I just found this video. I don't know how I missed it. This was the second large knife I bought many years ago. The first was the Timber Rattler Bowie knife. Then, last year, for the first time, I got into Esee knives. I recently saw a video of USA combat troops training in winter conditions in one of the Scandinavian countries. And he was using an Esee6 with a ferro rod. The BK9, for me, is exactly how they label it, a combat bowie. It is a classic Hall of Famer knife.
The Bk9 is by far my favorite survival knife of all time and a tried, true and tested hall of famer! I have worked with Esse, Tops, Ontario, Barkriver etc however nothing ever comes close! The ergonomics of the handle, the steel, that all important saber grind, which in my personal opinion is a must for a tough survival knife, its toughness and its simple design with no back saw, finger grooves and all the gimmicks, makes it a timeless design that falls right into the sweet spot of the perfect survival knife. Thank you for the video.
I love my Beckers! I customized my 7,9, and 10 by stripping the coating, and on the 9 I put black micarta handles on it, while my 7 and 10 I did nice desert ironwood scales on them. I put custo leather on a dangler sheaths on all 3 as well. They're all such good knives! I just ordered handles for my Ontario RD9 from TKC. If I like them I'll get another set next month for mt RD6. Ontario's versions of the BK9 and BK7. Leather sheaths maybe coming for them as well when I can afford them.
Yep. I agree with your assessment of the BK-9. A little known aspect of this knife is the ability to do more intricate carving. I put a lanyard on and if you attach it to your wrist, you can extend your hand all the way toward the pointy end and the tight lanyard gives added control over the back end of the knife while you control the front end of the knife. I’m not saying it’s better than an actual carving knife, but this method extends the use of the BK-9 in emergency use and makes it an ideal choice for survival.
Still love my BK9, but I got a work tuff gear nomad camp knife as my most recent large knife purchase and I cant recommended it enough. Instantly became my favorite all time knife
It's also my favorite when I can carry two blades. That was a fun project to work over that knife for you my friend! I love my Beckers. I have two BK16's, two BK9's. Two BK10's and a BK7. The 7 is my least favorite even though it was my first Becker. I see you are still putting your thumb over top of the thumb ramp! LOL I played with a Fire Plug yest, got 5.3 minutes of burn time. I'll have to show you a new tecnique to light them with fero rod! Works SO EASY!
Are you in the Ochocco's in Central Oregon? Not too far from us in Idaho. Anyway, I have a love/hate for the BK9. I like the steel but I do not get why they skeletonized the handle. I actually sent kabar a message about making them with a full width non-skeletonized tang. You would think that it would actually be cheaper to manufacture by not taking material out. I have seen these break at the thin skeletonized part. I don't know, it's a good blade but I wouldn't trust my life with it.
I love the pr4, but I can't pick it up in the presence of my carbon garberg!!! For some reason I'm drawn to it and my bk9 and bk18!!! I do my wood carving and fire making with the garberg, my food and game with bk18, and big stuff with bk9!!! I have an axe and a hatchet, but they are too hard on my back after a torn spinal cord
Junglas 2 is a flat grind. Bk9 is high Sabre. Both baton very well, but the high Sabre is a little better at batoning. Love them both and it really comes down to personal preference. I switch back and forth from time to time.
Once the BK9 had good handles on it, I actually like it even more. The 9 is so light and fast in the hand. The Armageddon is a great chopper, but the 9 will delimb better. Personal preference will be a lot of it. My favorite big knives are in this order: Esee Junglas 2 Becker BK9 Tops Armageddon Esee Junglas. They are all so close that someone else could easily reverse this order.
When you told me in your comment about your BK9 i also had to watch it.👍 But i have a question. You were telling about customizing it. Something about a 90 degree spine for a ferrow rod. Do you mean that you trimmed the spine down so it got a 90 degree angle ? Originally it can't handle a ferrow rod ?
