So you've got a 14 and a 24...

Galeocerdoshark

Galeocerdoshark

Joined
May 21, 2011
Messages
3,132
I've been sporting a BK14 for a year and a couple of months now. The BK24 I've got in my hands is not even 6 months in my possession at the moment.
I remember I really liked the 14 and just wanted to try out the design in another steel, so I didn't hesitate too long after the 24 came out.
However, I was a bit scared. As I already said, I really loved my 14 and how I had made it my own. Stripping it, forcing a patina on it just to play with the blade, let it wear off, using it, dropping it, restoring the blunted tip, seeing a patina develop, gettind a new sheath for it, getting stainless hardware for it, zytel handle scales, sharpening it, stropping it... I just got so much out of it, you know? Not just the performance or the use that you get out of it is important, but all of the fun of making it your own, it does something to you.

And then I ordered the 24. It's the same design, which I loved, but with a different (better?) steel. Would I still be using that old faithful? Would I even use the 24 or just fondle it? Well, I was about to find out I guess.

Today I can say I still use both, and even though the 24 means an increase in performance, I tend to carry it less than the 14. Maybe because it hasn't been made my own yet? I don't know. I use it, but less than I had anticipated to in the first place. Not because it's bad or worse than the 14 -which it definitely is NOT!-, but I don't think I've bonded with it yet as much as with the 14. I notice that I thrash more on the 14. I use it to pry stuff open, I'm not afraid of sticking it into a can, it gets roughed up. As instead, the 24 I tend to use more gently. Not because it can't take the beating, but I don't really know why. It usually resides in the house and gets used there, whereas the 14 goes outdoors a lot more often.

Do you guys who own both the 14 and 24 have similar, or totally different experiences?

Let me put the story into pictures...

So you've got that 14 and 24
tpm9.jpg


Do you thrash on both of 'em and use them in similar ways?
r1l9.jpg


Or do you use them for completely different tasks, like destroying all trees in the neighbourhood...
hb1p.jpg


...or cutting up some fruit in the kitchen?
8im7.jpg


Or maybe, one of them gets used a lot...
eq6m.jpg


...while the other one only sees a limited amount of work?
0mo2.jpg



So which is it? Tell me guys, I'd really like to know:thumbup:

Cheers,

Jerry


EDIT: hmm, in the pics I noticed I cut up a worm where the two bro's were batoned into that piece of wood. Oh well :D
 
I have been using the 24 alot in the fishing boat for cutting up bait and other duties, and carry it on deer hunts for field dressing (1 so far). The 14 is still used as an almost edc, cutting cardboard tape plastic ect...

So, D2 gets the nasty wet work and the 14 the dry and abrasive stuff.
 
I am EDC'ing my 24 and gets used for everything. I don't currently own a 14, but looks like I'm going to have to purchase one to see which one I like better. I'm afraid if I buy one, the 24 will get put in the drawer as I really love 1095 steel. And it's ability to basically sharpen it on anything while out in the field.
 
I have a very similar experience to yours when it comes to the 14/24. My 24 holds a wicked edge for far longer but for some reason I baby that blade. The 14 I wail on. I loved stripping the coating, watching how the blade patina has changed over time, doing different wraps for it, and I got a nice sheath as well. Basically the same stuff you mentioned above. I carried the 24 for a while but quickly went back to the 14. Love that 1095.

Also there is something about the older roll stamped beckers that I love....
 
Forgive the ignorance, but on a package like the Eskabar design, how much difference in the steel strength is there between the 1095 and the D2? How do the two hand up when subjected to the same tests of strength and edge retention?
 
Thanks for your input guys, really appreciated. I see people do have different experiences, good to hear. I still hope more people that own both blades chime in. I know there are lots of you out there :D.

Charlie_K, I think there are others more up to the task for commenting on your questions. I do know that D2 has a higher hardness and should keep its edge longer. I for example need to touch it up far less when I cut up cardboard boxes, prep food,... You do have to watch out for the brittleness of the D2. A staple in a cardboard box, a nail in a piece of wood, a piece of bone in some meat...it might chip the D2 whereas the 14 his 1095 has the tendency to roll. Furthermore, the 1095 is restored far more easily when it microchips/rolls than the D2. That's my experience any way. The D2 of the 24 gets a very crisp edge which stays usable for a looong time, but beware as to what you put your edge to, or you might be in for a lot of time on your sharpening stone :). I do remember a thread by Moose where he put a 24 through its paces quite hard to show that the D2 sure can take a beating, which I can concur. Can't find it now though... Just be careful when handling something impure (wood with grit on,...).
 
