Recommendation - Potbelly vs. BK5. Thanks!

[ThePeacent]

Hello everybody! I am (quite) new to this forums but I've been learning from you, reading and enjoying posts and threads during years. It's such a great community. So I finally need your help and ask you for a recommendation. Please move to an appropiate sub-forum if necessary. Thanks.
I am in need of a camp knife for this summer. My budget is around $50-70.
On the smaller side I already have two Mora knives, a Glock 78 Field Knife, many SAKs and a Leatherman to back up this knife.
On the bigger side I have tomahawks, a couple axes and a Kershaw Camp 14. So I need something in between. Chopping a bit, batoning a bit, tinder making, etc.
What I am trying to decide between is the KaBar Potbelly and the Becker BK5. I know Beckers are among the most popular blades for camp chores, and one only hears good things about them.
I've been very pleased with my first and only KaBar so I want to believe the Potbelly would be up to the brand's standards.
I love the shape and size of the Potbelly, but I believe a BK5 would be a better alternative.

Any help would be appreciated, and I am open to other blades, camp knives and suggestions. Thanks a lot in advance!!

 

[Noswad0208]

BK5, the Potbelly is too thick for it's length IMO.

 

[SpikeHawk]

BK5. Great knife. Never used the potbelly, but I have zero complaints abut the BK5. Check out the Becker subforum for some more info on the 5.

 

[NJBillK]

But, for batonning, the 5 isn't the best due to the swedge. I would suggest a bk4 or bk9 for general camp duties, especially if food prep is covered by another knife.

Smaller knives: food prep/whittling/trap making
Middle knife for food prep and smaller camp tasks
Bk4/9 for larger wood breakdown, pull knife, batonning and other larger knife details. (Thr 4 is surprisingly nimble and hits above its weight class, but can still do detail work.)

Go with the bk4 and get a sharpening rod, dmt fine diamond rod works well with all of the curves on it.

Check out the Becker subforum. You will find More info then you need.

 

[ocnLogan]

They are both excellent blades. The potbelly though excels at chopping and batoning, as it is quite hefty for its size. However, you have the camp 14 for chopping and presumably batoning, I'd go with something like the BK10, BK7, or BK5 (just choose the size you like best ).

I can say that Kabar does the same job with all of its 1095 cro van, so in terms of steel and its HT, you should be good to go either way.

Good luck finding something you like .

 

[ThePeacent]

Thank you all for your answers!

 

[collim1]

But, for batonning, the 5 isn't the best due to the swedge. I would suggest a bk4 or bk9 for general camp duties, especially if food prep is covered by another knife.

Smaller knives: food prep/whittling/trap making
Middle knife for food prep and smaller camp tasks
Bk4/9 for larger wood breakdown, pull knife, batonning and other larger knife details. (Thr 4 is surprisingly nimble and hits above its weight class, but can still do detail work.)

Go with the bk4 and get a sharpening rod, dmt fine diamond rod works well with all of the curves on it.

Check out the Becker subforum. You will find More info then you need.

I second the BK9. Can handle chopping and is a surprisingly good slicer if you ever needed to also function as a knife.

 

[strategy9]

Of the 2 I'd say go with the potbelly.

You say you got 2 mora's to handle the finer duties, and you got the appropriate chopping tools for bigger work;

while the potbelly might have too much "umph" for it's shorter length, the bk5 may not have quite enough at times for it's longer length, and it's still no real machete. It would be better IMO to er on the side of more in the event you need it for batoning rather then find you don't have enough... I mean it's a quarter inch thick! Plus from most reputable places it comes with a smaller cheap little piggy back to further help it handle any finer tasks which you may find it too bulky for.

so together, anything the "5" can do, batoning, chopping, or whittling, it's only about an inch longer, and aside from maybe stabbing, the belly/piggy combo can do it all just as well if not better fine whittling with the smaller blade and chopping with the true chopper (which the "5" simply isn't. It "can" chop, but blade profile, handle, grind, it just isn't going to chop like the potbelly which was designed to chop.)

Then if you want, spend about $20 on a Tramontina and sheath; an actual real 14"+ machete chopper, to clear brush and such, instead of an 8" not quite there yet...

I mean, from my experience I love my bk15; but at 5.5" I feel it's just the right size for what it is... I don't want "that" particular knife any longer (which is essentially what the "5" is)... If i want something bigger then I want something different.

 

[SALTY]

If you already have tomahawks, a couple axes and a Kershaw Camp 14 then I would definitely get the Becker BK-5.

I say this not because it's my very favorite Becker but because it fills the void of your quiver so perfectly. As stated above, the swedge and overall design do not lend this knife to batoning as well as other knives and other Beckers. That said, it is The Supreme food prep knife and all-around slicing/dicing cutting camp knife.

please do not let the fact that the BK-5 is my favorite becker or that it is my signature knife image take away from the legitimacy of my thoughts. The fact that is it rumored to be discontinued and thereby discounted means you can get ot for your budget if you hunt around the internet a bit and you will be very pleased with how much knife you get for your $60 or so!!