Small Becker Substitute

Bark River Bravo necker also looks like a sweet little knife - no experience with one so unfortunately i cannot comment on it too much
 
NJBillK said:
If you want to pick up an 11 or 14, I will mod it free of charge.
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That is one heck of a nice offer. And very tempting. Thank you!

Before I do anything, I need to properly figure out what I'll realistically be using this knife for. I can't wear a fixed blade to work or around LA. That just won't fly for me and my business. And anytime I'm actually going out into the woods to do some sort of activity, I can carry my 16 under the "reasonable usage" provision of the municipal law. And my stated reason for wanting something when I'm hiking the more heavily trafficked trails is really just me trying to justify a new knife purchase.

So of the options you guys have brought up, the ones that fit my predilections and pocketbook are:

1. BK11/14 and take NJBillK up on his generous offer to mod it
2. Izula II (which after watching some video reviews I do like better than the Candiru)
3. SAK (probably a Farmer or a Huntsman)
4. BK13 (it would fill that empty space in my BK9 sheath)
5. Be practical for once and just carry one of my many folders currently gathering dust

I'm also waiting on TM Hunt to let me know if the Hornet is going to be anywhere near my price range. And I've glanced back at the Enzo Necker a couple times. I had never heard of Bark River Knives before this thread, but man, they have some beautiful offerings.

Thanks all around guys. Very educational. Now I just need a minute to make a decision.
 
JWheel said:
That is one heck of a nice offer. And very tempting. Thank you!

Before I do anything, I need to properly figure out what I'll realistically be using this knife for. I can't wear a fixed blade to work or around LA. That just won't fly for me and my business. And anytime I'm actually going out into the woods to do some sort of activity, I can carry my 16 under the "reasonable usage" provision of the municipal law. And my stated reason for wanting something when I'm hiking the more heavily trafficked trails is really just me trying to justify a new knife purchase.

So of the options you guys have brought up, the ones that fit my predilections and pocketbook are:

1. BK11/14 and take NJBillK up on his generous offer to mod it
2. Izula II (which after watching some video reviews I do like better than the Candiru)
3. SAK (probably a Farmer or a Huntsman)
4. BK13 (it would fill that empty space in my BK9 sheath)
5. Be practical for once and just carry one of my many folders currently gathering dust

I'm also waiting on TM Hunt to let me know if the Hornet is going to be anywhere near my price range. And I've glanced back at the Enzo Necker a couple times. I had never heard of Bark River Knives before this thread, but man, they have some beautiful offerings.

Thanks all around guys. Very educational. Now I just need a minute to make a decision.
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I suggest doing option 6 - all of the above haha

I will say, though, the sak farmer is an great little blade I highly recommend getting one either way - not a fixed blade replacement though so I would count that as something in addition to your decision
 
Cody4x4 said:
I will say, though, the sak farmer is an great little blade I highly recommend getting one either way - not a fixed blade replacement though so I would count that as something in addition to your decision
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Why is it that the Farmer has so much love around the forums? Does it have a different level of quality over the other SAKs?
 
photo.jpg
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Photo above shows side-by-side of BK 14, Buck mini alpha, izula, and Buck paklite skinner - the blades on the last three mentioned are all under the 3" threshold.

Another option not pictured but easily located is the AG Russell woods walker, available with a kydex neck sheath or a small leather hip sheath (not open carry).
 
JWheel said:
Why is it that the Farmer has so much love around the forums? Does it have a different level of quality over the other SAKs?
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for me its the perfect selection of tools and is still nice and thin - plus if you get the alox version, it is just short enough to fit in an altoids tin.

knife - great for shavings, thin profile, takes an edge well
awl - one of the best scrapers for a ferro rod i can think of - great for fine tinder scrapings as well
saw - surprisingly efficient for its size - 1" tree limbs are nothing for this
bottle opener/flat head screwdriver - does what it says
can opener - does what it says

It doesnt have a bunch of stuff adding weight that ill never use like a cork screw, etc.
 
The Warrior said:
The T.M.Hunt Hornet is an awesome little blade as well.
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Dern straight.
IMG_20140420_083617_008_zps8f19a753.jpg


Which reminds me, I don't have one of my own yet..... Ok, I am gong to have to fix that.

