Ka-Bar Becker BK21 (RBK) Part 2 - Preparedmind101

For part two we show the results of a stripped and polished BK21, and get the findings from the skeptical other side, Will.
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[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

While the 21 is not touted as a big game knife in some circles , it worked great for quartering and butchering 2 moose , 3 elk and a few deer . An excellent large butcher knife in the right hands . Thanks for your review & all the best .

[@ScottieG59]

The historical references to this knife design shows it is not just for chopping. Some of the usages were a bit gruesome, such as the abdominal thrust followed by the draw cut. This shape will draw cut very well.

[@coyotewraps8314]

Definetly a cool knife and like always,great job on the strip and polish!

[@TheBackyardPioneer]

I love the looks of this blade! Im going to have to go and strip mine now. Great review!

[@davidrogers182]

I’m in market for large chopper, I like this tool. Still undecided however I’ll keep researching, thanks for great video! William certainly adds to knowledge of tools.

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

Damned good blade. You could use it in combat and take out lots of enemies with that one.

[@southpawbushcraft7522]

Holy cow that's a beast! I like how he showed the tool doing the work not him doing the work for the tool to cut the tripod poles. Great tool.

[@jorgefernandez6407]

Looking forward to swinging mine! Great 2nd video here too...

[@kenmarapese9085]

Beautiful knife and I like what you did with it. Heck of a chopper!

[@redbeard6606]

I like the look after you removed the coating thanks Chris.

[@amrasurvivalchannel2708]

Good video i love the becker knives i have the bk7 and bk17 i pair each with a leathman and a ferro rod but like will i prefer to chop with an axe thanks for sharing

[@powerplay4real174]

Your coating strip work looks splendid, I got to try you method and stripping the coating of of BK Blade and some other fine coated knives , it looks like a much more expensive Kukri without the coating although without it it requires more care to keep the blade rust free and looking good as it does in the video. 📸⚔️📸

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

Nice job on the BK21 and your blade clean-up looks great. Also nice addition w/ Will featuring the knife as a first time user. His good nature, patience, tone, and timing various techniques worked well to exhibit what many others will experience - Cheers Will. Regarding the knife itself... I'm always really pleased with the way a finely-tuned KABAR Becker series bites. My favorite is the BK9 as far as all-arounder in the series. I'm glad this knife is called the BK-21 and not a 'Gurkha Khukuri'!!! Yes - it is in the 'style' somewhat, but definitely not all too traditional. Bottom line ---- this is a camp chopper and undoubtedly a very good one. Not so impressed with the design and deploy of the sheath. To each their own of course --- however the Kydex version shown in this video is more akin to a large bowie or cleaver and not for this general geometry that is traditional left side carry w/ blade forward then drawn with right hand while left palm is placed spine-side of sheath only. If you watch (Toward the beginning of this video) you'll find the near danger grasp and deploy that you may get ya bite one of these days. Again thank you and great, informative, unbiased review

[@49thParallelwildernessrescue]

The bkt kukri is the best bush knife I have ever used! And I have used and owned many. I am fortunate to own the 90s era bkt Reinhardt kukri and after 20+ years of hard work and abuse, it still is as straight as it was when new. I'll have a video of it in action. if the new 21 is anything near the original, then if you dont have one, you should get it. I'm going to pick up a new 21 to see how the two compares.

[@James-ke5sx]

This is my only kukri along with the Ontario 18 in Machete, the BK9 and a BK-10, Condor wood buster

[@robertcabrera4022]

Wow! Now it's captured my interest more,with that polish, Chris they do have it on Amazon... FYI

[@elrico1364]

strong design elements to my old Italian made kukri. very fine design. the belly 'sweet spot' is quite long... purposeful ... gives a big edge to defensive kukri.

[@Hepta.Asteras]

What's the best way to take care of the blade now that it's stripped?

[@Surak91]

How or where do you storage your knives? Excellent knife!!

[@jameshenderson3925]

how would you compare it with the cold steel ghurka.

[@julesthurongi1223]

Try cutting just inside the apex of the curve (where Reinhardt's signature would be) for the greatest shearing. Just my $0.02

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Any chance you could demonstrate that lanyard, how to tie it?

[@MichaelTravis12c27]

You did a nice job sprucing that up

[@j.p.4541]

Hey Chris do you think the condor eco parang or the bk21 would be the better chopper?

[@dennislane4972]

Ok so how sharp is it when it's wright out of the box

[@streetlegalthinking6056]

@PREPAPREDMIND101 what angle do you sharpen your knives at?

