Torn between Tweeners!

O

OceanKlight

Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
27
Help!

I am interested in both the BK16 and the BK17 - leaning towards the 17.

I'm looking for a good bushcraft knife (basically).

I have (and love) both the BK2 and the BK9, and the BK2 is working very well for creating kindling and other tasks, but I am looking for something that's a little more fine and suited for crafting.

I'm not such a fan of the aesthetics of the BK16 - the BK17 LOOKS amazing -

But I'd like to know - (in your opinion) am I looking at the right pieces?

What is the big difference between the Drop point and Clip Point blades?
Can you describe your experiences with either blade?

Thank you.!

Any pictures you'd love to share would be appreciated as well.
 
If you want a blade for doing fine tasks go with the 16, I'm not really a fan of the FFG and prefered it in the saber ground version but the FFG will (from what I've heard) cut better.


002 by CamH_16, on Flickr

Definetly convex the edge too, makes it cut twice as well.
 
I understand that these are two different types of grinds - can you briefly explain the difference (in application) between the two?

Educational!!!!
 
OceanKlight said:
Sweet knife by the way! Looks like it would be a joy to hold.!

Ah!!!! hahaha oh man I want one! or two!
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Actually the micarta is kinda thin, only have green micarta in .25" thickness at the moment so thats what I had to work with. I'm no expert on grinds but I guess the thinner the blade is and the steeper the angle the better it slices? Better ask someone else, I'm not your guy for that question.
 
Many folks prefer a full flat grind for bushcrafting. That is probably the second most popular grind for bushcraft knives, behind the Scandinavian grind. A sabre grind maybe ties with a convex grind for third position, each with some pretty vocal supporters. Personally, I have tended toward the flat grind, such as the Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter. However, the sabre grind performs really well, and I actually prefer a clip point for detailed work on snare triggers, spoons, etc. In fact, I ground a clip point on one of my BHK Bushcrafters, and found it increased the knife's versatility, FOR ME. I recently purchased a BK17, and am finding it very well-suited for bushcrafting. I have not found any task more difficult with the 17 over the Bushcrafter. Of course, I've only had the knife for a short time, and have been limited to a single spoon, carving a gnome in a stick, a few feather sticks, and one pencil snare. Once I stripped the blade, I have been extremely pleased with its performance, and am looking forward to using it extensively this year.

The bottom line is that either should be wonderful choices for bushcrafting. The flat grind does make slicing a bit easier, but not by much, in my experience. The sabre grind would be excellent convexed, and you could do that in a few minutes, if you prefer. I like the ability to repair a dinged edge on a stone, but that's just me.

Or, you could just get them both!!:)
 
Ocean,

First of all, the belly profle of the two blades is identical. So in terms of basic handling they are going to be almost the same.

Basically, if comes down to the amount of Battoning you will do. The BK17 is in my opinion one of the finest Clip point blade designs made and is superb for detail work using the point -skinning, caping etc- but due to that swedge at the tip is not very good for battoning wood.

For a pure bushcraft blade, I would get the BK16.
 
jim62 said:
Ocean,

First of all, the belly profle of the two blades is identical. So in terms of basic handling they are going to be almost the same.

Basically, if comes down to the amount of Battoning you will do. The BK17 is in my opinion one of the finest Clip point blade designs made and is superb for detail work using the point -skinning, caping etc- but due to that swedge at the tip is not very good for battoning wood.

For a pure bushcraft blade, I would get the BK16.
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Jim's view is certainly barking up the right tree, in my experience, the 16 and 17 handle quite similar, both are excellent! but take a minute to do some work and see how you use your point, your needs should help you pick, some people swear by a clip for skinning and such, others prefer trailing, and i'm sure that others don't care. In the end, it's all about what you need from it, that's why there's options. Keep in mind that a clip really earns its salt when you must rotate the point during a cut, for straight cuts, you probably won't notice much difference in point handling.

hope this helps.
 
