Question about BK10, 18, and 19

F

Faramir42

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Apr 14, 2025
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Newbie here so please forgive if I've missed similar discussions (I couldn't find quite what I was looking for in search results). In any event I'm looking into getting a fixed blade knife and the Becker BK 10, 18, and 19 have all caught my attention. A person I know swears by their USMC Ka Bar but that's bigger than I need.

I'm a day hiker with some ambitions to bridge into overnight/short duration backpacking. I've loved hiking the Adirondacks and similar; I have long term goals to build up equipment to tackle more peaks and similar hikes. I already have a folding Benchmade knife (roughly 3" blade) and a hatchet but pretty much lack a knife that bridges the gap between those two tools. so with that here's a bit of my thoughts on what I'm looking for:

I'd like something that will be suitable in an emergency for making a splint, processing wood for a fire etc. (my Benchmade isn't big enough for this assuming I need to chop/break wood down to a suitable size and I don't want to lug a hatchet on every day hike).

Something 4.5 to 6" in blade length, if I need more length I'd buy a machete or similar. I feel like any task suitable for a blade under 4.5" is probably already covered by my benchmade.

General utility rather than specialized for applications like hunting or fishing.

Suitable shape that it could be used in self defense (I don't plan to carry a gun; yes I recognize things have really gone wrong if I'm knife fighting a bear or wolf, this is more peace of mind that i have something to give me even a slight chance rather than actual expectations that I'm walking away from that)

When not hiking it will live in my natural disaster emergency kit.

I'm aiming for the $150 range +/-

So all that has led me to the Becker 10, 18, and 19. I've also thought about the Ka Bar Mark I and Becker 16.

I'm somewhat drawn to the BK 10, it's about the right blade length and I like that it's an updated take on the pilot knife which I'd always wanted but never actually got around to buying. That said I'm not sure if the weight and overall size would make it stupid levels of overkill or otherwise be unviable for hiking.

I'm torn between the BK 18 and 19. I like both from a visual looks standpoint and their specifications are about right in terms of length etc. but I'm fuzzy on what the differences are between the two in terms of their applications (namely I'm not well versed enough to know why you'd choose one blade shape over the other). I'm also unsure about the sheaths, I've read bad things about the similar designed sheaths on earlier Becker models although it sounds like the sheaths are generally a major weak point of all Ka Bar Beckers so *shrug*

The Mark I and BK 16 seem very similar beasts. I'm unsure the BK 16 fits my needs since the blade is only a tad longer than my folding Benchmade and I'm unsure if the Mark I is designed to handle the emergency uses that motivate my desire for a fixed blade to begin with. Of the two in like the look of the Mark I more so all else being equal.

Also beyond buying direct from Ka Bar are there other reputable online sellers? I really don't want to buy from Amazon given how third parties often sell knock offs of just about everything there, I want to be confident that whatever I buy is the real deal and not a fake.

I don't expect a definitive answer on which to buy, just hoping to get some insight from those who have owned those knives or have greater experience with fixed blades.
 
If you want Becker....their Kephart model, BK62 is by and far their best for the area of use you want.
 
Dagoth_Blur said:
I will echo that the bk62 is one absolutely fine blade. Anyone would be lucky to have it as their primary belt knife.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I did not mean to violate rules with the retailers bit! I'll have to look into the BK62, when I looked on the Ka Bar website it was a bit out of my price point.
 
Agreed with the above. I love the 10, but it's heavy. Now if you want to leave the hatchet at home, the 10 is a good choice because you can baton with it.

But the BK-62 is excellent.
Light, versatile, superb execution of a classic design. And the nylon "becker shorts" sheaths fit it perfectly, so if you want a more practical sheath than the leather one, you have an easy option for short money (direct from Ka-Bar).

The 16 and the 18 are also unimpeachable choices. (Can't stand the look of the 19 myself, but there's nothing actually wrong with it). The handles on those are very very good. The BK-62 will give you more torque for carving, though, due to the wide flat handle up near the front.

Ka-Bar's website is MSRP for blades, which is far above street price, tho they do have some annual sales.
 
