The proper Becker for the far north ?

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Nov 25, 2006
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Ok, here we go. I have far more knives than I need already and I tend to lean toward practical use over a safe queen. But, I still haven't found ''the one''. Currently for Beckers I have the Mag Camp, Brute, Eskabar necker and the Campanion. All of which I bought because they did and still do fill certain use niches for me. I have never bought a BK-9 or 7. I felt no need for these two because those slots are more than covered already, but weight may be an issue. My current dilemma, and an ongoing theme is this............ I am likely moving back up to the far north again and want a knife that I am satisfied with but covers several parameters. The Brute is too heavy with a full canteen on a pistol belt, The Mag Camp is wonderfully light and has a nice sized blade, but strikes me as on the flimsy side. I need a blade that has strength, length and is lighter in weight. I WILL be in bear and wolf country and this is no joke or cliché, it's the real deal, along with dense forest. I will not be carrying firearms and people HAVE been killed and eaten there, although realistically the odds are quite low of an attack. But it happens so defense is a parameter along with wood processing. What is your opinion on the BK-7 as the best knife for this application ? If you own the BK-9 and 7, holding them in hand, is there much practical weight difference ? How does the weight of the BK-9 compare to the Brute in hand ? My goal is for the same utility\applications as my old Brute, but less weight. I could run around with a Campanion and a machete for bush whacking, or a knife hawk combo, but I usually just want to strap on ONE knife and be done with it for general applications. Any opinions\comments are appreciated.
 
Wow, sounds like a fun time. Now while I don't own a 9, I've handled a few and I thinks that would do fine. Give you a little reach for the possible bear and plenty of umph for the wood processing IMHO. I'll sure the experts will be along soon to chime in, just my opinion.

P.s
Never heard a Magnum or any Becker called flimsy!!?!!
 
I'd stick with the BK5 given your desire for something light weight. A 7 would likely do just fine for you, but I don't see it fending off a bear or wolf any better than the 5. Trust me on this one. I'm a guy on the internet. I know what I'm talking about.
 
If you already have the bk2 , I would get the bk 9. I don't see the bk7 giving a bunch more performance than the bk2. I guess I do technically own all 3 of them, but I only used the bk7 for a few minutes to trim some micarta before loaning it out. Im really a huge bk9 fan. Its a very useful tool.
 
I like a nice short heavy machete like the BK9. Although I sold my bk9 and kept the Bk-5 magnum camp. If your not dead set on a backer have you considered a cold steel Trail master or a Laredo bowie? Pretty okay at making fire wood and better for knife fighting in my opinion.
 
Upnorth, go with the BK9, its tough, and lighter than you think. I used mine last night to make chicken nuggets for the fam damily. I was chopping down 4" thick trees in 4 swings last weekend. It can and will be one helluva knife poked in some living tissue, and with 9" of length, you are almost guaranteed to hit vitals, usually more than one. The edge geomtry makes this thing a slicer, chopper, and lighter than you think. Last year, a buddy used his to gut Native trout, and they are about as big as your hand is long. He choked up on the WIDE blade and done all the cuts he needed.

Do get a better sheath, though, I'm afraid that in that rugged area, the one that comes with it, won't do.

I say a BK9, if I was going, that's the one I would have on me. BK2 is a great, great knife, but if you have to think defense, I want as much steel as I can get between me, and whatever I'm about to wreck.

Moose
 
get the bk9, sharpen the swedge maybe, maybe not... but that will process all day. the bk5 is plenty stabby and cutty, and does everything,except be a heavy processor of wood.

me? i'd use my trust knife, and i'd make me a bear/wolf stick. that is, a good long walking stick with a pointy point. if i was seriously worried, it would have metal on the end (like a bushman spear). if people were about, i'd have an innocent looking "cover" over it, that would not prevent thrusting, and come off fast for slashing.

fight a bear with any knife? sure, some have. many have lost, few have won. spear? evens up the odds more.

probably have a small knife and axe too. axes are better at many tasks.
 
I will ditto the 9 - back it up with an 11 or Izzy and you are set.

In bear country, the knife I would carry is made by Ruger and is called a Redhawk.
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I'd go with the 7....I have a bk11, and a companion. but the 7 is a do- all bade for me... THere are compromises however.. IT won;t chop like a 9, or carve like a smaller knife.. but with practice it can do both adequately.. It is still light enough to be lively in the hand as a defensive knife as well and has a good sharp clip point which works well cleaning small game and fish if you chokeup on th eblade and pinch grip the spine..if you are wiling to take the time and learn her secrets.. it is a great all round knife.. that doesn;t get enough attention in my mind.. Good luck in your search...oh as a side note I;ve beaten the bejeezuz out of mine and its still going strong.
 
IF i may make a suggestion, are you chopping FROZEN wood/tree limbs? While the BK9 is a b******* chopper, i would be hesitant to use it or ANY other thin blade chopper like it on frozen wood..........

