Becker BK16: Review, Kydex Options, and Alternatives
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ต.ค. 2024
- tinyurl.com/mdwx6y6 Preparedmind101 breaks down the Ka-Bar Becker BK16, which is my preferred mid-sizes "Do-All" knife. I show and discuss kydex options from Azwelke and Godspeed Tactical, and compare the BK16 to four other similar sized bushcraft knives in my collection.
In addition to that, I demonstrate how foam windscreens are utter garbage, and why you need a "dead cat" if filming during a wind advisory (not bad the whole time).
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I've been waiting for this review, and you did not disappoint. The BK16 is definitely next on my "want list".
Great video Chris. I love my BK-16, and you are the main reason I bought it. Your reviews have never lead me astray! Keep up the good work.
I've had my bk16 for a while and love it. Now I'm gonna pick up this sheath on your recommendation. Pretty sweet looking sheath.
Not hating, just making a comment that the Tops BOB, is a competitive option. Comes with a great sheath and similar sized high quality knife. Thanks to you PM101, I own 2 BK7's and one of my good friends bought one today after seeing mine and your review. I love the BK series of knives, and I appreciate all that you do. Just making sure you don't think I'm being snarky with my TOPS BOB knife comment.
This is one of the videos that influenced me to get the bk16. It is my favorite knife. Beats the shit out of my mora.Thanx!!
Great review. I think that a condor bushlore could definitely be a competitive option in that size range. It's a project knife just like the bk16 and half the price.
Thanks Chris. I've got my BK16 in hand based on your feedback and review. Kydex from azwelke has been ordered.
i stipple my handle scales and i love them. tons of grip.
Great knife.
Hi Chris. I'm new to the world of knives as well as Bushcraft. I am thoroughly enjoying your TH-cam videos. Keep up the good work!
It's great being able to use good equipment...makes woods tasks go so much easier...thanks for the comparison vid Chris...
Good review of some great blades. The B.O.B. is my favorite in this size knife, but the Tex Creek looks really nice...and the BK16 is on my list also.
Chris I'm glad you're around because I DO NOT like "Gideon's" channel. Also, you come off as Waaayyy more sincere and genuine.
Just watched a video on it from Gideon's Tactical,and decided to make it my EDC knife.
Chris,Great Video!! Good Luck in your venture.. Keep up the good work.
Hey Chris! Great video as always. I'm considering the 16. As far as wraps go- years ago I used textured cloth bicycle handlebar tape that had just a thin layer of padding. Worked pretty well.
thanks for another great review video. can always count on preparedmind101 and gideonstactical to give it to us like it is.
I have the bk16 knife and it really is great, suitable size for multiple tasks, the handle is very comfortable and I like the cover enough, a good option besides the kydex covers, I have the necessary.
The bk16 is an amazing knife. I have chopped an inch and 3/4 saplings down with no problems.
I have the Becker and Mora... you will find that the Mora will actually cut better but can be limited for harder use. It will grow on you when you start using it... just be open about it and you will see. I enjoyed viewing all these knives!
I bought the BK-16 a couple of weeks ago & I like the knife, but not the coating. Bought some Paint Stripper (the spray on foamy stuff) to get it like yours & then I'm gonna force a patina on it & hopefully make some micarta scales! Great video as always!
Thanks and Godspeed,
danofiremano
I enjoyed your video and comments on the BK16 and fully agree that Becker knives lend themselves to being customized. I own several of the BK knives and have only very recently become interested in the BK16 and 17. All of us have our preferences since, in my case, I lean towards the BK17. Probably to do with its clip point. I like that look. I've also heard Ethan Becker speak the praises of the BK17. To me, he's the Leo Fender of the knife world.
You should review some bark river products. They are very comfortable knives and they function amazingly. Not to mention convex edges are very easy to maintain
Becker Ka-Bar Knives are some the of the very best out there for the money. I have 3 different versions with no regrets.
Ironically the BK-16 is my least favorite of the so-called Becker 'Tweeners'. That's NOT to say that I don't like it. I really like all three of them, the BK-15, 16 & 17. They are all great knives. It's just that I prefer the longer 5.5" blade of the BK-15, and I've always had a thing for a good looking clip point like the one on the BK-17.
