What is a good Ka-bar/Becker for backpacking?

I don't know about you, but I seldom "need" to chop with a knife. A folding saw will cover most larger cutting chores and the BK-16 (or BK-17) will do everything else you need done, even reasonable batoning.

I just got a BK-7. I can't bring myself to get a BK-9 yet since I "know" that I would seldom use it and when I did use it, it would be for fun not serious work. I like the BK-7 and it will chop. It's bigger of course than the BK-16/BK-17. It is a question of whether or not you're comfortable with a 7" bladed knife versus my recommendation of the BK-16 or BK-17 (4").

I find the Kabar Cutlas Machete a very cool knife/blade and was in fact one of my earlier short machete buys. Since I have been buying a number of different short machetes in the last year, I find myself leaning toward the heavier Condor (Pack Golok or Villlage Parang) for actual chopping, but the cutlass works well for "some" chopping. But I wouldn't lug around the Condor backpacking unless I knew going in that I would need to do some serious chopping.
 
Some have mentioned the BK2. Its is a great knife. However it excels at nothing. People have carved spoons with them and they look like a first grader carved it. It also took 3hrs to carve the said spoon. It is a thick, heavily built survival knife. It will make a spoon that suits survival. It will make other "survival" implements but it will not do "bushcraft" well. Physics are not on its side for this no matter what anyone says. There are not many, if any, carving videos involving the bk2. There are better knives for bushcraft. Many on here have mentioned a trio of tools, i.e. leatherman, mora, bk2 etc...Many experienced outdoorsman have preferred a trio of some sorts. Im sure some will chime in and blast me for my views on the bk2. That's ok, its all opinion.
 
My hiking / camping / woods "adventures" nowadays are mostly day hikes or camping in state parks and along well prepared trails, so keep that in mind with my suggestions. My standard woods / hiking / camping carry is an ESEE 4. It's handled anything I've needed to do with a larger (to me) FB. I also carry either a folder or a smaller FB when I'm out. I'm really warming up to the BK14 for lighter or finer work. It has a really great feel with the aftermarket scales from TKC and the sheath and knife package works well for horizontal carry. Whichever Becker matches up to the E4 would be my recommendation, along with a smaller knife.
 
Balboa256 said:
Some have mentioned the BK2. Its is a great knife. However it excels at nothing. People have carved spoons with them and they look like a first grader carved it. It also took 3hrs to carve the said spoon. It is a thick, heavily built survival knife. It will make a spoon that suits survival. It will make other "survival" implements but it will not do "bushcraft" well. Physics are not on its side for this no matter what anyone says. There are not many, if any, carving videos involving the bk2. There are better knives for bushcraft. Many on here have mentioned a trio of tools, i.e. leatherman, mora, bk2 etc...Many experienced outdoorsman have preferred a trio of some sorts. Im sure some will chime in and blast me for my views on the bk2. That's ok, its all opinion.
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Actually, I agree completely. The only advantage the BK2 has is being nearly indestructible. It is capable of many things but not great.


stvpourciau said:
Looks like the only knife that hasn't been mentioned is the kabar warthog, old or new versions, both should excel at being a belt knife with chopping power.
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stvpourciau said:
Another bump in the name of the Warthog
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stvpourciau said:
Warthog
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I'm not sure I follow. :D I really like the current production Heavy Warthog. It's pretty beastly in a reasonably sized package. However it has the same shortcomings as the BK2, plus it has a lower hardness to help it handle the abuse that got the original discontinued, which means edge retention suffers a bit. Definitely a knife that is best as part of a 2 or 3 blade system.
 
I actually just acquired a BK-17, and I absolutely love it. I wear it scout style, and it does not get in the way of my pack while trekking through the woods. But, it's all about personal preference I suppose. Good luck!
 
Recently I got a Becker BK16 and Western L46-5. Both blades are about the same size and IMO perfect for general use when out in the bush. I tend to carry a dedicated chopper, normally a Khukri, Machete or 2.5 pound 3/4 axe, and a 4" to 6" blade for general work. The Chopper for chopping and splitting, the 4" to 6" bladed knife for opening packages, food prep, general cutting, carving, whittling and the like. If I need a small fine blade for some kind of detail work, I always have my small folder or the blade on my Multi-tool. Guess you could say that I run a 3 tool combo and that is why I lean towards the Becker Tweeners and knives of that size.
 
bigghoss said:
I'm not sure I follow. :D I really like the current production Heavy Warthog. It's pretty beastly in a reasonably sized package. However it has the same shortcomings as the BK2, plus it has a lower hardness to help it handle the abuse that got the original discontinued, which means edge retention suffers a bit. Definitely a knife that is best as part of a 2 or 3 blade system.
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I wouldn't have thought with the height of the grind that the warthog shares its shortcomings. I doubt severely that the warthog is not a much better slicer than The BK2, where as my 2 can't cut butter. I really want to raise the height of the grind on the 2.

I've never seen lower hardness as a shortcoming, not on a thick little stick tang that you plan to use hard; more like a strength.

Everyone should carry a good pocket knife..
 
The BK16 or BK17 are great all-arounders for camping tasks. Not too big, not to small. Get some kydex or really good leather pants. Strip it and convex, and you're golden.

Need to chop in the backyard or woods? Get a axe or hatchet.
Need to cut big logs: A Saw
In the jungle? Get a machete (a good one) Kukri, Parang....oh or the Beastly ZOMSTRO
EDC In the city? A BK11, BK14 or a SAK
Rescue people trapped in overturned cars: BK2
Building your SHTF Zombie Apocalypse load out? Zomstro

Need to pretend you are going to do all the above every single day of your life? SAK, BK14, BK16, BK2, BK9

My opinion of course
 
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BK24 or 16 and a Corona folding saw will handle just about anything you need them to do.
If you want the larger Becker handles, a BK10, 7, or "12" make good "only one knife" choices for less weight and more blade length than the BK2.
 
The tweeners are great! Definitely not a chopper, but you can cross grain baton with them. However if you want to do some serious chopping, I hear the BK9 is awesome at it but I don't know that I would want to backpack with such a large blade. I had a Heavy Bowie in the past that was surprisingly light for it's size and ability, and I got it for like $50 which is a great price.
 
stvpourciau said:
I want a 10 so bad it hurts...
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It's a nice blade. I think I like my SP46 a bit more but the 10 is great.

BigBert said:
The tweeners are great! Definitely not a chopper, but you can cross grain baton with them. However if you want to do some serious chopping, I hear the BK9 is awesome at it but I don't know that I would want to backpack with such a large blade. I had a Heavy Bowie in the past that was surprisingly light for it's size and ability, and I got it for like $50 which is a great price.
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The BK9 is not as heavy as one might expect and is super handy. I took it on a short (couple hours) hike once in a pack with water, clothes, and a few other things and I doubt I would have noticed the weight difference if I had left it behind. It's a real performer.
 
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