sagebrushcustoms@yahoo.com puts a patina and a sharp 90 degree spine on all my knives so I can make fine wood scrapings and then strike a ferro rod for a fire. Can not do this with stock knife.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 What is Patina ? My last 2 question. You told us that you loved your Junglas 2. For what i know it is a bit shorter then the Junglas 1. Do you find the Junglas 1 too large ?? Could you give the website of the company who made your leather sheet ? After i have seen it i like it a lot. Although i live on the other side of this planet i could mail them and ask them to make the sheet the same as yours. And pay them in advance including shipping fee to the Netherlands. I am not 100 percent sure i will do this but i have it as option. The thing that i will do for sure is make some atrachement on the sheet for a ferrow rod.Those two have to be combined. The knife and the ferrow rod. I probably will not wear such a large knife but i want to attached it to my bag. Thank you for your reviews and your own personal thoughts. They are much appreciated.🙏
@@keesverhagen9227 A patina is the result of metal reacting to a chemical. For example, soak a knife in vinegar and the blade will darken. Also protects from rust Paintedhillscustomleather@gmail.com for the sheath. Junglas 2 is just easier to work with. Lighter in the hand. BK9 is even lighter so it actually delimbs better than either. Very fast in the hand Oh, on the patina, all of the black coating must be stripped first. Hope this helps.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 Thanks again. On a Dutch website i now saw that an Esee Junglas also is available with a Petina option. It has there been all before but probably my brain would not focus on it cause i did not know what it did mean. But it was the Junglas One. Not the two. But i do not know why but the BK9 is getting more preferable to me. Somehow i like it a lot. It is not because it is cheaper. But the sheet that comes with it i really do hate. If Ka-bar would make a Kydex for it the sales for this BK9 would go up. Tonight i will make my decision. I have to because in about a week i will start the KTM and then it is a go to the woods in Sweden for a couple of weeks. It is to bad that Norway is still closed due to Covid otherwise i would have gone overthere. But both countries are amazing and you can still find places where you can't hear sounds made by humans. To be on your own for a couple of weeks can heal your soul. No internet and just the smell of a small fire and crackling noices. And every day the urge to find an even better campplace then the day before.
For me, the TKC scales are too thin for the BK7 and BK9. They are perfect on the BK2. I guess I could manufacture some spacers, but those "old school" micarta handles are fine also. That said, if TKC made thicker scales for thinner blade stock, or spacers even, I would buy them in a heartbeat.
Lighter quits working below freezing, or if it gets wet. A ferro rod will work perfectly wet or cold. And a large one will last thousands of fires. Never run out of fuel.
I have a BK7, and I like it, but the skeleton tang on it worries me as far as a true SHTF knife. It’s a great woods runner knife but would rather carry something with a true non skeletal tang for a true survival scenario
I have long used hidden tang knives for a lot of things that modern survival "experts" swear is only possible with a full flat tang. The actual difference in strength between two quality knives with the different tang is pretty small. The difference in strength between the older full flat tang Beckers and the newer skeletonized models isn't really noticable either.
Nice blade Dan. Thanks for sharing how you customize d it. 1st world problem deciding on what to take along with you to the outdoors 😁. Take care my friend.🇺🇸🔪🔥🌲
My local leathershop, paintedhillscustomleather@gmail.com, makes them. Basically the back of the the sheath extends up behind the handle, then a steel ring fits through a fold in the leather. And a belt attachment with two snaps. The leathershop could probably explain it much better. They took my idea and created it. Hope this helps.
Putting on a patina and a 90 degree spine can be done at home. Handles are about 50.00. And I barter some, so occasionally my knives and handles are actually free.
For me all esee not very good weigth/balanced, for example the ESEE 6 = 16,5 x 4,3 x 29 cm and weigth 330 grammi - BK7 = 18 X 4,7 X 32 cm and weigth 360 grammi. And for me the RTAK2 have most dimension but it?s more balanced of the Esee Junglas . The quality a little superior a ka-bar and Okc... Ciao from Italy...
I just found this video. I don't know how I missed it. This was the second large knife I bought many years ago. The first was the Timber Rattler Bowie knife. Then, last year, for the first time, I got into Esee knives. I recently saw a video of USA combat troops training in winter conditions in one of the Scandinavian countries. And he was using an Esee6 with a ferro rod. The BK9, for me, is exactly how they label it, a combat bowie. It is a classic Hall of Famer knife.
Still my favorite knife to carry for winter survival.
The Bk9 is by far my favorite survival knife of all time and a tried, true and tested hall of famer! I have worked with Esse, Tops, Ontario, Barkriver etc however nothing ever comes close! The ergonomics of the handle, the steel, that all important saber grind, which in my personal opinion is a must for a tough survival knife, its toughness and its simple design with no back saw, finger grooves and all the gimmicks, makes it a timeless design that falls right into the sweet spot of the perfect survival knife. Thank you for the video.
Amen! Agree 100%
I always come back to your videos time and again because they are so helpful. Thanks, brother.
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
Great vid! Thank you! Own six KA-BAR, four of 'em are Beckers. 9, 19, 16 and the 11. All are much younger brothers to the USMC and USN knives.
That's a nice collection!