Back on track.. JWheel, aside form the hornet, my vote is for the IZULA II. I like the IZULA, but that little bit extra length in the handle is real nice to have.
IMG_20150530_115526755_HDR_zpsloqsenz0.jpg
 
My favorite is also the Izula-II, but you do have to be concerned about how blade length is measured. I know California state (supposedly, via case-law) only measures sharpened length, but I'm not sure if LA is more restrictive or not. Could be a bit of a gamble.

Rhode Island has a 3" limit statewide and the law is written so that blade length is measured from the tip to the leading edge of the scales. This makes the Izzy too long *grumbles*

My solution until I find something better is a Condor Mini-Bushlore - blade length (by Rhode Island reckoning) is right at 3 inches, giving you the max allowable sharpened blade for that state. Another option is the Cold Steel Pendleton Mini but I'm not a huge fan of the rubber handle. The CRKT Doug Ritter RSK Mk6 should also work since it has no scales. YMMV.
 
I'm gonna have to say the stainless steel Izula with the optional factory G-10 scales. It's compact and pretty much rust free and the scales give it a whole different feel. I've had the Izzy-II, the Candiru, BK-11, BK-14, and the Fallkniven WM1, all of them where great, but the standard Izula just does it for me, YMMV.
 
tbhride said:
My favorite is also the Izula-II, but you do have to be concerned about how blade length is measured. I know California state (supposedly, via case-law) only measures sharpened length, but I'm not sure if LA is more restrictive or not. Could be a bit of a gamble.

Rhode Island has a 3" limit statewide and the law is written so that blade length is measured from the tip to the leading edge of the scales. This makes the Izzy too long *grumbles*
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I have *heard* that LA municipal law measures handle to tip. I don't want to risk it. So thanks for letting me know that about the Izula. I think I'll have to drop it from the list. Dang, it was leading the pack.:(

I may just put this one on ice for now.
 
If you're up for a little modification, you can make your 11/14/24 work
I just checked my 11 which can be seen here, and the blade length is about an 1/8" over the 3" mark...it would be a simple thing to drop the tip a little more and come out at 3" (or slightly under, to be on the safe side)
 
hhmoore said:
If you're up for a little modification, you can make your 11/14/24 work
I just checked my 11 which can be seen here, and the blade length is about an 1/8" over the 3" mark...it would be a simple thing to drop the tip a little more and come out at 3" (or slightly under, to be on the safe side)
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Did you use a grinder for that or just a file? And if it's just file, could you advise me and what I would need? I've never attempted to mod a blade profile.
 
Lots of good ideas already and..

I just finished this little guy - the blade is 3 1/4" but I can certainly make another one and keep the blade at or a hair under 3" and you would get your choice of a variety of wood for the handle.




PM or email if you're interested.
 
Col Defender said:
Lots of good ideas already and..

I just finished this little guy - the blade is 3 1/4" but I can certainly make another one and keep the blade at or a hair under 3" and you would get your choice of a variety of wood for the handle.
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That's another too generous offer. Thanks, Col!

I've got some options to weigh. I'll probably wait until next week (provided I don't drink too much and get impatient). :)
 
Battle Horse Knives Frontier Valley in a choice of grinds and choice of sheaths

I use it as a necker
I have the scandi that I put to the waterstones to make a zero grind
very comfortable in the hand
Very controllable

Stats:
1/8" O1 tool steel
OAL 6 5/8"
Cutting edge 2 5/8"
 
neeman, you always find my threads no matter the sub-forum and give me good advice. I dig that Frontier Valley. And it makes me realize something I should have thought of from the get-go. I probably want a Scandi grind (or at least a saber) so I can do some whittling.

So let's add Scandi to the criteria. That should narrow the field. I think the Frontier Valley just took the lead in my mind.
 
JWheel said:
Did you use a grinder for that or just a file? And if it's just file, could you advise me and what I would need? I've never attempted to mod a blade profile.
Click to expand...

I used a belt sander (1x30). You could do it with a file; it would just take longer. I used a Dremel with a grinding wheel for the handle mod... could use that on the blade as well.
 
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