Kabar or BK9?

[kayak-man]

I've decided that I'm finally going to get a good fixed blade for hiking/camping. I know that the 4-5 inch blade is the most utilitarian/practical, but I like the idea of something a bit longer, stronger, and better suited to use as a survival knife. I've narrowed it down to either a full size Ka Bar (USMC fighting knife or one of the variants) and the Becker BK9. I know that the longer blade (9") on the BK9 will allow me to batton through larger pieces of firewood, but the Ka Bar would be easier to carry, 2/3 of the weight, and its less expensive.

I feel like now would be a good point to point out that I do realize that Ka Bar now makes the BK9, and there is a BK7 (Why couldn't I have made it simple and chosen knifes from different companies?)

I know that a great big knife is not going to be the best for the more detailed wood carving side of wilderness use, but I would also carry a smaller SAK, CRKTM16, or a Leatherman multi-tool, that would be able to do the "small knife" tasks.

I was origanally pretty stoked about picking up a Becker, but the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking the Ka Bar might see more use, and be more useful as an "all-around" knife. Do you gues have any input? Is there anything that the BK9 will be able to do that the Ka Bar won't? Any experiance with either of them? Also, does anyone have any particular favorites in the Ka Bar line?

Finally, Either way, I'd like to get a sheath that has a pocket on it so I can keep a sharpener and metal-match/fire-starter with it all the time... can anyone point me in the right direction to look for such a sheath? (It looks like most of the BK9's come with one, but the Ka Bar doesn't.)

Thanks!

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[memphisjim]

i've never even handled the becker
but i do have a ka-bar i have the standard usmc fighting knife leather handle
if i were to do it all over again i would get the carbon blade with the zytel handle and sheath mix the old with the new its a great knife
both will probably handle anything you throw at them
the ka-bar is one of the most iconic knives out there and will win you friends and stories

 

[memphisjim]

on another note get the kabar and with the money saved get a glock field knife i have the one without the saw back it is the most indestructible knife ive come by

 

[kayak-man]

the ka-bar is one of the most iconic knives out there and will win you friends and stories

I know, and I have to admit, that is definately a + for me. I just remembered theres a place on my home from class tomorow that carries the Ka Bars, so I'll probably go check them out - which means that I'll probably go with that one


I've always liked the Ka Bars, but the Becker seems like it might be a bit more overkill, and I like overkill

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[memphisjim]

also look up mische metal sold at goinggear.com
it sparks better

 

[Gary G23]

Can't go wrong with the full size Ka-Bar. I like the Kraton G handle and the plastic sheath. You could probably attach a pouch onto the sheath fairly easily with paracord.

 

[feedthehogs]

A machete is a more utlitiarian tool than a knife while camping.

A proper sharpened 12" to 18" will do all a knife, axe, filet knife, pocket knife, etc will do in one package.

I've criss crossed the US on a Motorcycle and while I carry a small trapper, the machete has been invaluable and the only thing needed for wilderness and semi wilderness camping or hiking. never saw anyone clear a path with a 7" fixed blade.

That is unless ones style of camping is finding a full hookup for the motor home.

 

[IlikeSA]

I have the BK9 and it is an awesome knife. It is long though, which is what I wanted, and it is thick too. I don't think you would go wrong with either.

 

[kayak-man]

A proper sharpened 12" to 18" will do all a knife, axe, filet knife, pocket knife, etc will do in one package.

I have a machete, but it doesn't seem like it has the toughness necessary to do the axe work of chopping - when doing "axe type jobs" did you use it as a chopper, or baton it? Also, what would recomend for a "properly" sharpened machete?

Thanks one and all, for your input!

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[451 Detonics]

While there probably isn't anything wrong with taking a Rambo-esque knife camping I do know that a couple friends of mine that are Park Rangers see them as a sign that the bearer bears watching. (Much the same as people who enter wearing a full set of camos) They are not the type of tool anyone experienced in woodcraft would normally carry, especially something with a 8 inch plus blade. I managed a goodly portion of the Appalachian Trail with a 4 inch Mora and a Demo knife. On about half of the trails I also carried a Woodsman's Pal. The Woodsman's Pal served to dig fire pits, cat holes, was used to split wood and even on some sections was used as an impromptu climbing axe. It replaced shovel, machete, and hatchet.

 

[kayak-man]

Detonics,

Thanks for the heads-up! I've looked at the Moras and the ESEE 3 knives, along with a few other ones in that 3-4" length range, and I'm sure that one could get by using one of those for well over 90% of tasks. This (probably) wouldn't be my "Lets go out to Port Townsend for a day-hike" knife, so much as my "riding my bike to montana" or "I'm young and impressionable, and have been watching too much survivorman - I think I'll hike into the woods by my cousins cabin, and see how well I can 'survive' for three or four days with just a knife and my raingear" knife. This would surve much the same function as the woodsmans pal.

Hopefully, the Park Rangers will be astute to notice that the Ka-Bar is an inch under the 8 inch rambo knife requirement, and I will pass by them unmolested.

Based on the behavior of all the park rangers I've run into (proffessional, friendly, cheerful) I don't really mind if they are keeping an eye on me.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[Eric Draven]

You might be better suited having a CUSTOM KNIFEMAKER produce the knife you WANT rather than just trying to find a knife that fills your needs. I would guess that a Kayak'er (I have no clue if that what you guys are called...sorry if I got that wrong) has specific needs to his sport and his way of life. Some of those needs might not be filled by just any knife on the market. Just a thought.

 

[kayak-man]

Just thought I'd let you guys know:

I've decided I'm going to get the Ka-Bar, BUT I'm going to hold off for a while, and put my ammo towards ammo (maybe reloading?) until I can get back to working (maybe next month?)

Thanks for all the input though!

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[WeedWacker]

I have a Becker BK7 and K-bar Kukri. The Kukri is a fantastic machete and doesn't weigh much mroe than the 7 inch Becker. The Becker is a TANK!!! full tang with a bit extra to hang out the back side. With what I do with this in the woods I can only imagine what the big brother BK9 can do.

 

[Kentuckiana rifleman]

I like my experience with Ka-bar knives. I own two with the Army's seal on them.

 

[hso]

Why not pick the smaller Becker and get the benefits of the lighter weight with the more modern design? You're not going to need to baton though large pieces of wood for a fire just for your own comfort/survival so whacking a 6" log in half won't be needed.