Ethan Becker

KA-BAR BK14 Becker Knife and Tool EsKabar Review

During the 2016 SHOT Show, I had the great opportunity to meet a man named Ethan. Ethan was working at the KA-BAR Knives display and approached me as I was viewing some of KA-BAR’s newest designs. We began talking about knives and telling war stories, and before I knew it, almost an hour had passed. When I shook his hand to say goodbye, he handed me a nifty little knife to take with me. He also handed me his card, at which point I finally realized that I had been talking with Ethan Becker.

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Ethan Becker is a household name for many. His grandmother is Irma S. Rombauer, author of one of the United States’ most widely published cookbooks—Joy of Cooking. Ethan assumed authorship of this popular book from his mother in 1976, which is why his name is familiar to so many in the kitchen.

As an avid outdoor enthusiast who was in constant search for the perfect knife, Becker founded Becker Knife and Tool in the early 1980’s and began designing and manufacturing hard-use knives right out of his garage. His knives have always been highly regarded among knife experts and critics and in high demand amongst users. To attest to this is the fact that he won the 1990 Blade Award for Most Innovative American-Made Design. While the demand for BK&T Knives has far outgrown Becker’s garage, KA-BAR Knives continues to produce his best-selling designs.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The knife that Ethan handed me during SHOT Show was the BK14 EsKabar, a hybrid collaboration between BK&T/KA-BAR and ESEE Knives. This unique little neck knife (which KA-BAR allowed one of its customers to name) features the blade design from the BK&T/KA-BAR Becker Necker and the handle design from the ESEE Izula. Made in the USA from 1095 Cro-Van steel, this seven-inch long lightweight knife, featuring a drop-point blade makes for a highly functional everyday/survival knife.

Of course, those familiar with the ESEE Izula will want to know how these two knives compare with each other. To answer that question, the dimensions of the EsKabar and the Izula are identical from the handle, which measure 3.75” long. The EsKabar incorporates the large quillon from the Becker Necker, as well as the larger Necker blade. The blade on the EsKabar measures 3.25” as opposed to the 2.63” blade on the Izula. The EsKabar also has a larger belly than the Izula. The difference in thickness is only 1/100th of an inch with the EsKabar being the thicker knife at 0.165”.

For those who may be wondering what the difference is between 1095 and 1095 Cro-Van, 1095CV is essentially the same chemical composition as 1095 with the addition of small amounts of Chromium and Vanadium for better hardening and bonding (hence the term “Cro-Van”) and smaller amounts of Nickel and Moly for added toughness and edge holding. The actual AISI name for this steel is 50-100B. KA-BAR has been using 1095CV for years, even though there was a period where they actually listed it as 1095 in their literature.

Handle and Ergonomics

As I mentioned previously, the EsKabar handle is identical in every way to the ESEE Izula with the exception of the 1/100” difference in thickness. The skeletonized handle has a good feel to it, but gets even better when you wrap the handle with 550 cord. The handle has a nice angle to it, which offers some excellent cutting ergonomics. It is a simple, yet functional design.

Editor’s note – you can also purchase OEM scales from ESEE for the EsKabar. I imagine they make the knife feel real similar to my Izula II (excellent).

Sheath

The EsKabar comes with a MOLLE compatible, injection-molded plastic sheath that can be worn around the neck or lashed to gear using the accompanying 550 cord. It is also cut to fit the KA-BAR TDI metal belt clip, which is available from KA-BAR for $10.35. The sheath comes equipped with a safety lock to ensure that you don’t lose your knife when things get rough. This feature can be removed if you prefer a more streamlined setup.

Personally, I found that I prefer to carry the EsKabar as a neck knife using a 550 cord lanyard. When wearing a neck knife is too cumbersome or inconvenient, then I simply create a belt loop on the sheath by running a piece of 550 cord vertically through two rivets on the inside of each side of the sheath and crossing the cord on the outside in the same fashion as one would lace up a shoe. This creates a nice belt loop attachment that does not add any extra bulk to the sheath. If you use a cord lock to secure the cord rather than a knot, then you have the added option of a convenient quick release.

