Classic Kabar vs Becker Series Part 2: BK7, BK9, BK2, BK10

Note: Before I get yet another comment about what too-good-to-be-true condition my knives are in, feel free to watch my later BK videos where I explain the reasons why, then eventually give into peer pressure and chop concrete with my BK2 until it's wrecked to your standards. And then I make it pretty again (prettier than it was to begin with).
In Part Two, a quick overview of some representative sample Becker knives: The BK-7 Combat Utility, BK-9 Combat Bowie, BK-2 Campanion, and BK-10 Crewman. Tough full tang knives. Not as elegant as the classic Kabar, but excellent for hard use. However, I'm not happy with the finish they started to use about 4 years ago. Hopefully that's changed.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

For anyone asking why my knives don't look like I've been batoning concrete, please view my BK7 video poll and you can vote for batoning concrete: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHrXlXdtf9Olec0

[@kenkjer]

I have had a BK2 for years. I hunt in Northern MN and Wisconsin, occasionally in Canada. You are right about this feeling like a hatchet, and in several cases where I have been back in bush at 20 below zero, this knife has been invaluable in building a fire. On several occasions, I have used it split the pelvic bones to make a good and quick cleaning. Don't underestimate this my knife until you use it in the bush.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I made the scales a shave thinner for my hands and it feels a lot better. I may one day invest in some nicer scales. Beckers are excellent beasts.

[@davidlagno7717]

Thank you for doing the most detailed comparison between these knives and exactly answered all my questions 👍

[@boristheblade12]

Gorgeous Collection.!

[@jorgefernandez6407]

VERY useful information. Impressed at how pristine your BK-7 is looking after all these years... Not gonna be the case with my newer models but not a deal breaker either. I've really liked the BK-7 & 9 and the price was right so, mine now! For my needs, they're a perfect fit and from what I've seen so far, they're just shy of being bullet proof (coating wise)... That'll work!!! Besides, all I really needed to see is that you had them too and that my friend, will "always" work for me 😊...

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Check the later entries. My use was pretty light at this point, and I've since stripped all the finishes in favor of bluing (and new grips). The steel is the "bulletproof" part.

[@jorgefernandez6407]

@@michaelrizzo5523 will do!

[@joepublic573]

very informative and useful. thank you. ps blade finish under the new coating looks different to the "stamped" version

[@grandriver3152]

Glad I bouhgt my BK7 for $89CDN five years ago. I took a file and removed the top notch of the ramp and put a 90 on the spine. Also sanded down the 'corners' on the grips. Found both mods to be a big improvement. The sheath can be just folded over both top and bottom and wrapped with paracord to shorten and stiffen. Throw a Victorinox Trekker in the pocket for the final touch.👍🌲😉

[@banshee107]

I started with the 10 and bought the 2 a month later; toughly arpund 2017. I use my 2 weekly for batoning, An absolute workhorse . I did replace the garbage scales on both of them. I bought G10 for the 2 and made wood ones for the 10. I also bought an additional sheath to replace the glass filled nylon one. I did however modify the GFN one by removing the belt loop and replaced it with a hardened loop from a drop leg holster for a pistol. Love these knifes!

[@jeanducheamps7697]

Combination of the knowledge and a very pleasant voice makes this a joy to watch. Subbed!

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Thanks! Someone said my voice qualified as ASMR.

[@jeanducheamps7697]

@@michaelrizzo5523 agreed. Posting your video’s with an ASMR title will surely attract more followers. And the content is not in line with most ASMR content so you might have found a hole in the market ;-)

[@LongRider47]

I have 3 Beckers thay all get hard use almost daily as I live off grid in the woods. All have been modified. Leather sheaths for each. Brazilian Ironwood handles for each. A mustard patina for some character. In my mind the mods make them much more funtional yet look a little old school. Started with the BK7 then the BK16 and finally the BK14. Love the 7 for my trail work etc. The 16 is a great all around compact knife. The 14 is for town when I want a small fixed blade. You should give the BK16 a try.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I've definitely considered the 16, and have since modified the 10 (I'll post an update soon). I do like the idea of ironwood grips.

[@LongRider47]

@@michaelrizzo5523 I got my grips for all 3 on eBay. Two sellers have them for all Beckers.

