It may have been someone at A.G. Russel who was interviewing Ethan Becker about 4 - 5 years ago now, and in this piece Mr. Becker spoke proudly of his knife design children. They joked about the "one knife" topic ("How many times have we heard THAT discussion") then Mr. Becker laid out three knives that he'd like to have with him in the woods: The BK9, the BK16 and the little BK11. This may have been before the Nessmuk/BK19 was produced. Thanks for your video.
Yes! A knife for every purpose is always my preference. As a branch chopper and firewood batoner this one is hard to beat. Best for shelter building and processing firewood. Thanks for your comments!
I like carrying either a regular KA-BAR for cutting and a Estwing hatchet for chopping when I backpack in the sierras, or my Woodmans Pal axe/machete tool. Along with my Glock 20 in a Diamond D “guide’s choice” leather chest holster. I used to get teased for the added weight of the small hatchet, but I’m 55 now and can still outhike my son’s buddies in their 20’s.
@@CampfireKodiakeah the Woodman’s Pal honestly, is not a good chopper on thicker branches or small tree trunks. The Estwing hatchet is superior. The Woodsman Pal is better to smooth out or shave off the twigs on thicker branches. Or good for cutting vine type growth.
You and me both. I may not be as fast as I once was, but I can keep on going. I generally carry a good fixed blade knife. 4 to 6 inches long. A Tomahawk, the Cold Steel Hudson Bay hawk, is my favorite. And the Stanley Folding Pocket Saw, that dry wallers use. Right tool for the job. But I too have the BK9, its a bloody big knife.
I got my BK9 sheath done by Valhalla and I absolutely LOVE it! And although it's a pancake style sheath it works great for all kinds of ways to mount or add stuff to it, and mine isn't so loud when I draw it or put it back in the sheath. I love mine, I'm actually thinking of getting a matching ranger green G10 scales with liners just so that the knife will match the sheath. It's awesome, but honestly I'm just here for the pizza!
…oh yeah, one more thing. I carry a small butane cigar torch and a back up Bic lighter. I don’t have patience to scrape magnesium all day anymore. I used to do that in my teens, 20’s and 30’s. Then I decided to go more modern and just get’r lit. 😉. Life is better that way.
Hey I know this video is a bit old but did you put anything inside the handle of your BK9? I got about 30 ft of fishing line, couple hooks, about 13 matches, and striking strips, wrapped inside my BK9 handle. Can't do that with micarta or G10 scales. I'm actually on the fence about getting a custom set because they do add a little bit of weight to the kinfe, but at the end of the day, it will match the color of my sheath since it's Ranger green. but if I do get a set, I will have to use lock-tite to permanently seal the scales because every once in a while I have to take it apart because liquid ALWAYS gets inside, hence gluing the scales so I don't get that problem, I will strip it too if I can find paint stripper which is now almost impossible to find here in Canada since everything is "eco-friendly." Sucks because I might have to strip it all by hand using sandpaper!
4:41 Handle. Here you are clearly struggling with a slippery handle, and it isn't even wet! 10:50 90deg spine - now there is a problem (but only if you insist on using it to strike a ferro-rod). Even after using the file, it was not working. The blade stock is only 3/16" thick, s that might be a problem. The steel used is 1095, but is coated. (personally, I would not buy a coated knife). So, by the end of the video does it still seems the BK 9 is still king? Let's compare it to a Cold Steel Trail Master: - [Or maybe the Falkniven Modern Bowie?] Handle: the full-length, concealed tang is sheathed in a rubberised material with an anti-slip texture - wet or dry. It is very robust and comfortable in the hand. Spine: the spine is a genuine 90 deg spine with sharp edges, and will strike sparks readily (without any work). Steel: irrespective of the type of steel used or the grind, the blade stock is 5/16" ! The blade is where the 17oz weight is, not in the handle. The BK9 is 3/16"and weighs just under 16oz. So, my question still is: why do you rate the BK9 so highly)?
Those are good observations. A knife this size is specialized in my opinion. It works well with a smaller companion knife. The other knives you mention look very nice as well! I would love to try the Trail Master. It's such a classic! Thanks for watching.