I should be reunited with my beloved 14 tomorrow! I'll compare them both at that time but until then i'll say that I prefer the d2. it was more work to mod but the edge retention is worth it imo.
 
I've only got the 24.
I've pounded it through wood, fiberboard, and drywall. Cut cardboard, paper, tape and plastic. Sliced meat, fruit and veggies (it's fun in the kitchen, but cutting-wise can't compare to a dedicated chef's knife.) Shaved hair and bark. It's given me no grief, and holds the edge well. Sharpening it is a cinch on my WKSTS. I feel no need for a 14, though I may pick one up in the future to make sure I have a well-rounded set of Beckers.
 
I had a 14 and made it my own.. stripped it, patina, sanded, put izula scales, put custom scales, sanded again, patina, scotchbrite cleaned it... wrapped it...etc.
Got the 24, put scales on it, got a new sheath, put izula scales, it lives in my front left pocket now.

After getting both, I carried them both for a little while, switched back and forth, then I stopped carrying the 14.. 24 all the way. The 24 is a bit harder to strop, but it holds the edge a bit longer too (not a lot longer in my opinion, but a bit longer). Both can take a beating for sure, used both for batoning and splitting dry oak.. After a while of the 14 sitting in a backpack, I wrapped it again in camo cord, put a TDI clip on the sheath and gave it to my best friend. The 24 is perfect for EDC in a pocket, I even stopped carrying my Spyderco Native.
 
I use my 14 everyday. Ok, check that. I used the 24 exclusively today. I still love my 14, but the 24 has this nice pocket sheath that is absolutely amazing so I have been carrying the 24 everyday as well.
 
Thanks for sharing your stories guys. Really interesting as to how different people evolve different preferences.

LeeBower, damn man, you're definitely a big step further than me. I'd never get rid of my personalized 14 for sure!
 
Well, he is my very best friend for 30 years this year.. :) I wouldn't have given it away to just anyone, lol
 
Oh, I almost forgot....I wanted to share this to let everyone here know how often I use my 14 or 24. Well, for me, my 14 or 24 have replaced all the kitchen knives. I use it in the kitchen and at the dining table. (for the occasions that I need bigger the 5 gets the task). Also, I have whipped out the 14 at a few restaurants as well. Love to do that because the servers just have this weird look on their faces ;)
 
LeeBower said:
Well, he is my very best friend for 30 years this year.. :) I wouldn't have given it away to just anyone, lol
Click to expand...

Yeah, I understand. Good friends are very valuable:thumbup: Kudos to you!

Tdhurl1103 said:
Oh, I almost forgot....I wanted to share this to let everyone here know how often I use my 14 or 24. Well, for me, my 14 or 24 have replaced all the kitchen knives. I use it in the kitchen and at the dining table. (for the occasions that I need bigger the 5 gets the task). Also, I have whipped out the 14 at a few restaurants as well. Love to do that because the servers just have this weird look on their faces ;)
Click to expand...

How does that work out in the kitchen, when you actually use it for everything? I use the 24 in the kitchen as well, but sometimes I find it hard to cut stuff. For example, when tomatoes are already a bit 'older', you tend to just push them flat instead of cutting them, even though my blades shaves arm hair. A thinner blades cuts through them with ease.
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
Yeah, I understand. Good friends are very valuable:thumbup: Kudos to you!



How does that work out in the kitchen, when you actually use it for everything? I use the 24 in the kitchen as well, but sometimes I find it hard to cut stuff. For example, when tomatoes are already a bit 'older', you tend to just push them flat instead of cutting them, even though my blades shaves arm hair. A thinner blades cuts through them with ease.
Click to expand...

To clarify, when I said it has replaced all the kitchen knives I don't mean I only have a 14 or 24 in an otherwise empty drawer. I meant, "I" don't use any other knives except the 5 and the 14 or 24. I'll use the 5 for the more delicate and big tasks because it's the sharpest knife I have. The 14 or 24 gets everything else that doesn't require finesse or precision. My wife uses the 5 (well, she used to until she cut herself real bad with it) and some other wally world sh/t knives because unlike me....she is NOT a Beckerhead and could care less.
 
Damn, thos tkc scales are looking GOOD on that 24! They're a bit expensive for my taste though, but maybe, some day.
 
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