I love my BK-9! I've taken it with me everywhere. I made a water buffalo leather sheath for it. It's always a part of my camping/hiking gear. It's an awesome tool for the outdoors and if I could have only one knife,it would be my BK-9. Great video. Peace on the path.
Have had my BK9 for a few years now. Your video was one I watched before purchase, Thank-you. I have put this knife through hell. Batoned and chopped with this knife at full force many times thinking it's going to break, but never has. I would recommend it as your primary bush/canoe trip carry.
Yep....You talked me into buying this guy, clicked the "Buy" button last night. I need to quit watching your videos....My safe is almost full! :) Thanks for the great, non biased videos you put out, always enjoy them.
Finally got off the fence and bought one. Can't wait to test it out. I think it will be a good addition to my collection and very useful in years to come. Thanks for the good review. I watched many reviews and read a lot and this seems to fit the bill.
I also have a Bk-7 and love it to death. I had to beg my dad to let me buy it for "Scouts" back when I was like 14 in 04, glad I have one of the originals. I wanna BK-9 or the Campanion next. Really want both though but I think I paid like $60 for my BK 7!
I stripped and polished mine and clamped it in a vise and took an angle grinder to the thumb ramp until it was flat, just be sure to cool the blade with water every few seconds while grinding. Finished it off with black micarta scales and a kydex sheath. Its in my top 5 favorite big knives of all time.
I have a BK9. It is a Peterbuilt truck in a world of 1/2 ton pickups! I love this brute but....I found that a 11" Kukri Machete is more practical tool for the whimpy cutting/camping that I do. It seems that the length of a Kukri makes batoning, cutting, and trimming easier. When I used my BK9 for making feather sticks, it was like using a D9 Caterpillar to deliver pizzas. I keep my BK9 because it is a helluva tool! If I need to someday defend myself out in the woods, I want my Kukri in one hand and the BK9 in the other. This knife will NEVER break!
Great review on the BK-9. I was more interested in the smaller BK-7, but after watching your review, I may change my mind and go with a bigger blade. I already have several knives with 5" to 7" blades that will do what the BK-7 will do, but I don't have any knives that will keep up with the BK-9. I do a lot of camping and have always carried a 14" Gerber Sport Axe which is great for camp, but it's a little heavy and awkward to carry in my pack when hunting. I believe the BK-9 will fill that void. As far as the handle is concerned, I have a few Ranger bands I can wrap around it for a little extra grip. I may still later on get a BK-7 just to have in my collection.
This is the model that I (and many others) judge all 8.5"+ blades by... It's more like a small carving/camping knife, hit with gamma rays till it reached Bowie size. It won't chop or split the best (Ontario's sp 51, 53, CS Trailmaster, some Condors, Tops, Esse, and Bussekin will beat it in those departments) but in my opinion, it's THE BEST compromise between finer "bushcrafty" stuff, and hard use chopping and batoning available in a production knife. And like any large hunk of sharp steel, it's a nasty "we're not buying your brand of crazy here at our campsite" knife. :) Great video Aaron! :)
Brother once again you have done an awesome video! Thanks for your input on an awesome knife! I'm super excited to take mine up into the woods at the cabin and put it through its paces!
I think big knives like the BK9 really shine as one tool options. If I am carrying something small, like one of my TOPs HOG 4.5, then I will carry a CRKT Kangee T-hawk as my heavy duty option. Carrying a big knife, like the OKC Spearpoint Bowie or the Becker BK-9 allows you to simplify your loadout to a single tool. You don't get quite the chopping power of the tomahawk or quite the finesse of the small knife, but you do get a jack of all trades that does everything okay and makes a lot of logistical sense on long trips where weight is at a premium.
Just received my bk9 today. Great deal from ebay. Cant wait to chop with it. I have 1 aus 6 trailmaster, 2 san mail trailmaster, 1 fallkniven tor, 1 fallkniven modern bowie. And a bunch of mtech 151 trailmaster clone. Weight feels about the same as trailmaster. Blade geometry is thinner, so should sink into wood pretty good.
I gave it to a friend he doesn't use it much after that experience I take 3 cutting tools in the woods A battle horse knives bushcrafter a gransfors bruks small forest axe and a silky gomboy 210. As there is no one tool option. In my opinion the key to a good life is redundancy...
Buck Hoodlum and SurviveKnives GSO 10.1 are my preferred big blades, but this is a good one too. Just doesn't have the superior ergos and steel of the other ones.
The '9' is nice, but I find it too much knife for me... It's more of a mini-machete. I prefer the BK7. I find it (along with my Bahco saw) meets all my bushcraft and camptask needs.