@@CampfireKodiakThanks. ".. smaller companion knife ..." Now that raises a whole new topic, and one of my favourites! I agree totally about companion knives (plural!). Any mention of the word "axe" means that weight is not much of an issue (in that particular set of circumstances). Thus, one can consider extra companion knives instead of an axe. This leads to a whole discussion about which these might be. Here are some of my thoughts: Heavy carry: here I'd have a Silky saw (not negotiable - probably at least a Bigboy). Then my CS Trail Master, plus a Bushcraft/belt knife (currently thinking of the new Victorinox Venture Pro), and my Victorinox Swiss Champ. Light carry: here I'd settle for the CS SRK (sabre grind, CPM-3V version), and the Victorinox Hercules. Here I'd probably take a Silky Gomboy instead of the Bigboy. What do you think of this combination?
@@dennisleighton2812 Those look like solid choices. I have not tried the Venture Pro. Looks nice though. I prefer the SRK-C over the SRK if I have a larger knife with me. I like a 5" blade. Silky saws are the best and most would agree. Pricey though so don't cut dirty wood with it.
@@CampfireKodiak SRK-C - Yeah, I would not carry the Trail Master and an SRK together either, hence the Venture-Pro, which is 4 1/4 inch blade. Thanks for the reply!
Hello. A great cleaver, but it seems a little heavy to me. Although the handle is certainly more convenient than that of the "Bushman". And yes, your nature is very similar to ours. Not knowing what was filmed in Alaska, you can take it for Siberia. 👍
I just got a BK9, and yes its a great knife. But the nylon sheath it comes with is not very good. I take it your using a Kydex sheath? I cringe every time you take it out of the sheath and put it back. Its just so loud. I'm having a custom leather sheath made for mine. I like quiet. And yes I will water proof the sheath when I get it. As for chopping branches like you did, I will stick with a tomahawk, or even a pocket folding saw.
That beast hits that target with authority! LOVE my Beckers!!! Great video btw...
A nice knife, in the nice woods, awesome!
Great video and a great knife. Thank you for sharing your experience. 🤠
It may have been someone at A.G. Russel who was interviewing Ethan Becker about 4 - 5 years ago now, and in this piece Mr. Becker spoke proudly of his knife design children. They joked about the "one knife" topic ("How many times have we heard THAT discussion") then Mr. Becker laid out three knives that he'd like to have with him in the woods: The BK9, the BK16 and the little BK11. This may have been before the Nessmuk/BK19 was produced. Thanks for your video.
Yes! A knife for every purpose is always my preference. As a branch chopper and firewood batoner this one is hard to beat. Best for shelter building and processing firewood. Thanks for your comments!
I like carrying either a regular KA-BAR for cutting and a Estwing hatchet for chopping when I backpack in the sierras, or my Woodmans Pal axe/machete tool. Along with my Glock 20 in a Diamond D “guide’s choice” leather chest holster. I used to get teased for the added weight of the small hatchet, but I’m 55 now and can still outhike my son’s buddies in their 20’s.
Sounds like an awesome setup. You have good taste and enjoy the classics! I've wanted a Glock 20 for years! Same with the Woodsman Pal.
@@CampfireKodiakeah the Woodman’s Pal honestly, is not a good chopper on thicker branches or small tree trunks. The Estwing hatchet is superior. The Woodsman Pal is better to smooth out or shave off the twigs on thicker branches. Or good for cutting vine type growth.
You and me both. I may not be as fast as I once was, but I can keep on going. I generally carry a good fixed blade knife. 4 to 6 inches long. A Tomahawk, the Cold Steel Hudson Bay hawk, is my favorite. And the Stanley Folding Pocket Saw, that dry wallers use. Right tool for the job. But I too have the BK9, its a bloody big knife.
When you run out of ammo, you'll find plastic does not give an effective pistol whipping.
I got my BK9 sheath done by Valhalla and I absolutely LOVE it! And although it's a pancake style sheath it works great for all kinds of ways to mount or add stuff to it, and mine isn't so loud when I draw it or put it back in the sheath. I love mine, I'm actually thinking of getting a matching ranger green G10 scales with liners just so that the knife will match the sheath. It's awesome, but honestly I'm just here for the pizza!
…oh yeah, one more thing. I carry a small butane cigar torch and a back up Bic lighter. I don’t have patience to scrape magnesium all day anymore. I used to do that in my teens, 20’s and 30’s. Then I decided to go more modern and just get’r lit. 😉. Life is better that way.
