Becker BK62 Kephart Knife Initial Impression
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
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Josh, thank you for your style and delivery on your videos. It is your relaxed "sitting across the table with a cup of coffee" way of relating your knowledge, skill, and opinions that keeps us clicking back to you. Keep on keepin on!
I am glad to hear that! That is just how I am so it's easier for me to do videos that way. I am a lot funnier in person I have heard, though.
I bought my self one for fathers day! I love it
Thanks for a closer look at this knife. I was on the fence about ordering one. I'm going to pull the trigger on it now.
We were issued the Ontario 6504 okc3s USMC Bayonet on deployments. I too bought and carried a true USMC Ka-Bar on my "war belt" set up.
Thanks for the review, I've been wanting a Kephart knife for quite awhile now too, and have been eyeballin' the Becker.
Thank you for the time and effort with our education!!
Good review. I like mine very much. I feel there are no perfect “all around” tools, but this knife seems to do most things well and I really like that it is as close as I will get to using an original Kephart style knife. I also sharpened the first 1-1/4” of the spine on mine.
ive been bushcrafting for 50 years, and i always say "a knife should do nothing more than what it should"
Bought this when you posted about it a while back. It has taken the place of my tops bob. Great knife!
Glad you like it! I’m keeping mine, pretty happy with it
Just got one and love it!
This knife was a woodsman knife, the word bushcraft was not even known, skinning, game prepared and camp cooking, pocket knives were carried for wood work.
I love my BK-62... Ethan Becker seems like a great guy and generous with his knowledge and encouragement. i have been reading trough a couple of books, Journal Of A Trapper or Nine Years in the Rockies 1834 to 1843, the journals of Russell Osborn, Fire Arms Traps & Tools of the mountain men by Carl P Russell, and of course Kephart's book and George Washington Sears book, (funny kephart and nessmuk's books have similar titles) and one of the take away from the books is when you know and under stand the equipment used in the pasted you gain insight as to how much of what we know today was pioneered by those that came before us. Using a modern reproduction of Horace Kephart's knife makes you rethink how you approach almost everything you do with a knife. In your case Josh you are going to make a mod on the knife to make it your own.. Bravo (i don't me B) that is the essence of what it is all about. It is like making and hunting with a Hawken rifle. it is amazing who accurate that rifle an be. having all the modern stuff for bug out is great, but what do you do when the bic lighters run out, and what do you do when the MRE's run out, what do you do when there is no resupply. Learning the things experience with a blade teaches you is worth a lot. Knowing you can be self sufficient is a huge confidence builder. Are you flexible enough to adapt, are you clever enough improvise, are you strong enough to over come. Seems to me the simpler the gear the more those qualities are tested. would i want to be out with a Roman Folding knife of the 1st century, the evolution of the knife is vast and impressive, today the modern knife maker with the materials from steel to scale, (that are so good) they almost cant make a bad knife. Today we are reduced to personal preference. If equipped with even the most simple of modern tools and or equipment we can not fail We can only fail ourselves with uberous, and lack of knowledge. Knowledge is the lightest think you can carry and you can carry an unlimited amount of it. My BK62 speaks to me it tells me men came before me and used this particular tool for everything i am being taught to do and more, it tells me if they did it so can i, it says i am sharp and balanced and i can cut and slice. So in respect i take care of it , i keep it oiled. i oiled the walnut before i used it. and when i handle it has an elegance that makes it feel like an extension of your hand. so that is just me. So like William Collins says, "take plenty of band aids, and lots of knives and go whittle on a stick, and take a child with ya" pass on the tradition and the knowledge.. And Thanks Josh for making sure the knowledge is in front of us at all times J
Just got one a couple weeks ago and waiting to try it out. Love the basic solid feel of it and also the history that goes with it. I also have an Ontario knife works K-Bar that stays in my GO BAG.
Nice review. Thanks for taking the time to do it.
Thanks for the review! I finished my degree and landed an accounting job all in this last 2 weeks so time to relax and catch up on some vids! Gotta get the Garberg before I start my collection of knives like this and the Genesis.
Not sure how I missed it but I am only just now signing up for your email list! Looking forward to those!
Great review, love the knife, had to get another because my grandson got mine. Lots of fire made without ferro rods, Horace made some. I don't use them, scraping can be done with flint or glass. Mora 510 lives in my ruck, weighs little, does a lot. Squared the spine on the Mora, so as not to offend Horace.
Nice! I did a trystick with mine too. I also am going to square off the spine. Such a cool knife! Even though I have one I still find myself watching other peoples reviews! :D Thank you for your video!
