Drop Point Knife - Becker BK-16 or EK Commando EK51?

Pretty much what the title says. I don't have a medium sized outdoor fixed blade since I passed my Buck Vanguard on. Folders are pretty good for general utility, but I don't really like them for game/skinning or modestly hard use.

I have been leaning towards picking up the Becker BK-16 "tweener" drop point because it is a 95% solution knife for me, but I wasn't (or am not) too fond of the bulky sheath or the overdone blade coating. https://www.kabar.com/product?item=BK16

Today I found the EK Short Drop Point and I am leaning pretty hard in that direction. I have always loved the distinctive look of the EK scales, the sheath is pretty size efficient and the blade coating/treatment is less linex looking than the Becker. https://www.kabar.com/p/EK51

Which would you choose if these were the only two knives in the world? Keep in mind the steel is identical and prices are similar (ignore Kabar site prices).

I am leaning towards the EK, short handle and all, despite my XL hand size. I think a modest handle length is workable on a general purpose outdoor knife. I would basically always have a small axe, machete, or at least a folding saw plus a pocket knife with me in addition to the fixed blade.

Thanks
Andy

I'm a fan of the Becker personally. I have a BK-15 which is sadly discontinued.

Of those 2 I would pick the EK.

However, I have retired my 1095 steel knives. They easily rust, and need to be constantly touched up to keep sharp.

Not sure about your budget, but look at the Chris Reeve Backpacker https://chrisreeve.com/collections/f...cts/backpacker
I have several Bradford knives as EDC and they are tough as nails with a variety of steels. https://bradfordknives.com/ look at the guardian series.
https://www.eseeknives.com/ have good knives for about any outdoor use you can think of.

There are a LOT of great knives available these days, many more than I can list here.

I am a recovering knife junkie. I have far more blades than I can imagine using and still get a thrill when TriggerFish and Stickman post their blade pictures.
Once or twice a month l start looking for a Chris Reeves Pacific, until I regain my senses.

https://www.dlttrading.com/bravo-1-a...ers-black-pins

I have always been a fan of Bark River Knives

The blade coatings should help with corrosion. I love higher end knives, but the pleasure of owning a $200+ outdoors knife would be more than offset by my reluctance to use/abuse/lose it.

I could put my own scales on an Enzo Trapper or Holmbacka Forester Elmax blade blank I guess. I did a N690Co Trapper with Osage Orange scales for my BIL who is an active hunter and he loves it.

Andy

I own a lot of knives and several of the Becker models and all are excellent.

The coating on the Becker's isn't up to hard use, so I stripped the stock coating and cerakoted the entire knives.

I'm not familiar with the other option, so I'd say look hard at the steels used and ensure it will meet your purpose.

It is really difficult to sharpen super steels in the field, so 1095 still has a place in this world.

ETA: Bark River are also my favorites. Most of mine are too pretty to use. I usually only get Desert Ironwood handles although I do have a black Micarta just for the color.

I like the Ek too, just looks like a nicer knife. Maybe not and I have not studied them a lot. But my first impression, EK.

PB

I have always loved the looks of an Ek, and had one of thee old original John Ek models back in the 80's.

The Bark River knives are awesome as suggested. When the Marine Corps started looking for a new issue knife for Force Recon, they picked that Bark River Bravo-1. I gave one to a young Soldier from our church who recently graduated as Infantry at Benning. He has yet to break it, and he's a fairly clumsy lad. :sarcastic:

Man you guys are spendy :rolleyes: I am shy about EDCing my Native 5 due to replacement cost.

I would really like to stay below $150, I just don't spend a lot of time in the woods.

Andy

Did you pick one? I've never used either, but the grip on the BK 16 looks much better for my uses. That said, my daily driver is a Ka Bar Mark 1, and has been for 10 years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by directimpingement

Did you pick one? I've never used either, but the grip on the BK 16 looks much better for my uses. That said, my daily driver is a Ka Bar Mark 1, and has been for 10 years.

---

Nope, still stuck in decision loop.

Andy

I would look at the Cold Steel knifes if you want a super steel, Midway usually has very good prices on these, Master Hunter or maybe Republic. Dang it you got me to looking, I already have a Master Hunter and now I want a Republic.

