Sheath recommendations BK 10

mc5aw

mc5aw

Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Messages
295
Having owned numerous KaBars overs the years, I admit to being late to the Becker party. I finally splurged and purchased the BK 10 Crewman. It just arrived, and it looks to be an impressive field knife, one that I am anxious to start using. That said, the sheath is an embarrassment ... the knife doesn't fit securely, flops around, and easily drops out if the sheath is inverted. The polyester is cheap and flimsy, and IMO is completely worthless and useless. I did a very quick online search and saw Kydex and leather replacement sheaths starting at ~$45 and going all the way to ~$200. I am quite chagrinned about having to spend a minimum of 50% the purchase price to replace a sheath that is completely unacceptable. My $90 knife is going to quickly become a $140 knife out of necessity, rather than choice. Unsurprisingly, the box label indicates the BK 10 sheath was made in China. Are there any specific sheath recommendations that experienced Becker owners defer to? Thank you in advance.
 
Check out the thread I posted a few days ago about the work @Makael did for me.
It's more reasonable than I expected it to be. Excellent value, and it just SCREAMS quality. I have no doubt he could whip something up for you.

Alternatively, you could contact the folks at Theknifeconnection.net and ask what size. They have their own line of sheaths and also sell Battle Horse sheaths that are very good quality and thick leather. Something like THIS might be an excellent choice.
 
I’m very happy with my Patriot Leather Company BK5 sheath...

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mc5aw said:
Having owned numerous KaBars overs the years, I admit to being late to the Becker party. I finally splurged and purchased the BK 10 Crewman. It just arrived, and it looks to be an impressive field knife, one that I am anxious to start using. That said, the sheath is an embarrassment ... the knife doesn't fit securely, flops around, and easily drops out if the sheath is inverted. The polyester is cheap and flimsy, and IMO is completely worthless and useless. I did a very quick online search and saw Kydex and leather replacement sheaths starting at ~$45 and going all the way to ~$200. I am quite chagrinned about having to spend a minimum of 50% the purchase price to replace a sheath that is completely unacceptable. My $90 knife is going to quickly become a $140 knife out of necessity, rather than choice. Unsurprisingly, the box label indicates the BK 10 sheath was made in China. Are there any specific sheath recommendations that experienced Becker owners defer to? Thank you in advance.
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While the sheath may not be top notch, it works. Ethan/KA-BAR could always sell it with an awesome sheath, but then you'll be paying $150ish anyways.
 
I use the factory sheath, and it seems to work quiet well - not sure which generation you have vs. what I have here. IIRC, they got upgraded at some point. Mine looks like the one in the picture at the River Store. However, the spec-ops sheaths can occasionally be had on sale for ~$25, and they're a significant upgrade if Nylon is your thing (plastic insert may have to be re-formed for the thumb ramp).

I do agree with Dubz, of course. You get a basic sheath at a knife-only price.
 
I may end up getting yet another BK10. I have a love/hate relationship with it, haha. I like it, but I guess since I own 3 BK'2, it can't do anything they can't. I do have a rather awesome mod drawn up for a 10, iffin I do say so myself. ;)

I had a BK10LE, and ended up trading it for a BK4, and a BK17. Then, I bought a Cam edition BK10 with the old style micarta scales from Andy Roy, of Fiddleback Forge fame, and ended up selling it to Psyop. Kick myself in the butt for that one sometimes, but, I'm a knife user. If it doesn't get used, time to get rid of it.
 
The Warrior said:
While the sheath may not be top notch, it works. Ethan/KA-BAR could always sell it with an awesome sheath, but then you'll be paying $150ish anyways.
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I don’t know if that’s correct.

ESEE’s Camp Lore lineup uses 1095 and micarta scales and comes with nicely made leather sheaths for right around the $100-105 mark.

Given the relatively much larger scales that Kabar works with, I can’t imagine they couldn’t do the same if they were motivated.
 
19-3ben said:
I don’t know if that’s correct.

ESEE’s Camp Lore lineup uses 1095 and micarta scales and comes with nicely made leather sheaths for right around the $100-105 mark.

Given the relatively much larger scales that Kabar works with, I can’t imagine they couldn’t do the same if they were motivated.
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I should add that I’m not saying this as an endorsement of ESEE, nor am I recommending on the BKT subforum that someone buy from a competing brand.

I am only citing them as an example where a fixed blade package that includes a 1095 blade + micarta scales + leather sheath + higher level of blade finish (since the camp lore series is uncoated) + all made in USA can all be had for right around $100, and therefore I do think it can be done.
 