[@jameshenderson3925]

how would you compare it with the cold steel kukri

[@A96B6]

I'd rather have this than a jess x, and its not butt ugly either . looks like a great tool thanks Chris.

[@axlplayer14]

what do you use to reprofile the edge?

[@jasonmiller9495]

Is this better than the Condor Katac or are they about the same?

[@SteveAubrey1762]

Does this have the skeletonized tang? MiF

[@johnjames218]

the draw knife technique is great

[@camerong3758]

Chris i was wondering the last time you did an edc video

[@MegaBloodeye]

Got to shop around for this one. Found it on Knifecenter for 139.99 w/ free shipping. Amazon has it listed at 145 I think. Funny though because Amazon has the BK9 listed around $89, but on Knifecenter it's at $108. Probably if you give the BK21 some time it'll come down in price.... but I want one NOW!

[@kde439]

Made by Becker designed by Reinhardt, who studied knife combatives that is why t is one of the best Kukri blades.

[@kwarnisplayer]

What neck knife are you wearing?

[@Teachering]

A nice looking blade.

[@shawnmiller1685]

where are you from @preparedmind101

[@Realwademasters]

I have always enjoyed parangs over kukri designs personaly but it looks like it does the work the same

[@alexwbanks70]

Looks way better.

[@tachikase420]

kukri always beats a small axe any day love becker knives, price still gets me it being a becker

[@feralwoodcraft]

Nice vid guys. And Will, I use knives like draw knives all the time. There's safety police everywhere lol

[@marcosferreras7772]

The definitive knife

[@kevinAuman1]

Yeah if you're aware of the process in powder coating then you know that they put the items in a very hot over to back the stuff on which makes me have to wonder if this affects their heat treatment at all hell maybe it helps or improves it who knows but it'd be awesome to get a becker blade straight from the factory that they haven't sent through to be powder coated and beat on it to see if there is any difference in toughness and or edge retention 🤔

[@schizzultz]

Looks cool, I like your bk9, otherwise I'd just carry my small hatchet to chop

[@dennislane4972]

Im preaty sure you won't answer me but adzactly how sharp was it before you did a number on it makeing it almost a razor ????????

[@preparedmind101]

I don't recall. Look at the date.

[@randallcramer6783]

If it turns out ya don't like it then you could Randall list it, lol I think I'm gonna get this macknifete.

[@freddiedorris3788]

Hey Chris,, would my micarta scales off my BK-9 fit this ??

[@brianmccann666]

YES

[@jayc4715]

I use a Becker bk22 as a bayonet on my genuine red ryder carbine bb gun

[@bryantb4833]

A Red Ryder? man that's overkill

[@jayc4715]

sometimes I shoot 3 bbs at once,, I call it ''buckshot''

[@talkingblades8227]

Wow - this is the first i've heard of the BK 21. I love the Becker handles though and i can imagine they'd combine nicely with the size and heft of that blade. So Chris - what do you prefer - the BK 21 or the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri?

[@preparedmind101]

Never used the Cold Steel. Don't WANT it so I'm not going to buy it, and they aren't handing out free ones.

[@talkingblades8227]

+PREPAREDMIND101 I don't either - but i plan on getting the BK 21 - just based on the handle. I'm glad you are enjoying it - great job on the refinish.

[@user-du8tg4wh3k]

Looks almost like a facutta or kopis swords more than a kukuri .

[@charliebreslow4424]

I could sense Will trying not to like it. ; ) Good video by the way -Charlie

[@charliebreslow4424]

Chris, You should get custom micarta grips for that knife. Knife connection makes some great Carta for beckers.

[@RusttyShackleford]

+Charlie Breslow Kabar makes their own micarta scales that are pretty good.

[@charliebreslow4424]

Cole Wilson yes, I've seen them on amazon. I just like the colors available from knife connection. -Charlie

[@Vladpryde]

Chris, which would you rather have for Bushcraft? This BK21, or the BK9, and why?

[@sonfoku73]

totally different knives for different uses bro

[@Vladpryde]

faultroy Cool story bro. Oh, and thanks btw. :D I haven't been camping in years; just gotta get out there and find out my needs, as you say.

[@joeshmoe479]

+S Wyatt sounds like you just diagnosed yourself. once you acknowledge there's a problem, you can move forward.