I love my BK7. I purchased one of these and sent it back because it did not like taking a file to a new knife. I think a lot of Mr. Becker, but I returned this one. I have a Kephart style knife from another company that has a sharp spine and a better handle.
Which company did you prefer? Regards
I owned an Ontario "fighting knife" (military specs, Parkerized, leather sheath) and carried it on many training exercises, but gave it to my wife's cousin (medically retired Airborne). He very much enjoyed it.
thank you for sharing this with us.
Nice! I've been waiting for a review on this knife from one of my favorite channels.
"... To touch, to cradle, to love" 😂 Nice!
love this dude hes a true teacher.
very honest and knows hes stuff.ill be watching for any future opinions on this knife.
its almost £200 pounds in the u.k.
so ill wait for a professionals advice.
Really informative review, on a knife that deserves the attention. Thanks!
Beautiful knife. I have the Esee PR4 kephart style knife and i like this design very much
Since I last wrote you in regards to the Kephardt knife, I purchased one. I found it to be a good reliable knife capable of doing many things but not with finesse. Stropping the edge helped but the finesse just wasn't there. I didn't expect it to be with the antiquated edge grind. Maybe Mr. Becker can do a second version with a true scandi edge. He then would have two knives capable of anything. When I served in the Marines, K bars were issued but they were under contract by Ontario or Camillus or one other knife company. They were identical in appearance just not stamped with the Kbar name. Every marine warehouse that stored and issued 782 gear had a special locked area to where the Kbars were kept. You had to have a special request chit to be issued one. Virtually all officers get one and suspiciously lose one and then get a replacement. Any K bars left after officer issuance were distributed to top enlisted and down upon request and presentation of the chit. Unfortunately there were never enough to equip all Marines who would then buy a Kbar for his own use in theater or at home. Genuine Kbar Kbars often times were awarded to Marines for various reasons. To me Becker is the replacement Kbar in that all Beckers are full tang while Kbars are rat tails.I love Kbar steel, 1095 Cro-van and have yet have one fail me in the field. I own every single model except the Moses Bowie, I have the Boondocker Bowie and there are two small knives they do not make anymore that I don't have. I like them more than Essee that suffers from a bad case of edge chipping. I have many other knives that have earned my respect. Ethan sharpens his knives to a 22 and a half degree angle, which is perfect for his knives. He uses that angle religiously. I love his khukuri, it is very versatile and a powerful chopper. It has finesse in carving tasks. I personally slightly re-angle any knife I get that doesn't perform well regardless of the manufacturer and like Becker I prefer rough but very sharp edges - razor sharp. This helps in cutting rope, chord and string. Well this old jarhead has bored you enough. You take care of yourself and thank you for another thoughtfully executed video. God bless you, brother and I love you in His name.
Awesome, thanks for sharing! I believe that is likely how they were issued.
I only own one Becker right now, the BK2, have had ot for a couple years, like it a lot. will consider this one after this review. Thank you.
I like my bk16
My bk9 is a monster
Nice review! I have a sort of mini Kephart on the bench now. Kind of a Mora/Kephart love child as it were. Thought of your love of this style when I was grinding on it. "Josh might like this one", LoL
My PKS Kephart knife. The small one. Im pretty impressed with it. I love it. I have a 30 plus year old Ontario Knife military machete we used as Teens to cut Honey suckle all the time and split wood. It's a beast as well.
Very good. Thank you very much
Great knife and video. I've learned a lot about gear and approach from you.
Looking forward to coming to an Adirondack day/weekend with you before too much time passes!
Interesting, looks like a simple(but not simplistic), well made and well designed bushcrafter. I like it a lot. 🙂
it is almost a 1:1 copy of the old German Navy Knife (Matrosenmesser) with a different steel. and price tag... It's made to perform :)
@@couchcamperTM read up on Horace Kephart please 🙂 I have.
@@adrianjagmag I have, too - 20 years ago. I gave all my literature to the next generation to keep them off the playstation for some hours. it worked :)
@@couchcamperTM awesome 😁 and good job, yeah, I grew up around stuff with edges and points...if you don't get in early it's kinda hard for people to just jump in without some encouragement.🙂
Thank you
I just got one of these and ordered the canvas scales from Ka-Bar as well
Hi Josh. First off, Thanks for your Service. My dad was in Viet Nam. He was a Marine, stationed at Da Nang for two tours, during which was there for the Tet Offensive. So I can fully appreciate what that kind of situation can encompass. I feel for anyone that has had to see anything like that. Last year, I picked up an ESSE PR4. A kind of modern version of the Kephart. I love it. Was wondering if you've ever come across it?
