Replace a hatchet with... Potbelly or BK-2, BK-4, BK-5, BK-7, BK-9, BK-10?

F

FreebornErik

Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
191
Some questions for those of you with direct experience with both the JAB Potbelly and one or more of the large Beckers.

Here's the background info, I've always been a pocket folder/mid-sized belt knife/hatchet/saw kind of outdoorsman. The concept of a large knife over a hatchet is something I've never really considered until recently (i.e. I started reading this forum). I currently have a BK-5, BK-13, BK-14, and BK-16. I really like all of them, and am very happy with them.

The BK-5 is my most recent Becker acquisition and I really like it, its an incredible knife, though I don't know if I can bring myself to replace my hatchet with it. Maybe it's me, but its hard for me to abuse a knife the way I do a hatchet. I've batoned it through a couple pieces of firewood (quarter round seasoned Douglas Fir) to make kindling, and it of course handled it with no issues, maybe my hesitance is just a mental block on the division of labor between belt knife and hatchet, (funny I just realized I don't have any issues beating the heck out of my 14 or 16, of course the wood I baton with them is smaller). Anyway, out in the woods, I wouldn't be messing with wood anywhere near as big in diameter as the firewood at home.

The same day I got the BK-5, I got a JAB Potbelly, it had a few minor issues out of the box, but I'm really liking it as well, I honestly don't recall how long its been since I've gotten a tool that I've had this much fun with. I mean pulling this thing out of its sheath just makes me giggle. I did a little firewood batoning with it, but like I said... mental block. I've done a fair amount of chopping with it, it's basically replaced my pruner for all the yard work I can reach with it, I've used it for moderate limbing, I've done some whittling/carving with it, and used it in the kitchen for slicing and dicing (it doesn't come close to the BK-5 for this though).

So here's the deal, I'm looking for input from those of you with experience in the woods or on the trail with both the Potbelly and 1 or more of the following: BK-2, BK-4, BK-5, BK-7, BK-9, and BK-10. Other than the BK-5, I have never even held any of those Beckers, but like I said I'm really liking both the Potbelly and the BK-5. I've spent enough time with the Potbelly to use it as a basis for comparison. I'm thinking about giving up my hatchet and mid-sized (BK-16 or similar) belt knife in favor of a large belt knife (Potbelly or one of the listed Beckers) I'd still carry a saw and a pocket folder.

Here's the questions:

With that in mind which knife would you advise me to choose to cover hatchet and belt knife duties, would you choose the Potbelly over the Becker(s) you have experience with or vice versa?

And most importantly, why?

To add a little more complexity to the mix, what if instead of replacing both the hatchet and mid sized belt knife, I decided to keep the belt knife and just swap out the hatchet, would this change your answer?


Thanks,

Erik
 
Late october me and a few other folks went on a 5 day trek into Daniel Boone Natl. Forest, and one guy brought his potbelly. I used it quite a few times, and can honestly say its a great blade. He had a light convex on it, and it retained an edge that was impressive, even after a lot of chopping. With that said, and in your situation, I would deffinately look into the bk9. I no longer take my hatchet or axe into the bush since I have put enough time into learning mine. I've found I can perform most any task I need with the 9, shy of felling trees, but a hatchet is a poor choice for that to. Between the potbelly and the 9, I feel the 9 is the better chopper, and batons better. My combo of choice now, is the 9 and 16. There is very little I can't accomplish with those two blades.
Just my .02¢ though.
 
I'd give you my best answer, if I weren't too lazy to read all that, haha. ;) :D
 
I've never used the potbelly, but how can you go wrong with a 1/4" thick blade of 1095 crovan, with Kabar's heat treat? I'm sure it's fantastic.

I think the BK2 would be very similar to the Potbelly in terms of what it will do for you in the woods. And if you have a BK5 then the BK7 is also kind of redundant.

If you are looking to replace your hatchet with a Becker blade, I'd say go for the BK4, which as Ethan says is almost like a hatchet with a sharp handle. I have the 4 and the 9 and they are both great, but I prefer to carry the Machax in the woods because it's smaller/lighter than the 9 with nearly the same chopping power. The BK4 and the BK15 are my 2 go-to blades in general (along with a Spyderco Tenacious folder for EDC).

Or, better yet, just buy them all, and carry whichever ones speak to you that day. :-D
 
When I compared my Bk9 to my hatchet (a cheapo lowes special), the BK9 out chopped it significantly (like, twice as effective), and it was more useful.

If you're looking for a hatchet replacement from the Becker lineup, then the BK9 is where its at.

Good luck :).
 