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

FROM THE PROSPECTIVE OF A BLADE MAKER I SEE 1 POTENTIAL WEEK POINT IN THE 21 WHERE THE GRIND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE SPINE AT THE RACOSO WITH A R RELAY THIN SPOT IT COULD BE A FATAL FAIL POINT LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS OUT IN A YEAR OR 2 OF ABUSE

[@tjbizzell8508]

+embarado smithing and woodcraft CAPS LOCK!!!

[@zeroa6]

It´s more a Falcata/Kophis, than Kukri, I think. That´s why Mantis likes it, when he don´t like Kukris.

[@viseshseernam39]

he is more like a reverse kukri style

[@MsF4ucorsair]

what did will mean when he meant 'make a bow'. Did he mean a bow and arrow, or a bow for a bow fire?

[@preparedmind101]

+MsF4ucorsair That would be a Bow that shoots arrows since you don't do that action in a bow for a bow drill.

[@MsF4ucorsair]

ok, thanks

[@vincef7487]

14:40 "You get the point." HAHAHAHA!!!

[@vincef7487]

...because the stick

[@vincef7487]

+Vince Fernandez ...is POINTED! HAHAHAHA!

[@justinpackard5148]

who is sitting behind will at 16:03?

[@preparedmind101]

+Justin Packard His wife

[@sergiosanchez-hv1lj]

these types of blades, are multi tool.....plus fighting....use alot, in ww2. jungle clearing. but there are three parts to the blade. each has a purpose.

[@Broddi169]

looks like the schrade bolo to me

[@bjl516]

Why is the BK21 so damn expensive, yet it comes with the regular run of the mill crap scales that all the BK knives come with? I just don't see the point of spending $180 on a kukri that I still have to pay out for micarta scales or take the time to make some.... Id rather just buy the Ka-bar and call it a day

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

how about trying a real kukri (HI for example)? Modern tech is good, but there is one thing the KLOs (Kukri Like Objects) don't replicate, and that is the exact shape and balance, as made by a Nepalese kami with years and years of experience. Now, as far as I know, the full tang has never really caught on in Nepal, because it changes the balance of the knife. Notably, the mark 3 military issue (ca 1943-1950) has a tapered tang (other notable full tang kukris being the mark 2 and it's M43 upgrade).

[@helifanodobezanozi7689]

This is more of a utility short sword than a knife.

[@julesthurongi1223]

You also gotta remember that H. Reinhardt designed this thing to be as much a weapon as a tool, so I'm not too surprised that it doesn't woo the non kukri guys trying bushcraft.

[@mattiasagren3422]

Try the bk20

[@wevikings1790]

When will you do the 10 pound survival kit challenge?

[@preparedmind101]

+WeVikings Probably December. Hoping for snow when I do it. It's actually been quite warm still lately. Needs to be COLD.

[@wevikings1790]

i wish to do it as well

[@sigunat]

More than a Kukri seems like a falcata.

[@kde439]

Historically there are blades from Nepal shaped just like it. Falcata/Kophis ,Kukri all pretty much the same style blade.

[@JustSimplyBrandon]

Call it Kendra

[@bobwampler3387]

very nice! how about a chop off with Jessica-X?

[@preparedmind101]

Chop off? Jessica-X will win hands down and I'll piss off the Becker fans (already done it for my own curiosity)

[@preparedmind101]

+PREPAREDMIND101 If have to do it side by side with another person repping the 21. 21 is a WAY cooler weapon.

[@preparedmind101]

thepreppersbunkeroutdoors just did a video that was as formulaic as you can get with testing something as chopping. In it, JX tied with the RBK score wise. Cool video.

[@bobwampler3387]

+PREPAREDMIND101 I just watched the two part review. Very interesting that he compared more than just pure chopping power. Throwing out the highs and lows for an average, and ranking performance by price, weight, in addition to pure power was nice to see. I thought he did a good job of being impartial as possible. She did you proud standing up to three Beckers!

[@preparedmind101]

+Bob Wampler I'd definitely rather have the RBK when that zombie apocalypse hits the kids are taking about.

[@yoadrian3814]

For someone who talks about safety all the time, will could have used a way better method for making tent pegs... You could just do 3 chops on the stick to get a point. Rather than have the kukri flail and wobble around while he tries to draw cut forcefully... Just saying...i think that method of driving your knife into logs is just a glorified testing trick, more so than a viable method compared to the number of other methods you could use to do the same thing, in a safer way.

[@WilliamMyersmantisoutdoors]

Yup prob right just trying a bunch of methods to see if they work

[@bobikshurik9223]

Hey man why are all your videos so long?

