Questions about the BK2 vs. the Warthog

[KingMC]

So I currently own a BK2 and it's a fantastic knife that I love. Recently I've been eyeing the Warthog, which seems like it would serve a similar purpose in utility work: i.e. a thick, stout, unbreakable baton master.

I do have a few questions for those who own the Warthog: does the clip point on it make it harder to baton with? I know the BK2 has a flat spine that gives good surface area for a baton to move, whereas a clip point would seem to divert less energy through the knife due to a thinner surface being hit.

Also, does the tall profile of the Warthog have any drawbacks for general woodworking and other utility tasks involving dexterity? I usually use whatever knife I happen to have on me for general camp use and that sometimes means carving jobs done with a big blade.

Finally, the handle on the Warthog: in your experience, is it more or less comfortable than the Becker handles? I like the way the Becker handles are shaped, and the slickness doesn't bother me too much since I usually wear some form of gloves when I'm outdoors anyways, so is there a benefit to the grippy/contoured handle of the Warthog that would make it nicer to use than the Becker grips?

I ask too many questions, I know, so here's how my Friday night is going, BK2 for scale (unused, yes, I am shamed)

 

[stvpourciau]

I own a BK2 and an Original Warthog. I can not answer these questions directly but I can feed your desire for a new one.

The old Warthog is my favorite hip knife, period. I do everything you can do in the woods or backyard with it and have managed not to break it.

I do baby it a little and do not go hog wild smashing through anything I can find, instead holding back a little and carefully addressing the task at hand. It gets the job done.

The current model is a beefier envisioning of the archaic one I keep at my belt. If I can manage not to mistreat and break mine, with some moderate sanity, you shouldn't have any problems with this one designed to address the breakage seen from extreme use in the older models.

The BK2 and the current warthog are two different knives. Becker scales feel good in hand. I love the kraton Tooj handles on the heavy knife lineup of kabar. You do not get any shock from vibration feeding back into your hand when using them as a get with the Beckers. The only "advantage" offered by the texture of that particular kraton handle Is that you need to wear gloves to keep from getting a blister during hard chopping but yes, they work very well.

 

[KingMC]

Thanks a lot, you actually really helped me with the info you gave. My biggest concern was really the handle comfort, sounds like it's a compromise like the Becker, can't get the best of both worlds.

 

[stvpourciau]

Pretty much, I like the handles with the large hook for retention, palm swell, and flare at the choil to serve as a guard. You will need work gloves though.

 

[KingMC]

I wear gloves whenever i use knives outdoors, the comfort of a good pair of gloves is always more pleasing regardless of whether a knife is ergonomic enough or not. Knowing the handles are abrasive helps, though, they looked as much but it's good to get confirmation.

 

[52100]

A Bladeforums member I can't remember right now has a stripped Warthog that looks SWEET. The grind lines and angles really show up. At first and second glance the Warthog looks very impressive but possibly impractical. But then the unknowing might say the same thing about a BK2, which is a great knife. It's nice to read some user feedback that proves me wrong.

I've got a couple other KaBars from Taiwan...........the Kukri and Heavy Bowie, which I believe have the same handle, or very close. It's a whole different feel than that BK's handle, and for actual chopping a glove is pretty important after a few minutes. For non-chopping tasks, the handle just provides a superb grip.

BTW, don't overlook those other two knives. They approach problems from a much different angle than the Warthog and BK2, and are true bargains.

 

[NCSlice]

I own a BK2 and an Original Warthog. I can not answer these questions directly but I can feed your desire for a new one.

The old Warthog is my favorite hip knife, period. I do everything you can do in the woods or backyard with it and have managed not to break it.

I do baby it a little and do not go hog wild smashing through anything I can find, instead holding back a little and carefully addressing the task at hand. It gets the job done.

The current model is a beefier envisioning of the archaic one I keep at my belt. If I can manage not to mistreat and break mine, with some moderate sanity, you shouldn't have any problems with this one designed to address the breakage seen from extreme use in the older models.

That's great to hear! I just picked an original one up today, hope it's here before the weekend!

I have the "Tooj" kuk and cutlass. Totally different feel. To me they're more of a hack and whack tool. I've chopped up to 3" sapplings with the kukri no problem. It was my first Ka-Bar then the BK2 was my second and it was on from there for the Beckers!

