SOG Seal Team Elite vs Ka-Bar Becker BK7

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savage_posse

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Feb 23, 2010
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First post, I hope this is in the right forum. I need a knife for back country camping and hiking. Looking for a fixed blade type survival knife that will perform multiple tasks. The two I have seen that I like are the Ka-Bar Becker BK7, and the SOG Seal team elite. I like them both, I am unsure about how the blade is partially serrated on the SEAL, but the grip looks more comfortable. I am a big guy I have big hands, and I dont think the BK7 will be uncomfortable, I just want to make sure I get the right knife. I have seen some demos of the BK7 and it can chop like a champ, cut's great and even do refined work. I like the top of the SEAL blad that it had the notching tool, and it has a spot just behind the blade for your index finger for choking up on the knife when doing precision work. I also like that the Becker comes with the companion knife i could use with my fire starter. What are your thoughts?
 
the becker is far more suited to survival/camping. The grind on the sog makes it harder to get through wood without binding.
Becker will be a better slicer with flatground as well and chops great. Throw a sak with a saw or a multitool in the sheath pocket and firesteel/tinder kit and you have a small survival kit with 10 or 20ft of paracord wrapped at the bottom. It is fun to see how much emergency equip you can fit in it.
Go to the becker forum and check old threads.
 
FWIW, I have the SOG Seal Pup Elite made in Taiwan and while probably not suitable for all your purposes is a fine knife, IMHO. Was mildly surprised to recently see some SOG-hate on this forum but seemed to be centered around a belief that they may copy other maker's designs.

See;

http://www.sog-knives.net/sog-knife.php?prodnum=E37-K

Probably can't go wrong with either of the knives you're considering but then I'm a cutter and not a chopper so what do I know?
 
I had a seal team elite and it did well though I have used better for outdoor tasks. The grip felt great and the spin rasps were more helpful than I thought.
 
I'd take the Becker any day, its a tougher, larger, heavier knife that will baton better and chop better. It will also make fuzz-sticks with the best of them (experience from a BK-9). Also, Becker (Kabar) is made in USA and if you have any problems, they have a good warranty.
 
I personally have the SOG Seal Pup Elite and it works very well for me. I also know the KA-BAR is a great knife. I think you'll be pleased with either one.
 
I'd choose the Becker. Although the BK-9 will chop better (quicker, easier) than the BK-7. It's a compromise with just one knife. The Beckers are a top value and a tank of a knife.
 
BK7 for sure. I have big hands too, you will LOVE the feel. The balance is fantastic, and has a much much better steel for outdoor/hard use.
 
I have a BK-7, last weekend I used it to baton some wood while camping:

http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8430.JPG
http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8431.JPG
http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8432.JPG
http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8433.JPG
http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8434.JPG
http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8435.JPG
http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Knives/Camping 2/IMG_8443.JPG

IMG_8442.JPG


IMG_8444.JPG


IMG_8445.JPG

Here you can see the knife in the middle and the baton on the right.



IMG_8446.JPG


It handled the task well and was still sharp at the end of it. The coating is now scuffed, but still intact and protecting the steel. Personally I think the KA-BAR Becker BK-7 has a VERY good steel, it is 1095 CroVan which is 1095 carbon steel with Chromium & Vanadium added - it is hard and takes a good edge and it is also very tough. Mine came VERY sharp and was easily able to shave arm or leg hair - be careful on handling one of these!

The only problem I have had with my BK-7 is that I liked it so much that I bought a BK-9 as well. It is so easy to get keen and spend more money! Luckily neither the BK-7 or BK-9 are all that expensive. In fact for the price I think that they really are great value - they are well designed and well made, I like the blade shape & the grind & the steel used & the handle.

Looking at a SOG Seal Team Elite - I don't like it nearly as much as my BK-7. I don't like the blade shape, I don't like the serrations. I would rather stick with my BK-7.
 
I would not recommend the SOG because it looks like it could be snapped where the tang meets the handle.
 
dangreco said:
I would not recommend the SOG because it looks like it could be snapped where the tang meets the handle.
Click to expand...

I don't know how strong the SOG is, but my BK-7 should be good for several decades. I am not saying the Becker can't be broken, just not accidentally - to break the BK-7 you would need a hammer and a vice and the intention to break it.

The BK-7 is more than tough enough for any normal use, including chopping & batoning and other hard use.
 
dangreco said:
I would not recommend the SOG because it looks like it could be snapped where the tang meets the handle.
Click to expand...

If you are snapping a .240" blade, you should probably be using the right tool, like say a splitting maul :)
 
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