Ka-bar Becker BK5 Knife Review: Bust Out the Magnum

[@4everStrong1]

These knives were designed to slice, cut meat, cut veggies, and by the way, they are great fighting knives....I love the knife so much that I purchased 3 of them! Took one to Brazil with me and it performed superbly!

[@DV8DOG]

The swedge, is to reduce drag in deep cuts in which the bk5 was designed to do as a slicer not for batoning. In fact, even though it will damage the item used to hammer the knife into the wood, the swedge will aid in the batoning process and in theory split the wood easer with less binding. You really should watch "Becker Fall 2011 Gathering - Episode 5" on KZbin, thanks for the review

[@4everStrong1]

You, Sir, make to much sense for all these battoning idiots.... That knife is wonderful.... I bought 3 of them! They are great slicers, they have very slick blades! I love them!

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, One thing I just learned recently was, and I heard William Collins say this, He said "hold the knife close to the edge to have better control" in one of his vids. Then I saw a Tribesmen carve a bow with what appeared to be some sort of a machete, but he too held it close to the edge and had alot of control when he carved with that large knife. Over this Labor Day weekend since we were going to eat alot I took my Lite Set, my BK-5, BK-15, and my Mataxe BK-4, Oh I took my Potbelly too. It amazed me how well you can use a large knife to carve like a smaller knife. I thought this was interesting to learn so I wanted to share this. I wish you a safe and happy Labor Day.

[@TheByrdWhoLovesRock]

I just watched that video a few days ago. It's amazing what a man can do when you give him just one tool.

[@michaelstjohn6086]

+paulie 4x what's your opinion on the BK4?

[@paulie4x1]

+Michael StJohn Say Heah John, I like it, the reason I got it was I wanted a chopper to pair off with my BK-2 and BK-16 ad for my BK-5 and BK-15, It's a modified kukuri, add a thicker blade and you get a chopper like the O.K.C. Gen2 SP-53 see the sumilarity, Yeah so I got it more because if the design as a chopper and not so much on just the way it looks, it's blade heavy and the geometry will baton pretty good, I classify it as a good chopper abd that's what I was looking for an no regrets. What do you want to use it for ? for me I like a knife to have other uses, Yeah its a chopper but I can still slice with it and still use it like a knife so I don't have to change knives in the middle of what I'm building or doing. If your into building sheltrrs, it's awesone for that, actually as good of a chopper my BK-9 is, the BK-4 is every bit as good. Like I said, it's a modified kukuri.

[@paulie4x1]

+Michael StJohn Oops so sorry Micheal, I saw the John in your name, I apologize

[@michaelstjohn6086]

I read some reviews, a few say it doesn't have the weight to chop well. Figured you knew!

[@RollsRoyce1954]

It's only a battoning stick Aaron. You can find them anywhere. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and suggestions about gear with me, I appreciate it sir.

[@bigghoss762]

IIRC the swedge is supposed to reduce resistance as you slice through something, similar to the shape of a boat's hull helps is cut through the water. Averageiowaguy has a video where he interviews Jerry Fisk who designed the blade as well as Ethan Becker who designed the handle and they talk about the BK5.

[@paulie4x1]

The BK-5 is part of my Lite BK Knife set, it's paired off with my BK-15, and my BK-4, it's not a set, I would take for alot of wood processing, or building shelters, but a camp set, slices, dices, and does a fair job on things you wouldn't think it can do, it's a great set for a hunting camp chore set of knives, I can clear out alley's, clear out a camp, with the BK-4, I can baton too, actually, with the BK-5 too, when carrying a weapon into camp, I like my knives lite, and this set is exactly that, I really like this set, Thanx for a great video, very nice, keep up the great job, I look forward to your videos.

[@gideonstactical]

paulie 4x Right on and I thank you for the comment and opinion.

[@yoadrian3814]

Would you recommend the bk4 or bk5 more?

[@paulie4x1]

You know I've been thinking about what you asked, the BK-4 is a chopper for building shelters, batoning, and chopping, the BK-5 is a large camp knife on steriods and you can do similar things with it but not as heavy like I already mentioned it's my light set the BK-15, BK-5, and the BK-4, with this set I can get the job done, it's just that it's lighter than my go to set which are my Swamp Rat's, Rodent 9, Ratmandu, and my Rodent Solution, my lighter Swamp Rat set is my Rodent 7, Rodent 4, and my Rodent 3, but for my summer Long Knife I've been using my Rodent Rucki awesome chops, baton's and with the choil I don't have to put it down to get a knife, if your thinking of getting the BK-5 do so I heard they might discontinue it, a nice knife regardless. I would recommend getting it. But I've been going with a 2knife carry recently but carrying a Double Bit Hatchet or Tomahawk and a saw lately.