I still use the kuk around the yard and woods for the reach and such when I need to just whack through brush, the handle gives a few hot spots but not bad. The Beckers get the real work for chopping and more focused work. Can't go wrong either way...getem both!
I can't say about the warthog though cuz Ive never even held one. Hope this helps!

 

[KingMC]

Thanks for even more personal experience being shared, I really appreciate hearing from those who use the knives because it really helps me gauge better if it's what I'm looking for or not.

That heavy bowie is similar to the BK9 in size, yes? Do you think it'd chop as well as the BK9? The blade is thicker so more weight, but then also more blade to get in the way when chopping.

 

[hatchettjack]

I just go by the names! Seems warthog is trying too hard to convinced! And Becker just builds knifes puts his name on it and says go use it son!

 

[52100]

I'd cut 'em some slack jack (sorry it rhymed)................several of the BKs also have names, and I think KaBar aptly named the Warthog. It's a deep chested, steep shouldered tough SOB that's definitely at the ugly end of the spectrum not the sleek and sexy one. If I was going to start picking bones with KaBar it would be for their "Zombie Killer" series, but what the heck, it's selling knives and keeping KaBar in the black.

 

[stvpourciau]

That's great to hear! I just picked an original one up today, hope it's here before the weekend!

I still use the kuk around the yard and woods for the reach and such when I need to just whack through brush, the handle gives a few hot spots but not bad. The Beckers get the real work for chopping and more focused work. Can't go wrong either way...getem both!
I can't say about the warthog though cuz Ive never even held one. Hope this helps!

Your gonna love that 1247, it chops like a tiny monster as well, just don't beat it like a Becker.

The khuk'chete is a great knife as well, is kabars best chopper in production and is the only large knife I own since giving away my other blades.

Excellent field tool, I use it for everything from digging to lopping the heads of bass to end them as quickly and humane as possible.

That heavy bowie is similar to the BK9 in size, yes? Do you think it'd chop as well as the BK9? The blade is thicker so more weight, but then also more blade to get in the way when chopping.

The Large heavy bowie (LHB) is, despite its size, an extremely well balanced knife so it does not "outchop" the Box but I would say that things are about even. It's also indestructible due to the smooth transition lines of the .25" spring steel tang.

It's an excellent blade, very well made in Taiwan, I prefer the steel to 1095 crovan (it is not truly 1080 but some Asian equivalent) and was my first choice of "survival knife" when prepping due to useability and the price being right. It since then belongs to another forum member here, a New Yorker who uses it exclusively to baton firewood for his home.

I also thing it would make a better fighter due to the better balance and pointier clip.

 

[bigghoss]

I have a BK2 and a heavy Warthog (and an original Warthog). The Heavy Warthog is beastly. I haven't played with it a ton but I have not noticed any real hindrances with it or anything it does overly poorly. Just buy one, they're awesome. The handles are comfortable, though some folks may find the hook of the handle creates a hotspot. There's lots of material there so if that does become a problem you might be able to grind it down a bit.

 

[BeeKayNutCase]

..If I was going to start picking bones with KaBar it would be for their "Zombie Killer" series, but what the heck, it's selling knives and keeping KaBar in the black..

Dude the ZK series are awesome knives! Yes, some people have dissed them due to the marketing approach but like you said, it seems to work..

I've got the Famine Tanto and the War Sword. Both are 1095cv and are seriously stout blades. Razors out of the box. The War Sword seems a little light for the blade type, won't nearly outchop a BK9 but still has real purpose. The Tanto? One of my favorite knives. That thing is an effing UNIT! IMO the only drawback are the handles. Ethan and Tooojs offerings are more ergonomic but on the plus side the ZK series are true full tang. Plenty of steel there to shape. Which I will do eventually.

I took the Famine for a hike in the rainforest in the hinterland behind Brisbane a while back and it was devastating against vines. I was screaming through strangler figs like they were butter. I'm talking 3in thick vines here. I used it later to baton through some firewood for the fire we had going in the cabin my wife and I were staying in. Worked a real treat.

The sheaths are not great although the massive pocket on the front is useful but once I've modded the blade to the way I want it I'm going to have some custom kydex folded for it.

Once the bright green zombie zytel has been changed for the black offerings (which come with all of them) it definitely takes away the gaudiness but honestly, the ZK series are way better than people give credit for..

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled Warthog programming..