I love my Beckers! I customized my 7,9, and 10 by stripping the coating, and on the 9 I put black micarta handles on it, while my 7 and 10 I did nice desert ironwood scales on them. I put custo leather on a dangler sheaths on all 3 as well. They're all such good knives!
I just ordered handles for my Ontario RD9 from TKC. If I like them I'll get another set next month for mt RD6. Ontario's versions of the BK9 and BK7. Leather sheaths maybe coming for them as well when I can afford them.
Sounds awesome! I would like to see those ironwood scales. I'll bet they are beautiful!
@@ochocobushcraft1742 I'm pretty fond of them lol
Yep. I agree with your assessment of the BK-9. A little known aspect of this knife is the ability to do more intricate carving. I put a lanyard on and if you attach it to your wrist, you can extend your hand all the way toward the pointy end and the tight lanyard gives added control over the back end of the knife while you control the front end of the knife. I’m not saying it’s better than an actual carving knife, but this method extends the use of the BK-9 in emergency use and makes it an ideal choice for survival.
Thanks, I may have to try the lanyard.
Dan..... you are the man!!!
Great review, Dan. 👍 Bk9 is a great large knife and chopper. And those TKC handle scales are sweet!
Still love my BK9, but I got a work tuff gear nomad camp knife as my most recent large knife purchase and I cant recommended it enough. Instantly became my favorite all time knife
It's also my favorite when I can carry two blades. That was a fun project to work over that knife for you my friend! I love my Beckers. I have two BK16's, two BK9's. Two BK10's and a BK7. The 7 is my least favorite even though it was my first Becker. I see you are still putting your thumb over top of the thumb ramp! LOL I played with a Fire Plug yest, got 5.3 minutes of burn time. I'll have to show you a new tecnique to light them with fero rod! Works SO EASY!
Great review , love it. I also have a BK9 I must do some modding like yours.
Have you ever tried de limbing with a properly sharpened tramontina 14 inch. It’s pretty sweet
Can't say I have. But if I have the chance I'll certainly try it out.
I need me an EK Commando with a walnut handle as soon as those bad boys are back in stock at KA-BAR that's for me.
NICE!
If you put the end of your ferro rod in the tinder pile, so it rests on the log, it’ll strike first time, most times.
They don't call the bk9 "The King" for nothing lol another great video.
King Becker, I like it!
@@ochocobushcraft1742 lol it has ring to it haha
👍
Are you in the Ochocco's in Central Oregon? Not too far from us in Idaho. Anyway, I have a love/hate for the BK9. I like the steel but I do not get why they skeletonized the handle. I actually sent kabar a message about making them with a full width non-skeletonized tang. You would think that it would actually be cheaper to manufacture by not taking material out. I have seen these break at the thin skeletonized part. I don't know, it's a good blade but I wouldn't trust my life with it.
Yes, central Oregon. I've not ever had a problem with the BK9, BU I can understand about the skeleton handle.
I love the pr4, but I can't pick it up in the presence of my carbon garberg!!! For some reason I'm drawn to it and my bk9 and bk18!!! I do my wood carving and fire making with the garberg, my food and game with bk18, and big stuff with bk9!!! I have an axe and a hatchet, but they are too hard on my back after a torn spinal cord
If you do decide to get the PR4, you will love it!
@@ochocobushcraft1742 had it before. Twice. Was a little narrow for my hands.
The Becker I think is a better value than the Esse Junglas. The Becker is usually about 60 or more dollars less than the Esse.
How does the junglas 2 compare with the bk9 in batoning? Isnt the junglas 2 a sabre grind?
Junglas 2 is a flat grind. Bk9 is high Sabre. Both baton very well, but the high Sabre is a little better at batoning. Love them both and it really comes down to personal preference. I switch back and forth from time to time.
How would you compare the BK9 to the TOPS Armageddon?
I have the BK7 and like it a lot, but absolutely love my ‘Geddon.
🇺🇸
Once the BK9 had good handles on it, I actually like it even more. The 9 is so light and fast in the hand. The Armageddon is a great chopper, but the 9 will delimb better. Personal preference will be a lot of it.
My favorite big knives are in this order:
Esee Junglas 2
Becker BK9
Tops Armageddon
Esee Junglas.
They are all so close that someone else could easily reverse this order.
I still like my Jungles but the BK9 is not bad either ....
Both amazing knives!
When you told me in your comment about your BK9 i also had to watch it.👍
But i have a question. You were telling about customizing it. Something about a 90 degree spine for a ferrow rod.
