Please help compare BK-5 to BK-9

[TravisH]

Oh okay... time to get that 24 after all! Been eyeing that one forever as well.

The 24 was my 'gateway' Becker.

The 5 was next.

 

[SALTY]

Two undeniable facts:
1. The 5 is my favorite/most used Becker.
2. You can't not have a 9.

Two facts subject to discussion:
1. The 4 can do what a 9 can do and handles some "smaller knife' tasks better than a 9.
2. The 21 is a versatile achiever capable of matching (or besting)n stalwarts.

All of that said, you know you want a 9. It's calling you and drawing you to it.

The 5 is a slicing/dicing food processing machine that holds it own (and excels) in the wild.
The 9 is the heavy duty bulldozer of the range capable of much save for the lighter and more delicate of tasks.

Arguably, the 5 is more specialized and certainly excels at its design criteria goals.
The 9 is iconic among Becker knives and Beckerheads. Did I mention that you cannot not have a 9?

You will eventually succumb to getting them all (or most of them all) anyway - so why torture yourself?

 

[austexjg]

You will eventually succumb to getting them all (or most of them all) anyway - so why torture yourself?

Too true...

 

[Survivormind]

I can't speak for the BK9. I believe I can speak for the 5 to a degree after wearing it on my hip pretty much every day for three years.

The 5 is a bush knife in every sense. It's not a sharpened crowbar like the 9. If you want a highly effective bush knife that excels at pretty much everything but batoning, get the 5. If you want a hard use knife that will spend a lot of time batoning and possibly see some abuse, get the 9. Those of you that have both, please correct me if I am wrong.

Survivormind

 

[Survivormind]

I must add that there is a technique to using the 5 that will greatly increase the usability of its cutting edge. I can regularly sever 1.5 inch green branches with one swipe. I'm sure the 9 can too with proper technique due to its weight but weight must be considered in regards to fatigue, effectiveness, caloric consumption, etc., unless it isn't a concern for you.

Survivormind

 

[foofie]

Thanks for the info survivor. Good read on your experience with the bk5. Thanks for the link.

So - what is the technique? More of a wrist snap? You mentioned the angle of attack as well?

 

[Survivormind]

Thanks for the info survivor. Good read on your experience with the bk5. Thanks for the link.

So - what is the technique? More of a wrist snap? You mentioned the angle of attack as well?

You got it. Wrist snap and a 45 degree angle with with a sharp edge of course. Whenever possible, I always utilize my bodyweight by dropping my center of gravity right before the strike hits and of course, use good body mechanics with hips and shoulders. Most of this is true for any large blade but the design of the BK5 really benefits from efficiency. Very effective edge geometry.

 

[upnorth]

I like the 5 because it is big and light. I bring an axe or hatchet along with it. Some of this stuff is just, cause I like it, as opposed to pure efficient functional utility.

 

[Kentwood33]

 

[Rotte]

The BK5 is a nice knife, had one for years. For some reason I though I needed a BK9. So I ordered one. We'll see.

 

[NixKustoms]

If you want a highly effective bush knife that excels at pretty much everything but batoning, get the 5.

I would disagree with half of this statement. One could baton with the 5 and it does well but will eat up the baton. Other than that the 5 is my wilderness multi tool.