Trading in the BK-16 for a BK-17?

[CalmAsHinduCows]

I have to ask... you mentioned that you like your blades longer when you're in Central America in a post in your other thread... so, what takes you to Central America?

I major in Sustainability Studies in grad school right now. Part of what I have been doing for the last couple of years is to help set up solar, water, and sanitation infrastructures in impoverished areas around the world. We look for simple, yet effective natural ways of solving some of biggest problems plaguing poor towns and villages.

I guess its kinda like Peace Corps. or relief work, but we usually don't work with them. I've definitely worked a long side them, and they are amazing people with a great organization. A lot of what we do is research based as well.

A lot of the times I'll find myself in need of a sharp blade. I had an old machete for awhile, but that went missing about a year ago. I've been looking for a sturdier replacement for clearing thick brush and chopping 6" or less logs for shelter crafting.

Also, I find myself needing a finer point for some of the smaller tasks and intricate carvings I may need to do. The BK-17 seems perfect for that job. I'm never going to be doing any super intense batoning of wood or prying of metal objects, so the tip will serve my needs just fine. I believe it is one of the most comfortable clip points I've ever held. The stock scales and coating will serve me well in the humid jungle. :thumbup:

 

[CM_Rick]

Right on. I wish I could afford to finish my degree. I'm an evolutionary biologist, but specialize in ecological sustainability through use of predatory species to control populations. Knives are just invaluable tools for us bush scientists. I only asked, because I thought I might ask you for a job.

 

[JWL]

I major in Sustainability Studies in grad school right now. Part of what I have been doing for the last couple of years is to help set up solar, water, and sanitation infrastructures in impoverished areas around the world. We look for simple, yet effective natural ways of solving some of biggest problems plaguing poor towns and villages.

Good work man. #respect

 

[CalmAsHinduCows]

Right on. I wish I could afford to finish my degree. I'm an evolutionary biologist, but specialize in ecological sustainability through use of predatory species to control populations. Knives are just invaluable tools for us bush scientists. I only asked, because I thought I might ask you for a job.

That's awesome, man! I'm kinda jealous as I wish I had the brains to become a biologist. I took a few biology courses in undergrad and that was enough for me, haha. I understand the basics, but the levels of detail I had to memeorize, only to forget next semester, was insane.

Sadly, this job pays next to nothing. Most of the time, I'm living in 3 walled shanties with some basic running water and one electrical outlet if I'm lucky. Other times, its tents and little shelters we've constructed. And we'd do this for weeks, if not months on end. My wife also comes with me on a lot of these stays and she's just as into as I am. Its great and I love, but that's why I need a knife that's definitely going to help me through the thickest jungle no matter what. That's why I love Beckers.

But, yeah, I mainly do this as research for my thesis and because I truly do enjoy it. I have to supply most of my own funds, which is really next to nothing, haha. I save up from doing house cleaning and other odd jobs around my neighborhood/town while I'm in school full time. My wife and I can usually subsist pretty comfortable on $75-100 a month when we're in the bush. Its fun, I get to help out, learn new skills, and make life better for people in the process.

 

[CalmAsHinduCows]

Good work man. #respect

Thank you, man!

I'm 29 now, it took me a long while to go back to school and really decide what I want to do. I still have a few more years to go at that. By the time I'm actually in a career, I'll be in my mid 30's, haha. Its hard work, but definitely worth it and its something I do enjoy.

 

[CM_Rick]

That sounds like some really good times to me. And yeah, +1 on the respect for what you're doing down there. Common Americans really don't appreciate 3rd world life. What country are you in when you do this? I'm hoping you, and your wife are safe from the civil turmoil that goes on in that part of the world. I was going to suggest Randall's adventure training for a class they do in Peru. But, sounds like you really don't need it. As far as knives go... I'd prescribe an ESEE Junglas, but that's not a Becker. The BK9 performs just as well as the Junglas, and cuts better. The Junglas is bigger/longer, though. Just a thought.

Thanks for the biology complement. It is very study intensive, but if you stay in biology nothing really leaves your memory. It gets brought back one way or another. I had to study just as much chemistry as I did biology, lol. It actually made it difficult to choose a major between the two.

 

[CalmAsHinduCows]

That sounds like some really good times to me. And yeah, +1 on the respect for what you're doing down there. Common Americans really don't appreciate 3rd world life. What country are you in when you do this? I'm hoping you, and your wife are safe from the civil turmoil that goes on in that part of the world. I was going to suggest Randall's adventure training for a class they do in Peru. But, sounds like you really don't need it. As far as knives go... I'd prescribe an ESEE Junglas, but that's not a Becker. The BK9 performs just as well as the Junglas, and cuts better. The Junglas is bigger/longer, though. Just a thought.

Thanks for the biology complement. It is very study intensive, but if you stay in biology nothing really leaves your memory. It gets brought back one way or another. I had to study just as much chemistry as I did biology, lol. It actually made it difficult to choose a major between the two.

Right now, my wife and I are getting ready to head to Guatemala sometime in the early summer. Before that, we were in Bangladesh for awhile. And yeah, you can hear all about conditions in third world countries, but until you live through it, you never really understand it.

I really do love the size and capability of the 9, but I think, overall, my personal preference is for curved choppers. I just like the feel and I believe I can use them ore effectively. That 9 does looks mighty tempting though...

Biology and Chemistry were two of my hardest subjects. I took the easiest classes, they were just like Latin to me. I luckily, stumbled upon my current major through a wonderful adviser I had in undergrad.

 

[mec003]

I'm finishing my biology degree this spring. I'll be 31 when I graduate. Going back to school has been a challenge, but hopefully worth it. I really enjoy it. Hoping my bk14 is all the knife I will need in the field though.

 

[CM_Rick]

Hoping my bk14 is all the knife I will need in the field though.

Ha... Hahaha... Hahahahahaha... If you'll be doing any of the stuff I've done in the field you'll want something big. Like a machete. Wait until your asked to do some work on invasive species.

 

[CM_Rick]

Biology and Chemistry were two of my hardest subjects. I took the easiest classes, they were just like Latin to me. I luckily, stumbled upon my current major through a wonderful adviser I had in undergrad.

I've taken chemistry up through organic & bio. Crushed them both. The biologies came way easier than the chems did. Never did take physical chem. I kind of wish I did along with inorganic now that I'm starting to design knives. I wish I knew more about metallurgy than I do. I know enough chem to pick it up, though. Lol

I'm glad you're going to be in generally friendly territories. If it's possible, I'd like to send one of my prototypes with you to try out and review. It's a compact khukri design just over 7" of blade length, but actual cutting edge is much longer. More like 10" on the edge. Hopefully I'll have one ready by this summer. I have a thread about it going, but I removed the pic of the drawing due to the recent happenings here on the forum. GSOM's mod drawing got made, and the guy is selling it here on BF. I do not want that happening with mine.