Dear Ethan & Ka-Bar,
The Becker 'Tweeners' are fantastic knives. If you could just design one with a 5.5" drop point blade and a true Scandi grind that'd be awesome, and I'd be a really happy camper! You could maybe call it the BK18 Bushcraft Survival Knife. :)
Sincerely,
Gunslinger454
Excellent review of one of the most practical knives I've ever seen, thanks.
I notice the BK is the only knife shown that is Full Flat Grind something that never seems to be addressed. But is my favorite profile. Love the 1095 they use, If they could just make handles and sheaths worthy of the blade they would have my business.
Good video, Chris. I am looking at having a tactical concealed carry type sheath made for my BK-16. I will definitely contact the kydex guys in the description.
I bought a 710 custom sheath for my becker bk16 it's amazing.
Hey Chris...Like always, a great video! To prevent boring parts, maybe just mix in some commentary as you're working with the knife. Stop and evaluate what you just did, then continue on to additional tasks with more commentary and so on! I'd also like to see the Schrade SCHF10 along with the others mentioned here in a comparison video with the BK16. BTW - AZWELKE has my SCHF10 in for a sheath, so if you need one for that blade, hit him up this week!
My suggestion for a standardized field test for this range of knife sizes would be a modified version of Mors Kochanski's "try stick" using a standardized size and species of seasoned wood.
Chris, this is an “all-purpose” knife. A great knife, at a great price.
At this size, the knife should be an everything tool, so test it using everything. Ethan the Renaissance Man Becker would probably be thrilled to see you use THIS knife in particular for everything from opening boxes (of beautiful blades for review), to dressing game, to cutting up veggies, to building a lean-to. To this day, one of the best videos I've ever seen on youtube was your friend Joe Flowers review of the Condor Bushlore. He never said a word. He just used the knife for every conceivable bushcraft task he could, as though he were teaching a class on those skills.
Those will be incorporated in the field vids. It's easy when you ACTUALLY have to do something as opposed to trying to think of something for a review. I'll probably do a lot of shelter building. It's one of the skills I consider myself decent at. I think the videos will just have to be clips of just using it and put a note at the beginning "For review details see this video"
That tex creek handle looks really nice
Review Condor Sapien :O its a good middle ground between a Mora and a Tops Tex Creek. The blade geometry is convexed tho so it has to be made a scandi as intended.
Its affordable and its full-tang 1075 from Condor
Good idea.
the BK16 is definitely on the do list. I'm in the process of modding the BK14 at the moment. I'm also waiting on your review of the Mora black.
*Love the Modz you had done on that Bk16!!*
Ahh the long awaited bk 16 video ! Really dig the video I bought my bk16 about a week or so after thanksgiving on cabelas.com for $46 ! I couldn't pass it up for the price and it is easily my favorite knife
Know how much they sell it for in the store? $115. Seriously.
I know 115 is crazy im really excited I managed to find it on sale like that I wish I would have picked up two!
I just went to their site- they're now charging $105.99 for it.
PREPAREDMIND101
BK knifes are very hard to get in Australia since alot of places here don't stock them here and the ones i have see are like $120AUD
The BK16 arrived today. I put it through the paces which pretty much means wood processing and food prep. No doubt it can do more but the BK7 is reserved for that.
Two points.... anyone who has ever served our country would not choose this knife as the end all of knives, which speaks to many posts across the many reviews of this knife. And, again, if you’ve served in a true ground combat position, you have absolutely no gripe with the sheath. Now that I have the knife and sheath, I can only laugh at the wannabes who talk about rattle or length or this and that. If one is advancing on a position in any environment, the “rattle” of this blade is not significant. That said, the truth is, the absolute truth is..... none of you are EVER going to advance on a position despite your fantasies. You practice wilderness camping.... with your car at the trailhead. Give it a rest.
The BK 15 gets very little love on TH-cam even though the average opinion is favorable. Id love to see your video review on the BK15 as well as see a showcase on what it might look like modded out like the BK16.
