You win this round King

[Creaky Bones]

While at a picnic this past weekend, I was confronted with a dilemma that all Becker fans eagerly hope they someday face. We had a big ol' watermelon that needed slicing, and nobody had a big ol' knife. Except, of course me. So I wandered over to my truck, rumbled around in the toolbox, and came back with my BK9. We have a small group of families with young children that try to meet each weekend in a futile attempt to tire said children out. It never works, but it almost always includes me building a campfire and cooking lunch on it. I use the BK9 to split firewood. I'm reasonably sure I'm safe here in the Becker forum, but just in case there are some "knives aren't meant for splitting wood. Use an axe." people who read this, I bought the BK9 specifically for this purpose. Swinging an axe around while half a dozen or so 2-7 year old gremlins are darting around is flirting with disaster. Yes I know how to properly use an axe, and yes I still split wood with a knife. Deal with it. So back to the story at hand, I brought my BK9 back to slice the watermelon. It performed beautifully, and all of the other men at the picnic had knife envy. I did notice, however, that all of my previous wood splitting had taken a toll on the black coating. It was looking pretty rough, and I decided that I would rather have a stripped blade than black paint flecks in my watermelon, so that evening I took the king out to the shed for some upgrading. Worked like a charm, and the stripped blade underneath all that paint was in remarkable shape. I've stripped other blades before only to find some ugly stuff under those clothes. Here's how it looks now-

[/url] bk9 B by creakybonespics, on Flickr[/IMG]

All that beating through wood and banging around in my truck, and it looked even prettier naked. So I decided to let a natural patina develop over time. I grabbed some mineral oil and some paper towels, and gave it a nice light coat. One extra coat on the edge to make sure, and....the king made his move. I beat that knife through every piece of wood I could find at campfires, and unlike some other "choppers" the BK9 never flinched. I never sharpened the blade, mostly because I never could seem to dull it. And that beaten and banged on and stripped blade took that opportunity to fight back. The edge sliced through the bunch of paper towels and into my finger like...well, like a sharp knife through paper towels and a finger.

[/url] finger by creakybonespics, on Flickr[/IMG]

I tried to get the bandaid on before my wife discovered that I had cut myself again. I think she's starting to wonder why she allowed me to breed. But she saw the bloody paper towels, and gave me that "you are really a stupid man" look, and walked away.

So you win this round King. But this battle is far from over. See you next week at the campsite.

 

[Ray Settanta]

LOL. Good story and pics.

 

[OlDutch]

you won't find anyone here having a problem with you splitting wood with your 9, it's usually encouraged in Beckerland.

 

[Chameleonbear]

That is great! The meeting for kids, and splitting logs. Sucks about the slice, but it could have been worse. The king usually required the whole digit as sacrifice not just a scrape!

 

[bigghoss]

I think it's funny when guys get their panties in a wad over splitting and chopping wood with a knife and talking about "using the right tool for the job". Big knives like the BK9 and such are designed for chopping and splitting. The manufacturers know dang well what guys are doing with these things and they still honor the warranties if they break.

 

[acerpower]

I for one would never tell any grown man how he should chop his wood, or recommend an axe over a knife, but
I would especially never try to discourage someone from using the "king" of all knives for any task.

You definitely lucked out with your small self induced wound. I nicked my knuckle with a BK2 and needed 4 stitches.



If I was using a 9, I imagine I would have severed a limb.

 

[iwouldhurtafly]

I think it's funny when guys get their panties in a wad over splitting and chopping wood with a knife and talking about "using the right tool for the job". Big knives like the BK9 and such are designed for chopping and splitting. The manufacturers know dang well what guys are doing with these things and they still honor the warranties if they break.

and the big knife is/has typically lighter, sharper, more comfortable, more edge, etc etc... I use the heck out of my BK9 not because I am forcing myself too, or just because I want to, but because when I go to grab a tool to do some cutting the BK9 always seems like the best choice for my task. Sure I will grab a hatchet or machete every once in awhile but 9 times out of 10... the BK9 just jumps into my hand.

To the OP, that stripped 9 looks right at home in the woods, and its good you are getting the kids outdoors! Little toddlers are like cavemen, or mountain men, and they love to be outside in nature. at least I know my daughter is crazy for it. I feel you on the finger cutting... I havent cut myself bad since I was a teen.. and well... within the last week I sliced my pinky to the bone with a spey blade on my OT stockman... then cut my thumb pad in half with the BK15... the wife was not to happy either.... but it was all just bad luck...

 

[Doc_Savage]

you won't find anyone here having a problem with you splitting wood with your 9, it's usually encouraged in Beckerland.

Speak for yourself. Some of us think it is knife abuse.

BUT, if you bought it, you can treat / use it any way you want. Just don't ask for special laws, or privileges, or considerations, or demand that we have to accept it. This is the land of the free, enjoy yourself..

Heh heh heh, I crack me up...

Doc