I am familiar with it, it doesn't seem like a bad little knife. Only thing I didn't really care for was the rough handle
your videos rock! thank you for sharing
Brisa makes a Kephart that is a bit smaller better bushcrafter size imo. It comes in 80CRV2 carbon steel plus you can buy the blanks and build your own scales. They also have kits for around $70 but they are hard to find in the U.S.
Saves a ton of money for those who can't afford $100+ for a knife .
Great review, especially incorporating your standard, the try stick.
thank you very much sir best regards from Chile
Old school.. not a stone blade but not far away. I like it.
This is my next list blade I have 2 Kephart style blade's all handmade as yourself I to love the design. 👊💀
Knife impressions aside, which is appreciated so please don't get me wrong on that front. Thank you for giving the same information here as you do on social media. I am not on social media and quite frankly feel sorry for those that need to be because of professional reasons. There is nothing social about social media. There are many TH-cam channels that do not offer that same courtesy. It's very appreciated, thank you!
Joshua, thanks for sharing , atb brother
Great information
I seen this and their Nessmuk at a gun show, this last winter. I caved in with the Nessmuk
Got a Lt Wright bushcrafter HC .....very similar to the BK 62.....for about the same money.....great knife design.....
Yep, I still have mine and paid for it. Did not get one issued. The only thing that was issued was a bayonet.
I like my Ka-bars and all, but I REALLY like that BK Kep. The more I see you using it, the more I want one. I have too much other stuff I need first, so STOP TAUNTING ME! 🤪
Great video sir! I think the Becker BK62 is a bit expensive. I personally feel there are better knives out there for bushcraft. But in a survival situation practically any knife would be a blessing.
I'm looking for my first bushcraft knife, what knives do you feel are better? I'm looking to spend between $75-150
I carry and like the crewman BK 10
I wanted one of these but picked up the Condor version for $34.
How about comparing the BK-62 with the PKS Kephart!
this knife rocks.
You’ve often talked about what you like in a knife, but for someone buying their first bushcraft knife, what characteristics would you suggest looking for? What’s the best blade style to learn with? What about the handle? Sheath? Etc.
Thanks.
I concur with Christopher. Get a regular Mora Companion, not the HD model, and there isn’t a thing you can’t do with it. I don’t even consider it a “starter” knife, I still use mine to this day and love it. Bushcraft Black and Carbon Garberg, the Mora Classics, all of them great. While the HD Companion is still a great knife, I think it is thicker than a knife needs to be and just isn’t necessary. I would also give a slight advantage to the Mora Classic handle, it fits the hand the same regardless of what grip you use, you don’t have to change up to get around a finger groove or anything like that.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thanks Josh, I'll check 'em out.
@Christopher Kavanaugh Thanks for the tips Christopher. That's useful information.
Can you give me more info on filing my bk62, so I can use it with my fero rod? I blued mine and am making some curly maple handles for it! I wish I could send you a pic! PS: thank you for your service and your videos rock. Zac
I've been out of the knife loop lately other than getting my Terava knives. I always loved Ethan's knives, and his Camillus necker was my first knife as a adult. I am curious to know your thoughts on what you would recommend for a knife that can work well in the woods as well as a tactical/self defense situation. What criteria do you look for?
We train some military special operations guys in survival skills a few times per year. What we recommend and use with them is the Mora Carbon Garberg for those reasons. Great in the field and will do what you need it to do for self-defense. As far as criteria, anything with a sharp edge and a point will do if you have the training, and if you don’t no knife will make up for that of that makes sense
Me encanta el cuchillo de horace kephart, yo tengo una versión que aunque no es igual si parecido es el joker trampero con acero sanvich y cachas en olivo
You may like the bk16. Cool piece of history and seems like a solid knife.
Great video and knife, can you do a video on a tactical patrol loadout geared towards a woodsman that plans to stay in the woods for shtf maybe a small series of videos on it geared for long term, patrolling your RON area's, wilderness cashes for the woodsman. Something along those lines.
I’ll do some of those but a lot of what you talked about are for physical classes only. Anything to do with tactics I won’t teach to just anyone and I can’t control who sees what on a public forum like TH-cam.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thanks
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I'm not talking the tactics but more along the lines of gear choices and why . Dave Canterbury did his like a modern day long hunter using a shotgun but I was thinking more along the lines of a 21st Century woodsman with AR/AK type setup.