I luv my BK-9 and my BK-10 Combo, but the the other day it was like Christmas in Feb. One day last week I got my first Leuku which is also has a 9" blade I got it from Ragweed Forge and Jim the owner use to forge knives and is very knowledgeable to talk to about knives and sells alot of Scandinavian knives at great prices and he's here in New York I also got another smaller Leuku this one is 5" and is a Sandvik Stainless 12c27 Stromeng use carbon in 7" and up and stainless in their smaller knives because the Saame People live by the Leuku and women and children use them too, in the afternoon the brown truck came and my Rodent 6 came from the Swamp Rat Custom Shop I had it thinned down and the top gaurd taken off and now it look's like a beefy Ratmandu, for a 6" blade and as much as I luv the BK-9 my new Rodent 6 compares to the BK-9 but as a chopper/survival knife for the money is still king, although the balance and the weight of my new Rodent 6 is becoming my favorite 6" blade, very few video's do as good of a knife review as you guys do, so far you show cased three of my chopper/survival knives this one the BK-9, the Gen2 SP-53, and the SP-51, even though I luv my Busse Anneversary Straight Handle Battle Mistress LE and my Sarge 7, and my Rodent 9 and Rodent 7, but I'm also finding out my Rodent Rucki is a great bush knife it's a great machete, that has a choil and I don't have to go and grab a smaller knife to complete the job I can also baton with it, great review on one of my favorite knives for the money, I always look forward to see your knife videos, Thank You Aaron.
Nice video. I bought the after market sheath from Kabar, and it too was junk. The retention strap wouldn't even close around the handle. I thought this sheath would let me hold an edge longer (the original sheath will take off some of the edge) but it was such junk that I gave up on it. Kabar needs to get their sheath quality up to snuff.
Just discovered the velcro'ed loop when you mentioned it in the video, haha. Man, have had the knife for years and didn't know. Great video! Just used mine to process our Christmas tree.
I'm glad I ran into this video again, first of all I wish you a Very Happy Holiday, and I like a ramp on my knives too, I just place my thumb over the ramp, just like what Bark River Knives suggest, that's where I found that info, but I still luv my choil's for thatvreason, a choil allows me to handle a large knife much easier, even on my smaller blades like my Rodent 4, it's like two knife sizes in one, but even on my Rodent Rucki, it has a choil, and it's 15 1/2" blade, it really helps control it with ease for such a long blafe, but the Becker BK-9 is one of the better knife design's out there, Thanx again.
Good Video Man ! It took me Literally years to purchase the BK9?? I own several Big "Woods" Blades, as I Like to call Them. I Own The GSO10 By Survive Knives,The RTAK ll, A 1980s Cold Steel TrailMaster among others, and I put the Capability Of the BK9 right up there with the aforementioned Blades.I got a good deal on Amazon and actually bought Two BK9s. There are so many positive reviews on the toughness of this blade that one can feel confident with it in the outdoors.My Old TrailMaster still remains My favorite of all. But the BK9 is becoming a very close second.Thanks for another Great review !
Just ordered mine. Question....Yes, as i've been watching all these Videos on the BK7 and 9...i thought i understood that it was a 'Sabre Grind...and that, THAT shape is superior to Flat. however...in my Amazon Order description...it's saying its a Flat Grind?.... what gives?....so the question is....are there 'Various Grind Options' belonging to these BK's...( specifically the 7 and 9, say?) One Video telling that, the Sabre grind has a stronger Tip. Well Crap...i hope mine ( if it's Flat) won't give me any problems. just 'two-day'd it'... so i should have 'In hand...by Wed. Or Thur. this week. ( it's currently 10-9) Excited! and can't wait to get it! Nice Beastly Bushcraft Bitch of a Tool, all told.
Quality testing. Love your enthusiasm....because it's not blind enthusiasm...more like credit where credit's due kind of an approach. I've had the bk2 for years and I've barely used it. Got the gso5 but I didn't want to use it in case its value jumped up which it has so now selling it (plus worried about field sharpening difficulty). And I like the little tops scandi and bk16 as I actually use them practically as small and medium knives that are very light so the bk9 is going to complete me. I have an axe...fiskars. but I think large knives are so much more versatile...and FUN! :) and there's always that looming Zombie Apocalypse as an excuse to carry a modern day Roman Gladius on the pack.
