About two weeks ago I posted here about trapping some pigs. The subject of the BK9 came up, and I responded by saying that I'd like one, but they were pretty expensive down here.
Well... I now have two BK9s. Actually, I only have one at my place.... but yesterday USPS informed me there is another package heading my way from the USA's southeast.
I'm so grateful for the network of generous Becker enthusiasts that helped me obtain these beautiful knives. And I'm particularly grateful to the two leading individuals who gave their time and resources to help me out. I'm not used to getting help of this magnitude, and it really is special for me. In fact, I might not be stretching things too much to say that I am somewhat changed as a person through this experience. Thank you all.
So... it was a good day yesterday. The postie handed me one '9 and I got confirmation that another was on its way. I'm sure one of these will last me many years but, as many will understand, it feels good to have one in reserve.
It is winter here. And it has been pretty wet over the last few days. Just before 3pm yesterday it stopped raining, so I grabbed some snares, strapped on the BK9, called the dog to the car... and headed off to set a few traps.
I didn't see much pig sign, but I set the traps anyway. I thought I should make the most of the more favorable weather conditions.
It was getting pretty dark by the time I headed back down the hill. Not long after I got out of the bush onto an access track, the dog (who is often well ahead of me) started to bark. I ran to her, thinking that I might get to see a pig before it ran into the scrub. Instead, I saw a white billy goat. It was standing its ground next to the dog. It would probably not be correct to say that the dog had 'bailed' the goat, but it certainly appeared that the goat thought it was better to face the dog rather than run.
While I've taken goats from this area in the past, I hadn't seen a sign of them in the area for quite a long while. So seeing this billy was a surprise. I really wanted to take that goat home because we were getting low on dog food. But I had no rifle and no spear.
I kept urging the dog by saying 'get it' in an excited tone. Lizzy is nearly fourteen now.... and she's never really been aggressive toward big animals like a typical pig dog might be. But she does have a loud bark, and she's pretty smart.
After a couple of less-than-clever moves by myself, I managed to grab the goat by both horns and tip it on its side. I then pushed the '9 in behind its front shoulder. I doubt that a chest shot with a .308 would have killed it quicker. The knife slid in with ease.
So you can see that my first date with the BK9 was a good one.
I have a photo I took on my phone immediately after we killed the goat. But I haven't published it because there is probably a bit too much blood in it (which isn't surprising considering that the '9 blade is nearly two inches wide).
I think that the BK9 is ideally suited to my main activities.
It chops beautifully. Up until now, I've carried a 10 or 12 inch machete for cutting pegs and clearing scrub on tracks or at a set. The '9 is fine for chopping. This morning when I went to check my traps (and found I'd caught nothing), I took the time to cut the offending parts of this fallen pine that were blocking my usual trail:
I really like the sheath. Actually, the knife is well suited to any sheath really because its center of gravity is well forward of the blade. Thus it can sit in a simple sleeve sheath without wanting to tip over. I particularly like the Becker factory sheath because I find I can easily re-insert the knife using just one hand. It sits low, and it has a decent opening. I find that I use a knife often, and it can be frustrating if I have to use two hands and take great care to get a knife into a sheath. This is a big advantage for me.
The handle is great. It is a safe handle without having to have a guard. Guards have their place, but I avoid them. They catch on stuff and they can make it difficult to use a simple sheath. The knife feels good in my hand. I've handled a lot of knives.
Great blade. I've already proved that it penetrates well, and I am happy with the way it chops. A great all-round design. When I was cutting up the goat last night, I chopped through the ribs with ease. I pushed my luck when I decided to whack through a leg bone though, ... I now have a couple of 'micro serrations'. My fault... and something I would not normally do. The damage was insignificant though.... and I don't see the sense in shortening the life of this knife by grinding the edge until the 'dings' disappear. This is a working knife.
Nowadays the word 'awesome' can have degrees of meaning. Like 'pass me a beer'... 'awesome'. To me awesome is better fitted to a massive thunderstorm, or a breath-taking sunset.... or the first time you set your eyes on a BK9.
I can see that these BK9s will be some of my most cherished earthly possessions.
