KingMC
The Pun-isher
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
- Messages
- 11,600
I fear my BK9 has lost its place on my hip, at least as my first choice for a big knife. Went on a 2-night backpacking trip, with my relatively new BK20 and my long-time BK9 both with me, intending to have a side-by-side comparison test battle to see which one I liked more.
The location was near Skate Creek a bit outside of Ashford in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area.
Well, after 3 days and 2 nights, I never actually got out the BK9 nor did I manage any pictures of it due to the fact that the BK20 is such a good replacement I couldn't stop using it for everything. Didn't really baton with it but it got plenty of chopping and whittling use, and really worked very well for everything I would normally grab the 9 to do.
I think the BK20 has proven its worth as at least an equal to the 9 (I would say its more enjoyable to use, but it is also heavier so it's not a perfect swap), and will undoubtedly see most future use as my go-to big knife (I'll still give the 9 some love, but when the 20 is there it's so easy to forget the 9 is around)
Managed to get by with just 2 knives: the BK20 as my big one, and a Fiddleback Bushfinger as my small one. I'd rate the Bushfinger higher than a BK16 for sheer usability, it does everything the 16 does, and outperforms it in slicing and precise work, and does it while being sexier to boot.
Ok, the sacrilege can stop now, here's the pictures.
the trail we hiked on, really more of an abandoned fire road with lots of fallen trees.
the first victim of the BK20, a fallen tree blocking the trail at chest level, one chop-through and it was out of the way. BK20 handled it with ease.
there was a nice spring that supplied us with water, it was not very clean but we always use filters and boil it too. Can't be too safe when it comes to drinking water out in the woods.
our little camp at the top of a hill. (this was the last day, when it was actually sunny)
the first night we didn't build a fire, so it was stove cooking only. Didn't stop us from having bacon and polish sausage. Also got to test out the Tactical Spork I won in the giveaway, it passed with flying colours.
Had a visitor while we were cooking, he stuck around for 15 minutes under the tarp away from the rain. Cute guy.
It rained the first 2 days, so the 20 got wet. Made for some good photos.
Here's my brother's big knife: the Carnera from Viper. The BK20 is longer, the Carnera is taller in the blade. Both well made, the Becker is less expensive and just as easy to maintain in my opinion.
Had some oatmeal with the Spork as a spoon, performed almost better than the actual spoons I had.
Made a fire stick with the 20, easy and precise.
Thanks BK20!
Imma sneak in a recommendation for Nix Leather and his amazing leatherwork, got a custom sheath for my Fiddleback and it's fantastic work. He's made Becker sheaths before, if you need a quality sheath you should give him a call.
we got some good weather the last day, so to celebrate we had bacon!
My stalwart tent of 8 years and my brand-new Hults Bruk 2 1/4 axe. Lots of good tools this trip.
After a couple days there's some fresh markings in the coating.
Nick's sheath got some wear from being on my hip the whole trip, but that just gives it character.
Before we left we explored the wilderness, found a great swampy lake area.
My 2 main tools, sadly the BK15 and 16 have a worthy contender for small knife in my arsenal.
Finally a gratuitous selfie because I don't usually take pictures of myself and felt I needed at least one.
The location was near Skate Creek a bit outside of Ashford in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area.
Well, after 3 days and 2 nights, I never actually got out the BK9 nor did I manage any pictures of it due to the fact that the BK20 is such a good replacement I couldn't stop using it for everything. Didn't really baton with it but it got plenty of chopping and whittling use, and really worked very well for everything I would normally grab the 9 to do.
I think the BK20 has proven its worth as at least an equal to the 9 (I would say its more enjoyable to use, but it is also heavier so it's not a perfect swap), and will undoubtedly see most future use as my go-to big knife (I'll still give the 9 some love, but when the 20 is there it's so easy to forget the 9 is around)
Managed to get by with just 2 knives: the BK20 as my big one, and a Fiddleback Bushfinger as my small one. I'd rate the Bushfinger higher than a BK16 for sheer usability, it does everything the 16 does, and outperforms it in slicing and precise work, and does it while being sexier to boot.
Ok, the sacrilege can stop now, here's the pictures.
the trail we hiked on, really more of an abandoned fire road with lots of fallen trees.
the first victim of the BK20, a fallen tree blocking the trail at chest level, one chop-through and it was out of the way. BK20 handled it with ease.
there was a nice spring that supplied us with water, it was not very clean but we always use filters and boil it too. Can't be too safe when it comes to drinking water out in the woods.
our little camp at the top of a hill. (this was the last day, when it was actually sunny)
the first night we didn't build a fire, so it was stove cooking only. Didn't stop us from having bacon and polish sausage. Also got to test out the Tactical Spork I won in the giveaway, it passed with flying colours.
Had a visitor while we were cooking, he stuck around for 15 minutes under the tarp away from the rain. Cute guy.
It rained the first 2 days, so the 20 got wet. Made for some good photos.
Here's my brother's big knife: the Carnera from Viper. The BK20 is longer, the Carnera is taller in the blade. Both well made, the Becker is less expensive and just as easy to maintain in my opinion.
Had some oatmeal with the Spork as a spoon, performed almost better than the actual spoons I had.
Made a fire stick with the 20, easy and precise.
Thanks BK20!
Imma sneak in a recommendation for Nix Leather and his amazing leatherwork, got a custom sheath for my Fiddleback and it's fantastic work. He's made Becker sheaths before, if you need a quality sheath you should give him a call.
we got some good weather the last day, so to celebrate we had bacon!
My stalwart tent of 8 years and my brand-new Hults Bruk 2 1/4 axe. Lots of good tools this trip.
After a couple days there's some fresh markings in the coating.
Nick's sheath got some wear from being on my hip the whole trip, but that just gives it character.
Before we left we explored the wilderness, found a great swampy lake area.
My 2 main tools, sadly the BK15 and 16 have a worthy contender for small knife in my arsenal.
Finally a gratuitous selfie because I don't usually take pictures of myself and felt I needed at least one.
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