I always choose big knife over hatchet And the reason is large predators Stabbing a bear with a big knife can get deeper than hitting it with a hatchet Thankfully I've never had to but I have camped in bear country alot
Nice vid. I really love the BK9. It was my first real knife when I just got into the hobby. It is outstanding in every way and you did a good job showcasing its capabilities 👍
In my area 🇨🇦 the lower dead limbs of spruce will poke your eyes out around a campsite if your not careful so we limb them for fire starter. The big blades do this well since hatchets can be tedious in this type of application due to bouncing off of thin branches and arm fatigue from slowing down the swing on easier cuts.. I use a Terava Skrama but the BK9 looks like it would perform as well.
Great review video, I also have the BK9 with an aftermarket kydex sheath that has a “possibles” pouch. But I also prescribe to the 5 tool rule in my pack which includes a folding saw, smaller “bushcraft” knife, pocket SAK and a tomahawk. These should be able to handle everything I need to do short of building a log cabin.
I love the patina on your bk9. It looks like a true stone wash finish. I too prefer my bk9 over a hatchet or any other big knife. I suppose because it's a lot lighter. Aside from having it in a kydex sheath, I keep mine stock. I keep a mini sirvival kit inside the Zytel handles. I got fishing line, hook, keyring, 13 match sticks & 2 striking pads, all plastic wrapped inside the handle for emergency purposes. I might modify the scales one day but I like how light the knife is just the way it is.
The BK9, always a solid choice for the big boy knives! I have one and gifted another to a buddy of mine who is a huge KaBar fanboy lol! He loves it, I love it, and I'm glad you're out having fun with it! The Cold Steel Trailmaster is my current default for a big blade, but recently I have been on a Khukuri kick. Loved this video man, keep them coming! Also, if you're looking for a nice sheath upgrade, check out Patriot Leather. They make some amazing custom leather sheaths if you're interested. Take care my friend!
I too have a Trail Master, in San Mai III ! It's an awesome knife, and certainly doesn't need the kind of modification that this BK9 required. With my TM I can do anything one could do with a hatchet, and a whole lot more besides, and it's easier to carry. [I had a leather sheath custom made for me by Rob Evans, in Wales, UK. Fantastic! ] With a Silky folding saw one can process just about any wood one would ever need. Enjoy your Trail Master! Cheers mate.
I have 3 CS trailmaster, one in aus 6, 2 in San mai vg1. One fallkniven thor, and one fallkniven modern bowie. And also recently got bk9. I think bk9 is a bit light for chopping..if it was a quarter pound heavier..would better. Wet green good, the trailmaster and fallkniven goes through that like butter. The bk9 lacks mass for powerful cuts. I'm doing yardwork and have mountains of wood to chop. I think for delimbing fruit trees..I used the fallkniven modern bowie this week. And my arms gets very tired. But that COS sharpness and being stainless too is other worldly stuff. Can go for while week without sharpening. But it is quite expensive..though prices are coming down. I got mine used..on ebay for 450 before taxes..after shipping and taxes close to 500..but if you need the best and use it a lot..I think is worth it. I got the second CS san mai trailmaster for 230 before tax. I think that one is the best bang for your buck. My original cold steel AUS 6 trailmaster isn't used as much as it loses it edge rapidly compared to vg1 or vg10. For light jobs is ok.
12:21 I'm also a SAK fan. You might want to look up the model called the Hercules! Awesome knife. Large knife v hatchet? Large knife by a country mile! The BK9 is quite a favourite for many, but it never really attracted my attention enough to actually buy one. Instead, I opted for the Cold Steel Trail Master (in San Mai III). One of the reasons was that it required NONE of the modifications you needed to do. The very thick spine ( 8mm/5/16ths) is a true 90degs, and scrapes a ferro-rod perfectly, out of the box. The 9 1/2 inch blade is similar length to the BK9, but has a true convex grind down to a zero edge, so incredibly tough. Chances of it becoming dull while out in the outdoors, even for extended periods, is highly unlikely. Even then, some light stropping in the workshop will bring it back to factory finish in no time. In a controlled test (ie verified and live on video) they used a TM to cut a 1 1/2 inch hemp rope, and after over 1 000 cuts, they ran out of rope! They then clamped the blade in a vice and using a scale, demonstrated bending the blade up to 40degs from the vertical without breaking. They needed a 4 ft pipe to develop the necessary leverage! Check out the video on RU-vid. So, yeah I also am a big knife fan! Decades ago I made myself a Bushwhacker (ref) style knife out of 6mm Bohler N690 steel and have used it extensively over that period, but the TM is in a whole different league! Enjoy your knife! Cheers mate!
Awesome knife, really nice patina and great surroundings. Sorry to hear they are tearing down the area for construction, it seems to be happening everywhere.
Really enjoyed this BK9 review. Very well done and you have the perfect demeanor and presentation personality. My BK7 is always close at hand and it really is as big a knife as I need. Like you , I love big knives and this vid fanned the hots for a BK9 I have been trying to ignore for a long time. Nothing wrong with owning one just because I want to . No need to apologize for the traffic noise , some of my favorite channels have the same. New subscriber here, thanks for another great channel and review.
I have a BK9 and it is a great knife. Can do lots of things. But I still carry a hatchet/tomahawk, or small axe. Because they are better for pounding things, like tent stakes. I've made a leather sheath for mine. Its not the best, but it works. Stay safe.
Bk9 is one knife I’ve always wanted but never got… I have 2 Esse 6’s.. but most recent and go too purchase I made and love is my full custom Architect Field Buddy 6.5.. it’s basically a saber ground Esse 6.. tad longer and a bit heavier.. gonna be pretty tough to beat this one in my opinion..!! Your BK9 looks pretty sick..!!
I believe a knife is safer than a hatchet. I own 2 beckers and really like them but would not choose them for a true survival situation. The reason being the skeletal tang. While I know beckers have a small %age of breakage I personally just don’t fully trust skeletal tangs
Great Look At a Great Blade Swish ...I'll get a new video up of my BK9 even if I just talk about it the weather has been shit lately here lol cheers bro and be safe out there ! ;:;; Spook
@@Swish82 Thank you! I'm glad you're digging the knife by the way. I've been eyeing the BK7 for quite some time, and always intrigued with the BK9 as having that little extra.
@@Swish82 As I understand it, when they break it's just inside the handle where the tang has been weakened by the removal of metal. I don't understand why they do this, the weight reduction is surely minimal compared to the rest of the knife and I expect that the balance isn't affected that much. I'd've likely saved some money and gone for a Becker but for this; I shelled out for an ESEE instead.
@James Sherburn been rocking the BK9 for a year now. I've beat this thing to death, and she's still going strong. The Esee handles are too big in my hands. Just doesn't feel right to me, but that's just my personal preference, of course.
A hatchet is better for cold weather. It has more metal and a softer Rockwell to battle breaking. Best to keep your knife warm to prevent breakage. That's one of my bug out knives. Bk 9 is a must have. Junglas or Junglas 2 is another one. All these knives are @ss wupin knives
You call that a knife? Kind of like a sword unless you're 6'9" 250 like the Viking here. You could take down a rabid grizzly bear with that planet sized slab of steel