[@keithlaub2178]

Owned my Ka-Bar since the 70s.... My first BSA knife. Still rides as proud on my hip as it did then...

[@boristheblade12]

I have the BK7 and the BK9 but I want to buy the BK10. I think for the price you can not go wrong.

[@JoeSteel1]

excellent info on the beks..interesting to know about finish...but very impressive looking pieces...well done...big fan of KaBar

[@michaelrizzo5523]

How's the finish on the new KaBar Tanto?

[@JoeSteel1]

@@michaelrizzo5523 Smooth, gliding finish, very much like it...you can see the close ups on my video

[@oobeoobe]

The bk16 is a fantastic smaller Becker blade. Full flat grind, lighter in the hand and sharpens up like a razor. I've striped the coating off mine, and forced a patina coating using vinegar; it comes out as a dull grey finish. An alternative could be having it blued, but I use it for general stuff outdoors, including food prep and I'm not keen on bluing for that. Plus if the 'finish' wears off, I can just degrease it and dip in a bit of vinegar again and it's all good. I also have a bk2, and no, I didn't like the GRP sheath either. It's a great knife and I enjoy using it in combination with other tools (saw, folding pocket knife etc), having fun outdoors and camping and such.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

So far I've stripped the finishes off the BK10 and the BK2 and blued them, and I broke down and bought G10 scales for the 7 and the 10. Much nicer, and, yes, easy to touch up if they get scratched.

[@kenstutchbury6361]

Your lucky mate , you can purchase your Kabar / Becker's alot cheaper in America ( amongst all the other good stuff ) , it costs up to twice the price in Australia with the exchange rate and postage to purchase them here . As an example : bk2 - $184.00 , bk7 - $195.00 , bk9 - $225.00 , bk10 - $213.00 , bk16 - $160.00 & bk18 - $165.00 , these are all on eBay from local distributors . All our survival / camping & bushcraft needs cost us a small fortune if we have to purchase them from overseas as well as locally produced gear too . I certainly wish I could purchase all the gear I wanted for what you pay , but sadly , it is what it is and we have no choice in the end but the spend the money if we wish to have the equipment , 🙁

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Damn. I've heard nightmares about restrictive laws and imports in a lot of places, countries some of the makers won't even try to ship to. From my book sales I've seen some wicked exchange rates, places where VAT applies. Assuming you can get something and afford it, it better be more than worth it.

[@tim777us]

That isn't right.

[@HollywoodTacticool]

very helpful, useful information to aid in my consumer choices! thanks for the assessments!

[@turnsouth]

I have a few Beckers. The coating seems to be the standard across the board for knife manufactures that coat their 1095. I have stripped a couple completely, mistake on my part. I get my knives wet and dirty without hesitation, and found that not forming rust under the handle is near impossible, even with regular maintenance (I image that if I took the handles off every time I would be able to stop it, but that's too much work). The knives I have stripped I ended up giving them a thick coat of paint where the handles are. On the others since then, I strip the blade, but leave the protective coating on in the handle area, works well. Anyway, my stripped BK10 is by far my best and favorite slicer without the coating on the blade.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Basically what I wound up doing: left the coating on the tang and stripped the blade, then blued it.

[@henrymrowicki7004]

I got the 9 and scales for 120 years ago. Tore up the finish batoning old cedar electric poles from work. I sanded the finish just to smooth it out a bit, it sucks. I will eventually strip it and probably use apple cider vinegar to patina it. The micarta scales have a sharp ridge along the tang and needs to be smoothed out. The knife does take a wicked edge.

[@naiboz]

Those look like they’ve had a hell of a rough life opening letters 😂

[@kingdomhearts9701]

BK 7 is my favorite too.

[@wamps0127]

I have the same blades as you. I've found that the BK16 compliments the BK7/BK9 perfectly.

[@_dreko]

Great video! Exactly the info I was looking for

[@James-ke5sx]

I have all these knives plus a few more Beckers like the Reinhardt Kukri, BK5. I think the new rough finish is designed to be non-reflective especially if it is being used for military combat environments.

[@warlantactical]

Your knifes are clean ware have you used them ?

