So, how are your BK21s holding up? And what are you doing with them :)

D

dogrunner

Joined
Dec 26, 2003
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Love the design and on my want list, but until I can spare the cash, I'd love to hear what YOUR experience has been with this blade! I have not seen an update or thread in quite some time, but surely lots of you have this model and some of you might even been putting it to use :)
How is the edge holding up?
How do you like how it feels in use?
Did you swap out the scales or just go with the originals?

thanks!
 
I love mine. Had it out yesterday after recently conveying the edge. I thought it was great before, but now it's even better. I've done a few videos with it. Check them out.
 
Mine has sat, unused, since the second time I tried to use it. While it seemed sharp on inspection, it was pretty bad in use - more likely to bounce off than bite. I'll be working on the edge when I have the time to spend on it. Won't be before I go away...hopefully the week after I get home.
 
hhmoore said:
Mine has sat, unused, since the second time I tried to use it. While it seemed sharp on inspection, it was pretty bad in use - more likely to bounce off than bite. I'll be working on the edge when I have the time to spend on it. Won't be before I go away...hopefully the week after I get home.
Click to expand...

I had a similar problem with my bk4 out of box. It was ground in at 30-35 degree edge angles. After reprofiling it's great. Just quality control issues.
 
Yeah, I'm sure it will be great once it's fixed. I just haven't had much drive to do it because everything was frozen.
 
I got mine last week, haven't really had any woods time for it or anything bfor that matter. Looking forward to using it soon!
 
Used mine a bit last fall and just sharpened it a few weeks ago. It rides on my 4-wheeler and saw quite a bit of use lately as I clear my trails of trees that have fallen over the winter.
Cleared a spot in the woods to build an elevated box blind, the BK 21 performed real well for me, chopping and clearing small trees.
 
Used it a bit last fall before the weather crapped out. Looking forward to using it more this spring when we're building some trails at a new climbing area. Great blade!
 
I convexed the edge on mine as well. Haven't put a ton of miles on it yet, but it does ride better now :)
 
Mine worked just fine out of the box for whacking down stands of Johnson grass, and what we call "Georgia cane" but is really Giant Reed or Carizzo Cane, similar to small diameter bamboo. Worked well taking off small (1" and less) mesquite limbs. Not much else to whack on right now. I'm sure it will work just as well on Giant Ragweed down in the pastures when they grow up late this summer.

I didn't convex the edge, just using what Kabar gave it. I did strip the coating off., just because I like the bare blade look over the black coating.
 
My (first) 21 has been used outta the box with tho only mod being VZ scales and a lanyard. The tool and the factory edge are just fine - though the operator still needs some adjustment. I might be a little fearful of putting and even sharper edge on it; straight from Ka-Bar it just about went through this 2" Sassafrass branch in one stroke:

25795247736_0484db68f1_b.jpg
 
Mine is wearing the VZ G10 grips KaBar now offers. After handling the proto that Jerry Fisk had sharpened, I had to convex my edge too. Simply amazing what the BK21 will cut through! I have cut through large branches with one swipe! Stuff up to two inch diameter is easy to handle :) I really like the large size of the 21. The weight is very easy to manage even in this size too. Some Kukri get overly heavy and are really only useful for pure chopping. The BK21 can easily be used as a general purpose cutter, chopper, and dare I say, a carver. Get one and practice with it a little to get it's full range of capabilities. Ethan has a few videos up on the web that are very useful to figure out large knife use and the BK21 in particular.
 
granitestateofmind said:
My (first) 21 has been used outta the box with tho only mod being VZ scales and a lanyard. The tool and the factory edge are just fine - though the operator still needs some adjustment. I might be a little fearful of putting and even sharper edge on it; straight from Ka-Bar it just about went through this 2" Sassafrass branch in one stroke:

25795247736_0484db68f1_b.jpg
Click to expand...

Similar thoughts here on the edge. It's quite good OOTB, but I can't stop wondering how it would be if it was "Fisked". Same feelings towards my 15 and 5 though...gotta get that belt sander...
 
I've had mine since late fall/early winter last year, and I haven't taken it out into the woods yet. I will do soon.

If I'm honest, I'm a bit intimidated by this blade. Maybe intimidated isn't the right word.... more like..... respectful. This blade could cut off a hand at the wrist, and I believe the stories that say an expert with this kind of blade could do a beheading with one stroke. I used to have a BK9 (yep I traded it), but this one is on another level.

Some caution is in order. That's just how I roll.... very grateful for my dad teaching me "respect your tools" when I was a kid.

That said, I have my Tommythewho rosewood scales, and a date with a stripper and a belt sander to convex it. This knife will complete my "woods trio" of the BK16, Bk4, and BK21 for small, medium, large woods knives.

Can't wait to get out and get some bush time with it.
 
Sounds like mostly positive experiences :)
I definitely need one (as soon as I can get the funds together without taking away from my "Siegle fund" ;) ).
I have some experience with Khuks (mostly HI) so know what you mean about respecting the tool, JWL.
That experience is what got my attention when I saw this model - I like what a well-made khukuri can do, and this one is a really nice looking design from a very knowledgeable pair of designers, and at a pretty reasonable cost.
 
21 hasn't spoken to me until seeing GSOM's pic... Although the 4 serves my just fine I still may have to get the 21 :D
 
Used mine to open a can of pumpkin for my puppy a few months ago when I was out of town. Managed to mess up the coating pretty bad and a couple of chips in the edge but I got the pumpkin out of the can:D which was the important thing at the time.
It's now sporting a new patina and a repaired edge, haven't used it since the rework.
 
Good comment JWL..... Damned good advice....... The first time I used one of the Japanese made originals, the ease with which it severed some 1 1/2 and 2 inch young locust trees caused my all too fertile imagination to go into overdrive........ I rapidly uttered a scatolgical four letter word and got respectful in a hurry....... She is a limb lopper for sure..... Tree limbs as well..... One of the best tools I have ever used but I go through the same sort of pre swing mantra that I do when pulling the rope on the chainsaw......., I watched a good friend blood a new blade of mine last weekend to the tune of six stitches and that was a pretty static event...... In full swing with any big chopper a screwup will make those six stitches seem a mere bagatelle..... Big blades demand respect....

Be careful out there....

Ethan
 
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