The Kabar "unicorn" of BK2s

[jeepnjg]

I actually broke my BK2 tonight splitting a piece of pine for kindling. Even stranger than the fact it happened is how it happened. I barely hit the thing!

 

[Silvanus]

Can't say I've ever seen that before. I guess if it would ever break, that's the most likely place.

 

[jkwithawave]

Someone posted the same thing a few months ago I think. So that's the second BK2 to have ever broken. Heat treat or some kind of micro crack in the steel. Send it in they'll fix you right up.

 

[jeepnjg]

That's definitely the plan. If I had seen a photo like this before buying this knife, I would have gone with an Esee 5... The only thing I can say is that even though it was a small (kindling size) piece of pine, it did hit a knot just before breaking.

 

[Franciscomv]

Jkwithawave is right, somebody posted a similar failure a while ago.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...overs-and-OMG-I-broke-my-BK2-!!?highlight=bk2 (Pictures on post #23).

It looks to have broken at the same spot, although the breakage isn't identical. I know that no man made tool can be perfect, but I find it disheartening to see such a tough knife split in two (especially because I've got Beckers in a couple of kits!).

Return it to Ka-Bar and let us know how it goes.

 

[TheJeepster]

Jeeps Rule!

 

[gwgang]

Does the handle have the same hardness as the blade? Do Kabar do differential Heat Treatment on the knife?

 

[jeepnjg]

That's a good question. If Kabar does differential heat treat, I haven't heard of it.

 

[NJBillK]

Afaik they do differential ht and I have seen 3+ broken in a similar location, primary conclusions may stem from stress risers due to that, though I am not definite, so do not quote me on that theory. The ones I have seen were That one linked and another guy had at least 2 broken and used for foot pegs for his motorcycle, lol.

But like the others have said, create a post like this in the Becker subforum and get in touch with Ethan Becker, he is rather active in the Becker subforum. He is a great guy, stands by his product and will help you out in any way he feels like he can. He alone is one of the main reasons I will continue to buy Beckers for the foreseeable future.

 

[Ferahgo]

I am guessing that it was just a fluke. I have had a dud or two.

 

[Bladite]

stripping the coating causes stress risers and that leads to breaks

seriously, admit it, someone was batoning this into a rock all day with rebar, and throwing it at trees?

we've seen BK2s baton through lawnmowers, and rocks, and more...

if it broke? esp THERE? contact KaBar, they will more than likely make it right.

also: don't remove the coating

 

[C_Becker]

Hm, maybe a skeletonised handle is not the way to go for such a "tank" knife thats bound to be used hard

 

[jeepnjg]

@bladeite that's actually not the first time I've heard nor to strip coatings. Do you have any explanation as to how paint or powder coat, or rhino lining (or whatever that stuff is on the bk2) strengthens the metal? My knee jerk reaction is that if a blade needs a paint job to hold it together, then that's not a blade I want in my collection. What am i missing there?

 

[AntDog]

@bladeite that's actually not the first time I've heard nor to strip coatings. Do you have any explanation as to how paint or powder coat, or rhino lining (or whatever that stuff is on the bk2) strengthens the metal? My knee jerk reaction is that if a blade needs a paint job to hold it together, then that's not a blade I want in my collection. What am i missing there?

He was pulling your leg....

Looks like bad heat treat to me. Send it back to KaBar.

 

[B.Mauser]

What am i missing there?

The green smiley face that tells you hes joking. ---->

Send it to Kabar.

 

[jdk1]

@bladeite that's actually not the first time I've heard nor to strip coatings. Do you have any explanation as to how paint or powder coat, or rhino lining (or whatever that stuff is on the bk2) strengthens the metal? My knee jerk reaction is that if a blade needs a paint job to hold it together, then that's not a blade I want in my collection. What am i missing there?

Stripping, or modifying a knife in any way , can void the warranty. That's what he means (and joking as AntDog and Mauser said). I imagine you will be taken care of as your problem seems pretty cut and dried. If the blade tip broke, there's all sorts of possibilities, but the handle snapping like that seems like a metal issue. Good luck.

 

[upnorth]

Hm, maybe a skeletonised handle is not the way to go for such a "tank" knife thats bound to be used hard

That was my gut instinct years back before\when they started the cut outs. To be fair I have been very rough with my 2 and it has taken everything in stride. But these breakages are showing up in the same spot once in a blue moon. It takes away my confidence in this ''tank'' of a knife to see the same breakage area appearing. Yes, I am trying to be fair, the breakages are a rare event. But they do happen and I bought the knife to be a trusted tough as nails never fail tool, if I was out in the middle of nowhere, which I have been. These breakages are making me wish that the cut outs were never incorporated into the later design.

 

[upnorth]

double

 

[jeepnjg]

About the coating kerfuffle...
Below are pictures of my Ontario Gen 2 SP43. Low and behold, I killed it on a pine knot. (yes, yes, I am the common denominator here!) I sent this back to Ontario, and Dan Maragni (via the customer service rep) told me it bent because I removed the coating... That made NO sense, but it wasn't worth arguing over. I told them there was no way I wanted that knife again, and they let me pay the difference to upgrade to a RAT 7. BTW, the RAT 7 has done an AWESOME job taking care of splitting wood for our backyard fires/cookouts.

The Damage

The Workload

The Culprit!!!

Just felt like sharing with you guys!

 

[Czechmate]

^^^ That's crazy jeepnjg...

I wrinkled the edge on my rtak II chopping pine; it surprised me to see the damage fresh pine could do to a knife like the rtak II!