Reddit reviews Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife

I have several KA-BARs and love them all.

I love this one for camping: https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-Combat-Bowie-Fixed/dp/B001IPKL7I

This one is always in my car (next to a small KA-BAR tanto, and SOG hatchet): https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-200038-BK3-Becker-Tool/dp/B001IPILMA

Fixed Link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IPKL7I/

> Those poles are for comfort - keep the bivy and bugs off your face. I bet you can still use that bag without the poles just fine.

For condensation also. If you don't get the fabric away from your face and allow some breathing space for moisture to pass through the Pertex membrane, the inside will gradually get wetter, which will make your sleeping bag colder. It probably would have been OK though.

> I guess keeping track of where you're going with a compass and map is the thing to do

Had a trail map and compass as always. Also a pedometer, so I knew how far in/back I was independent of the GPS. Was just following the trail blazes and signs until the weather turned bad. No issues with navigation until then. It was a unique situation for me. The trail disappeared behind me, and the small flashlight I had (batteries match the GPS, on purpose) lit up the ground in front of me but was not bright enough to search the trees 30' away looking for the dark blue blaze plates. Never thought I needed to be able to see 30' before. I've taken a better flashlight on a couple trips since then. Thankfully, I had set a waypoint at the parking area to help me find it driving on the way in. But I always have a GPS and set a waypoint at the trailhead anyway.

My point was it's a mistake to arbitrarily tell people they are not True Survivalists^^© if they take a GPS (or tent). They're cheaper than a BK9 (especially if you already have a drawer full of survival knives and axes) and could save your life. This is not Dungeons and Dragons. Having a GPS ≠ being the kid who says he has a 44 magnum in his pocket when the orcs attack.

Can’t go wrong with OKC for the price. Another option might be a Becker BK9.

https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-Combat-Bowie-Fixed/dp/B001IPKL7I

They’re both made from one of the standard “big knife” steels, but I can assure you that the BK9 is as tough as they come. My buddy’s has seen hard use year after year and the edge it still pristine. It’s all about the heat treatment and both companies have their proprietary method. For my money, I just think the Bowie shape is much better suited to daily chores as opposed to a kukri design, which was primarily for combat.

Anyway, just my 2¢.

As far as axes or hatchets go, the best you'll find are generally hand-made and typically aren't any cheaper than $100. The Fiskars will work just fine for standard home use, however.

+1 for ESEE knives, they are fantastic products. If you want a cheaper full-tang fixed blade knife that can hold its own against ESEE or other very expensive knives, check out any of the Becker BK knives, made by Ka-Bar.

I had a Cold Steel Kukri (which isn't very good, if you're looking for a solid, inexpensive Kukri, get the Ka-Bar) and once I got my Becker BK9 I never pick it up anymore. The BK9 is smaller than a Kukri, but still has plenty of chopping power and weight behind it. The 1095 steel holds an edge very well. I've done some chopping where I was regularly hitting dirt and rocks, and the edge was still hair-shaving sharp when I was done. Throw in some Micarta Handles and a Kydex Sheath and your knife is going to last a very long time.

In general, the more you spend on a knife or axe, the better it's going to be. Obviously there are exceptions, but cheap knives are cheap because they usually use cheap steel, cheap coatings, they aren't full tang, and a number of other features that you'll only find in the $50-$70 range.

I was going to say Esee is a good starting point. My personal favorite are Survive! knives. https://surviveknives.com/

They're just very hard to get.

From more mass-produced stuff on the lower end:

https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-Combat-Bowie-Fixed/dp/B001IPKL7I/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=BK-9&qid=1565302535&s=gateway&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Becker-Campanion-Fixed-Blade/dp/B001N1DPDE/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=BK-9&qid=1565302535&s=gateway&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Ontario-8604-RAT-7-Knife-Tan/dp/B0013AW8D8/ref=sr_1_30?crid=18LHTWFQCW6Y3&keywords=rat+knife+ontario&qid=1565302569&s=gateway&sprefix=rat+knife%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-30

https://www.amazon.com/TOPS-Knives-Brothers-Bushcraft-Handle/dp/B004GAM1UC?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_9741493011

Higher end is a toss up between a lot of small batch and completely custom-made knives.

I go here for most of my knife info: https://www.bladeforums.com/

:)

Get him something like this. Nice and light/easy to handle.

In all seriousness though, some kind of Victorinox would be good, maybe the Classic

If you have a smaller knife for camp chores such as carving, food prep, fishing and lighter duties, you may want to check out the Becker BK9 as a heavy use blade that you can baton with.

