Becker BK62 vs. Esee PR4: Which Kephart Knife Will Stand Above the Rest?

[@russelllieser4226]

Shocking the BK62 came dull I have a BK2 and it came wicked sharp. Great video thanks for your time.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You for watching!

[@adrianotero7963]

My BK-62 also came dull.....

[@matt_balomenos]

I have the kabar Becker kephart and mine came shaving sharp. Its my favorite knife to date.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

It is a nice knife. I think Kephart made a great design!

[@maxtoll8290]

Mine came butter knife sharp. Took a while to put a decent edge on it.

[@charless8641]

I felt the same about the handle but after using it for about a year I really like it, I have not had a issue with hot spots even with prolonged use. I also have a LT Right knife that has a similar handle and I like it a lot the difference is the LT Right is thicker and definitely a better fit for my xl hands. Great video and thanks for sharing. 😃

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you!

[@nuancolar7304]

It's not an exact a Kephart design, but you could try the Firecraft FC4. You get the 4" blade, and it has a rounded spine with a ferro notch. You can strike a ferro, but you still have plenty of push surface on the spine that won't kill your thumb.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You!

[@therealkarlcolt7116]

Hey... I have that becker. I use it for cutting open cans with no pop top. Good review

[@alancalkins2656]

I've owned the pr4 for about 5 years as my only camp knife. I've batoned it through 3.5 inch knotty pine and birch a LOT, carved a hatchet handle from a chunk of fire wood without getting hot spots, and with a lanyard it makes a damn good tiny chopper. Holds an edge well, but it's so easy to sharpen I'm not beyond digging a hole with it if need be 😅l

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

You definitely put it through it's paces. Mine also did everything I ever asked it to do, and held up perfectly.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

You definitely put it through it's paces. Mine also did everything I ever asked it to do, and held up perfectly.

[@seanwhite304]

Esee and Bark River are my favorite fixed blade companies.

[@ffoxyff]

Very good comparison of the two. Wish Eathon Becker had made the 4 inch model.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I agree with you. A 4" version would be awesome!

[@bereantrb]

Jack Russel It wouldn’t surprise me if they do since the original was sold in both sizes. If they have any plans on doing so they probably needed to test the market with one model first.

[@fredcourtney03]

I think the fact that you had to sharpen the Becker out of the box is a big difference and Gives the edge to the Esee. The coating on the blade will also help with rust in the Deep South where I live. I love the BK 62 but I think I have to give it to Esee PR 4. Just my input. Thanks

[@jordy703]

Bought the PR4 after my Mora Garberg and i love it. Indeed the handles looks awesome but for comfort maybe a broomstick handle would have been better i think. My opinion is the same the Becker looks authentic but its to large for me. Perfect review and clear thank u sir.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You!

[@codycox2685]

TKC has an upgrades set of scales now. They make a difference. Look great too.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

I love the heat treat Becker uses on their 1095 cro-van...not crazy about their edge geometry, but with a slight adjustment to the edge profile...WOW! a huge difference! A tough and long wearing steel for sure! What slowed down the esee through the summer sausage was its sabre grind...i think the esee came with a better edge geometry and that why it slipped so easily through the skin of the tomato...atb...woods

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you for your input! I appreciate hearing from a fellow fan of Becker and Esee.

[@centurycity]

Summer sausage I am getting me some . Great review thanks.

[@lorenray9479]

My new hobby may now be modifying old work knives into kepharts. I found an old full flat grind to make into a small knife like those you are showing. Just need to find quality rivets or screws for knife handles. A tool to cut/ shape blades seems to be a necessity. Belt sander also!

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Would like to see your finished work.

[@lanceschultz7132]

Just need corby bolts or loveless. Easy to order.

[@lorenray9479]

Made 2. One a little rough blade, but antique high carbon blades are premium to use out of doors. Even blackberry vines submit to my kephart blades! Strikes a rod like a sparkler on the 4th of july! Butchers chickens too. Opens paint cans great! Love my kepharts for EDC! Legal, safe and sane!!!

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I made one with a 4.5" blade, that's the sweet spot for me.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Nice!