I really enjoy watching your videos, the BK-9 is one of my fav's I enjoy large knives although I have other nice knives in all sizes, but my choppers I really enjoy because their hard working maybe that's why, I don't have alot of them but here are my fav's the BK-9, SP-51, SP-53, Fox Hitam Golok, Bark River Golok, H.I. M-43 Khukuris in two sizes, Cold Steel Kukuri Plus in O-1, C.S. Trailmaster San Mai late 80's vintage, Woodsman Pal Leather Handle, Busse Anneversary Straight Handle Battle Mistress LE, Busse Nuclear Meltdown Fussion Steel Heart, Stromeng KS-9, Rodent 9, Ka-Bar Swabbie, Ka-Bar Zomstro all these choppers I pair off with smaller knives, so far in familiar area's my go to Survival Knife would be my Rodent 9 all all around weight, application, versatility it's a light weight that punches like a heavy weight, but now in the summer a long knife is the best IMO so my Rodent Rucki shines and my 1knife carry go to is my Mod. Rodent 6 which I pair off with my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet or my Voyager Tomahawk and my Wicked Tough Saw, my multi tool I like the Leatherman Charge TTi, too heavy, and it gets too hot to carry a load, but stuff still happens so like Mors Kochanski suggests a strong knife in his book, but don't get me wrong I still like taking my BK-9 out its a good one.
Say Heah Aaron, If you like large knives (Bowies) The Limited Edition might be for you. This L.E. is staring the BK-29 Moses Bowie. It comes with the BK-5 and the Snody SnskeCharmer that's a Integral Designed E.D.C. or Neck Knife, its made out of S35Vn Stainless Steel with a Karambit Ring Pommel. The Snody fell right into my lap for my neck knife for my new Bush Craft Trio I decided to make. I uses my a2Hawks Warbeast Tomahawk with some knives like my Black G-10 3V Bravo 1 and my Ratmandu with the black micarta handle, But I didn't have a specific knife to say this set is. Well that all changed when I bought my GNS in the Coyote Black Mountain G-10 handle, Well but anyhow, yeah, the BK-29 Moses dwarfs your BK-9, Its a Big'Man, yeah Its almost a 11" blade and a 1/4" thick. So you could be the first to review it. Besides, I don't know how many Kits were made, The first Limited edition only 450 Kits were made and that's it.,,.
The 9 is better because you can protect yourself a little better against animals, you can chop better and omit an axe and you can baton more width. I like the feel of the bk7 but with a bahco laplander you can cut standing deadwood and baton with the bk9 and chop too. That and either a mora companion, bk 16, or tops bob you are good to go. Ill say this though. I have a bk7, esee6, rat 7 for the midsize knives. If i had to trust my life to one of those it would be the bk 7. I think the architect 6.5 is the bk7 equal. Its kind of thick but not like the bk2. Its a sabre grind but has the micarta and finger choil like the esee. I might buy it but im into big knives
Great review brother. One of your best yet! Bk9 is now on my shopping list. Also, what kind of chest pack are you rocking in that vid? Looks pretty comfortable and convenient.
Great review, thanks Man. love all my Beckers. I have the Bk 3, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17, and a few more. The BK 9 & 7 are my favorites along with the BK17. Like my clip points the best.
This was Kabar's answer to the Top's Tom Brown Tracker 1 and it's awesome vs a $300 knife that is awkward and impossible to sharpen. I wonder if Swamp People use it skinning gators in Florida. MSK-1 Survivalist is $300 and its an exact copy of this Ka-Bar Warthog. MSK-1 came up with $150-$200 version and this a great suvivalist knive for $60.
The micarta scales you can buy for the bk 9 really add to it. The bk 9 is a great knife, but I given the choice I would take a well made parang instead. Still, for the money it's an amazing knife.
I really have a hard time between taking my Stromeng Leuku KS-9 and my Ka-Bar BK-9 both are awesome knives, Lars Munson when he crossed Canada on a solo Trakk, the Stromeng KS-9 Leuku was his knife of choice , but for what I do in the bush, I favore the BK-9 because on the small stuff I baton with my knife more than Lars did his, he used his axe more. and the Leuku is a stick tang, but alot of guy's told me from tgeir experience that a properly tempered stick tang was very strong, but like Dave Canterbury said he doesn't trust them because he wouldn't want one to break just when he needed it the most. who knows right, I still think my BK-9 is much stronger, and I agree with you Aaron, I have my Bk-9 paired off with my BK-10, or the BK-16 and or with my BK-14 that with slabs adds another demension to the BK-14.
From the perspective of a user, not a collector, looking at my proven and trustworthy Becker K-Bar 9, coat-stripped, with added Micarta grips, and a custom made Kydex sheath, am asking why wanting another knife, what for, ever?
Good review, I appreciate your no nonsense approach to reviews. Most youtube reviewers are biased toward one company or another. I do not see that with you. Do you have any experience with Boker products? Thank you for time and effort put into these videos.
I've got the money burning a hole in my pocket. Got to decide it's almost spring. Going to pair which ever one i decide on with a B.O.B, thanks to your review.