Master Hunter https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019763453?pid=878513

Republic https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1026076744?pid=334982

The more I look at the Cold Steel Republic the better it looks as a bushcraft knife.

Pros:
Made in USA
Super Steel
Handle
Blade Design (5" but you can choke up on it)
Midway price

Cons:
Leather Sheath
Top serrations a little long
More expensive than the KA-BAR's but still a good deal at $170

Just throwing this in the mix. They do make it with a Cerakote blade finish but it's $35-$40 more.

https://knifeworks.com/fallkniven-s1...-zytel-sheath/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 3 AE

Just throwing this in the mix. They do make it with a Cerakote blade finish but it's $35-$40 more.

https://knifeworks.com/fallkniven-s1...-zytel-sheath/

---

I have an F1 that I really like.

I will also recommend Scandi grinds


I have carbon and stainless Garbergs that have worked well and use the multimount sheath.

https://morakniv.se/en/knife-series/garberg/

I am making an assumption the smaller Teravas would be very tough knives based on using a Skrama 240 over the last year for splitting wood, machete chores, and making fuzz sticks.

Fixed Blade Knives - Varusteleka.com

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/group...ade-knives/725

Survival Lilly does not like the S1 as a hard use knife. What I gather from her and others is that VG10 is a very hard steel which is why it is laminated and can be brittle and prone to chipping. It also has a convex grind which is hard to field sharpen and is not a drop point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBWf1P7QDzA

Your best gal Lilly is a tuff lady on her knives. These people have forgotten more about knives that I will ever know. During the busy season (Christmas) I usually open boxes with mine and most survive, so probably not the best critic.

PB

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jsbhike

I have an F1 that I really like.

I will also recommend Scandi grinds


I have carbon and stainless Garbergs that have worked well and use the multimount sheath.

https://morakniv.se/en/knife-series/garberg/

I am making an assumption the smaller Teravas would be very tough knives based on using a Skrama 240 over the last year for splitting wood, machete chores, and making fuzz sticks.

Fixed Blade Knives - Varusteleka.com

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/group...ade-knives/725

---

Can the scandi grind be maintained with a simple diamond card/stone in the field? I am thinking a Mora Companion HD will be a practical, super low cost, gift for my now-NG Infantry son. Sometimes things grow legs and walk away in the field...

The F1 would be closer to my desired knife size and type.

Andy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AndyLate

Can the scandi grind be maintained with a simple diamond card/stone in the field? I am thinking a Mora Companion HD will be a practical, super low cost, gift for my now-NG Infantry son. Sometimes things grow legs and walk away in the field...

Andy

---

Very easy to maintain which is a large part of the reason Scandi grinds are so popular in bushcrafting.

https://www.ragweedforge.com/scanshrp.html

These little triangle ceramic stubs are handy. Probably never wear one out(which is possible with diamonds) and their cutting ability is restored with a Scotchbrite pad and scouring powder. I have even cleaned the metal out of Spyderco sharpmaker rods(may be the same things other than length) with sandy soil.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/LSL...tyle-sharpener

Went to Smoky Mountain Knife Works and handled the BK-16, Becker Nessmuk, and the EK-51 Short Drop Point. Decided on the EK, but I was after a relatively small knife. I "think" I prefer the Nessmuk to the BK-16, but I would have been happy with any of the three.

The EK-51 has a pretty small handle, so it's definitely not for everyone and every use.

Andy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AndyLate

Went to Smoky Mountain Knife Works and handled the BK-16, Becker Nessmuk, and the EK-51 Short Drop Point. Decided on the EK, but I was after a relatively small knife. I "think" I prefer the Nessmuk to the BK-16, but I would have been happy with any of the three.

The EK-51 has a pretty small handle, so it's definitely not for everyone and every use.

Andy

---

I forgot to mention these till you mentioned SMKW.

https://smkw.com/brands/bps-knives

I haven't seen one in person(didn’t know they existed when i was at SMKW last June), but they seem to get good reviews and are priced similar to Moras. Might be worth a look for your son the next time you are in SMKW.