[@TheUnchosenOne]

I love my crewman but you are spot on with the finish. It compliments the scales on the grip, but on the blade its terrible.

[@ericplatz7200]

I took some paint remover. I took that why don’t lighting off my blade. It looks a lot better I like it.

[@aaronluna4341]

I had a Ka-Bar USMC classic fail me bat-toning. It is a FIGHTING KNIFE, not a bushcraft knife

[@sandrosantagata3562]

Hello everyone! I am on my way to purchase the KA-BAR BK10 Crewman. On the web there are two kind of them ,the one with USA logo on and the one with just NY which stands for New York. Well after watching Michael Rizzo I wonder which is the latest version. Are both coming with same blade finish? Thank you for answering Sandro from Sweden

[@michaelrizzo5523]

The deeply stamped-in logos are the old ones. The new ones have the really rough finish, but if you look at my later videos, I've stripped the finishes off my 10, 2 and 7, and am very happy I did.

[@COAL-CRAWLERS]

I've used this knife a lot... knife has zero scratches... uh-huh...

[@MrDedmaker]

Real quick, its the BK-2 Companion. English is your second lingo? We are in agreement on the coating, it could be better (see Esee coating). I own the BK-2, 10, 18, 14 and BK-40 folder. I think Ethan Becker is a genius. The only real gripe I have is the handle material, The handle shape (design) is one of the best, most comfortable (during use) that I have used, especially the 18. Good video.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Nope, it is definitely CAMPanion. My English is absolute crap, but here's the product link: www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Becker-Campanion-Fixed-Blade/dp/B001N1DPDE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MW0R7W20UDSI&keywords=ka-bar+becker+bk2+campanion+fixed+blade+knife&qid=1699390822&sprefix=becker+bk2+camp%2Caps%2C292&sr=8-1

[@lukealberti5094]

12:42 I think the thumb jimping on the sheath takes a little practice and maybe there is a break-in period. I find that if I use the fatter lower pad portion of my thumb rather than the tip of my thumb it works better; if you use the tip of your thumb, it's harder to get enough leverage and pressure and your thumb will get pinched.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I have better results in general with my Cold Steel Secure-X sheaths, which are of similar design and can be stubborn until they're broken in. This one was just way over-tight, but recently I did some customizing (see my BK2 "Wreck and Restore" update) and thinned out the scales a bit. This got the lockup just right for me. Liking this knife a LOT more now.

[@johnbelmore1178]

I have the bk9 and I know what you mean about the coating it's rough and to frictiony

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I've since stripped the coatings off all by Beckers, blued them and swapped the grips for G10. Big improvement on already great knives.

[@motorcyclemark2889]

The new rough finish literally takes about one minute to sand smooth with 600 grit its not really a big deal it sands smooth and is like the older finish

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I gave up and stripped off all the coatings (see updates).

[@motorcyclemark2889]

I sanded mine my 2of my cold steels came with the same rough finish the SRK and GI tanto the Leatherneck SF was smooth my Ontario Rat 5 and Rat 3 also had a rough finish . Seems many come rough my SP 10 also was rough .

[@jamescooper2618]

I have a BK 7 and 9. I've cleaned fish and rabbits with both. A big knife is not a hindrance, you just need to use a different technique and have a sharp blade.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Since I've been working with much bigger knives, these no longer feel cumbersome at all.

[@wotan_nightshade]

If you live in the woods you need to own a bk9. It's a tree sword.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Yup, they're awesome. Condor Moonshiner is very similar, but BK has much better steel.

[@philmuheiny6032]

I enjoy using my bk knives

[@wavepropulsion1]

The ka bar classic is my favorite design for weight snd balance. But not as strong

[@michaelrizzo5523]

True! I've condiered comparing it a Cold Steel leatherneck, but I'm not a fan of hollow grinds.

[@erichusayn]

Ver cool. Gotta love a Ka-Bar. Great minds think alike. Lol Had no idea you had put this up.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I just saw your BK13 review right after I put this up. Must be on the same wavelength. Obviously the unfinished one that comes free with some of the bigger knives isn't as good as yours.

[@erichusayn]

@@michaelrizzo5523 still cool. I like how shes piggybacks on the larger knifes sheath

[@minnesota-hk1vp]

Do you have the kabar big brother?

