Which Becker would you buy for a gift?

L

lightsoutcalls

Joined
Apr 9, 2013
Messages
36
Here's my situation....


My brother is a member of a rescue team in our county. He recently went through a swift water rescue training course and is slowly acquiring some personal equipment to use. He mentioned that they want him to have a pack to carry in his vehicle at all times in case he gets a call. He said he needs to have a knife that would be able to carry out survival tasks for several days in the woods. This would include fire craft skills, shelter building, game cleaning, etc. I have a BK7, and know he wouldn't carry anything that heavy. It would sit in a drawer and never be used. Left to his own devices, he would likely end up buying something from Wal-Mart that "might" do the job, but I would like to get him something that would actually be up for the tasks he might face.
He has a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, so I was thinking about getting him a REAL knife... a BECKER. I don't have a ton of money to spend, but would likely cough up enough for something along the lines of one of the "tweeners" or maybe a BK2.

In real life, it may not see much action. In the off chance that he gets a "call", I want him to have something up to the task. I will likely end up getting him a kydex sheath with a fire steel down the road...

Suggestions? Will the "tweeners" be enough knife for these tasks? Which blade shape would be the most practical?

THANKS!!!
 
Any of them! LOL Everyone has a little bit of a different opinion about which is the better tweener, but they all are really solid performers. The BK15 is my personal favorite because I love the trailing point, and overall thinness of the grind. It makes it a very good cutter that is deceptively strong. Then there is the 16 or 17... 99% (I am exaggerating a bit) of people love the 16 and swear by it. Rightfully so it is probably the most balanced and utilitarian design of the 3. It would be a perfect knife for all the real life tasks that your brother could face. BUT then there is the 17. Probably the most notable design feature of this knife besides the clip point is its "saber" or "flat" grind. Basically means its going to have a bit more meat on the blade as opposed to the 15/16.

Either way, you might just decide which design would appeal the most to him and then buy that one. You really cant go wrong with any of them.
 
The BK17 sounds like a good fit, here. The sheath that comes with the "tweeners" will attach nicely to his pack, too, so he won't have to go digging around for it, in the even that he will need to use it. The BK10 is a fantastic option, as well, but if he's not a fan of big knives, the 17 might be a better transition for him. Then, after he gets used to that, you can get him a 10 (or 9 if you really want to do it right).
 
Can't go wrong with one of the tweeners. I'd say the 15, but that's totally personal preference.

I would suggest you purchase him the 16.
 
+1 for the 16. It's very capable and just feels right. A trust-your-life-with-it type knife.
 
GarnetandBlack said:
Can't go wrong with one of the tweeners. I'd say the 15, but that's totally personal preference.

I would suggest you purchase him the 16.
Click to expand...

My personal preference is the 15, as well. It's such a sweet blade, and would be up to those tasks. I never know if I'm crazy for loving the upswept blades, but I find that profile extremely versatile.
 
I would start him with a 24 personally. Nice and small and get him used to the fixed blade. The 24 is more wear and rust resistant than the 14 so would be good for the water environment.
 
Chameleonbear said:
I would start him with a 24 personally. Nice and small and get him used to the fixed blade. The 24 is more wear and rust resistant than the 14 so would be good for the water environment.
Click to expand...

You make a good point Cbear... Ok OP do this... Buy him a 24 for his pocket and all the tweeners plus a 9... cause you cant not have a 9... and a 10... :thumbup: :D
 
BK-16. Just the right size. More likely to be used than the heavier BK2 but big enough to handle jobs that would be more difficult (but not impossible) for a model like the EsKabar.
 
Chameleonbear said:
I would start him with a 24 personally. Nice and small and get him used to the fixed blade. The 24 is more wear and rust resistant than the 14 so would be good for the water environment.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking this ^^^^. +1
AlexWitte said:
+1 for the 16. It's very capable and just feels right. A trust-your-life-with-it type knife.
Click to expand...
or....this ^^^^.
As much as I like the 16, it sounds like the 24 might be a better fit - it sounds as if your brother may not be all that into knife maintenance, and the 16 will require a little more attention. Also since you mentioned certification for swift water rescue, the corrosion resistance of the 24 would again be a plus. Also can be had for a little less cash than the 16, leaving you some headroom for the extras you talked about - or possibly some zytel or micarta down the road.
 
If it's going into his pack/bag, I say 16. If he'll carry it on him, the 24 is great. (Not that the 16 is big, but the 24 is hardly noticeable.)
 
Sounds like he'd get the most use out of one of the Tweens.

15 is more slicey.

16 has the strongest tip.

17 is probably the most pokey.
 
I had the 17. I sold it and bought a 16...or rather a second 16, as the first was a gift for my brother and I decided I liked the 16 better. Having given a Becker as a gift to a relatively "new" knife person(likes them, just not overly knowledgeable), the 16 was a good choice. He likes it and uses it as his primary knife while outdoors.

My choice would be the 16. :)
 
Last edited:
Tweener, BK16 (personal preference) or a BK10 would be my suggestion . Those would handle anything required in his line of duty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top