Thanks everyone.
Well... I now have two BK9s. Actually, I only have one at my place.... but yesterday USPS informed me there is another package heading my way from the USA's southeast.
I'm so grateful for the network of generous Becker enthusiasts that helped me obtain these beautiful knives. And I'm particularly grateful to the two leading individuals who gave their time and resources to help me out. I'm not used to getting help of this magnitude, and it really is special for me. In fact, I might not be stretching things too much to say that I am somewhat changed as a person through this experience. Thank you all.
So... it was a good day yesterday. The postie handed me one '9 and I got confirmation that another was on its way. I'm sure one of these will last me many years but, as many will understand, it feels good to have one in reserve.
It is winter here. And it has been pretty wet over the last few days. Just before 3pm yesterday it stopped raining, so I grabbed some snares, strapped on the BK9, called the dog to the car... and headed off to set a few traps.
I didn't see much pig sign, but I set the traps anyway. I thought I should make the most of the more favorable weather conditions.
It was getting pretty dark by the time I headed back down the hill. Not long after I got out of the bush onto an access track, the dog (who is often well ahead of me) started to bark. I ran to her, thinking that I might get to see a pig before it ran into the scrub. Instead, I saw a white billy goat. It was standing its ground next to the dog. It would probably not be correct to say that the dog had 'bailed' the goat, but it certainly appeared that the goat thought it was better to face the dog rather than run.
While I've taken goats from this area in the past, I hadn't seen a sign of them in the area for quite a long while. So seeing this billy was a surprise. I really wanted to take that goat home because we were getting low on dog food. But I had no rifle and no spear.
I kept urging the dog by saying 'get it' in an excited tone. Lizzy is nearly fourteen now.... and she's never really been aggressive toward big animals like a typical pig dog might be. But she does have a loud bark, and she's pretty smart.
After a couple of less-than-clever moves by myself, I managed to grab the goat by both horns and tip it on its side. I then pushed the '9 in behind its front shoulder. I doubt that a chest shot with a .308 would have killed it quicker. The knife slid in with ease.
So you can see that my first date with the BK9 was a good one.
I have a photo I took on my phone immediately after we killed the goat. But I haven't published it because there is probably a bit too much blood in it (which isn't surprising considering that the '9 blade is nearly two inches wide).
I think that the BK9 is ideally suited to my main activities.
It chops beautifully. Up until now, I've carried a 10 or 12 inch machete for cutting pegs and clearing scrub on tracks or at a set. The '9 is fine for chopping. This morning when I went to check my traps (and found I'd caught nothing), I took the time to cut the offending parts of this fallen pine that were blocking my usual trail:
I really like the sheath. Actually, the knife is well suited to any sheath really because its center of gravity is well forward of the blade. Thus it can sit in a simple sleeve sheath without wanting to tip over. I particularly like the Becker factory sheath because I find I can easily re-insert the knife using just one hand. It sits low, and it has a decent opening. I find that I use a knife often, and it can be frustrating if I have to use two hands and take great care to get a knife into a sheath. This is a big advantage for me.
The handle is great. It is a safe handle without having to have a guard. Guards have their place, but I avoid them. They catch on stuff and they can make it difficult to use a simple sheath. The knife feels good in my hand. I've handled a lot of knives.
Great blade. I've already proved that it penetrates well, and I am happy with the way it chops. A great all-round design. When I was cutting up the goat last night, I chopped through the ribs with ease. I pushed my luck when I decided to whack through a leg bone though, ... I now have a couple of 'micro serrations'. My fault... and something I would not normally do. The damage was insignificant though.... and I don't see the sense in shortening the life of this knife by grinding the edge until the 'dings' disappear. This is a working knife.
Nowadays the word 'awesome' can have degrees of meaning. Like 'pass me a beer'... 'awesome'. To me awesome is better fitted to a massive thunderstorm, or a breath-taking sunset.... or the first time you set your eyes on a BK9.
I can see that these BK9s will be some of my most cherished earthly possessions.
Thanks everyone.
. Very cool that you are able to feed your dog and yourself (at least in part) from hunting and trapping. I hope it serves you well for many years to come.