Tree Rat69 limitations of this platform, getting into firearms on YT will hurt the channel. I’m primarily a wilderness survival instructor so it isn’t worth risking that. Those are things I teach certain folks in person at physical classes.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret ok gotcha thanks for the reply
I own 2 Becker BK-7
2 BK-9. 1 BK-10. Outstanding knives for the $$$
Great vid. I am curious about your opinion of Dozier knives. I have 2 ks 7 ready in less than a year
Ive never used one. The couple that I have seen were very thick blades. Nice craftsmanship for sure
So, is there a video on your final thoughts?
New to your channel. I have a PLSK1 Blindhorse knife. Have you did any reviews on it or possess one yourself? Thanks, enjoying your intellect and videos.
I don't have one of those and have never used one. I wouldn't mind trying one out. Looks like a good blade.
Great review. Is there any chance you'll try the Condor version? While it's 1075 steel, it's a little more reasonably priced for many of us. I know it doesn't meet Dave Canterbury's survival knife criteria, but he seemed to like it as a backup.
I have my eye on it, I may pick one up for this year.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thanks!
nice...
I’m curious about how well it is for processing animals. I could assume Kephart had this in mind, but more so towards bushcraft as far as I can tell. Normally I just process deer and such with a simple pocket knife, but I’m looking for a fixed blade, mainly because I’m tired of having to wash and clean my folding knife afterwards.
Any thoughts?
The spear point of the blade on the Kephart or any other similar knife is meant for leverage (point being in line with the center of the handle). I think he chose that design for its overall general utility.
Still waiting in the follow video for this 😁
Love the videos!! Have you had a chance to check out the Firecraft series knives, especially the ones with a bow drill divot in the handle? They've sparked my interest but im not sure if its gimmicky or not. After watching this video and your vids on the LT Wright, ive noticed those two have a noticably narrower blade design than the Firecraft. Im not sure how well the wider blade would make the different cuts for the tri- stick. Im looking to buy my first bushcraft style knife so any comments/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
So after having it a while, what are your thoughts? Or have you just stuck with your Pukko?
I prefer my puukko and the Garberg still, but this is a very capable knife. I appreciate it for the nostalgia most of all I think.
Like every blade shape, great for some things, good for some things, ok for some things, bleh for some things. Kephart finds a good middle ground. (Grind?)
Saber on this one
Very nice review. Was it a difficult to make a 90 on the spine with that particular type of steel.
Not too bad, took a few minutes with a file
A like and a comment to help the channel.
Have you any experience with the ESSE pr-4 camp-lore kephart knife? seems very similar to the becker
The one I held is quite a bit smaller and I didn't like the grip on it. They are similar in that they are both spear points and have fairly thin handles, but there are quite a few noticeable differences between the two.
I like everything I've seen about that knife too, but so far I can't find anything about it that justifies the price. I see fifty bucks worth of knife there, tops. Thanks for sharing though, really enjoyed this and all your videos!!
Glad u don’t like wc knives like me then
I havn't been on your channel to see if you have a video on it but, what do you think about bark river's version of the kephart?
What’s your thoughts on the esee pr4? I wanted a kephardt and recently got my pr4 and am really enjoying it.
I used it but didn’t end up buying one to test, I didn’t like the rough ground handle.
I was wondering what your opinion is now about the knife. Want to buy one but do you think its more a collection knife or a real user knife? Greetings and thx for you vids
You could use it, it’s not as comfortable for me as the Garberg so for me personally it’s a useable collector
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thanks. Its expensive here in Europe thats why i asked 😬👍🏼
It's a piece of krap.
👍 F.W.J.
What kind of knife is best suited for self-defence? By kind I mean style, brands, grind, etc... Thanks!
Nearly any fixed blade knife is suitable for self defense. Taking some training on self-defense with knives will show you your own preference
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I really appreciate the advice. Thanks for making all these videos - I have learned a great deal from you. Best wishes!
--Kuro
So what is the best bushcraft knife for between 100-150$? I have a Mora bushcraft black but I want a little better knife than that and I live in south Florida, your advice would be greatly appreciated 👍
Check out my video about this, Mora Carbon Garberg
👍👍👍
I bet the original was not a bushcraft knife as We know of today .
I believe it was a butcher knife .
I got mine and I'm not too impressed at all, fit and finish is terrible and the walnut scales are thin and cheap, you'd get better value for money with a Condor knife if you like walnut. For what you get considering what you pay for I'm not very impressed at all