Two new members to my Becker Family ......

[weaponeer]

Added two new knives to the crew. I've always liked the 7" blade length in a camp knife, and I wanted to try something a little lighter than the BK2, which is a really good sharp pry bar. So I ordered the BK7 from Amazon. Two days later (last night) it arrived, safe and sound and in a Ka-Bar box. Nice knife, I think I'm gonna like it. It has a good feel to it and I have always liked the moderate length clip on this knife. I agree with most though, the sheath is crap. Gonna have to find something better for it.

I also got he BK13 a couple days ago. It was the bonus knife for signing up for the Gold membership here on bladeforums. It came in just a couple of days also. Nice little knife, and I have already begun carrying it in a pocket and using it for opening boxes and mail. It's a little more handy than even the small folders I usually carry.

So here's the newest members:

And added to my three previous Beckers posted last week, total is now five!

And here is a bit of a closeup of my very first attempt at a handle wrap on the BK13, modeled after the one TheWarrior posted a few days ago.

I need a lot more pactice and experimentation to get my techniques down to something acceptable. Definitely needs to be tighter, and I'll have to get some of those cute beads or keepers for the tail of the paracord for the next attempt. But still, it's a start. I have a lot of paracord to play with.

And finally, I also yesterday received my new Camelbak Motherlode 500 hydration pack, which is going to be the basis of my newly upgraded bug out bag. I figured it was time to upgrade and catch up with the times. My old bag was designed and put together back in the late 70's in an old Medium ALICE pack. I figured there are better and lighter components these days. This will be a fun project over the next few weeks.

It's really great being retired and having time to play with new toys. Now I just need to find somewhere nice to get out in the woods with them.

 

[LECTER]

Go out and get 'em dirty!!

Nice pics btw!

 

[clich]

all awesome stuff! Whats the cubic size of that camelbak?

 

[weaponeer]

all awesome stuff! Whats the cubic size of that camelbak?

According to the specs, it's:

cargo only - 2092 cu. in. (34.3L)
total volume with 100 oz (3L) reservoir - 2276 cu. in. (37.2L)

empty weight 4.47 lb (2.03 kg)

I like its features and the way it's organized. I just wish it was just a tad longer to fit my torso, but that seems to be a problem with most of the "assault" packs. The waist belt rides a little higher than I would like, but I'm usually carrying other stuff on my belt anyway.

Now I'm working on a good way to afix my BK6 Patrol Machete and/or the BK7 to the mollie straps on the right side of the pack.

 

[9point9]

I like its features and the way it's organized. I just wish it was just a tad longer to fit my torso, but that seems to be a problem with most of the "assault" packs. The waist belt rides a little higher than I would like, but I'm usually carrying other stuff on my belt anyway.

You should check out the Camelbak Trizip. Slightly less cargo volume but has the Mystery Ranch Futura harness which allows you custom fit the pack harness to your torso length.

It's really a bargain for the features. Hands down my favorite pack. That is unless you want to buck up for a Mystery Ranch or Kifaru but they are in a different league as far as price point.

 

[Flexxx]

Nice gear bro....

 

[TimmyB]

Congradulations, its a beautifiul family for sure. I like the green cord wrap. I've been trying to find that color everywhere.

 

[The Warrior]

Congrats, and nice wrap.

 

[tradewater]

That's some fine gear you're gettin together. What do you think about the 7 so far?

 

[weaponeer]

You should check out the Camelbak Trizip. Slightly less cargo volume but has the Mystery Ranch Futura harness which allows you custom fit the pack harness to your torso length.

I looked at the Tripzit. The harness system looked interesting, but I really wanted the greater capacity of the Motherlode. Being an older gentleman I really like my creature comforts and need to carry a lot of accoutrements in my bug out bag. In any case, they're all a step up from the old ALICE pack. Nice not having to hang canteens on it.

 

[weaponeer]

I like the green cord wrap. I've been trying to find that color everywhere.

I found the green paracord in the little army surplus store in my little podunk town. Maybe being right next door to Fort Hood, the largest army base in the free world, had something to do with it. Not too hard finding army related stuff around here! (They also had some hot pink paracord, but I passed on that.

 

[weaponeer]

Congrats, and nice wrap.

Unabashedly stolen from your pics! I'm gonna try it again tomorrow and try to do a better job. Never actually tried a handle wrap before, even though I've been messing with knives for decades. I'd like to get the basics down and then graduate up to some of the real fancy wraps I've seen here. But I need a lot of work first.

 

[weaponeer]

That's some fine gear you're gettin together. What do you think about the 7 so far?

... as I had expected. I haven't done anything with it yet other than a few chops in the back yard and batoning/splitting a couple of stout branches. But it "feels" good. Kinda like some of the big Randalls I have had. The weight distribution feels right to me. It feels better to me than the BK2. The BK2 usually makes me feel like looking for a door to pry out of its frame. The thing really feels like an instrument of destruction. The BK7 feels like it wants to "cut." Maybe I'm just old fashioned?

 

[axesbold]

That's some nice kit. I'm kinda in the same shape. I've bought more blades in the past three months than I did in the past 35 years. Still using the old alice though..... Hmmmm... Thanks for sharing!

 

[jacksterp]

Congrats on the 7. It will really grow on you. I think you'll find it is a perfect all around camp knife that can do 'most anything you ask of it. Enjoy your new blade!