that are indispensable to the right person, but are not needed by everyone or all of the time.


BK-15 - It's a smaller BK-5. It can't really chop, but man is this a stupendous addition to your camp kit or kitchen knife collection. eerily good at slicing cheeses and snack meats. Equally at home carving on wood, but it just can't beat the BK-5.

BK-4 - This is a purpose-built deforestation tool. It is an ax, and I've used mine to turn surprisingly large (8" or so) trees into stumps on more than one occasion, and it can do a shocking amount of woodsy carpentry. The reason that this one is here is the BK-9. The 4 has a learning curve that the 9 doesn't, and isn't as useful in the kitchen, at least to me. Where it shines is in processing wood, which it does better than the 9 imo, but most people don't really need to process wood more than dinner.


BK-6 - It's a machete that doesn't flex much at all, it's big. Great for surveyors and such, not as good in the utility class. But I still really, really want one.

RBK - This is one fantastic knife. Awesomely powerful chopper. But it excels at limbing and chopping, it is part of a multi-knife kit, not a standalone. Top of my wishlist, if I get it, every tree on my property will be bald within about 8' of the ground.

less useful these are so specialized in application that I personally haven't ever said "If only I had a ..."

BK-3 - A heck of a sharpened prybar. capable if really impressive coarse work. Not as good for usual knife stuff. perhaps great for construction.

BK-1 - The brute is neat as hell, but doesn't really fit any of my needs not already covered. Maybe a rework will change my mind?
 
Junkie, I'm curious as to why you think the 3 should stay.


For me I think they should keep the 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20. Maybe the 17 too. I haven't used mine yet to say one way or the other.

I don't think they should keep the 1, 3, 21, 23, 24.

The 1, too thick for it's grind height. If it was thinner material it could be a winner.

The 3, it's s good wood splitter, but that's about it in my mind. Again if it was thinner and a true chisel ground it could work. However I can see it's use as an urban escape tool.

The 21, is cool, I have one, but I think it's too big for what it is.

The 23, we have the 13 in 1095 so we really don't need it but it's a cool lil knife for a gift for someone who isn't knife savvy.

The 24, I think it's better in 1095.
 
I don't think they should remove any of them because there is somebody that likes any of the them. Having said that, my own personal views:

1 - never owned one but it looks like any interesting knife. Would benefit from a full convex grind.
2 - too short the way it is, lengthen it out to 8" and I think it would be a great knife. In fact, if it happened, I would definitely buy one breaking my resolve to not buy any more knives (except a Bravol 1.5)
3 - A very useful tool, even in the bush. I love mine. Mostly, though, I keep it in my van.
DSC01048.jpg

4- The epitome of knife design. I like the Kabar 4, but love my Cinci 4 (my all-time favourite knife, bar none.)
5 - A great knife by all reports, just not my cup of tea.
6- This the patrol machete? I like all machetes, so this would be no exception.
7 - Had one, didn't like it - sold it.
8 - no opinion
9 - nice knife. I own one but much prefer the 4
10 - lot of people like it. I thought it was the ugly duckling of the line up.
11 - lot of people like it. The handle is too short for me. I don't think a bottle opener belongs on any knife. A bottle can be opened with any knife, even a piece of wood or your belt buckle.
12 - I own one and I quite like it. This knife makes the 7 redundant in my opinion.
13 - too small for my liking
14-17 - all nice knives but the handles are too short for me
20 and 21 - both interesting knives - wish I had them especially the 20 but, oh well.

To sum up, I think most of the Becker line up are great knives, but the shorter ones need longer handles and I don't have excessively large hands, though, as always, to each their own.
 
BK1 can stay gone. Has a cool factor, but that's about it.

BK2 is a staple in the lineup. A beast!

BK3....ehh, I'm still on the fence with this one.

BK4 is my go to woods knife. Love it!

BK5 is a great knife. I always thought it was the most unappreciated BK.

BK6 needs to make a return.

BK7 never did it for me. I wouldn't cry if it went away.

BK8...let sleeping dogs lie.

BK9 you can't not have a BK9. Unless you do not have a BK9, in which case, you need a BK9

BK10 is a good knife. It's just that length that doesn't see much use in my lineup

BK11 is one of the best knives ever!!

BK12 is a good one.

BK13 makes a good fire steel scraper. :D

BK14 wishes it was as cool as the BK11

BK15 should have stayed.

BK16 may be Ethan's best work to date. Besides the Machax. :D

BK17...ehh. It could go.

BK20 is a beast!!

BK21 is good, but I'd like a chopper that hits harder.

BK23...hmm, I wish it was more comfortable. It could go.
 
From the current production, I'd drop:
BK-13: it reads as an afterthought, and beyond the blade shape, doesn't really read as a Becker. If Ethan were to design something really small and innovative, it could replace it quickly.
BK-11: I'd re-design this for more handle, less blade. Call it the BK-11.2

The rest fill useful slots. I'm sorry the 5 is back out of production, but there are lots of them out there now (I have two).

MY ideal collection is:
BK-5, BK-7 (modified), BK-9, BK-10, BK-16, BK-21

The 10 and 16 are swappable, depending on how big you want your do-all belt knife to be. I like them both, and it's the only tweener I feel compelled to keep (my 15 is modified, so I'll keep that too).
 
sd550 said:
I would like to see a 2 with a FFG in 3/16" , been wanting something like that for a while.
Click to expand...

I would have to agree! That would make the 2 absolutely perfect in my mind.
 
My picks, for whatever they are worth:

BK 2 - (You cannot have a Becker lineup without the 2, though there are some things I would change. However, it is an absolute beast and damned near indestructible)
BK 4 - (I am on the fence with this one. Though undoubtedly effective (true story), I dislike the aesthetics.... which is admittedly foolish on my part)
BK 5 - (This knife is exceptional, though I do not own one yet, I have used one and it excels! So seemingly underappreciated)
BK 9 - (Again, as others have said, you cannot deny yourself this knife. It calls to everyone.... Heed it....)
BK 10 - (This knife is kind of underwhelming to me. However, it is a good alternative to the 2 if you do not want the beastly thickness)
BK 11 - (This blade has replaced my folder for EDC, it is an exceptionally useful blade)
BK 15 - (For when you want a mini 5.... Fantastic)
BK 16 - (Yes, yes, yes! This knife must never leave the lineup. A "do-it-all" blade that is the highlight of my collection)

Honorable mentions:

BK 7 - (Though definitely effective and a favorite of many, it doesn't anything for me that others in the lineup can't do just as well or better....)
BK 17 - (Well deserving blade, I just happen to like the 15 and 16 much better....)
BK 20 - (Beastly chopper! Would love to handle one)

I look forward to seeing further designs and releases in the future.
 
All very good replies with lots of thought and experience being shared.

What ones would I like to see remain in the line-up? All of them.

That said, which ones would be in my quiver? That is a very tough question and depends on how many I could have.

If I could have only one it would be the 7;
If two, the 9 and the 15;
I three, the 9, 15 and an 11; or maybe 20, 5 and 11;
Four adds either the 2 or the 4;
Five definitely adds the 2 and the 4;
Six brings the 20 along;
Seven or more requires too much time, thought and beer to adequately analyse and post comprehensively.

The above model numbers are based upon a functionality based analysis.

Going by what I like, there are certain models that any Beckerhead would be hard pressed not to own - or at least want to own and sadly, in my case, they include discontinued models.

The favorites/must haves include the BK:
2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 20 and 24.
 
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