I also prefer to remove the safety lock from the sheath. It adds some unnecessary bulk to what is otherwise a nicely streamlined system. The knife locks so securely into the sheath that most people will find the presence of the lock unnecessary unless going into the harshest of environments.

BK&T / KA-BAR BK14 EsKabar Review – Final Thoughts

I was very pleased with the quality and design of the EsKabar. I love to see knife-makers work together on projects such as this one. One of the things that I have always appreciated about the knife industry is that there is such a level of camaraderie and appreciation for each other’s work. Knife makers understand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into transforming a chunk of steel into a functional work of art. The joint effort between BK&T, KA-BAR, and ESEE that resulted in the EsKabar is a testament to the benefits of such companies working together to reach a common goal.

If you are looking for an economically priced, fixed-blade survival knife, then you can’t go wrong with the EsKabar. With a retail price of around $60.00, the EsKabar delivers high-end quality and functionality to a price point that most people can afford.

Sale

Ka-Bar BK14 Becker Knife and Tool Eskabar Knife, Black, 7-Inch

Becker knife design with high quality 3 1/4" blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel
Heavy-duty hard plastic sheath
Overall length of 7"
Made in the USA
Becker knife design with high quality 3 1/4" blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel

I recommend purchasing the BK&T/KA-BAR EsKabar at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Ka-Bar Becker BK-9 Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

With the weather turning cooler here in Florida, it was high time to get outside and to start tearing into the yard. We had an especially hot and wet summer this year, and the back 40 was taking over the entire house. I wanted to try out something new to tame the jungle, and settled on the Becker BK-9. After acquiring a BK-2 a year ago, I wanted to explore the Ka-Bar / Becker line further. I favor choppers, and quickly landed on their iconic BK-9.

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This is a popular knife for Ka-Bar, and for good reason. Designed by Ethan Becker, made in the USA with a 9″ 1095 blade, full tang, and sub $100 price tag, the BK-9 is a lot of knife for the money. It’s a staple in Becker’s lineup and I have waited too long to acquire one. I was curious to see how it would stack up to my trusty Junglas, and also test the knife in its own right.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The BK-9 has an overall length of 14-3/4″, a 9″ blade, weighs 16.8 ounces (~1lb), and is made in the USA. This is a hefty knife that borders on short sword territory. Your needs from an large outdoor fixed blade will drive whether this is a camp knife, “survival” knife, combat knife, or back yard tool. For me, this has mostly been a back yard tool. There are some invasive ficus trees in our back yard, and despite judicious pruning they continue to grow like weeds. I have used my BK-9 multiple times for limbing, chopping, and preparing wood for camp fires. Those experiences have informed the majority of my opinions on the BK-9.

Dubbed the Combat Bowie, the BK-9 features a long clip point blade. The clip point is no joke. Towards the end of an especially vigorous chopping session, I somehow managed to poke myself in the inner thigh with the tip of the BK-9. The blade only sunk a eighth of an inch, but it opened my leg efficiently, and sent a small stream of blood down my calf. I would not want to be on the business end of this thing. I recommend that you exercise extreme caution in use, as this knife strikes me as a more dangerous than your typical camp knife thanks to the fine tip.

The blade is 3/16″ thick, and has a high flat grind with black powdercoat (although a premium clear-coated version is also available). The powdercoat is thick, and protects the knife from rust. It slowly wears down with use. This knife is not the best slicer, and those hoping to use it to prepare dinner are likely to be disappointed with the performance (it is really too unwieldy for those kinds of jobs anyways). The BK-9 is more at home buried in a tree limb, and it does an admirable job chopping and batoning. Compared to my larger Junglas, I wish it had a little more heft for chopping, but the BK-9 still performs well and it is a lighter package.

