Sell me on the 5/15

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Doc8404

Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
131
To those who have them or used them, what do they bring to the table that other knives in the Becker lineup do not? I know some say they are "slicier", but it seems their thickness would limit their slicing ability in comparison to say an Esee 3; and I would think that a BK17 or the like would slice just as well. Has this been your experience?
 
The 15 is not so much different than 16 or 17. They are compact sized, so the differences in blade shape are not so important. Grind height matters, but still - those are not huge differences.

But bkt-5 is a whole different game.
This the knife you want. It is designed in the way the well made old knives were made. Light(for its size), thin, tapering to the tip.
Although 8 inches long, it is still capable of doing any job. '
Bkt2 is too thick and too short. Bkt 9 and 7 are not agile enough.
Get the 5.
 
the 15's blade is 1.5" longer than the 16/17.
the swedge is designed to let soft materials flow around the blade curing cuts -- less drag.
The 5 is a great food prep machine that is strong enough to handle other camp chores.

the 16 is a better woods knife.
 
Has anyone done a chopping comparison between the 5 and the 9, to see how much difference there is in performance?
 
Doc8404 said:
To those who have them or used them, what do they bring to the table that other knives in the Becker lineup do not? I know some say they are "slicier", but it seems their thickness would limit their slicing ability in comparison to say an Esee 3; and I would think that a BK17 or the like would slice just as well. Has this been your experience?
Click to expand...

The 5 is one of the best pure cutting knives ever designed. Comparing it to the ESEE 3 is like comparing a Harris Ranch porterhouse steak dinner to a McDonalds happy meal.
Once you pick up a 5 you will immediately understand.
 
Charlie_K said:
Has anyone done a chopping comparison between the 5 and the 9, to see how much difference there is in performance?
Click to expand...

the 5 is more handle heavy and lighter overall - while it will chop, there is no comparison.
It chops better than the 10, but not the 2, 7, or 9.
 
The 15 is better than a pair of scissors and the 5 will get you noticed in any nightclub. Period.


I'm in. Thanks for the chance.
 
Man you guys crack me up! I've been thinking about getting a 15 for myself and one for my brother. Might have to start with the nice thing andget my brother's first.
 
There is not a single thing that i can think of that the 5/15 combo can NOT do in the kitchen/cooking arena. From butchering a steer/cow to slicing up taters & samich's. They will also work as a light duty camp knife.









:D
 
I actually prefer the 15 for bushcraft, since the pointy, thin tip makes notching a snap. It's still tough enough to cross baton, and is very slicey.





And the 5? The 5 is the 5. It's the answer to all your camp chore needs. Cook your food, make your fires, clear brush for shelters, fight off mutant zombie bears, and they're a requirement for getting into the Barlow Redneck Ninja League when they hold their annual rendezvous up in the hills. Of course, the BRNL standard practice is to wear a matched 5/15 combo shoved into the belt daisho-style, so be aware of the cultural practice.

 
All kidding aside,

I own a BK-1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10, 15' 16, Ritter, and some others who's numbers I can't keep straight.

I use my 5 and 15 as much or more than any of the others. Are they the best choppers no? But they just plain work.

Do they eat up a baton faster than BK-9? probably.


I always struggle with providing advice to folks who I don't know. And who's needs I do not understand.
But with these two, I figure even if you never leave the house, they will still get used.

They are not the best at slicing cheese,


But Meat,


Veggies,


And everything else, they do quite well,
 
I am looking to buy a nice chef's knife for my wife for Christmas to use in the kitchen. I am looking at the Becker kitchen knives as well, but had considered getting her a 15. How would you rate the 15 for a kitchen knife as opposed to a more traditional chefs knife?
 
mac_heath said:
Here's how thin the 5 is. The steel is only .188 at the handle. It's thinned out distally.

Click to expand...

Thanks for this pic. I did not know that the 5 tapered so thin. I thought it was 3/16" stock the entire way, which is why I was having a hard time understanding how it could be such a good slicer. I am assuming the 15 tapers like this as well?
 
Similarly, though not quite as dramatically.

ZdOjadK.jpg
 
I wasn't sold on the 5 by any reviews or photos.
Once I had one in my hand, well Sir, that was a game changer.
No other Becker knife is as quick and agile in the hand.
It's like wielding a laser beam!

None of these posts will sell you on a 5.
Put one in your hand. The BK5 will sell itself.



null_zps92378eaf.jpg
 
Jonny1280 said:
I wasn't sold on the 5 by any reviews or photos.
Once I had one in my hand, well Sir, that was a game changer.
No other Becker knife is as quick and agile in the hand.
It's like wielding a laser beam!

None of these posts will sell you on a 5.
Put one in your hand. The BK5 will sell itself.



null_zps92378eaf.jpg
Click to expand...

Agreed! You know...the 5 wasn't even on my radar until I picked one up at BeckerWest back in April. Since then, it has replaced most all of my kitchen knives (silverware excluded of course). It follows me on camping trips as well. It really can't be ignored!!



By the way Jon. That NixCustoms sheath is so sweet. In person it's even better. I want one!!!
 
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