Do you mean that you trimmed the spine down so it got a 90 degree angle ? Originally it can't handle a ferrow rod ?
sagebrushcustoms@yahoo.com puts a patina and a sharp 90 degree spine on all my knives so I can make fine wood scrapings and then strike a ferro rod for a fire. Can not do this with stock knife.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 What is Patina ?
My last 2 question. You told us that you loved your Junglas 2. For what i know it is a bit shorter then the Junglas 1.
Do you find the Junglas 1 too large ??
Could you give the website of the company who made your leather sheet ? After i have seen it i like it a lot.
Although i live on the other side of this planet i could mail them and ask them to make the sheet the same as yours. And pay them in advance including shipping fee to the Netherlands. I am not 100 percent sure i will do this but i have it as option.
The thing that i will do for sure is make some atrachement on the sheet for a ferrow rod.Those two have to be combined. The knife and the ferrow rod. I probably will not wear such a large knife but i want to attached it to my bag.
Thank you for your reviews and your own personal thoughts. They are much appreciated.🙏
@@keesverhagen9227 A patina is the result of metal reacting to a chemical. For example, soak a knife in vinegar and the blade will darken. Also protects from rust
Paintedhillscustomleather@gmail.com for the sheath.
Junglas 2 is just easier to work with. Lighter in the hand. BK9 is even lighter so it actually delimbs better than either. Very fast in the hand
Oh, on the patina, all of the black coating must be stripped first.
Hope this helps.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 Thanks again. On a Dutch website i now saw that an Esee Junglas also is available with a Petina option.
It has there been all before but probably my brain would not focus on it cause i did not know what it did mean.
But it was the Junglas One. Not the two.
But i do not know why but the BK9 is getting more preferable to me. Somehow i like it a lot. It is not because it is cheaper.
But the sheet that comes with it i really do hate. If Ka-bar would make a Kydex for it the sales for this BK9 would go up.
Tonight i will make my decision. I have to because in about a week i will start the KTM and then it is a go to the woods in Sweden for a couple of weeks. It is to bad that Norway is still closed due to Covid otherwise i would have gone overthere. But both countries are amazing and you can still find places where you can't hear sounds made by humans. To be on your own for a couple of weeks can heal your soul. No internet and just the smell of a small fire and crackling noices. And every day the urge to find an even better campplace then the day before.
@@keesverhagen9227 If you go with the BK9, you will love It! BEEN using mine a lot!
Enjoy your camping trip. Sounds amazing.
For me, the TKC scales are too thin for the BK7 and BK9. They are perfect on the BK2. I guess I could manufacture some spacers, but those "old school" micarta handles are fine also. That said, if TKC made thicker scales for thinner blade stock, or spacers even, I would buy them in a heartbeat.
You might check out the handles that sagebrushcustoms@yahoo.com makes. I have a new video uploading right now that will show them.
Hey brother why does everyone carry a flint instead of just a lighter? I’m new to bushcraft so I don’t know a lot
Lighter quits working below freezing, or if it gets wet. A ferro rod will work perfectly wet or cold. And a large one will last thousands of fires. Never run out of fuel.
What is the of the this type of knives
I have a BK7, and I like it, but the skeleton tang on it worries me as far as a true SHTF knife.
It’s a great woods runner knife but would rather carry something with a true non skeletal tang for a true survival scenario
My absolute top pick is the Esee Junglas 2.
The thing is amazing!
I have long used hidden tang knives for a lot of things that modern survival "experts" swear is only possible with a full flat tang. The actual difference in strength between two quality knives with the different tang is pretty small. The difference in strength between the older full flat tang Beckers and the newer skeletonized models isn't really noticable either.
Nice blade Dan. Thanks for sharing how you customize d it. 1st world problem deciding on what to take along with you to the outdoors 😁. Take care my friend.🇺🇸🔪🔥🌲
You as well.
What is your setup for the dangler?
My local leathershop, paintedhillscustomleather@gmail.com, makes them. Basically the back of the the sheath extends up behind the handle, then a steel ring fits through a fold in the leather. And a belt attachment with two snaps.
The leathershop could probably explain it much better. They took my idea and created it. Hope this helps.
How much do you have invested in your BK9?
Putting on a patina and a 90 degree spine can be done at home. Handles are about 50.00. And I barter some, so occasionally my knives and handles are actually free.
Alfieasthetics likes this post
For me all esee not very good weigth/balanced, for example the ESEE 6 = 16,5 x 4,3 x 29 cm and weigth 330 grammi - BK7 = 18 X 4,7 X 32 cm and weigth 360 grammi. And for me the RTAK2 have most dimension but it?s more balanced of the Esee Junglas . The quality a little superior a ka-bar and Okc... Ciao from Italy...