F Faramir42

Thank you for a detailed explanation of what your uses of said knife will be.

I would recommend buying a BK-16 right away and you will have what you desire right away, imo.

The 18 and 19 have the same handle as the 16, but the blades are wider. You will find the 16 can handle what you are asking currently.

The BK-10 has a substantially heavier design and build. The handle is bigger and the blade is much wider. It is overall a larger knife than what I think you seek currently.

As to the BK-62, yes, it is also an ideal blade for your use. The 16 was designed from inspiration of Kepharts knife. The 16 also went into production before the 62. However, the 62 is also an inch longer than the 16, which I found to be too long. I cut an extra 62 down closer to a 16 length and find it better suited to me.

Si said, I recommend the 16. If you are dead set on an 18 or 19, go with the 19 Beckmuk. The Harpoon hasnt been as useful, imo. The pount is too “pointy” compared to the 16 and 19 making them more useful.
Good luck!
 
I'm going to start out repeating some things said above
First, kabar MSRP is about 20% higher than typical 3rd party vendor prices.
Second, my favorite Kabar vendor is ______ Kabars. There are others as well, but ...

Third even though you dismissed it, the BK 16 has been my preferred camping/woods humming knife since it came out.

The BK 10 handles are sized for folks with large hands with long fingers. The knife itself is significantly bigger than the 16, 18, & 19

Between the 18 & 19, I prefer the 18 because it has a better point for drilling holes (for me)
That said, I modified mine significantly.

IMG_20240407_105434008~2.jpg

I had a mark 1 - if the handle was 1/2" longer, I'd still have it.

The BK62 is a very nice knife - but the handle is flat enough it feels "off" until you've had an hour or 2 of using it.

My biggest suggestion is to find a knife store somewhere close and get your hands on different models to see what feels best in your hands.
Or depending on where you live, there may be someone here who lives close enough to meet up and look at some of theirs.

Once you know what you like, go get one or keep an eye on the exchange for a used one.
 
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I have both the 10 and 16 (9, 11 and 13 too) but if I need a fixed blade the BK-10 is the one I use the most
 
1066vik said:
I'm going to start out repeating some things said above
First, kabar MSRP is about 20% higher than typical 3rd party vendor prices.
Second, my favorite Kabar vendor is ______ Kabars. There are others as well, but ...

Third even though you dismissed it, the BK 16 has been my preferred camping/woods humming knife since it came out.

The BK 10 handles are sized for folks with large hands with long fingers. The knife itself is significantly bigger than the 16, 18, & 19

Between the 18 & 19, I prefer the 18 because it has a better point for drilling holes (for me)
That said, I modified mine significantly.

View attachment 2848736

I had a mark 1 - if the handle was 1/2" longer, I'd still have it.

The BK62 is a very nice knife - but the handle is flat enough it feels "off" until you've had an hour or 2 of using it.

My biggest suggestion is to find a knife store somewhere close and get your hands on different models to see what feels best in your hands.
Or depending on where you live, there may be someone here who lives close enough to meet up and look at some of theirs.

Once you know what you like, go get one or keep an eye on the exchange for a used one.
Click to expand...

I agree with This too...see if you can pick some up.....
Imo, the choice should be made by which of the above feels best in your hand. Not blade shape.....

I have wide palms, and the tweener handles are uncomfortable for me, too small.
The neutral shape of the 62,_& It's round pommel makes it work for most people.

It is non-impressive at first, But like already said....after using it for a bit, your hand learns to love it.

Save your money, buy the 62.I

*edit
I bought mine from ______ (two of them)
Welcome.......btw
 
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I'm not sure if sales / websites are still not allowed to be mentioned, but _______ has done right by me a few times. Stick to reputable dealers and avoid eBay and the jungle store like the plague, unless you like risking a well-executed knock-off.
 
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you can mention vendors who are members of BF - so far as I know, they are.
 
For bigger needs the BK10. BK18 with its point, and saber grind seems best "tweener" blades.
 
I wonder if they dropped their membership when the planned on retiring and the new owners haven't ponied up.
 
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