[@yoadrian3814]

paulie 4x Thanks for the reply. Yeah kabar is discontinuing the bk4, bk5 and bk15. So i'm deciding what one is worth picking up. I appreciate the response, thanks.

[@paulie4x1]

If your lucky, (keep your eye on it too), wait until tgey go on close out sales, I bought my Gerber Freeman set which is my Hunter and Caper both in S30V and Stag Handles I bought them separately but (I think from Knife Center) at a good price.

[@thorsbeat]

Great videos but the way I see it is that they make a host of different type of knives for different people. I wouldn't want this knife but some wold. I love my Ka-Bars. Plan on getting the BK 9 soon. Keep up the good work.

[@stephenbeard9882]

I think this knife is underrated. If they got rid of the weird swedge I bet they would sell better.

[@CanItAlready]

steve mcphaul Do a search at bladeforums for this knife and you'll see why so many people dismissed it as an outdoors knife--that, of course, mostly based on just looking at it. Very few of them had ever even handled the knife to see what it's capable of doing.

[@yoadrian3814]

The knife wouldn't function as well without the swedge. Jerry fisk knows blades, i'd trust in his design.

[@karlo8093]

Thanks. Putting some thought into this knife. Camp/woodsman needs mostly

[@michaelstjohn6086]

+Karl Olewine it's on sale now, 55 dollars. Mine should be here this week.

[@austinlozinski2119]

I heard you could take the plastic insert out of the sheath and heat the insert up with maybe a heat gun and it will form better to the knife so it wouldnt rattle as much

[@frankwebster1033]

Gotta get one... thanks.....

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron. Yeah, I just got my 3Rd BK-5, Yeah, it came again with the new Limited Edition, I just ordered the BK-29 a Monster Bowie, yeah similar to the BK-20 Bundok Bowie which only 440 were made, Anyhow my new Bowie is the BK-29 Moses, named after the in-house knife designer for Ka-Bar, Its a 1/4" shorter than the Bundok but the tip is stronger. and I actually like the profile better. It also cane with a BK-5 making it my 3Rd because I already had it before I ordered my first Limited Edotuin, Oh, this time the Snody SnaleCharmer also came with this Kit, I actually like the BK-5 because I can do what I can do with my BK-7.,,.

[@natet9881]

that swedge should increase tip strength while keeping its piercing capability as optimal as possible. probably dosnt need to go the entire length though.

[@bawidamann939]

Any idea where to get one?

[@MichaelGhost]

It's a good knife for slicing and dicing "boxes"

[@semco72057]

The knife looks great and the sheath is okay for those not in a hurry to get the knife in it, but I have the BK-2 with the problem of getting the blade out of the sheath, and cut myself recently trying to put the knife back in the sheath.

[@nimacrpm3699]

Since you seem to like 6" to 7" inch blades you should check out the Bark River Bravo 2 7 inch blade .20 inch thick A2 steel Awesome blade!

[@gideonstactical]

I will see if I can get my hands on one.

[@Cyphoria]

another great review ...I like the bag your wearing

[@gideonstactical]

It is the Hill People Kit Bag, review coming soon.

[@JuandelaCruz001]

Sweet! Once again, another AWESOME review of another knife I'd like to have too.

[@gideonstactical]

Thanks!!

[@paulie4x1]

Aaron, I read where the BK-5 and the BK-4 are discontinued. I did see some Viking knives that actually looked like thd BJ-5 yeah that style is called a trailing tip.

[@paulie4x1]

Eurotrash4367 Your a Sick Girl, Can't figure out if you want to be a boy or a girl, So guys just use you like a bitch rag. ,, .

[@paulie4x1]

Europeantrash, ENOUGH. ,, .

[@paulie4x1]

Eurotrash4367 I reported you Sucka'Face, .. ,

[@Eurotrash4367]

paulie 4x I'm sorry bro, it was a joke. I didn't know your mother passed away.

[@paulie4x1]

Eurotrash4367 It's all good now. ,, .