15. it has a choil for fine work. its got the longest blade for a little better battoning, its got a good amount of belly for skinning, and looks amazing when modded
100_0335.jpg
 
I'm no expert but it seems as though the 16 would be a little stronger in the tip...looks like there is more metal behind it. I think it would hold up a little better to drilling and whatnot. As far as batoning, I'd assume that you'd be taking your bk2 or 9 with you, so batoning with the tweener shouldn't be much of a factor.

For bushcraft, I use a short Ka-Bar. I've been a Ka-Bar fan ever since I got my first one nearly 20 years ago. I'm just getting into the Beckers and am looking forward to purchasing a tweener in the next couple weeks...specifically the 16. Personally, I like the way it looks better than the other two...but to each his own :p Either way you go, I don't think you'd be making a bad decision. I've carried a necker for years and have all but worn it slap out and it still keeps on kicking. Good knives.
 
I baton like crazy, so the 16 is the better choice. baton's are free though so any will work. The 15 would be my last choice because of that thin swedge on the spine, tears up batons and makes push cutting a painful process.
 
All the points have been covered, so it boils down to this: 17 looks prettier and won't let a baton live, 16 (saber) is going to be perfect for any bushcrafting you do, batoning and all, 16 (ffg) is going to be slicier than the other two, but will be in the middle in terms of batoning.

Personally, the saber ground 16 is the perfect knife for me.
 
The main differences between the 16 & 17 are....

  1. Tip (drop-point vs. clip-point)

    Others have touched on this already. Essentially clip is pointier, drop is stronger.





  2. Grind (full flat grind vs. saber grind)
FFGvsSaber.jpg


While both are a flat grind, the saber grind maintains the spine thickness for a certain amount of blade width before making a straight line to the edge. As you can eyeball from the simplistic picture, the full flat grind has a more shallow angle and the saber grind has a slightly more steep angle. So generally speaking, the full flat grind will be a better cutter and the saber grind will be able to withstand more lateral force and be a slightly better wood splitter.

So, how much of a better cutter is the FFG and how much stronger is the saber grind? Well, Ethan Becker has said here on the forums that the FFG grind is a much better cutter and he believes the FFG grind is strong enough for any task you'd be using the BK16 for in the first place.

Now, in context I believe he was comparing the BK16 saber grind to the BK16 FFG. The BK16 is not necessarily a better knife than the Bk17. A number of people here seem to like the BK17 an awful lot. My opinion (while admittedly never using the BK17) is that the BK16 would be better suited for bushcrafting. That's not to say the BK17 couln't do it too.
 
For bushcraft skills, the BK16 is going to be the better knife. For all-around woods use, including cleaning or skinning animals, I'd take the 17. Heck, buy both and see what you want!
 
mrn8 said:
For bushcraft skills, the BK16 is going to be the better knife. For all-around woods use, including cleaning or skinning animals, I'd take the 17. Heck, buy both and see what you want!
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Agreed. You should get both and see which you prefer. That's the only way to know for sure which is the best for you.
 
Wow. Awesome responses guys. This really helped. Thank you.

I feel a lot more assured (and knowledgeable) about whatever I end up picking, even though I'm not really closer to a decision.
 
It's been decided, your gonna decide what you want, and add a BK17 to that order. Then the BK17 your gonna ship to me and whenever you need your knives blued (after I get some salts for hot bluing) just send them to me. :D
 
Ocean, I've used both quite a bit to do a myriad of different chores, trying to decide which one I prefer.

And its still not decided. The FFG BK 16 is gonna be hard to beat in any outdoors arena for cutting. Anything, meat, wood, its a cutting fiend.

That clip point 17 has so far exceled at every task as well, only coming in slighty behind the 16 at slicing.

Tough choice, but I say go with the 16, then , when money allows, grab a 17 to fulfill your desires.

Moose
 
Their is a reason they make both. I think either will do what you are asking. So pick the one you thinks looks best. For me it's the 16. I think anyone here will tell you it's more about getting out and using your knife improving your skill and learning. Just pick one( or both) & don't let anyone tell you made the wrong choice.
 
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