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Not yet. I was a bit concerned about the stick tang on the longer blade.

[@Meymeygwis]

Check out the Becker BK-18 Harpoon; it's a decent all rounder for outdoor with some tactical capability.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Yes, the Harpoon caught my eye.

[@sandymilne224]

I like the blade shape of the harpoon. Don’t like the scales though. The blade would be great for skinning, more than whittling around the campfire.

[@patricksmith9297]

Just an observation, but for an 11 year old knife the bk 7 looks unused. Maybe it's just me or the lighting. Thank you for your time and the video

[@9SS94Cr]

I believe Becker's used to be the high value option for outdoors knives. It's sad to see they are as pricy as more premium brands like ESEE. I felt there was a shift around the 2010s, then Kabar just kind of changed their pricing and general business practice. My only actual Kabar is a TDI law enforcement knife. I find it to be an interesting concept.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I picked up a TDI a few years ago out of curiosity. Interesting concept indeed.

[@MovieGuy666]

esee isn't a premium brand.

[@BladeWalker77]

Hi from Italy, my first video from your channel, subscribed, very good contents and in a very clear English that allows me to understand almost everything. I'm looking on a good, reliable, strong camp knife usable also for food prep. May I ask You to suggest me a good one?. What about the bk10 if I remove the coating?. Grazie!.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Thanks! I did an update video of the BK10 after stripping the coating and like it much better for those purposes. I could also recommend the Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter, as I use the "lite" version of that knife often for fine meat cutting. The BK10 has a wider, slimmer blade so may be more useful.

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

after watching this video, Jun 2023, paid $122 for a bk7 in China. Not sure I need it. I have been a happy Cold Steel SRK user.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

SRK is an awesome knife. I've done some follow up videos on these BKs where I've beat these up, stripped the finish and replaced the plastic grips. The steel quality is very good, and can take a lot of abuse. You may want better grips and a better sheath, but those are available.

[@jamielancaster01]

Cut thru wood??? I want to know if it’ll cut through human ribs!

[@brnobre4301]

Diferenciada

[@rogerlawson4516]

The BK 7, BK9 and BK 2 are all Camillus Knives. The BK10 is a KABAR.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I think the originals were, but all mine are stamped "BK Ka-Bar, Olean NY USA". I suspect the early ones were probably better.

[@rogerlawson4516]

@@michaelrizzo5523 Thanks

[@steveouellette6551]

My first Becker was a Camillus-patrol machete in D2 steel. Camillus went defunct and Ethan bought his brand at the auction and began making knives at Kbar. For a couple of years I thought I’d never get one but in 2008? they appeared in carbon steel and I love them. There are a lot of great knives on the market. My Kbar/M2 knife is an original Camillus from 1943 and it is wonderful also

[@Victorsbzh]

No extra knife is extra

[@warlantactical]

If you used the bk 2 or any beckers your coating would be rubbed offed

[@MovieGuy666]

never been used.

[@marcusvinicius2022]

Brasil

[@cloudnine8842]

I'm preying one day they make the Bk 7 with part serrations..

[@Bearzerk330]

Can't be too hard to file them down yourself?

[@sandymilne224]

@@Bearzerk330 : grind… not file… 😁

[@spectermad9180]

I dont know why you keep saying Machete..that KBar Bk7 is Big Knife...the Bk2 is also a great Knife...the Bk9 is also a big Knife..now all of your Knives Look like there New never Been used you said you had them for about 9yrs and I don't think you ever used any of those Knives..I dont believe you had done anything but hold them and Look at them...and all them Swords you have hanging up...I bet you call them Machetes also....before you say anything about the Bk line up you should try and use them...I think you got all 3 Bk knives looked them and did Nothing at all...I won't trust what you say

[@ChuckToddMeetThePress]

He stated that he bought several of them bk7's so I'm assuming he showing the newest ones

[@wotan_nightshade]

If you live in the woods you need to own a bk9. It's a tree sword.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Now that I live in a place with a lot of trees to tend, the BK9 and my Condor Moonshiner are competing for best chopper.

[@wotan_nightshade]

If you live in the woods you need to own a bk9. It's a tree sword.