[@bravo4819]

Should I get ah bk5

[@wolfman011000]

Thread some shockcord in the 2 eyelets and use that to retain the knife in a slip over the top of the handle manner. Alternatively use some waistband elastic stretched out, then sewn onto the retaining nylon strap, that will pull it clear of the blade when being drawn. But you are right the nylon sheath is crap.

[@juainott5281]

I think this is a good option for this brand of knifes Cause most of the bk's are tough beast for heavy duty tasks, not really good for slicing and other sutil options I think this is a good knife and very underrated Maybe for some hunting stuff, I would have both knifes on me, this one and the bk2, or bk7 or... Having the bk5 and a small hatchet I think both can complement good.

[@Daxm15e2s]

Chestnut ridge knife shop makes kydex sheaths for kbar and ontario if anyones interested.

[@tinman3381]

One of the responders made the ridiculous comment that Kabar should listen to the public and put out one without the swedge. Thinking like this is one of the reasons we see so much absolute crap being made. The buying public has a very large percentage of morons and wannabes. These people will buy anything that is trendy and looks cool. The hell with whether or not it is actually a good design. The Tracker Knife is a great example of this trend. The Bk5 is a great knife that does exactly what it was designed to do. If you don't like the knife, get off your ass and design and manufacture your own.

[@LegionTacticoolCutlery]

Michael Knapp well.said!

[@paulie4x1]

Yo Adrian, the BK-5 is a smaller knife than the (BK-4)is a chopper, the the BK-5 is more like a camp knife on steriods it's a trailing tip design with a choil, but yes I do chop with it light stuff, and I baton with it light stuff, where as the BK-4 is similar in size to the BK-9 a unique shape with a sweet spot, I like carrying the BK-15, BK-5 and the BK-4 as my light set.

[@HellenicDomination]

This knife is not made for batoning, thank God we don't need a zillionth more knife for batoning or feather sticking How about it;s abilities in cutting meat and smashing bones ? essencial tasks in hunting , and or even using the knife as a defense weapon.

[@4everStrong1]

You are right on the money! These knives are best for what they are intended to do: slice, cut meat and superb fighters!!

[@rainmechanic]

I agree with you about the top swedge... Its one of the features that has prevented me from pulling the trigger on this otherwise desirable {to me} knife... Its a real annoyance when the manufacturer has this absurd devotion to the designers original idea... Like Buck did with that ridiculous notch on the Hoodlum... even when multiple complaints and testing proved it was a weak link in an otherwise excellent knife.. they refused to just omit a feature no one else wanted except for Ron Hood... Same with this Swedge.. Why does the fact that Jerry Fisk put it on the original prototype somehow mean its now written in stone.... Whats even more puzzling is that its an extra step... Why not offer an unswedged BK5 and see which is prefered by the buying public.... What if it doubled the sales of the knife? ... I sometimes do not understand our domestic manufacturers thought process concerning their products..... KABAR IF YOUR LISTENING PLEASE OMIT THE SWEDGE... One less operation and you will probably sell a lot more of these knives.

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Aaron, The BK-4 and 5 are discontinued, I think it will be a collectable, For those that don't have one, There's a few still around, search and buy. ,, .

[@EidolonSpecus]

Norsemen who went vìkingr usually carried some sort of seax-type knife. A mora knife is actually closer to historical accuracy than this.

[@JeepJeep234]

Seems to me like it would be more at home processing fish. It honestly looks like a beefed up filet knife.

[@wolfman011000]

After my previous comment that the sheaths where crap i decided to go looking for a kydex model. I found these clevelandkydex.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=143 i have not ordered one as shipping to my location is more than the total cost of the sheath at $40.80. All 3 NW rangers i have bought have been from the usa for $56 inc shipping I guess some USA sellers want to sell there wares, while others don't Take care and God Bless to One and All

[@vxgas]

you said you loved this blade but you never mentioned BK5 again at your later videos :)

[@gideonstactical]

vxgas I did live it but you got to give up some of the stuff you love when you have a youtube channel.

[@pappy451]

not a fan of this one. i do like this brand though, the bk16,in particular. but a lot of the rest too. good video.

[@truman5838]

These blades can rust though

[@sopwithcamelus]

Sadly, this is out of production...

[@lumpylumpy3931]

Rambo

[@Daxm15e2s]

Chestnut ridge knife shop makes kydex sheaths for kbar and ontario if anyones interested.