[@blackhawkbushcraft]

Love Esee and Becker/Ka-bar! 👍 I don't own either of these Kephart style knives, but there’s always room for “just one more knife.” 😆 I love Kephart inspired designs-simple and they just work well! 👍 Probably the closest Kephart-ish I own and use is the LT Wright Genesis. Love that knife! 👍 It’s not a traditional Kephart knife, but I’m pretty darn sure Kephart was the influence behind the design.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Well, since there's always room for one more, I think you might really like the PR4. My favorite bushcraft knife, with handles from the Knife connection . L.T. Wright does have some very nice knives.

[@blackhawkbushcraft]

@@ochocobushcraft1742 Just might have to pick one up. 👍😁

[@margaretadler6162]

I have had my BK62 for over a year, came very sharp I love it!

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I do really like the knife a lot! I think it was a fluke that I got one not sharp. Thank You for watching!

[@adrianotero7963]

Not a fluke.....mine was also dull.....

[@abandonedotter4270]

The Becker is great but man, they're proud of it.

[@starlingblack814]

Thanks Dan for a great comparison and review.

[@madedigital]

well from other youtuber he said the Kepheart is not a Full flat grind this is a major detail most have missed ..Its a full convex fromspine edge tear drop fatter in the middle helps with splitting and carving wood. with that being said it spiked my interest more to the point i want one ...therefore Bark river is the only way to go then the Becker.

[@garyjacobs2789]

The extra inch blade cames to play if you every have to use the knife as weapon. All my fixed blades are between 4 and five . Perfect length for a do it all knife. That is reason these knives were a favorite of these famous woodsmen . All just remember all knives at time were stone sharped. All five it gets to be a pain .

[@TimeAttack2003]

Customize EVERY knife you purchase to YOUR preference! You dont ruin it you simply make it awesome for YOUR use!

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Exactly

[@James-ke5sx]

If Becker could have made a second version 1 inch smaller that would have been a hit. I ordered the Becker. I have a Esee 4 & 6 but I have wanted something in between with an uncoated blade, nothing fancy.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I would have liked that also.

[@francissobotka8725]

My pr4 is my new edc knife .I replaced the scales with tkc scales and its damn near perfect .

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Couldn't agree more! The PR4 is my go to knife in camp. A true joy to use.

[@Bamboothought]

I too prefer a soft spine , but the extra blade length is very handy when poking around in the fire..

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Agreed, thank you for watching!

[@SupermanBB]

All knives are heat treated and tempered by heat to exact temperatures to achieve their hardness. I’d be very careful “poking around in the fire” with any knife, as there’s a good chance you’ll ruin the temper near the edge. Lowering the hardness and drastically reducing edge retention

[@Airik1111bibles]

Ontario Sk5 is also a great kephart design .

[@grumpyuncle.]

This is good content. Thank you for sharing!

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you!

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

I own both of these, in addition to a few other kephart inspired knives. Neither of these is my favorite, but I do prefer the Esee in general. While FFG knives are great in the woods, and easy to sharpen, I personally prefer a saber grind. Also, Aesthetically the Esse is a better looking knife. This matters to me. I don't subscribe to the whole idea that a "real" bushcraft knife should be plain, simple, and ugly. In addition to a knife performing the way I want it to, looking at it has to bring me joy, the Esee does, the Becker doesn't. Knives are very personal. Just because Kephart preferred this shape, this handle, and a FFG, doesn't mean it's the "best" knife for the job, or that other configurations won't work. Kephart, Kochanski, Canterbury, and Mears, arguably the most well-known and recognized experts in bushcraft and woodlore, each prefer a different type of knife. The two people I learned most of my outdoors stuff from, my uncle and my step-father, generally preferred Buck knives, and did everything that needed to be done, well, with those knives (usually a 119, but sometimes others).

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

My Dad was also a huge fan of Buck. Found Esee on my own over time and really like the brand, and of course the warranty. Thank You for sharing, I appreciate it!

[@adrianotero7963]

To each his own......

[@lonewandererbushcraftwildc6822]

The original kephart Knife was a double convex neither of these knives have that but the ka bar is the closest to the original in regards to shape

[@johnossendorf9979]

I consider both of these and several other "Kephart" type knives. After much research I went with an Ontario Black Bird SK-5 in 154CM. It came shaving sharp. Unfortunately I haven't had any opportunity to do much with it yet.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Let me know how you like it.

