Placed a Becker order.

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
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Due to the reviews and constant recommendations for Becker Knives, I've always wanted one to see for myself. With things not looking good for Camillus, I thought now would be a good time to order a couple.

First, just wanted to say I was disappointed in the Camillus product lineup at several major online vendors that I visited. All of the traditional-style Camillus knives I saw were plasti-stag or other artificial materials. Steels listed were average to sub-par. And the Heat/Blaze/Sizzle knives I was considering aren't even made in the US. Could be that the "good stuff" is already out of stock?

So here's what I ordered:
USMC w/ brown leather
Becker Combat Utility
Becker Campanion

Are these two Becker knives representative of that overall product line? Which two would you have picked? My past experiences with Camillus knives has been hit-or-miss, so I'm anxious to see what the Beckers are like firsthand. If I like these two, I may try to pick up one or two additional models (Crewman for instance).

If anyone can recommend a high-quality traditional pocketknife (natural handles, good steel, very good F&F, and in stock somewhere) from Camillus, I'd love to hear about it. I'd still consider buying an imported Heat/Blaze/Sizzle too, but not unless they show up at closeout prices sometime.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I'm going to order the Companion and the Crewman next week.

However, I really think the Beckers shine as nice big choppers. I love my BK-9 (Combat Bowie) and just got in a BK-1 (Brute), which is an impressive knife.

The BK-7 Combat Utility is probably the most popular Becker. I own one and like it. Good all-around length and very representative of the Becker line. I even had a custom sheath made for mine.

If you like the BK-7, you might try and pick up a Combat Bowie before they dry up.

BK7.JPG
 
Oh, if you want a higher end traditional knife made by Camillus, I'd go with one of the Moore Maker knives. http://www.mooremaker.com/

Both Queen and Camillus make knives for Moore Maker. You'd have to be sure you're getting one of the Camillus versions. Give the folks at Moore Maker a call, and they'd be happy to let you know which models were contracted out to Camillus.
 
Yeah, I really like those OVB knives. But the prices... not in my price range for buying Camillus this time around. In fact I've never even spent that much on a Bark River.

I may contact Moore Maker as Guyon suggested. I don't have any of their knives yet.

-Bob
 
Here's the link to the MM catalog.

http://catalog.mooremaker.com/browseGroup.cfm?item_group_id=29383

This may be an over-generalization, but I think that the Buffalo horn knives come from Camillus whereas the yellow bone knives are Queen-made. But there may be exceptions. You could check in Traditional here on BF. Those guys can tell you precisely which ones are Camillus-made.

I have a Moore Maker yellow bone stockman made by Queen. Great knife. I may pick up one of the Buffalo horn versions before they run dry. The steel in these knives is good, working carbon steel, so they will take a patina over time.

There are other vendors who sell Moore Maker knives. My understanding though is that they all originally come from either Camillus or Queen. Moore Maker contracts out the production and then wholesales the knives to vendors while also selling them retail from their store and site. Two good sources of MM knives are:

1) http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/ Bill is a super great guy to deal with based on everything I've heard over in the Traditional forum. Looking at his catalog though, I think he may only carry MM knives made by Queen.

2) Or check out knivesflacowboy on eBay. That's the username for Frank Ruff, who runs a saddle shop (and knife store) down in Umatilla, FL. His eBay store is Cowboy Knife Sales. http://stores.ebay.com/Cowboy-Knife-Sales I've done a fair bit of business with Frank, even before his eBay days back when he just put out a paper catalog. He'll treat you right.
 
I also recommend getting the BK9, to get a sense of what the Beckers are about. It's a tremendous blade, very reassuring that it will do what you need it to, and mine shaved arm hair out of the box.
 
rifon2 said:
I also recommend getting the BK9, to get a sense of what the Beckers are about. It's a tremendous blade, very reassuring that it will do what you need it to, and mine shaved arm hair out of the box.
Click to expand...
I can chop wood like mad with my BK-9, and it'll still be extremely sharp. :thumbup:
 
Well, maybe it was a knee-jerk reaction (or just the reaction of a jerk), but I just ordered a BK1, BK6, and BK7 from OneStopKnives.

Let's see what happens. :confused:
 
I'll let you guys know what I think when the Beckers get here next Monday.

I ordered from Knifeworks, BTW.

-Bob
 
thank god I caught the becker fever in time before there gone. It just ordered several bk9's and bk7's they are very impressive. Now if I can just find a few bk1's
 
The two Beckers arrived today. Having never handled one before I wasn't sure what to expect. I am quite pleased; these are very hefty tools and their reputation appears to be well-deserved.

I might be interested in one or two of the other models, especially if Beckers become available at closeout prices.

What would be cool, a "traditional-ized" Becker. Remove the 'tactical' black finish, replace the plastic handled with wood (oak or ironwood), and match it with a leather sheath.

I also ordered a brown Camillus USMC at the same time. I'm very pleased with it also, especially for the price.

-Bob
 
Bob W said:
I might be interested in one or two of the other models, especially if Beckers become available at closeout prices.
Click to expand...

Be nice to find. If anything though, people seem to be raising their prices.
 
I don't think there will be closeout prices,as there is no stock to be put on sale. They are making and shipping what they can, which isn't a lot. Better buy now, or wait and see if Mr. Becker allows someone else to make them.
Hopefully, a US company.
 
Zaphod said:
Well, maybe it was a knee-jerk reaction (or just the reaction of a jerk), but I just ordered a BK1, BK6, and BK7 from OneStopKnives.

Let's see what happens. :confused:
Click to expand...

Well, I was forced to canel the order because they were totally dried up. Fortunately, I found a BK1 at Knife Shop of the Internet for $109. I snagged it along with an Ontario RAT-3 and an Ontario RTAK-II. The first two arrived today.

Now it's time to get the micarta handles and a custom sheath. The Kydex one is awful. Not sure if I'll have the blade stripped and parkerized. I'd prefer a serious flat black to the factory semi-gloss.

Still, I have it, and I'm happy. :D
 
How awful is it Zaphod? If it's considerably better than the one I received, I might buy it off of you. Zap me an email.
 
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