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I'm not sure what generation sheath I received, but it is garbage. I guess I was expecting something along the line of the Gerber ASEK LMF II knife/sheath that I own, which is outstanding. For roughly the same knife price (~$100), the Becker sheath is an embarrassment in comparison.

Thank you for the suggestions ... there are some great looking replacements listed here that I will follow up on.
 
19-3ben said:
I don’t know if that’s correct.

ESEE’s Camp Lore lineup uses 1095 and micarta scales and comes with nicely made leather sheaths for right around the $100-105 mark.

Given the relatively much larger scales that Kabar works with, I can’t imagine they couldn’t do the same if they were motivated.
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Didn't think they were that cheap. I only have 2, a 3 that was a Christmas present from my son, and a RAT6 that I bought used.
 
The Warrior said:
Didn't think they were that cheap. I only have 2, a 3 that was a Christmas present from my son, and a RAT6 that I bought used.
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I’m not going to post links because I’ve already gotten as close to the line as I feel comfortable doing by mentioning the brand, line of knives within that brand, and rough pricing. I really don’t want to step on EB or Kabars toes by linking to sale sites for competitor’s knives.

But yes, the CampLore line is in that price range. Check TKC and you’ll see what one can get in materials at the price point.

I’d love LOVE LOVE to see Kabar compete with a comparable line of their own.
 
The Warrior said:
I may end up getting yet another BK10. I have a love/hate relationship with it, haha. I like it, but I guess since I own 3 BK'2, it can't do anything they can't. I do have a rather awesome mod drawn up for a 10, iffin I do say so myself. ;)

I had a BK10LE, and ended up trading it for a BK4, and a BK17. Then, I bought a Cam edition BK10 with the old style micarta scales from Andy Roy, of Fiddleback Forge fame, and ended up selling it to Psyop. Kick myself in the butt for that one sometimes, but, I'm a knife user. If it doesn't get used, time to get rid of it.
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+1

Warrior ... What i find most appealing about the 10 is it's perfect size IMO. Hearty enough to handle most field usage tasks but not too large to be unwieldy. Now that I have some suggestions for replacement sheaths, I must start hunting around for replacement grip panels. I've seen some amazing customized Beckers on the forum, and realize the vast potential beyond basic stock black.
 
mc5aw said:
+1

Warrior ... What i find most appealing about the 10 is it's perfect size IMO. Hearty enough to handle most field usage tasks but not too large to be unwieldy. Now that I have some suggestions for replacement sheaths, I must start hunting around for replacement grip panels. I've seen some amazing customized Beckers on the forum, and realize the vast potential beyond basic stock black.
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I agree about the size. In my case, I purchased a BK2 first, my first Becker as a matter of fact. I liked the thick beast. I modded my first BK2, and another popped up, unused, on the forum for sale. So, I purchased it as well. When I got the 10, I liked it a lot, but was used to the 2's at that point. If I had purchased a 10 first, I guarantee I would have liked it better. I bought yet another BK2 later on, a Camillus era. I wanted it, because it has a solid tang. I modded it for a more traditional look. Here's my first modded BK2, with a BK2 sheath I had previously modded: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...tripped-and-striped-oh-my-photo-heavy.939205/

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Here's the Cam era 2 I modded, with leather sheath: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/mild-bk2-mod.1393307/#post16057350

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Here's the BK10LE I had, and later traded off:



And here's the Camillus edition BK10 I had, with the old micarta scales, I later sold. This is the one I kick myself in the ass for selling:

 
mc5aw said:
Warrior ... Those are exquisite mods! I hope I can get my 10 to look like any/all of them.
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Thanks man, they were a blast to do. By the way, the wood scales were made by tommythewho.
 
Warrior ... What type of wood are your scales? I found several sets made by TtW, and am trying to decide which to go with. The grain in yours is beautiful.
 
mc5aw said:
Warrior ... What type of wood are your scales? I found several sets made by TtW, and am trying to decide which to go with. The grain in yours is beautiful.
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Brazilian ironwood. I looked for a long time to find just the right ones. I like when one side pretty much matches the other. That, plus I just liked the looks of it.
 
The Camillus version had a higher grind, which I prefer. But I think Ka-Bar has been raised the grinds on the 7 and 10 in the last couple years.

To the OP: What are the qualities you look for in a sheath?
 
daizee said:
The Camillus version had a higher grind, which I prefer. But I think Ka-Bar has been raised the grinds on the 7 and 10 in the last couple years.

To the OP: What are the qualities you look for in a sheath?
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I'm looking for durability and sturdiness ... as mentioned, IMO the Gerber ASEK sheath is excellent. The suggestions above are also excellent, and I'm looking into each one. Not particular whether the sheath is leather or synthetic.
 
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