The hultafors crafsman is the new mora. Its more heavy duty around the same price. some of the bushcraft people are switching to hultafors. I got one for $13 ebay and like it better than my mora. compliments a large knife well.
Godspeed tactical makes some pretty cool sheaths for a decent price
Chris I love your videos and I won't stop watching them but I do have a question for you. Of all the knife brands you have what are your top 3 favorite brands?
Thanks, Jake
Cool vid as always. I just picked up a bk 15 at sportmans warehouse for 69 bucks just a few hours ago. I got lucky. Looking forward to the next vids.
What has worked really well for me is a hatchet on my pack, my ESEE 6 on my hip and the bk16 scout carry. Love this knife
At local shop here bk16 is $72 and bk7 is $89
Another good video! Yes! I was wondering if the 1095 crovan rusts like a regular carbon steel, or is it rustproof? 🤔
The BK16 is great, highly recommend getting rid of the stock blade coating it sucks, fantastic mid sized general purpose knife.
9:47 so close to nicking your pinky! Good vid sir.
What no Schrade...your killing me Small's ;)
The schf42 deserves to be on that stump even if the knife snobs don't agree.....45$ beats out the Mora IMHO.
The 42 didn't exist back then.
CARBiNOX the schf42 is Taiwan made and rivals the American made 1095 knives
I have been wondering when you would get to Ethan Becker's all time favorite knife. The BK16 is a perfect midsize knife and can handle most tasks. You asked for suggestions for testing, well ask yourself what do most people use their knives for in the field? Personally, I like how Virtuovice uses his knives for hunting and deboning deer. I'd love to see you put a knife through its paces with not only bushcraft tasks but also skinning small game, gutting and filleting fish. To me these are tasks that would live up to your name of Preparedmind 101. Keep up the great work!
The trick is, doing review tests that don't require the viewer to invest a ton of time. That kind of stuff will be random in the upcoming field trips depending on what I take. I'm thinking of loading out differently each trip with small knife/large knife/axe/so on and having a checklist of tasks.
I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to do those videos yet. When you go out in the woods, it's ALWAYS a different kind of trip if you bring your camera because everything is being thought or in terms of setting up video. Not like being Bear Grylls with 5 camera guys.
PREPAREDMIND101 Lol... I know all to well my friend. I was Combat Camera for a while when I was active duty. You got to have a storyboard and checklist in mind before you even turn on the camera. You are doing good though man.
I like your Chanel very much. Keep driving on.
I love my tops b.o.b knife I would not sweat it if it was the only knife I had on me if the poop hit the fan great edge just does a great job it get rotated in with my battle/blind horse knives all the time ran a file across the spine so now good for ferro rod or flint and steel fire as well
I agree the TOPS BOB is awesome, by far my favorite survival knife. A realistic competitive option.
Chris, thanks you for all the videos. I find them very informative.
Question for you.
I currently own a Tops BOB. Would you pick the BK 16 over it? As my main carry knife?
Thanks and keep the videos coming.
Miller
Like the 16 design...Kydex is very nice...joe in ny
For a medium sized knife that could potentially be used for skinning, I would like to see how it retains it's edge after cutting cowhide.
It's 1095CV steel. It'll have no problems.
Nice blade collection!
hey Chris good vid man, have a quick customizing question for you. I stripped my bk16 down, gave it a passable 90 degree spine and all that but while watching you still have the bk-16 etched into the blade still. did you do that yourself? mine is totally clean after sanding. This vid BTW was the one that decided me to buy it so thanks for that too, keep it real
I would buy the polished BK16 with the kydex sheath if it was available. just too bad that it isn't and that I would have to customize it on my own - it would take hundreds of hours and euros with my craft skills ;-)
Unlike most people I do not consider Ka-Bar Beckers to be full tang due to the fact that they have a hollow handle.
Really good review buddy. Try putting a band-aid over your camera mic when outside and it's windy. Thumbs up'ed and watched the commercials for ya brother. Keep'em coming.
Had the foam wind screen on. Wind Advisory that day...didn't make a difference.
