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

[AndyLate]

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

[dmd08]

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

[hi-wayman]

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.

[signal4l]

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

I have always been a fan of Bark River Knives

[AndyLate]

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

[HKGuns]

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.

[Pappabear]

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

[SeriousStudent]

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.

[AndyLate]

Man you guys are spendy 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

[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.