Seeking the wisdom of the Becker Heads

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WalkaboutOZ

Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
37
Ok so I live in Australia "The Super Nanny Country" of knife laws. (well folders anyway)

For example it took me six months to get my hands on a buck vantage force pro, which i am breaking the law by edcing.:barf:

So I think I will stick to fixed blades and was thinking maybe i should try my first becker. With all the hype and absolutely no negative reviews/feedback what so ever, i cant go wrong. Right?

So the two that i have in mind are the bk11 & the bk14. Which one do you guys think is best for me to try first?

Thanks for your time.

Jason.
 
Both have the exactly same blade lengh thickness.


Only the handles change. I went with the 11 some will defend 14 all I say is look at some onlyne pics and see what would look better for you.

Also the handles if you dont want skeleton knife.
 
I have and use them both. Lately I have been using the 14 more often. But I think that's because I have scales on the 14 and cord wrap on the 11 which will soak up stuff (like fish guts). Also, for me the 14's handle is a bit more comfortable. I have big hands and if I'm using the 11 for a while the wire cutter/bottle openner can start diggin in a bit.
 
Your right about our knife laws, EDCing fixed blades is actually illegal too...I've only heard that you may carry a multitool (eg. SAK, Leatherman) if its incorperated into your job.

I'd go with the 14, the handle is much more comfortable (IMO) and it looks a little less threatening than the 11.

Have you thought about the BK-13? I think that makes a cool little box cutter.
 
CamH_16 said:
Your right about our knife laws, EDCing fixed blades is actually illegal too...I've only heard that you may carry a multitool (eg. SAK, Leatherman) if its incorperated into your job. I'd go with the 14, the handle is much more comfortable (IMO) and it looks a little less threatening than the 11. Have you thought about the BK-13? I think that makes a cool little box cutter.
Click to expand...

Leatherman in NYC is technically illegal because the blade locks. Only slip joints under 4" is legal here.
 
Arkanian said:
Leatherman in NYC is technically illegal because the blade locks. Only slip joints under 4" is legal here.
Click to expand...

A teacher at my school carries a full sized leatherman openly on his belt, never seen him run into any trouble. I'm 95% sure that you can have a knife with you so long as you have a valid reason and that you may not carry it anywhere accept traveling to and from work and at your workplace. It must be a short trip to (like 100 meter walk to your car), if you have to catch a train or bus it will most likely be considered carrying a weapon in a public place and then your screwed.
 
I think Travinc got it right. You can't go wrong with either one. And......it really doesn't matter because once you buy one, you will buy more.
Balding
 
I just got a 11 and I love it. I have medium hands and it feels great when I'm holding it. Cuts great too right out of the box
 
Arkanian said:
Leatherman in NYC is technically illegal because the blade locks. Only slip joints under 4" is legal here.
Click to expand...

That is NOT correct! A slipjoint that does not lock is certainly a very safe carry decision WRT the laws and enforcement, however, that isn't the actual law. 4-inches is the legal limit for carry in NYC (municipal code). The issue with folding knives relates to the City's and District Attorney's misinterpretation of the state law regarding gravity knives. What it boils down to is that if an officer can wrist-flick the knife open, and the blade locks, they will deem it an illegal gravity knife. Obviously, not all one-hand opening and locking knives will fit this definition, and some two-hand opeing locking knives may fit this definition, BUT, it is very vague as one officer may not succeed, but another may, and it's virtually impossible for you to know, hence our Federal lawsuit over this issue.

Also a reminder that NYC municipal code requires that the knife be carried fully concealed. No exposed clips. Do not carry in any manner that may be revealed even momentarily. Best choice is deep pocket carry and also ensure it doesn't "print" on the outside. I travel in NYC with a Spyderco Slipit from which i have removed the clip so that I won't forget and automatically clip it to my pocket after use.

Finally, be very discreet about your use of a knife in public. We recently spoke with a gentleman who was arrested after using his knife to open a package on a busy street, Five minutes later he was accosted by FOUR cops after another citizen reported him for having a "scary knife."
 
Oy! Welcome, Mate! :rolleyes:

I used to think the main difference was the bottle opener. Not so. Note the location of the index finger space in the photo below. The orange 14 is overlaying the stripped 11. The 11 encroaches on the index finger space to the point of being painful, depending on what you are cutting -- sometimes. If you really like the 11, though, that point is easily fixed with the judicious use of a Dremel or other grinder, as indicated on the knife below the other two. [Ignore the delicious clip-ish-ness of the blade point on that knife, and the jimping -- it is for discussion at another time, but yet another use of a grinder].

DSC_0080.jpg


Another point is scales. There are Zytel (i.e. "plastic") factory scales available for the 14. The 11 gets a much smaller, yet more expensive, micarta set.
 
100_3527.jpg


I vote for the 14. It has by FAR the better handle...I like the 11, and I carry the 11 on occasion....but I love the 14. It is my everyday ''drop in pocket'' knife.
 
Doug, I totally understand what the law states, however because of Mr. Vance, I normally tell people who insist on carrying that they err on the side of caution and carry a slipjoint under 3.75." The long and short of it is (as you are probably very well aware), the police will detain/charge you for anything they deem worthy and their opinion is let the court settle it.

Critter said:
That is NOT correct! A slipjoint that does not lock is certainly a very safe carry decision WRT the laws and enforcement, however, that isn't the actual law. 4-inches is the legal limit for carry in NYC (municipal code). The issue with folding knives relates to the City's and District Attorney's misinterpretation of the state law regarding gravity knives. What it boils down to is that if an officer can wrist-flick the knife open, and the blade locks, they will deem it an illegal gravity knife. Obviously, not all one-hand opening and locking knives will fit this definition, and some two-hand opeing locking knives may fit this definition, BUT, it is very vague as one officer may not succeed, but another may, and it's virtually impossible for you to know, hence our Federal lawsuit over this issue.

Also a reminder that NYC municipal code requires that the knife be carried fully concealed. No exposed clips. Do not carry in any manner that may be revealed even momentarily. Best choice is deep pocket carry and also ensure it doesn't "print" on the outside. I travel in NYC with a Spyderco Slipit from which i have removed the clip so that I won't forget and automatically clip it to my pocket after use.

Finally, be very discreet about your use of a knife in public. We recently spoke with a gentleman who was arrested after using his knife to open a package on a busy street, Five minutes later he was accosted by FOUR cops after another citizen reported him for having a "scary knife."
Click to expand...
 
Both are exceptional blades, the benefit of the Necker over the EsKabar is the bottle opener (if you can't do it with the spine) and the advantage of the EsKabar over the Necker is in the handle room. The micarta handles on the 11 are great, and the zytel handles on the 14 are just as great. The great thing about the zytel handles is that that there are 2 pairs in the package, 1 orange set and 1 black set.

WalkaboutOZ said:
Ok so I live in Australia "The Super Nanny Country" of knife laws. (well folders anyway)
For example it took me six months to get my hands on a buck vantage force pro, which i am breaking the law by edcing.:barf:

So I think I will stick to fixed blades and was thinking maybe i should try my first becker. With all the hype and absolutely no negative reviews/feedback what so ever, i cant go wrong. Right?

So the two that i have in mind are the bk11 & the bk14. Which one do you guys think is best for me to try first?

Thanks for your time.

Jason.
Click to expand...
 
I vote the 14 for the better handle. I love my 11 as well, and use it on occasion, but if I'm not carrying a folder (so about 50% of the time in the summer) my 14 goes into my pocket every time. Throw some handle scales on it and you're set. I use a slightly modified set of Esee Izula micarta, but the factory 14 zytel is great too.
 
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