The BK-9 comes in 1095 high carbon tool steel. I have written dozens of articles on fixed blade knives in 1095, including reviews of a lot of the ESEE lineup, and of Becker’s own BK-2. So I’m no stranger to the steel. I have come to appreciate its hearty nature.

1095 is ideal for processing wood. It is tough (although it will still chip if you strike a rock with it), and holds a good edge against wood. It is less ideal if you are breaking down boxes, cutting yards of rope, or dealing with other abrasive materials. In those situations, I prefer a good stainless or semi-stainless. Plus 1095 is cheap, and it helps keep the cost down. I’d love a knife like this in 3V, but I wouldn’t want to pay $300 for it. So 1095 strikes a sweet spot for a number of reasons.

I oil my BK-9 down after each use with a little WD-40, and store it in the garage. I haven’t had issues with rust on the blade. A couple of the bolts on the handle have developed a little rust, so don’t make the same mistake I did, and be sure to oil those as well.

Handle and Ergonomics

The BK-9 shares the same handle of the entire Becker line up. This is a proven handle design and is a smart idea. The standard handle material is Ultramid, a high density plastic that has likely been glass reinforced. Micarta scales are also available and this is a popular knife for customization. The Ultramid is tough and attractive with its smooth matte black finish. It’s not the most exotic material in the world, but it’s inexpensive and is well executed here. The scales bolt on to the handle so you can disassemble it for cleaning or to swap on some aftermarket scales. Fit and finish is good. The pieces line up well, and there are no sharp edges to speak of (save the cutting edge).

Ergonomics are everything on a tool like this. A poorly designed handle on a chopper is a recipe for blisters and discomfort. Ethan Becker has given the handle a lot of consideration, and it shows. This is a comfortable handle. After extensive use I did not notice any hot spots, and my hands were blister free. I will say that the Ultramid does not offer a ton of texture, and prefer micarta because of the nice grip it provides – even when wet with sweat. While the plastic handled BK-9 never flew out of my hand, I still prefer micarta.

Sheath

The BK-9 comes with a black nylon sheath with a molded kydex insert. I think the sheath is well executed. It’s lightweight, durable, and has thoughtful touches like a belt loop that doesn’t require you to take your belt off to use, and there is a little velcro under the retention strap to hold the strap out of the way of the blade as you draw the knife. These kinds of details are often absent on less expensive nylon sheathes.

Also, the materials used is of a higher quality. I am not an expert on fabric, but when you compare this with the sheath of the Schrade SCHF9, the difference is immediately apparent. Everything is tighter and of higher quality. There is also an external pouch with a second kydex insert for a small fixed blade, and a pocket for a whetstone (or some other smaller piece of gear). The sheath is fully ambidextrous. The kydex insert does not hold the blade in place with friction alone, but if you engage the snap closure the knife is held securely in place.

While there is a lot to like about the BK-9 sheath, I much prefer the sweet kydex sheath found on my Junglas. Sure, the Junglas is significantly more expensive, but the sheath on that knife is beyond compare. The knife makes such an awesome “thwack!” every time you sheath the blade – it is arguably the most satisfying “knife experience” in my entire collection.

In conclusion, I think the BK-9 sheath is nice, especially given the price and when compared with other fabric sheathes, but it still leaves me pining for kydex. Apparently Ka-Bar is attempting to scratch that itch and has a kydex style sheath for the BK-9 listed for sale on their website. It’s offered for $50.00. There are plenty of after market sheathes also available.

Becker BK-9 Review – Final Thoughts

The BK-9 is another workhorse in the Becker lineup. It strikes that delicate balance between quality, utility, and price. For under $100 you get a substantial and well made knife. The design, materials, fit, and finish are all on point. The sheath is great for a nylon sheath. Ethan Becker has massaged this design thoroughly, and has squeezed out every ounce of performance that he could given the knife’s size and budgetary constraints. Also, the BK-9 is made in the USA. This always brings a twinkle to my eye.