Totally Agree. I was totally fo Becker knives but I Hate, Hate. .Hate. their slick handles. It sucks at that price point to have to take their knives out of the box and have to modify or replace the handle and for that reason alone I have steered away from them. I guess I should look at it as buying a blade with some throw away scales. Its still almost worth it> They have a great blade profile and steel . I just wish they would learn to make a handle or sell them without scales! LOL
You seem happier and healthier :)
What size blade is the 16
Nice blades
really surprised u didnt add the BK17 in this comparison. Great video nonetheless...keep er up Chris!
Don't have one.
gotcha. I bought one but haven't had a chance to take it into the field yet. Same as BK16 basically, but blade is flat ground, 3/4 clip point. Cant wait to use it!
what kinda jacket do you wear in the vids?
great video
spreading the word
BK16 is my fav of the "tweeners". However, the $$ puts me off considering I paid $62 shipped for the BK2.
Have you ever considered bicycle tubing for handle covering? I have it on my BK2 although I later added gutted paracord.
Best video yet Bro!
awesome review... much thanks
When the Schrade SCHF42B is here, can you please compare it to the BK16? would be great man
T hat sheath rocks !!
Great Channel
that last sheath you are showing how much do they sell for and would it fit the bk17?.
Was gifted this knife a few weeks ago, but it needs a sheath. Where can I get a decent (but inexpensive) sheath for the BK16? I see nothing on Amazon.
How can I get in touch w/ Bryce from survival tactics to sharpen my bk16
I was expecting to see your bk2 in there
Omg if you strip 1 more high carbon steel Becker blade I'm gonna scream! But I love your vids Chris. : )
Great blades good video thanks for sharing
What about maybe try a Real Steel Bushcraft?
Kabar & Ontario invested in the equipment to make those nylon sheaths that no one wants back in the late fifties... someone there is going to have to croak for them to change.
yikes, need a wind guard/dead cat!
How about a Schrade SCHF10? Half the price of the Becker.
After you take the coating off will it strike a ferro rod? Or will the spine need modifying too?
Aaron Moomand mine does. I only took the spine coating off
bk16 or gerber strongarm?
I need some Becker in my life lol.
What's the best knife to kill zombies?
As in Walking Dead Demon Rats ?
It's like I walked into an alternate Becker universe
You better rub some dirt on that thing so Ethan knows you use it lol.
I know, right?
Check out Mors Kochanski's Try stick for cut tesing. Also I find it really makes you think how you grip and work with the knife.
Try Stick or Tri-stick? I'll look it up, thanks.
PREPAREDMIND101 The Try Stick it says in Mors's article but I've seen both names used.
Do you still love this knife?
I want to get one.
Thanks for the video
What do you think of the bk 15 and 17?
nice videos very interesting
love your videos. Recently bought a BK9 based partly on your reviews of becker products. Just a thought though, put some kind of wind guard on the mic. That wind noise is annoying my friend.
This is probably a silly question but, considering the costs of each, how do the Schrade SCHF30 (clip point, $23.95) and the Schrade SCHF31 (drop point, $22.95), compare to the Becker BK17 (clip point, $65.99) and the Becker BK16 (drop point, $73.95)? Are the Beckers worth $40 to $50 more than the Schrades?
DougFLA123 Inquiries aren't silly. If cost is a factor, at least watch some videos on the Hultafors heavy duty gf knife. It is Swedish made and a work horse. Comes razor sharp out of the box. Cost on amazon is $15.32. It has a green handle and won't win a beauty contest but it will get any camp job done you put before it. If you lose it, not a financial loss. Lose your $73.00 knife and that's a bummer.
your thoughts on the BK 39
I know you have changed your steel preferation the last few years but i am on a tight budget and i want a good reliable knife for general use and for the cool factor as well. That been said i had trouble with the heat treatment on a bk14 that i bought. The steel was a lemon. Should i pay 100 € for this knife or should i get a mora garberg for about the same price;;
I mean that the edge sharpness wasnt held at all so i wonder if i had bought a lemon or ka bars 1095 isnt that good in general
When you said Tommy the who did you mean from the band?
How durable is the Magic Wrap tape?