Which one Becker knife for would you pick for a 1 month survival excursion in the PNW

[TwinStick]

I would choose MY BK-9. The finger choil, jimping & fire steel flat spot would come in handy for various chores i suspect. It is of my opinion that "it is easier to make a large knife do smaller tasks well, than it is to make a smaller knife do larger tasks well."

 

[Skystorm]

Be taking a 16 and an Axe. I bid you all good luck and funsies trying to process frozen wood with a 9 this time of year.

 

[FreebornErik]

Well, I am quite familiar with the PNW, I've spent 22 of the last 25 years here. If I thought there were a chance I would have to survive more than 1 night I would have several things with me in addition to a knife, first I'd have a 19 ~ 24" saw blade with me (size varies with which pack I'd be carrying). I'd also have a hatchet or boys axe, somewhere in the 1.5 ~ 2.5 lb range, hung with the longest handle my pack would accommodate. The honest fact is that even with a BK 9 or BK 4, in a long term survival situation in this environment, processing enough wood for shelter, and heat would take up way too much effort and time with a knife, you can do it for a day or two, but not for an extended period like a month, especially if you are on the move, and have to rebuild your shelter on a daily basis. A saw and a small axe or hatchet will save you so much time and effort over a knife, that it will greatly increase your odds of surviving long term in this environment.

I chose the BK 5 (though I'm not sure I wouldn't have chosen a Potbelly if the list were opened up to other KaBars). I'm afraid that if I found myself in a long term survival scenario, I'd want a larger knife than what I normally carry (a BK 16 or smaller). I'd want a large knife that would be adaptable to detail work, I'm sure the 9, 4, and 2 could handle the detail work, but I wouldn't be as adept with them as I would be with the 5. The first such job would be to fashion a saw frame for the saw blade.

Surviving in this environment is very much about keeping dry, and keeping your core temperature in a healthy range. Local edibles are much harder to come by in the late fall and winter seasons (this is why the bears hibernate, they can't collect enough calories to stay active), so conserving energy, would be key to making it for a month outdoors here, especially this time of year.

Erik

 

[Arkanian]

If I'm allowed to take an axe, I'd like a Hults Bruk 3lbs felling axe, thank you very much

Why not the axe that was strong enough to split human bone?....

 

[averageiowaguy]

I've not done much in the Pacific Northwest so I don't know the environment. In that case, I would bring a knife that I am comfortable with and that is the BK-16.

 

[Psyop]

mmmmmmmmmmmmm cake

 

[1066vik]

I voted pie because the BK77 wasn't an option - the BK12 runs a close second.
if, however, there was a 7/32" or 1/4" thick drop point version of the 9 to be found, well, now............

 

[Survivormind]

Wow, a month in the Pacific Northwest in winter? Hmm...

We are talking A LOT of wood processing. If I had to choose only one of the Becker knives, I'd go with the BK4 (axe in the name for a reason).

You'd have to process one hell of a lot of wood and efficiency there means less calorie expenditure. Staying warm reduces the calorie expenditure as well due to the thermal load of cold air so better to be really warm around the fire then miserable. Keep the moral high also.

The kukri designs are versatile for a number of reasons. It's hard to recommend a Becker I have no experience with but based on the designs and my experience with kukris, that's how I'd roll. I'd like to get a BK4 at some point...

If you are able to bring an axe as well, I'd bring an axe and the BK5. There are also other things to be considered, like the carry weight/length. I am assuming in my response that weight/length aren't an issue.

That's my two cents.

Survivormind

www.survivormind.wordpress.com

 

[Retiarius]

Voted Bk2 but probably would prefer Potbelly if only knife. Potbelly likes wood and can do detail work. Yes, an ax processes wood better but we are voting for a one knife solution.

 

[Psyop]

Voted Bk2 but probably would prefer Potbelly if only knife. Potbelly likes wood and can do detail work. Yes, an ax processes wood better but we are voting for a one knife solution.

Welcome to BFC and the best part of it the Becker forum!

 

[wolf-man-12]

It would be the BK9 & the Mora I have stitched on the front of it as with those two all bases would just about be covered.
( would probably sneak my Stillman Axe in there somehow.*)

 

[muddog15]

Matchax for me, my Necker is attached to the back of the sheath so it would be a two knife carry for me. I could do everything I needed to with just the Matchax but why would I.

 

[Ford1911]

Haven't found anything yet I can't conquer with this combo.

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I like the BK2 but I find the 9 more useful.

 

[Eero]

Bk9 hands down. But I'd probaby whittle myself a bk16 out of a chunk of wood because I'd miss it so much after a month away.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

I went RBK because it's the one I have the hardest time keeping out of my hands, followed very closely by the BK9.

 

[365KV]

BK2 because I have spent more time with it than any of my other Beckers. I like the size and I find it most versatile in the woods. I love my 9 but I just havent had a lot of experience with it or longer blades in general. I've processed a lot of wood with my campanion.

 

[H_Talon]

while I love the 9 ,, I'd take the #1 .. Brute !!! with dual pouch sheath



If I could add to it I'm sorry to say the other would be my custom neck knife
with fire drill bearing and fire steel ..



and if the second had to be a BK ..

it would be my 9's little brother the 17 (which I haven't stripped yet



but not being a BeckerHead , it's the best I can do LOLOLOLOLOLOL


Talon

 

[PatrickKnight]

I voted for the 12 for a couple of reasons. If this one cant get it done the 9 more than likely wouldn't either (I would not make this trip if an axe was not an option). I also like the tip on the 12 more than I do the 7 and the 9, and most importantly I feel more comfortable using this size blade for a 1 knife role than I do a larger one. I think a lot of people over look this fact but if you are better with a smaller knife than a larger one the smaller knife will do more simply due to your skill with it.

 

[woody_allen]

BK2 all the way. It will be easier to use for smaller tasks,and yet enough strong for hard core use.

 

[SideTracked]

If it was an unplanned survival situation, like I fell out of a plane (assuming I survived and everything was intact) and only had one knife or something to that effect, I'd opt for the bk4. Decent chopping and good as a draw knife, I think I could get a fire built and a shelter erected in no time for starters.

If this was a planned trip, I'd surely have a sturdy felling axe and my knife of choice would be either a 77 or a 24.