Upswept/Persian/Butcher style camp knives?

Joined
Jul 15, 1999
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541
I've been wanting a Kabar Becker Magnum Camp knife (BK5), but they're tough to find for a reasonable price.

MMHW makes a Persian style knife, but they're impossible to find as well.

Tops makes a couple interesting models, the Prather Bowie and the Frog XL, but neither are exactly what I'd like, but may end up with one of them if I can't find anything else.

Can anyone suggest any others? I really like the simple shape of the BK5, that's the style I'm trying to find.

Pics for reference:

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I have the BK5, the BK15 and the Prather. The 5 & the 15 would make for excellent camp knives. I suggest you are patient and try to find one or the other here on the sales forum. They pop up from time to time, so not an impossible quest. They are hard to beat.
 
It's not exactly what you want, but there are still a decent number of Browning Barker/Crowell knives around -

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The Upswept/Persian/Mild Trailing Point never really got any traction in the big knife market, probably because most look very plain and kitcheny to the casual buyer. It's too bad, that shape is pretty awesome for many things.
 
Winkler Knives makes a few for James Williams that fit the bill. I had the 4” version that would be a dream knife for me minus the handle which I didn’t care for at all. Comes with one of the nicest sheaths I’ve ever seen.

Becker also has the new BK 18 that has all the belly of a 15 but with a different blade shape. That one is based on the Street Barong by Jim Bensinger (I own one) which is an amazing blade and awesome cutter.

Add- I do have the BK 15 as well and it’s a great knife
 
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The Volcano : a beauty, no doubt ! This one has been on my radar for quite some time. However, I doubt the OP will find the price reasonable...
 
Winkler Knives makes a few for James Williams that fit the bill. I had the 4” version that would be a dream knife for me minus the handle which I didn’t care for at all. Comes with one of the nicest sheaths I’ve ever seen.

Becker also has the new BK 18 that has all the belly of a 15 but with a different blade shape. That one is based on the Street Barong by Jim Bensinger (I own one) which is an amazing blade and awesome cutter.

Add- I do have the BK 15 as well and it’s a great knife

I noticed the 18. Interesting, but I'm looking for a 7-8" blade, and I don't care so much for the shape of the spine.
 
My favorite!!View attachment 1320349
Fallkniven volcano!!!!!
That one is a gorgeous.

The reasonable price will be the tough part here. BK5s come up every so often on the exchange. I Just sold one for what I consider a reasonable price, I also bought it on the exchange for about the same reasonable price. It was my 2nd BK5. I just felt like it is too big for it's lack of thickness. I'm sure it works for other people but it just never fit my needs. The BK15 is about perfect IMO. I'm on my second one. Stupidly sold the first and had to pay much more to get the second one, which I won't be letting go of. Spyderco Phil Wilson Southfork is awesome as well. You won't find these for a reasonable price but why not tease!

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Beautiful knife, but when I searched, the first thread here on this knife is about how the hidden tang bent during use, cracking the handle scales.

I remember it well! He put some brown canvas micarta on it instead! I was truly shocked, in two ways. First that the handle broke and second that the volcano is essentially a stick tang. I've had no issues with mine. Chopping, hacking etc! I don't usually baton cause I love.using my Roselli axe! I'll try and get a.clearer pic up too! I love how dark the coco is on this one! Its.also #80 of the first numbered 100! Just a great knife

OP might like the Case Winkler hambone model too!! It's called out to me a few times!!
 
I remember it well! He put some brown canvas micarta on it instead! I was truly shocked, in two ways. First that the handle broke and second that the volcano is essentially a stick tang. I've had no issues with mine. Chopping, hacking etc! I don't usually baton cause I love.using my Roselli axe! I'll try and get a.clearer pic up too! I love how dark the coco is on this one! Its.also #80 of the first numbered 100! Just a great knife

OP might like the Case Winkler hambone model too!! It's called out to me a few times!!

Hadn’t seen the Hambone before :thumbsup:

Nice. Love my Winklers and the Case Winkler Skinner may be worth a look. Not trailing point but awesome knife.
 
you're in luck - condor just put out this 7" knife - made with super tough 1075 & walnut handles
it's also only about $30, so don't expect high levels of finish but I think the quality is there
condor ctk5004-7
eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL2NvbmRvci9pbWFnZXMvQ041MDA0N190ZW1wMS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDU0NSwiaGVpZ2h0IjogNDE1LCJmaXQiOiAiY29udGFpbiIsImJhY2tncm91bmQiOiB7InIiOiAyNTUsImciOiAyNTUsImIiOiAyNTUsImFscGhhIjogMX19fX0=
 
I have the original Blackjack Magnum Camp Knife. 1/4" thick, 440C, Esta-loc handles, and a full convex edge. When Camillus partnered with Ethan Becker, the Magnum Camp Knife shed some weight, went to 0170-6C carbon steel with a full flat grind, and became the BK-5. Then Kabar opened the newest chapter in the Becker saga. I have the Kabar version as well. The light weight of the BK-5 is a design feature, specifically to allow speed and a thin edge geometry to do the same work as higher mass and inertia. Can't really say one is superior, but the original Magnum Camp Knife is more confidence inspiring. It also has a much cooler Kenny Rowe pin-lock sheath.
 
The White River Tom Mack Boss might be one worth looking at.

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6 inch blade length, so it’s a little shorter than what you’re looking for. It reminds me of a middle brother to the BK5 and BK15. The trailing point isn’t nearly as defined as most Persian styled knives, but the profile leans more towards a trailing point than anything else to my eyes. White River’s quality is outstanding, and their S35VN has held up great for my use in the woods.
 
you're in luck - condor just put out this 7" knife - made with super tough 1075 & walnut handles
it's also only about $30, so don't expect high levels of finish but I think the quality is there
condor ctk5004-7
eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL2NvbmRvci9pbWFnZXMvQ041MDA0N190ZW1wMS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDU0NSwiaGVpZ2h0IjogNDE1LCJmaXQiOiAiY29udGFpbiIsImJhY2tncm91bmQiOiB7InIiOiAyNTUsImciOiAyNTUsImIiOiAyNTUsImFscGhhIjogMX19fX0=
The op is in luck because it would appear he found the exact blade he was after. That however looks nothing like an up swept Persian style trailing point....
 
craytab being a bit pedantic since the OP also said "I really like the simple shape of the BK5, that's the style I'm trying to find."

so - ignore the OP's actual text and just use the title? - got it /s
 
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