I suggest waiting for a BECKER FOREST AXE! :D

as for the weight of the BK9, its LIGHT and FAST int he hand, it feels like an extension of your hand. Same with the 7
 
I have the 7 and the 9. They both seem adequate for the job. If it were me, I would get the 9 though. Just saying, it was my first Becker and I have a bias. =]
 
If we're being real here, Bear Spray is superior to any blade.

As far as wolves go, and I live on the same turf as the largest population of wolves in the lower 48, I also spent several years running about in Alaska, I'm not speaking with no experience. People are lucky to see them much less have close encounters. But, hypothetically, if you were attacked it won't likely be one, it'll be a pack. Under those circumstances you'd still be better served with a proven bear spray as you'll have what amounts to an area effect defense.

I guess it sounds cool and all, but the likely hood of being attacked is extremely slim, surviving it by way of knife is even slimmer than that.

Just my perspective based on time in bear and wolf country.

Now that we're past that, for general purpose work in the Boreal Forest where I live the BK 9 is working just fine. For chopping frozen wood I go to an axe. I did use my 9 on some frozen 3" diameter stuff and the blade sort of rolled. It sharpened out but I won't use it on frozen wood, that's what an axe is for.

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i know its not a becker but i think the cutlass machete would do real well. pair it with a bk2 and i think you would be set, even also add a bk11.
 
Everyone makes good points. I just watched a video on youtube of a guy that got killed by a bear & he had bear spray & used it. When it's your time, it's your time. I think i would also carry more than one blade. As light as a small BK-11 is, really no reason not to. Thumbs up to the sharpened pole/spear/Bushman Bowie idea as well. I own both a 7 & a 9 & like them both, a lot. I would definately go with the 9 as well, for reasons stated above. Just my .02 cents.
 
BK9 here too. My son has the BK7 and that is a bit lighter in the hand but not that much. The BK9 however is quite a bit better chopper and just as good (IMO) at the other tasks you are likely to need to do.

Good for clearing downed trees from your trails!

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Beckerhead #42
 
I wouldn't fight a bear with any knife. I'd go with the spray or be really accurate with a gun.

Wolves will get you if they want to, best avoid attacking a pack. Bear spray might fend them off in that situation as well.
 
If we're being real here, Bear Spray is superior to any blade.

As far as wolves go, and I live on the same turf as the largest population of wolves in the lower 48, I also spent several years running about in Alaska, I'm not speaking with no experience. People are lucky to see them much less have close encounters. But, hypothetically, if you were attacked it won't likely be one, it'll be a pack. Under those circumstances you'd still be better served with a proven bear spray as you'll have what amounts to an area effect defense.

I guess it sounds cool and all, but the likely hood of being attacked is extremely slim, surviving it by way of knife is even slimmer than that.

Just my perspective based on time in bear and wolf country.

Now that we're past that, for general purpose work in the Boreal Forest where I live the BK 9 is working just fine. For chopping frozen wood I go to an axe. I did use my 9 on some frozen 3" diameter stuff and the blade sort of rolled. It sharpened out but I won't use it on frozen wood, that's what an axe is for.

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Yes, I agree with your advice\logic buddy. It's always good to do a reality check once in a while. The rational part of me knows that the chances of an animal attack are about the same as being popped by lightning. That's rational and I agree. The suck part is that I am in contact with northern miners that have had run ins or near misses with wolves. One buddy told me about his brother in law and another road grader operator this winter. They were shut down and talking when they noticed the shapes in the dark and heard the growls. Six were circling around one grader and five around the other. Bro flung a wrench and yelled at them. The men got back into their machines and no damage. It does happen up there. Fatalities are rare and out right attacks uncommon, but the near misses aren't discussed other than within local communities. This miner also knew the guy that was dragged into the ditch and wrestled with the wolf in one of these stories. He said that the event played the guy out and may have gone bad if the vehicle didn't happen along. I'm the type that brings warm clothes, fire starting gear etc. in the car trunk , just in case. So I will pack what makes me feel safe, just in case, while in the far north bush. A guy told me that he saw one wolf that was huge, probably close to 250 lbs. A real monster, and that the paw prints were longer than his hand. He has cell phone pics and I gave him my email addy. He'll try to pass them to me. If I get them, I'll post up. So....rationality dictates very minimal chance of attack, my less rational , cautious side, says pack a blade as I don't own guns anymore. I agree with your gear choice and I'll pack a 9. I also rolled the edge on my Brute years ago trying to chop winter frozen trees. There is a time of no return when the trees just get frozen too hard, like flint. I may not have answered all of you but took all points into consideration. Thanks for the replies.:thumbup:


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2005/01/04/sask-timberwolf050104.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2007/11/01/wolf-verdict.html

http://www.wolfsongnews.org/news/Alaska_current_events_1753.html
 
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