If you want my opionion (I'm a professional woodsman, I work with axes and hatchets for a living), if I were you, I'd replace it with something as utilitarian as a hatchet. A hatchet is typically small, fairly weighted, and if you have the know-how..can do just about anything. Bk2. .250 thick, full flat grind, 5.5 blade. Plenty of cutting surface, made to be abused, the thickness enhances it's ability to split wood, it's weight enhances it's ability to chop. Not to mention, much like a hatchet, it can pound effectively as well.
All this in a more compact, more easily carried package. :-) Simple as that. Get a good sheath to pair with it, and you've got it made.
 
I'd keep the BK16 - or add a BK14/24 with scales to your loadout. (even though it's heavier, I'd lean towards the BK16 - longer handle makes for better leverage, more comfortable to use for extended periods, etc...)
 
I used to be a huge hatchet guy. Love me some axes... but after getting my BK9... ho boy. Let me tell you... that thing can chop. I actually like it more than my hatchet (Cheaper end hatchet so that may be biased). It's lighter and chops better imo, and can do several other tasks that a hatchet cannot do as easily. A hatchet is a versatile tool with the proper skill, but the bk9 makes it that much easier.
 
Bk 9 all the way.

329f2e60.jpg
 
Everyone, thanks for the recommendations, no surprises, lots of support for the King. Sorry not to get back to this sooner, but have been down with the flu.

bsmith_shoot said:
Late october me and a few other folks went on a 5 day trek into Daniel Boone Natl. Forest, and one guy brought his potbelly. I used it quite a few times, and can honestly say its a great blade. He had a light convex on it, and it retained an edge that was impressive, even after a lot of chopping.
Click to expand...

Nice to hear there is some satisfactory dirt time behind the Potbelly. Thanks

The Warrior said:
I'd give you my best answer, if I weren't too lazy to read all that, haha. ;) :D
Click to expand...

Fair enough... I carry a hatchet, BK16 (or similar), a saw, and a pocket knife in the field. Of the Potbelly, BK-2, BK-4, BK-5, BK-7, BK-9, and BK-10, which would you recommend to replace the hatchet? Bonus points if your answer compares the Potbelly to the BK-2, BK-4, BK-5, BK-7, BK-9, and/or BK-10.

JWL said:
I think the BK2 would be very similar to the Potbelly in terms of what it will do for you in the woods. And if you have a BK5 then the BK7 is also kind of redundant.

If you are looking to replace your hatchet with a Becker blade, I'd say go for the BK4, which as Ethan says is almost like a hatchet with a sharp handle. I have the 4 and the 9 and they are both great, but I prefer to carry the Machax in the woods because it's smaller/lighter than the 9 with nearly the same chopping power. The BK4 and the BK15 are my 2 go-to blades in general (along with a Spyderco Tenacious folder for EDC).
Click to expand...

Thanks, glad I'm not alone thinking that the BK2 and Potbelly are functionally similar. And a very good point about the redundancy in the woods with the 5 and 7, I hadn't really considered that. Very nice to hear the comparison between the 9 and 4, I like the looks of the 4, got a weakness for recurved edges, pairing it with a tweener seems like a good match.

No decision yet, but good food for thought.

Thanks everybody,

Erik
 
Last edited:
I'd swap the hatchet for a harmonica, sell the Potbelly and pick up a case of Black & Tan. Then bust up enough wood for a fire with the 9, stop typing and party like you live in Barlow.
 
tradewater said:
I'd swap the hatchet for a harmonica, sell the Potbelly and pick up a case of Black & Tan. Then bust up enough wood for a fire with the 9 stop typing and party like you live in Barlow.
Click to expand...

Pure genius.
 
grab the 9 and never look back...why? because i beat the crap outta it, even today it did some serious brush clearing..it begs for more. I LOVE the King baby!
 
:D

Oh noooo, now you've gone and done it...

What kind of harmonica is best for bushcrafting? And even more important, what about EDC? Diatonic, Chromatic, valved, what key (maybe it doesn't matter on a solo hike, but on a group hike, we'll need some standards), playing in cross harp or straight harp, wood comb (and what kind of wood) or plastic or maybe even metal. I figure the BK-9 would probably go best with the Super-64 or maybe the CBH is more fitting, though I prefer the Hard Bopper or the Mellow Tone myself, though it might not be best in a survival situation. I suppose it could be used as a signaling device, all you have to do is breath in and out to make noise and some models reflect light for signaling.

One of the real problems, is that there just isn't a "Made in USA" option. Maybe we could get Ka-Bar to rectify that for us, quick get Toooj and Ethan on it, this could be the next big thing...

Then there's the bass harps, chord harps, bagpipes and the accordions to think of.

Do we need a sub-forum? Can we go to survival harmonica school on 3 day weekends? What model works best for killing zombies? What harp is in your BOB? What about your GHB? Can Trade really split wood just by playing a single note on a harmonica?

Erik

PS. On a much more serious note, is it permissible to mix our own Black and Tans, maybe a half case of Bass and a half case of Guinness??? I think I can find some Bass, and I've always got some Guinness on hand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top