I have the knife if you will provide the cow

https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK9-Combat-Bowie/dp/B001IPKL7I

I have many kinds of knives, lots of "tactical" knives and many purely utilitarian knives, one or 2 survival knives. edit: [here is old pic of collection] (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yOMApkrgJ-w/UPHWyQ5F7AI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/4a9gnq5rzMA/s640/2013-01-12%252014.33.15.jpg) I got the kershaw cryo and skyline and crkt m21 since then.

I have not but I have heard good things of them

A knife you have. and a strong knife with a good steel whether soft or hard (which ever you like better and is better for style of knife). there is a lot that goes into a survival knife so I will give some examples, [1] (http://www.amazon.com/Ontario-8628-RTAK-Knife-Green/dp/B001DZV3BG/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1375494728&sr=8-10&keywords=esee+6) [2] (http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK9-Combat-Bowie/dp/B001IPKL7I/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1375494759&sr=8-5&keywords=becker+knife) [3] (http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Master-Kraton-Handle/dp/B001PYUL0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375494784&sr=8-1&keywords=cold+steel+trailmaster) [4] (http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Black-Kraton-Handle/dp/B0030DBGXY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375494815&sr=8-2&keywords=cold+steel+srk).

I dont know much about leatherman to be honest. but for me I would go with the surge, but the super tool 300 looks much stronger and more heavy duty.

Thirstyone has the cons of that blade covered, I think. So heres some other options.

You could go with a BK2 or a BK7 over this. The BK9 is an option but it's on the large side.

Straying away from Ka-bar You could go with an ESEE Izula.

Depends on what you want to use it for.

The Canopy is thicker out to the tip, giving it more heft for chopping. It is, IMO, the better tool of the two. The Warrior is designed more as a fighter, and so has a lighter, more manoeuvrable (and more fragile) tip. The false edge on the spine isn't really ideal for work, but it'll still get the job done. Both are made from 8Cr13MoV, which is a pretty decent but not exceptional stainless. Overall, decent knives and reasonably priced at $40-50 (Amazon). Both are full tang AFAIK and so should be quite tough.

If you can afford to stretch to around $70, you might want to take a look at the Ka-Bar Becker BK9. Similar size (9 inch blade), full tang, thicker stock (.250 inches IIRC), and significantly better steel (1095). 1095 is a carbon steel, which means you have to be a little be more careful to avoid rust compared to 8Cr13MoV, but it's also quite a bit tougher.

If you mostly intend on doing more 'knife' tasks (slicing, cutting thin limbs, brush), the Canopy might be a slightly better choice, being the cheaper and lighter option. If you want a real chopper, I'd go with the Becker.

A Spyderco Military
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP36GPE/spyderco-c36gpe-military-folding-knife-s30v-satin-plain-blade-black-g10-handles

A Benchmade Contego
https://www.knifeworks.com/best-selling/benchmade-contego-810-1401-3-9-in-m390-stainless-blade-plain-edge.html

A Varusteleka Terava Skrama
https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/terava-skrama-carbon-steel/30189?gclid=CjwKCAjw6vvoBRBtEiwAZq-T1d5uNsQfQiYZZF3_IMTAYXt95L0MML6Hgc7pwsw6j4rTbLhIYC2EpxoCTT4QAvD_BwE

A Varusteleka Terava Jaakaripuukko
https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/terava-jaakaripuukko-carbon-steel/56524

Spyderco Sprig
http://www.nationalknives.com/spyderco-sprig-fb37ggrp-fixed-blade-knife-4-25-plain-edge-blade-forest-green-g-10-handle-sheath/

Spyderco Southfork
Out of production, but one of my favorite models. Unfortunately they are pricey even used.

Ontario Rat I
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ontario-RAT-Model-1-Liner-Lock--36924

Becker BK9
https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-Combat-Bowie-Fixed/dp/B001IPKL7I

Becker BK5
Out of production, but one of my favorite models. Unfortunately they are pricey even used.

Then the Ka-Bar/Becker BK9 Combat Bowie sounds right up your alley.

I looked at that, but it's only an inch longer than his current one. I might consider upping the budget and getting the BK9 because is has the 1095 steel. However the Big Brother is cheaper and also has the better steal. But does he need an over-sized marine fighting knife for processing deer? I don't know. I think a blade over 6" is impractical for meat processing, but that's what he wants.

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK9-Combat-Bowie/dp/B001IPKL7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398719025&sr=8-1&keywords=bk-9

Ok one thing about knives is that they are tools and just like tools you get what you pay for. I camp and hunt quite a bit and these two will be all you need. The BK9 for chopping, cutting, hacking, spliting, hammering, and all other sorts of camping needs. Use the Remora if you need to skin something or do some fine wood work such as notch making or anything else of the sort.

You're looking for a good knife for batonning? Look here. Granted, it's not terribly great at doing some other things.

Personally, I have an ESEE 4 that can handle batonning, and is a little more nimble.