[@preparedmind101]

+Bobik Shurik Because the people that WANT to see that particular product want to see the testing, not a cute 5 minute video with cutscenes. That's a commercial.

[@cbr600rrturbo]

the steel looks better than the potbelly lol high 5

[@jesterbuddersworth3051]

anything looks better than your potbelly now...low blow so sorry

[@preparedmind101]

Same steel. That Potbelly break was ridiculous. Looked like the break in my "Awesome review of the 80's survival knife" video.

[@jesterbuddersworth3051]

PREPAREDMIND101 ka bars are usually pretty tough too

[@rusterkat1188]

+PREPAREDMIND101 +Tactical Chris, I do see a weak point in this knife -- from a manufacturing execution perspective, not design-wise. At the end of the video you show a close-up of the spine. I can see what appears to be the remains of the laser cut edge on the spine. This is a very serious no-no with tool steels. The heat affected zone (HAZ) should be completely removed, preferably prior to heat treatment. The HAZ will contain a micro-thin layer of re-cast, heat-damaged, hardened, and un-tempered(!) material. Re-quenching this is very bad and will very likely lead to micro cracking. Tool steels are very brittle when compared to structural steels and are very sensitive to crack tip propagation. This becomes a problem especially during cyclic loading (i.e. repeatedly pounding the knife with something or chopping with it). In addition, the surface roughness of the laser cut edge is highly undesirable, particularly in that the roughness lays across the edge. It's really just a bunch of little notches that can weaken the blade. If I owned that knife, I would (slowly) grind away about 1/32; - 1/16; of the spine to remove the laser cut HAZ. I would do my finish grind along the length of the blade (not across). I would also consider rounding the spine, just adjacent to the handle where the blade is the narrowest and the stresses are the highest (right where the Potbelly broke on +Tactical). I would leave the rest of the spine 90 degrees. Tac, did your Potbelly have this laser cut surface on the spine too?! [edit to remove ridiculous html artifacts]

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

+Ruster Kat Interesting observation and likely the @home/shop workmanship may void BK warranty. That said - someday possibly a warrantable issue that one would hate to have crop up way out in the remote bush and you're left with a digging implement. One of the things that the real GK (genuine Gurkha knives) have going for them and have enhanced tolerances with respect to this form of slight flaw potential on cracking is in fact the chosen suspension spring steel they are produced from.

[@powerplay4real174]

Unlike Will I'm sold on American Kukris and now the Nepalese are making Kukri Blades that aren't half as thick as the handles , I'm thinking of try one of the newer versions. But the American Kukri Like Object or KLO is much better than those Nepalese elbow and Shoulder destroyers they sell to Americans, plus they don't bite into wood like that Ka-Bar Kukri by BK-21 or Cold Steel's Gurkha Kukri IMHO, ⚔️📸⚔️

[@sirupate]

Glad you called it 'kukri style' and not a kukri, it is more like the Greek Kopis

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Kinda like a Kukrete lol.

[@bravo4819]

Looks like your scared of your knife Chris let your buddy show how to use it

[@sergiosanchez-hv1lj]

wood handle make it sexy

[@Rawdog550]

It's a nice knife but for a 145 bucks I'd rather have a traditional kukri from Himalayan imports.

[@preparedmind101]

+Rawdog550 I have a traditional kukri. I'm TRYING to like it, but that effort goes right out the window at sharpening time. Angle-wise, they are a nightmare.

[@Rawdog550]

The traditional kukris are definitely an acquired taste. Not for everyone but amazing none the less. Not saying the BK 21 isn't a good knife or capable it certainly looks to be more than capable.

[@cesardasilva3134]

i would buy jessicaX instead of this one, 2 point much cheaper and more of a tool then this.

[@elrico1364]

The one single area design that bothers me ... and will probably stop me from buying this kukri is this... .the plunge cut is very deep. There should be a slow and meaty 'swale' to it. There is noting there at all= weakness. Allot of metal is lost so allot of support in this one location is greatly diminished. Lateral toughness is lacking. Too bad otherwise its very nice. Id like to see this changed to a slow sweep arch of metal to strengthen and also will look allot better too. Il keep an eye open to see if this is a fix. But til then Im not spending on something that is truly a weak spot albeit weakness can be a relative thing. But too bad... I like tools with muscle..... not an Achilles weak spot. So get on with it ... fixed the plunge cut right this time or it's no green-backs from me.

[@paulknight8254]

Well said El Rico

[@nirvanapaulpaulunderhill]

4th