You and me both. I also take a small bottle of denatured alcohol with me, in case things are wet.
Hey I know this video is a bit old but did you put anything inside the handle of your BK9? I got about 30 ft of fishing line, couple hooks, about 13 matches, and striking strips, wrapped inside my BK9 handle. Can't do that with micarta or G10 scales. I'm actually on the fence about getting a custom set because they do add a little bit of weight to the kinfe, but at the end of the day, it will match the color of my sheath since it's Ranger green. but if I do get a set, I will have to use lock-tite to permanently seal the scales because every once in a while I have to take it apart because liquid ALWAYS gets inside, hence gluing the scales so I don't get that problem, I will strip it too if I can find paint stripper which is now almost impossible to find here in Canada since everything is "eco-friendly." Sucks because I might have to strip it all by hand using sandpaper!
I didn't even know the scales are hollow? They feel solid to me. Great idea though. Have fun with your project!
4:41 Handle. Here you are clearly struggling with a slippery handle, and it isn't even wet!
10:50 90deg spine - now there is a problem (but only if you insist on using it to strike a ferro-rod). Even after using the file, it was not working.
The blade stock is only 3/16" thick, s that might be a problem.
The steel used is 1095, but is coated. (personally, I would not buy a coated knife).
So, by the end of the video does it still seems the BK 9 is still king?
Let's compare it to a Cold Steel Trail Master: - [Or maybe the Falkniven Modern Bowie?]
Handle: the full-length, concealed tang is sheathed in a rubberised material with an anti-slip texture - wet or dry. It is very robust and comfortable in the hand.
Spine: the spine is a genuine 90 deg spine with sharp edges, and will strike sparks readily (without any work).
Steel: irrespective of the type of steel used or the grind, the blade stock is 5/16" ! The blade is where the 17oz weight is, not in the handle. The BK9 is 3/16"and weighs just under 16oz.
So, my question still is: why do you rate the BK9 so highly)?
Those are good observations. A knife this size is specialized in my opinion. It works well with a smaller companion knife. The other knives you mention look very nice as well! I would love to try the Trail Master. It's such a classic! Thanks for watching.
@@CampfireKodiakThanks.
".. smaller companion knife ..." Now that raises a whole new topic, and one of my favourites! I agree totally about companion knives (plural!).
Any mention of the word "axe" means that weight is not much of an issue (in that particular set of circumstances). Thus, one can consider extra companion knives instead of an axe. This leads to a whole discussion about which these might be.
Here are some of my thoughts:
Heavy carry: here I'd have a Silky saw (not negotiable - probably at least a Bigboy). Then my CS Trail Master, plus a Bushcraft/belt knife (currently thinking of the new Victorinox Venture Pro), and my Victorinox Swiss Champ.
Light carry: here I'd settle for the CS SRK (sabre grind, CPM-3V version), and the Victorinox Hercules. Here I'd probably take a Silky Gomboy instead of the Bigboy.
What do you think of this combination?
@@dennisleighton2812 Those look like solid choices. I have not tried the Venture Pro. Looks nice though. I prefer the SRK-C over the SRK if I have a larger knife with me. I like a 5" blade. Silky saws are the best and most would agree. Pricey though so don't cut dirty wood with it.
@@CampfireKodiak SRK-C - Yeah, I would not carry the Trail Master and an SRK together either, hence the Venture-Pro, which is 4 1/4 inch blade. Thanks for the reply!
Hello. A great cleaver, but it seems a little heavy to me. Although the handle is certainly more convenient than that of the "Bushman".
And yes, your nature is very similar to ours. Not knowing what was filmed in Alaska, you can take it for Siberia. 👍
I think so!
You would be so much better off if left the rod stationary & push knife downwards!!
I do it & typically 5 strikes!
I just got a BK9, and yes its a great knife. But the nylon sheath it comes with is not very good. I take it your using a Kydex sheath? I cringe every time you take it out of the sheath and put it back. Its just so loud. I'm having a custom leather sheath made for mine. I like quiet. And yes I will water proof the sheath when I get it. As for chopping branches like you did, I will stick with a tomahawk, or even a pocket folding saw.
Your leather sheath idea sounds great. Have fun!