[@DerekLand]

I have the SK5, and I'm not particularly fond of it. The handle is a nice material but uncomfortable in actual use. For camp use, I also find the extra 1/2" on it over the PR4 to be unnecessary. Lastly, the steel is great but when it needs sharpening you can't do it in the field; the heat treat Esee puts on the PR4 is superb, and mostly only needs a few swipes on the strop to bring the edge back enough for more use. i also found typical Ontario QC evidence: Some come finished great, mine didn't. The components that make the knife are good quality and Blackbird is the sum of it's parts. ...but the finished product of the PR4 is more than the sum of it's parts. The Blackbird is a great knife, very capable. It's just not as robust IMO as the PR4.

[@MaNi-cn7to]

Thx for vid! i have Condor Kephart and Becker, Condor in my opinion is superior.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thanks, I will take a look at the Condor.

[@PistolPointer]

Great review. Really like both of these knives but tend to grab the PR4. Just picked up an Ontario Blackbird SK4 though. It may pick up some of the use. I may do a video showing it next to these two for a comparison.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You! Would like to see you do that video. I have never used a Blackbird.

[@lonewandererbushcraftwildc6822]

I also prefer my knives to have a sharp spine for bark scraping or fat wood scraping I don't use a sharp spine for ferro rod

[@luisloya1120]

The Becker's walnut handle will swell when wet.😮

[@andyhooutdoors]

Just saw your video and I just wanted to say that I have owned the PR4 for a year and a half now and the handle is not posing an issue for me. I too lament about the rather thin handle and was worried it will produce hot spots when doing tasks like push cuts and so on. Not an issue at all for me. I still wished the handle could be a little thicker, or slightly rounder, but I am fine with what it is. Brought the PR4 to a camping trip in the tropical rainforest of western peninsula Malaysia and it excels tremendously. I brought a second knife there just in case but never used it at all during the trip. I am so hooked on the PR4. I had thought of getting the Becker but the 5” blade length was what puts me off. So after watching your video I don’t feel I need the Becker, unless they put out another one with a 4” blade length.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I absolutely love my PR4! I have a video where i put G10 handles on it and they are amazing! It is called Esee PR4 Handle Upgrade. I think you will like it. Thank you for watching.

[@andyhooutdoors]

Ochoco Bushcraft Oh yes. I know there is the handle upgrade available from The Knife Connection. That is where I purchased the PR4 from, but I love the mountain texturing on the PR4 which I think makes the whole knife look so cool, and so I decided to stick with the original. Would be great if I could get liners for it though.

[@norby0418]

Personally for me 4” is just a bit too short I prefer 4.5 to 5” so I would prefer the BK. I am making a Kephart with a 4.5” blade out of an Old Hickory butcher knife.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Sounds like it will be a great knife. Would like to see a picture when it's done.

[@freddyg6940]

At 8:40 said “slice the tomatoes” and Press Cut almost a chop 😂

[@johnpetry6753]

Micarta scales are now available from KABAR.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You! I will check them out.

[@scottsmith6571]

Have both like both

[@CrimsonSurvival]

It’s a give and take, both knives have their advantages and drawbacks. I like them both. Good video, brother.✝️👍🏻

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you! Greatly appreciated!

[@EJWilliamson-h9n]

Also if you are looking for a fire starter try a blast match

[@navigator1372]

I'm betting the joker trampero will out slice and out notch both of them. It's the joker kephart. It's stainless steel. Still, there's something to be said about the sturdiness of esee 1095 and the cool look. Trampero has better ergos than both of them. 81 bux on Amazon. Micarta or wood handles and nice leather dangler sheath

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

This will probably be the last new knife I test for a while. My budget is presently stretched thin. Thankfully I have some manufacturers sending me a few new items to test out.

[@scottsmith6571]

Both great knives I’m oredering both

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

NICE! I think you will enjoy them.

[@rickeybullington68]

I d take the Becker allday long .

[@jtoutdoorsadventures6864]

Awesome!! Esee makes a nice knife. Great upload. I have been wanting to read that book.

