Ever since man first figured out how to sharpen a stick or a bone into a useable tool, he has been constantly looking for ways to improve it. Possibly the first tool that separated us from the animals, a good sharp knife has always been at the core of our survival. It allowed man to not only hunt and defend himself, but to fashion other tools as well. Although we are no longer are forced to live so primitively, many of us choose to on occasion. And even with all of our high tech gadgets and space age technology, a good knife is still the foundation of any serious outdoor enthusiasts survival equipment.
There are many excellent companies making a wide variety of knives for every imaginable use or need. The options are practically limitless. So how do you decide on which one is right for you? Other than trying each and every one out individually, you can use the advice and recommendations of others. The following is a review of the Ka Bar BK2 Companion, a serious knife for the serious outdoorsman.
The Blade. Forged from 1095 Cro-Van steel, the blade is heat treated for strength. The blade is a full 1/4 inch thick and has a 20 degree edge angle. The overall length of the BK2 is 10.5 inches, with a blade length of 5.5 inches.
The Handle. The full tang construction is visible beneath the handle, which is made of Grivory, a hardened plastic material. Small scales are added for grip. It also has a flat pommel with a lanyard hole near the butt end of the knife.
The Sheath. The sheath that accompanies the knife is made of polyester, and has a snap close as well as a thumb release. It also has several slots and holes for attaching items.
So, what does all that add up to? Let’s take a look at those stats and see what they add up to.
- 1095 Cro-Van steel = This metal is very strong and hard. Tempering it with heat makes it even stronger. Besides holding an edge through all sorts of abuse, it can be used confidently as a pry bar or a hammer. Not the hardest blade you can buy, but much stronger than average.
- 1/4 inch thick blade = Besides giving the blade more strength, the extra thickness makes it a good wedge when used to baton. The extra weight is helpful when using it to chop, but it can become quite noticeable on your hip after a few hours.
- 10.5 inches overall, 5.5 inch blade = Even though the full tang construction combined with the weight of the knife is ideal for chopping, the blade is not long enough to really hack up anything serious.
- Drop point tip = A versatile style whose short point adds strength when prying, and yet is still precise enough for most fine carving. The design places most of the weight of the knife directly behind the point.
- Grivory handle = 2 hardened plastic grips that are ergonomically designed to fit your hand. Although the plastic is scaled, many people have been unhappy with the grip under wet conditions. The pommel is flat, making it usable as a hammer, and has a lanyard hole near the butt.
- The sheath = Many people have complained about the thumb release being too firm, and without the snap being shut, the knife flops around a bit. The extra holes do work nicely for attaching a lanyard.
After thoroughly researching this subject I have concluded that the Ka Bar Becker BK2 Companion is a very good knife for the money. The few issues that some people had could be easily corrected. There are a variety of replacement handles available for anyone who needs better grip in wet conditions. There are also plenty of optional sheaths for those who prefer a different style or material. The only real complaints about the knife itself were from a disgruntled chap that didn’t know how to sharpen his own blade. The general consensus was that you could buy a few knifes that were better, but not in that price range.
