I own both. I love ESEE knives in general but I like the BK16 better out of these two. I also like the ESEE 3 Mil better than the 4. The 3 paired with a large knife like a BK 7, you have the perfect pair! The only downside on the BK 16 is that I think you need to upgrade the handles (I got the G10 from TKC ) and the sheath is terrible. After these two upgrades, you are going to be about $150 into this project. I think it is worth the money. You will have just about the best 4" fixed blade around. If you don't find the stock handles too slick and can live with the stock sheath, it is a steal.
Great torture test for the BK16, I'm glad I'm not the only one that fumbles my knives. I have a DPX HEST and honestly I just don't care for it. I have a ESEE-4 and and Becker BK7 have i use very often though. The BK7 is attached to my ruck and the ESEE is attacked to my Blackhawk! drop holster. Both are great knives so i like having both available for whatever task presents itself. After watching this my knife collection may go up by one.
Knife Connection sells G10 handle scales for the Esee 3 and 4 that are extended for a 4 finger grip. I would upgrade if I had a 3 or 4, but I went with the Bk16.
BK16 is lighter mostly because cutouts in tang under scales. But, it is a bit thinner (better cutter), more comfy (longer handle) and has a bit better steel (1095CV should keep an edge a bit longer than 1095). I prefer the look of RC4, but BK16 is a winner for me :)
To me it's a big deal, I like the 1095 CroVan better tgan I do 1095, that Cronium and the Vanadium is better, and it's NOT the same steel. I wish more companies used the CroVan more in their 109. I think you can get the 1095 CroVan sharper at least I can. Yeah I have my BK-2 paired off with my BK-16 and my Ka-Bar Zomstro which to me look's like Coping Japanese Hatchet, and I like it that I can form with it like a Carpenters Hatchet, and it's a deep biting chopper. Once I realized that I don't have to bare down as much to chop.
its kind of like compact handguns its not meant to fit your hand like a full size weapon. I do enjoy the becker knives I have a few of them. i have about 4 more that i want. i carry my 16 almost daily. you should check out the BK15. i think its a great all around little knife for bushcrafting and/or food prep. it was a gift and i wouldn't have never gotten it on my own but i glad to have it now.
How would you say the blade thickness holds up for jobs like, batoning or chopping? Any concerns? I've noticed the bk-16 is slightly thinner than the esee 4. I'm looking for a good bushcraft knife for my wife. She's a small woman with small hands and she doesn't like the size and heft of my BK-2. I'm eyeballing the bk-16 for her.
+BeauxMiner I think the 16 would be perfect for her, especially in that role. Its what I'm getting my wife. As for the blade thickness, it is thinner than the ESEE 4, but its so little a difference as to be a non issue to me, unless your trying to use it as a pry bar or some other task that its not made for. Its small so chopping per se is going to be limited. It should hold up fine to batoning, but again, its size will prevent it from being used on wood that's very large. For smaller pieces though I think it will work great. I plan to get some more time in with mine soon and will try putting it through a few paces.
Good, logical, well thought out points. Appreciate your efforts.
I prefer the Becker cro van steel. it's just holds a keener edge. the handle is also a lot better on the becker.
I own both. I love ESEE knives in general but I like the BK16 better out of these two. I also like the ESEE 3 Mil better than the 4. The 3 paired with a large knife like a BK 7, you have the perfect pair! The only downside on the BK 16 is that I think you need to upgrade the handles (I got the G10 from TKC ) and the sheath is terrible. After these two upgrades, you are going to be about $150 into this project. I think it is worth the money. You will have just about the best 4" fixed blade around. If you don't find the stock handles too slick and can live with the stock sheath, it is a steal.
Great torture test for the BK16, I'm glad I'm not the only one that fumbles my knives. I have a DPX HEST and honestly I just don't care for it. I have a ESEE-4 and and Becker BK7 have i use very often though. The BK7 is attached to my ruck and the ESEE is attacked to my Blackhawk! drop holster. Both are great knives so i like having both available for whatever task presents itself. After watching this my knife collection may go up by one.
Knife Connection sells G10 handle scales for the Esee 3 and 4 that are extended for a 4 finger grip. I would upgrade if I had a 3 or 4, but I went with the Bk16.
BK16 is lighter mostly because cutouts in tang under scales. But, it is a bit thinner (better cutter), more comfy (longer handle) and has a bit better steel (1095CV should keep an edge a bit longer than 1095). I prefer the look of RC4, but BK16 is a winner for me :)
Thank Alpha-Charly
Your video was very useful for me.
Really I helped me choose my knife
Best Regards from Argentina
If you increase your playback speed x1.5 it playsback great!
HAHAHA. I did that before i read the comments and it was still pretty painful to get through the whole video!
To me it's a big deal, I like the 1095 CroVan better tgan I do 1095, that Cronium and the Vanadium is better, and it's NOT the same steel. I wish more companies used the CroVan more in their 109. I think you can get the 1095 CroVan sharper at least I can. Yeah I have my BK-2 paired off with my BK-16 and my Ka-Bar Zomstro which to me look's like Coping Japanese Hatchet, and I like it that I can form with it like a Carpenters Hatchet, and it's a deep biting chopper. Once I realized that I don't have to bare down as much to chop.
its kind of like compact handguns its not meant to fit your hand like a full size weapon. I do enjoy the becker knives I have a few of them. i have about 4 more that i want. i carry my 16 almost daily. you should check out the BK15. i think its a great all around little knife for bushcrafting and/or food prep. it was a gift and i wouldn't have never gotten it on my own but i glad to have it now.
How would you say the blade thickness holds up for jobs like, batoning or chopping? Any concerns? I've noticed the bk-16 is slightly thinner than the esee 4. I'm looking for a good bushcraft knife for my wife. She's a small woman with small hands and she doesn't like the size and heft of my BK-2. I'm eyeballing the bk-16 for her.
+BeauxMiner I think the 16 would be perfect for her, especially in that role. Its what I'm getting my wife. As for the blade thickness, it is thinner than the ESEE 4, but its so little a difference as to be a non issue to me, unless your trying to use it as a pry bar or some other task that its not made for. Its small so chopping per se is going to be limited. It should hold up fine to batoning, but again, its size will prevent it from being used on wood that's very large. For smaller pieces though I think it will work great. I plan to get some more time in with mine soon and will try putting it through a few paces.
nice. thanks for the reply. I'd like to see a video of you putting it through the batoning and chopping. so I'll keep my eye out.
Sorry dude but you make me feel like to sleep 😂😂
Then go to sleep....or go somewhere else.