Why no squared spine on Beckers?

T

timbo813

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Jun 24, 2014
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231
It seems many survival experts like to have a square spine on their knives to scrape ferro rods with. Why don't any of the Becker line have that? It would fit right in on something like the BK16.
 
My 16 has a squared spine. I just had to have it put there.

The survival peeps I know all adjust their spines even if it comes squared. A popular option is to roll the corner of the spine over (basically creating a thick burr) making a sharper edge for the ferro rod.

As for the Beckers, even if the spine was squared, the coating would still round off the corners. So it just doesn't seem to be a priority for sales, but a couple of easy mods fixes the problem.
 
Cost? Because the blade is coated? That'd be my guess.

I figure the same reason the grind marks are still there under the coating - costs extra time and money for details like that. Easy enough fix for it though; only takes 5 mins or so with a file. I put a small crescent shaped divot on my 16 just before the jimping with a dremmel when I first got it. Worked great when I had the coating still on.
 
I am not sure it would be worth it to Becker. I personally would not like it, and I am not sure that many others would. Maybe they could offer it as a service?
 
I squared the pommel on my bk2...throws sparks easily and didn't create a sharp spine where I put my thumb.
 
Aikiguy said:
Cost? Because the blade is coated? That'd be my guess.

I figure the same reason the grind marks are still there under the coating - costs extra time and money for details like that. Easy enough fix for it though; only takes 5 mins or so with a file. I put a small crescent shaped divot on my 16 just before the jimping with a dremmel when I first got it. Worked great when I had the coating still on.
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a truly squared spine is something a user can do, as you say. if you use one for such things, it's going to need touching up, like an edge would, so, "user's job"

the spines generally are pretty square to begin with. easy job.
 
I am the type that has to have a squared spine on my knives. I have no issue with the fact that beckers don't come like that from the factory though, it keeps the cost down, and since it's a high carbon steel, people who don't use it don't have to worry about maintaining the steel at that spot.

Every time I buy a Becker I remove the coating from the spine, and square it, I personally prefer a wheel to a flat file though - it provides a slight concavity to the grind making the corners very sharp for my ferro rod as well as wood scrapings, it holds the edge there well too.
 
I always though the small choil between the blade and the plunge line/ricasso/guard was for dragging ferro rods. Square that part up. At least, that's what I've been using.
 
Bobby3326 said:
I squared the pommel on my bk2...throws sparks easily and didn't create a sharp spine where I put my thumb.
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Yes, I do the same spot when I can. Otherwise I just file wherever it would be the most functional.
 
Ausseknifeknut said:
I guess some ppl just aren't happy with what they get no matter how much value for money a knife is.
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Or, viewed another way, those who love their Becker Knives want to make theirs truly theirs.

Me, I'm happy with the way they come from the factory but I did strip my 15 and add SS hardware to my 5 just so the others don't pick on me.:rolleyes:
 
What I meant mate was that most ppl buy beckers to mod them. They are already a very good value for money , so complaining they don't have a squared spine seems a bit much. That was all I meant .
 
Ausseknifeknut said:
What I meant mate was that most ppl buy beckers to mod them. They are already a very good value for money , so complaining they don't have a squared spine seems a bit much. That was all I meant .
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I wasn't trying to complain. I love my beckers (4, 14 and 15). I just think a squared spine would be a nice addition on some of them. I recently watched a review of a different (cheaper) brand that supposedly can be used on a ferro rod even with the coating still in place. I know it's not a hard mod, but you can't keep the coating intact if you do it.
 
I squared the spine on my 16, but usually use the striker the came with the rod or make one from a old recipicating saw blade.
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
I always though the small choil between the blade and the plunge line/ricasso/guard was for dragging ferro rods. Square that part up. At least, that's what I've been using.
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That wasn't put there for a ferro rod thou it may work. The actual purpose of it is for sharpening, that way your stone can make contact on the entire edge.

I think the whole craze that every knife must strike a ferro rod is a lil ridiculous. How hard is it to carry a striker? When I look at knives a square spine is on the bottom of my list of things I care about.
 
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I see. I carry a striker with me as well, and will use that to. Of course, I have been known to use the file blade of my leatherman, which works awesomely.
 
I could be wrong but another thing that might determine if a knife will come with a sharp spine is heat treat. Some knives being differentially heat treated the spine is too soft for continually striking a ferro rod. I've seen several people complain that after filing the spine on there tops bob that after a few strikes it would no longer work.
 
Bobby3326 said:
I could be wrong but another thing that might determine if a knife will come with a sharp spine is heat treat. Some knives being differentially heat treated the spine is too soft for continually striking a ferro rod. I've seen several people complain that after filing the spine on there tops bob that after a few strikes it would no longer work.
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That's an odd thing. Of course, in thinking about it, would build up of material/sparked residue in the area being used be a factor in that result?
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
That's an odd thing. Of course, in thinking about it, would build up of material/sparked residue in the area being used be a factor in that result?
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Would probably have to been used many many times to result in any type build up to cause it not to work...plus a quick wipe would remove atleast 95% of any residue. If the steel is softer due to differential heat treat the ferro rod would be harder and result in it dulling the sharpened spine.
 
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