Description
KABK62: BK62 Becker Kephart
KA-BAR Knives
The BK62 represents a direct link to the forefather of American Woodcraft, Mr. Horace Kephart himself. His tome Camping and Woodcraft (first published in 1906) is still required reading for modern bushcrafters and outdoorsmen. Ethan Becker owns the only known original 5-inch Kephart Knife still in existence, a blade that spawned an entire genre of knives, and the BK62 is as close as you can get in a production knife, executed brilliantly by the craftsmen at KA-BAR.
The 5-inch spear point blade is a bushcraft classic thanks to its versatility. This was the knife Kephart designed and used to do everything... from wood carving to skinning to food prep and everything in between. The edge itself comes all the way back to the handle scales, ensuring maximum utility.
There is enough length to do big jobs, but the blade is still nimble and eager to move. Roughly 5/32" thick at the widest point, the unique grind makes the knife seem thinner in use, more like an 1/8" blade. It is a terrific slicer and works well for virtually any task imaginable. A slight swedge at the spine makes the blade more efficient by reducing drag when cutting through soft or fibrous materials such as vines or large game.
KA-BAR's fantastic 1095CV steel works great in the field, with plenty of toughness and edge retention. It lacks a coating, but the stonewashed finish offers a modicum the corrosion resistance (although it will still patina) for the steel, as well as minimizes the appearance of scratches after years of service.
The handles are bolt-on in typical Becker fashion, but the scales are made of walnut wood for a classic look and warm feel. The handles are slim but hand filling, and a swell at the front enables excellent purchase for pinch grips and when choking up for fine work. A tapered tang makes for perfect composure, with the balance point hitting right at the index finger. Also included is a period accurate brown leather sheath for easy and secure carry.
What worked 100 years ago still works today. The BK62 is a versatile blade that will find its way into the kit of campers, hikers and bushcrafters alike. As Mr. Becker likes to say about this design, "There is nothing you don't need on this knife, and everything you need is there."
Becker Knife & Tool Designs
Ethan Becker founded Becker Knife & Tool in the early 1980's and set about designing, manufacturing and selling the industrial-strength tactical and survival knives that he had always wanted for himself. His products, the BK&T line, have gone a long way to making these now popular all-black knives in demand.
Mr. Becker spends as much time as possible in the outdoors testing a variety of equipment and knife designs, and also works to expand his primitive and outdoor skills. He collaborated with KA-BAR in 2008 and has reintroduced and brought up to date his best selling models.
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