I have a stupid question... instead of putting the blade up against your leg to save energy, why not just drive the knife into a stump with the blade facing away from you? You can then hold the handle and just slide the stake past the edge. Much easier in my opinion.
The sheath shown in the video is still an improvement over the original sheath which was not MOLLE compatible and had a closed belt loop, which required you to loosen/remove your belt to take it off.
Thomas Leary My understanding is it was a marketing decision. You still get a useful sheath without a lot of added expense.....the trend is everyone wants custom sheaths. For what you get, the price is excellent....these Beckers are outstanding quality...each one of my packs has a large knife on it. Most of them are Becker's.
In my opinion you have one of the best knife channels I ask for opinions sometimes and i get what you recommend and i am the most happy with the spyderco manix 2 lightweight and i like how you reply. Also is it worth picking up a bk7
I luv my BK-9, but what I find, is if I put my thumb over the ramp, I get great results whittling, Bark River suggest's this with the Ramped Bravo 1, most put their thumb on the back of the ramp, to me that's awkward, so I just stretch my thumb over it, and blip blap blam I'm in bussiness.
I always felt the BK-9 vibrated on hits (due to the thin 3/16" stock, perhaps because this is combined with a sabre grind to add blade weight)... I find sabre hollow grinds are better for the "softness" of the hits: The initial impact is diffused upward. Plus, on a hollow grind, the wood pinches away from the edge, so the hollow grind edge is actually not fragile at all to lateral loads, even if the edge is thinner. The sabre grind shoulders do bind on deep straight-through cuts (cutting all around is a helpful option), but I still find the softness of the hits is a big deal on long term use. Hollow grinds also perform small tasks better from being thinner edged and easier to sharpen.
jman Here in Alaska on remote river trips and float hunting for Moose. Fly-out wilderness w/ no roads and no pulling over to replace less than great proven equipment. I also practice routinely with work + recreation around the house...to some more woodsy than a typical urban setting on the mountainside. This blade is a great multi-tasker!!!
Has anyone ever had a bk9 break? I just bought one today and took it home to process some kindling by batoning and after about the fifth bit of timber I discovered about a 7 to 8mm scolop out of the center of the blade right on the cutting edge. Did I buy a dud knife or does it just not like dry Australian gum tree? The pieces i was splitting was only about 100mm circumference or 4 inches. It was so hard to get one in Australia and it died on first use. I'm absolutely gutted.
Would anyone be willing to chime in regarding their experiences as regards a comparison of the Junglas versus the BK-9? My Junglas has served me well...very well, indeed, but the BK sounds like it is also a great product. I carry a 3 knife system, having been taught that he who carries one knife carries none, etc. The BK-9 might just be the back-up I'm looking for!?
Aaron, How'dyou do, I have a serious question, and I really enjoy watching your video's on my favorite's the ○====}::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;>, and you reviewed both, which one would you say is the better chopper, and most useful tool in a bush/survival situation, the Becker BK-9, or the O.K.C. GEN2 SP-53, I have both, and the SP-53 doesn't seem to get the credit it deserves, but I will value your opinion, Thank You in advance for your answer.
paulie 4x When it comes to batoning and chopping the SP-53 wins hands down, but as an all purpose tool I would say the BK9 is my favorite. It can do the finer work alot easier and better then the SP-53. That is why I kept the BK9 and gave my buddy the SP-53. Thanks for your support!
I totally understand the testing you are doing here,and showing what this blade can do.But can we agree that this size blade should be paired up with a smaller blade for utility tasks? I want one of these but damn,where is the kydex!?!
+gideonstactical have you ordered the becker bk20 bowie? They just came out with them last night and are producing a total of 450. Go check it out on bladeforums! When you order it it also comes with a discontinued bk 4 and bk 5... I imagine that they are almost out so if you want one of these sets id advise you act fast.. Ive ordered mine and id love to see a gideons tactical review of the bk20 bowie
Now, here is a fight of the lifetime, a lightweight goes up against a heavyweight, and in this corner at 3/16th's" thick against in this corner at a 1/4" thick WoW what a battle, Oh Yeah, the BK-9 vs. the SP-51. How awesome would that be, a first Aaron, yup a first. By Paul'ie Fight Premotions. heh heh heh
Got my bk9 in the mail yesterday broke in half on the third hit from a piece of pine as my baton. On the first piece of pine I tried to baton. Right down the middle. My buddie was laughing at me as his bk2 kept on truckin. Fluke I don't think so plenty of other people had the same problem Google it. I bought the bk9 because of this review. Don't buy a bk9 knife for chopping or batoning. Get a indestructible BK2!!
The nylon sheath is very crappy like what you said, go to armorsheath.com they make the Kydex sheath for Bk9 which is extremely sturdy and hold the blade pretty tight