Here is a shot of the BK-9 next to the ESEE Junglas:

That said, for my money I would pay the premium for the ESEE Junglas. The Junglas is just a little bigger and a little badder in every way. I think it’s worth the extra dough. If you buy a BK-9 and then upgrade the scales and sheath, it will cost you as much as a Junglas anyway. However, none of this is said to make light of the BK-9. It is still an excellent knife in it’s own right, and it has developed a loyal following. But I am a huge Junglas fan boy and I know that the “Junglas vs. BK-9” battle has come up many times before. This is simply my opinion.

If you want a tough chopper and are looking to keep things under $100 you can’t go wrong with the Becker BK-9. It gets a lot of things right and it won’t be leaving my collection any time soon.

Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife , Black

Used by all branches of military and service members
Great for collectors and outdoor services
Tested to ensure quality and durability
Bowie knife with 1095 Cro-Van steel blade
Ergonomic Grigori handle minimizes user fatigue

If you would like to buy a Becker BK-9, I recommend buying it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Ka-Bar Becker BK-2 Review

by Dan Jackson 22 Comments

Last Updated: July 20, 2019

Down here in Florida we don’t get a lot of seasonality. For example, I wore shorts and flip flops on Christmas. But when the air starts to turn cool I get a hankering for 2 things: cigars and fixed blade knives. I am pleased to say I have been able to indulge in both this fall, and am ready to provide a review on a quintessential camp knife: the Becker BK-2.

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Built in the USA by Ka-Bar, and designed by Renaissance man Ethan Becker, the BK-2 has been widely accepted as a go to survival / camp knife for years now. I can’t tell you why I haven’t reviewed this classic fixed blade yet. There are many knives out there I’d love to review (one day I’ll even get to the classic USMC Ka-Bar) but just haven’t found the time for. Well, scratch the BK-2 off the list. This one has been tried and tested and I’m pleased to share some thoughts with you today.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The BK-2 has an overall length of 10-5/8″, a 5-1/4″ blade, and weighs 16 ounces. The BK-2 is a chunky knife. Pictures really don’t do it justice, as the proportions may suggest a smaller knife. I was pleasantly surprised by this, although if I were planning an ultra lightweight backpacking trek along the Appalachian trail I’d be less pleased. This strikes me as a tool for a camp site, truck, or your back yard – not something you will want to schlep for miles and miles on end.

Here is a size comparison with the ESEE-3:

The blade is a .25″ (6.35mm) thick slab of 1095 high carbon steel. For whatever reason when I ordered this knife I thought it might be interesting to compare it with my ESEE-3. It turned out to be a poor comparison, because next to my ESEE-3 the thickness of the blade is almost comical. The ESEE-3 might as well be made of aluminum foil when compared with the BK-2. Anyhow, the blade of the BK-2 is a classic drop point shape with a high flat grind and a sturdy tip. The knife has also been powdercoated. The powdercoating is heavily textured like on my ESEE blades. The coating will provide some rolling resistance when trying to cut deeply into things – at least until it gets smoothed down with use.

The BK-2 is interesting in that it can accomplish a lot of different tasks within its relatively small footprint. It’s good for batoning / splitting wood. I used it with great success to prepare a stack of wood for a couple bon fires. I was able to split logs with up to a 4″ diameter easily. You can do some carving with the knife, and I used the BK-2 to whittle up some shavings / tinder to start the fire, and to carve a few stakes for cooking.

Although it’s a little thick and clumsy in my hands for serious carving, I was able to get the job done. The BK-2 is also a decent chopper considering its size. This is a shorter knife, so naturally it won’t chop like an axe or a big fixed blade like the Junglas, but if you need to do limited chopping it will get the job done. Case in point, I needed to chunk up some large frozen sardines for a fish trap I was using – the BK-2 blew through those suckers. For these reasons the BK-2 is a natural choice for camp chores: building fires, prepping food, and odd jobs around a camp site where a sharp object might come in handy.