[@jtoutdoorsadventures6864]

I knew it that's moms cutting board. I love Esee knives

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

@@jtoutdoorsadventures6864 Yep, that's moms cutting board!!!

[@philbossert2790]

ML Knives makes a solid Kephart

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Nice Looking Knives . Thanks for watching.!

[@navigator1372]

Yeah i think that knife is too long. I have bk16, tops bob (way overbuilt), cold steel drop forged hunter, bps hk1 (best at Bushcraft, mora companion (2nd best bushcrafter) joker montes 2, joker corzo, rat 3, and bk 19. The one that hits the best for utilty. For a balance of bushcraft, food prep, batoning kindling, being light, tactical, skinning, feather sticking is the bk19. As a mention. EVERYONE should have a mora companion as for 25 bux you get a great bushcrafter that weighs next to nothing to complement your companion blade. The sharpest blades out of the box are joker and bps. If you like leather look at the joker montes 2 and corzo for 50 bux. The best utility sheaths are the bk 19 and cold steel drop forged hunter ( a bit overbuilt but simple with 52100 steel) i saw a guy baton chop through thick wood with it and it was taking big chunks. Those two sheaths have many lashing points and i think ambidextrous. Still, I think Becker knives should come with g10 or micarta. My favorite one kinda lacks the cool factor a tad

[@sperrinoutdoors7642]

Nice 1 buddy great upload

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You

[@reddragonreonado6086]

What are the differences between knives with the SMKW symbol? Is there a difference in quality?

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Sorry, but I'm not familiar with this. You might contact them directly and ask.

[@jamesmcgee2447]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnchastain4351]

If the knife does not have a flat grind it is not a Kephart knife. It is just Kephart inspired. Also, it needs to have pinned scales. I have a BK7 that I like. I purchased a BK62, but sent it back because I did not like it.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

BK 7 is a great knife! Kephart, or Kephart inspired, the PR 4 along with the BK 16 have become my favorite Bushcraft knives. Thank You for watching!

[@navigator1372]

Which nessmuk do you prefer? Becker or esee? I decided to buy the becker cause of the sheath. Im not much into leather

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I really like the Esee with The Knife Connection handles. Put on.

[@scatman8963]

such a shame ka-bar went with a flat grind instead of a convex

[@robertphillips3833]

Try a Bark River Kephart in CPM 4V 👍🏻 it’s killer

[@mudsslinger]

I'm not a fan of the scales on the Esse , don't know if there are replacement ones or not

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Check out my newest video, "Look What's New From the Knife Connection " to see some of there handles for the PR4. Great handles!

[@kevinmorrice]

bk62 wins for me, i just dont like the handle scales on the esee, never liked that kind of extreme texturing

[@nitetrekker]

Have you ever tested the TOPS Lite Trekker? I'm trying to decide between it and the PR4. Thanks

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I haven't ever used the Trekker. But I can say that if you decide to go with the PR 4, you won't be dissapointed. It is a knife that feels really good in the hand. As soon as you hold it, you can just tell that it wants to go to work. Thank you for watching!

[@kentonward97]

Just have to remember this knife also was his butcher knife

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Yes, definately great for that! Thanks for watching!

[@luisloya1120]

Esee is Superior & it looks better. The becker looks like a chinese $15 steak knife.

[@jasonaffeldt7838]

👍👍👍.🇺🇲🔪🔥🌲

[@anthonyp7051]

Just sub to ch Thing is once you put a edge after factory it’s done before it began. Knives usually get a more keen edge and stronger as you come up. So for the bk to not be performing well this could be from lack of edge skill I have several ESSE knives and only a couple Bk’s I like your comparison and the biggest thing about the kephart is its drop to center point that is my favorite to use

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank You for your input.

[@evanjack1466]

Just get a Cold Steel Master Hunter, Trail Master and a Pendleton mini hunter….

[@БогданШпаковский-э6ш]

Бомба 💥

[@evanjack1466]

Stick with cold steel you’ll get better performance at half the price

[@San.Marco.il.Viaggiatore]

Why is the price (240€) of the Becker so high? It‘s a simple back to the roots knife with no 90• spine, arrived doll, slipper handle, blade too long…hhmmm🤨the Kephart was a poor man’s knife, but well Beckhart is not Kephart… I go with the ESEE🫡