The only downside is that the BK-2 doesn’t particularly excel at anything. If you need a dedicated chopper, or an ultra fine carving knife, then you will want to look elsewhere. If you want a tough “do it all” knife, then the BK-2 could be a good choice.

As previously mentioned, the BK-2 comes in 1095 high carbon steel. I have wrote about this steel at length, especially over the course of reviewing an number of ESEE knives. 1095 is inexpensive and hearty. It’s easy to sharpen and holds a nice edge, especially when working with wood. It’s tough, but if you do chip it, you will be able to salvage the edge. 1095 is a good working steel, and I think it’s a great choice for this knife.

Handle and Ergonomics

The BK-2 features a spacious zytel (high density plastic) handle over it’s full steel tang. This is a very basic handle design, and it’s perfect for a workhorse knife like this. Ethan Becker apparently spent a lot of time getting this handle shape right, which is why you find it on his whole series of knives. The handle material is humble (although you can easily pick up a pair of micarta scales), but it’s lightweight, and very tough. The finish work on the handle is great. There are no sharp edges, and all of the hardware is sunk deeply into the handle. Rounding things out are an oversize lanyard hole and a generous exposed pommel that can be used for hammering / crushing things. This is a very clean and highly functional handle design. It has also been well executed.

From an ergonomic standpoint the handle of the BK2 feels as straightforward as it looks. This is a thick handle with a generous palm swell. There is plenty of room for larger hands and the absence of jimping / aggressive texture allows you to work with this tool for extended periods of time without blistering your thumb. Those wanting a little more grip could upgrade to micarta scales, or wrap the handle with athletic tape or a “ranger band” (a section of bicycle inner tube). I did not notice any hot spots while using this knife. This is a fantastic handle shape.

Sheath

The BK-2 comes complete with a plastic and nylon sheath. The sheath is simple, lightweight, and sturdy. It has excellent retention, yielding a very satisfying snapping sound when you shove the knife in place. There is no blade rattle at all, and I am not the least bit concerned about the blade ever falling out from the sheath. There is also a drain hole.

The nylon belt loop is simple and features a snap fastener for extra retention. It is fully removable with a Phillips head driver, and the plastic sheath is riveted together. The rivet holes and slots leave you with plenty of options for molle locks, tek-loks, paracord, and webbing. This is an outstanding sheath and it compliments the knife perfectly. Also, the snap fastener lies flat, so I have yet to cut into it when drawing the knife. The only creature comfort missing is that you need to take your belt off to feed it through the belt loop. I like being able to remove a belt sheath without having to take my belt off, but it’s not a deal breaker.

Becker BK-2 Review – Final Thoughts

The BK-2 is an impressive knife, especially when you consider that they are selling for right around $65.00. This is a lot of high quality tool for the money. The simplicity of the design, the quality of materials, and the extremely high level of fit and finish all make the BK-2 punch above its weight. Plus, it works. The stout geometry of the blade is excellent for processing wood, the handle is about as comfortable as they come, and the sheath is lightweight and functional. Finally, the knife itself is made in the USA (the sheath is made in Taiwan). I happen to like a USA made product, although it certainly isn’t a requirement for a favorable review.

All told, it is easy for me to see why the Ka-Bar Becker BK-2 has earned such a following and reputation. It’s simple and it works. If you are looking for an indestructible camp knife or a compact (but very stout) survival knife, then I highly recommend the BK-2.

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KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife, Carbon Steel

Full tang heavy duty field knife suited for camping chores.
Made in Olean New York, U.S.A
Designed by Ethan Becker
Manufactured by KA-BAR Knives Inc.
Comes with a hard shell black nylon sheath.

I recommend purchasing the BK-2 at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.