Reviews and Ratings for KA-BAR Becker BK18 Short Harpoon Fixed Blade Knife 4.56" 1095 Tan Harpoon Point, Tan Zytel Handles, Polymer Sheath

Alpha
Indiana

Jun 18, 2020

Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Material, Sheath/Scabbard, Materials, Finish, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Best designed BK&T combat knife.

This is a solid knife. It can perform Bushcraft well, outdoors activities and will hold a sharp edge. It is well constructed of 1095 high carbon steel and heat treated properly. It is an excellent knife for an operator, as well as a civilian. The sheath is a hard plastic, form fitted design that compliments the knife. Mounts well on my plate carriers top left shoulder strap and is easily deployable.

Jeff
NW CT

Mar 29, 2021

Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Material, Sheath/Scabbard, Materials, Finish, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Super little knife!

Received mine 4 days ago and have been putting it to work inside and out. The almost continuous curve makes it a great slicer in the kitchen. The acute point makes piercing a breeze. I usually carry a much bigger blade (BK -9) but this little critter has won my affections. Unlike some, I have no issues with the sheath. To each his own. Great small blade that punches above it's weight. Buy one, be happy!

R. Sotelo
AZ

Apr 03, 2021

Pros: Weight, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Materials

Cons: None

Love my BK18

Small enough to carry comfortably and large enough to accomplish most tasks. The thermoplastic sheath holds it securely and offers several options for securing to a belt or a backpack. The harpoon blade profile makes it a beautiful knife as well. Great design, steel, and price.

Jp
Ontario, Canada

Feb 28, 2022

Pros: Blade Sharpness, Weight, Overall Quality, Materials, Handle Material

Cons: None

My back country companion

This knife has it all in my opinion. I bought it as my main back country fixed blade and after pretty extensive use, it has far surpassed my expectations. I'll carry it for YEARS to come. Out of the box it was sharp but not quite hair splitting. A couple of passes on the strop fixed that. The 1095 can hold an edge extremely well. Ka-bar also heat treats their blades really well, so they come out really tough! On top of that, it's made in the US! The handle is incredibly ergonomic (I wear a large glove) and I have no issues getting a full purchase on the blade. Virtually NO hot spots where your hand tires out or gets sore with heavy use. The powder coating has stood up really well to substantial abuse. After buttoning A LOT fire wood on trip, it admittedly has worn down a bit, but still maintains a funtional layer of protection on the blade. The jimping on the spine is great for extra control for fine motor tasks. The sheath: Holds the knife perfectly with a large, but stiff belt loop that is extremely versatile and comfortable on your side. It can be mounted for right AND left side carry. The single button clasp is sturdy, not opening unless you want it to. It takes a fair bit of force to remove from the sheath (which I personally prefer). It has accessories slots for staps, which aren't my cup of tea, but im sure would function well. The design speaks for it self. This thing looks MEAN. It's quite unique and even though it isn't a typical style for "wilderness" or "camping" knives, the harpoon design still has great functionality for the back country. You can baton fire wood, use the point for more technical work and if push came to shove, I'm sure you could skin/filet with it if need be. Correctly sharpened, the large belly also makes for a GREAT slicer (make sure to only coat it with food safe oil if you're planning on using it for food prep). If you're on the fence about this knife, just do it. For the price, a fixed blade/sheath combo of this quality is amazing!

Michael
Brookline Sta, Mo

May 03, 2020

Pros: Overall Quality, Materials, Finish

Cons: Sheath/Scabbard

Great knife, but NOT Tek-lok compatible

I’ll leave it to others to review the specifics of the knife, I like it though for the price, great size and features. What is really disappointing to me though is the lack of tek-lok compatibility on the sheath. The rep in the video said it would be. It most definitely is NOT tek-lok friendly. Only one hole will line up at a time, the only way to attach it would be to also put a screw through one of the slots - not ideal, not particularly secure and canted weird. I know Becker says he does not like tek-lok, but I need fixed blades to ride high on my waistband often to keep them out of the way. The belt loop just doesn’t allow for this. Maybe they could offer a conversion plate that would take the place of the belt loop piece (I.e., using the screw holes that make it ambi) that would align with a tek-lok? I’d buy that for a few bucks. In the meantime, I’m going to try to 3D print or kydex something along those lines. A similar option for molle would be cool too.

Michael
Houston, Tx

Jul 29, 2023

Pros: None

Cons: None

Great kife but handle length is a touch short.

This is my first Harpoon Tactical fixed blade. I like it a lot despite a slightly short grip length. My hands are not XL size. I installed KA_BAR Tan Micarta scales which look and feel MUCH better than the OEM plastic scales. My Comments •This is a Medium/Large size, Fixed Blade - Tactical Knife. It feels very stiff and strong in the hand. Blade stock is typically thick at 1.625”( 41.3 mm) for this size knife and handle. •The knife and sheath combination is lightweight at only 10.5 ounces. Great for hiking. •3/4 High, Sabre Flat Grind blade is strong behind the tip for piercing. Tip is on handle centerline. •The handle scales are considered Full Length but are just long enough to get a very slightly crowded full grip with bare, size Large hands. It is only a slightly cramped grip. Gloved hands will certainly crowd the grip length space. These Coke bottle profile contoured G10 grips are hand filling. This somewhat abbreviated grip length is the same feel as the Ruike Jager. •Handle tang edges are flush with the scales which provides a comfortable rounded handle feel. I can’t feel the tang and there are no hot spots. •No ‘Pinch Grip’ bevels on the front of the scales but they are rounded. •Knife does not rattle in the sheath with the OEM Ultramid polymer scales but it does slightly with the KA-BAR Micarta scales. •The front handle screw needed to be shortened one thread to avoid contacting my hand when the Micarta scales are installed. •The blade spine has a wide width, full length false edge swage along the entire edge of the Harpoon. •Large thumb jimping on blade spine at ricasso is short and somewhat slick feeling. Could be more grippy. •Flat, slightly protruding and angled handle pommel tang for smashing tasks. •The non-adjustable sheath retention provides a secure grip on the knife but it does rattle slightly. •Five minutes on a strop produced a Razor Sharp edge. •This could be a good all-purpose hiking knife due to its light weight.

Paul The Knife Nerd
Maylene, Al

Jun 05, 2020

Pros: Overall Quality, Blade Material, Materials, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Sheath/Scabbard

Good knife, half-good sheath

This knife is solid, but it is a little too small. If it were offered in multiple sizes, I would choose to have a longer blade. The sheath looks okay, but it makes a loud noise when you remove the knife and put it back in, which is a disadvantage if you are trying to be quiet / stealthy. (Think of hunting and tactical situations where stealth-- or not being noticed-- is important.) The flexible part of the sheath is not very good, but one positive comment about the sheath is that it does hold the knife very securely.

Ug_Ttmc
Virginia

Mar 16, 2021

Pros: Weight, Blade Material, Finish, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Sheath/Scabbard

good blade, bad sheath

The only thing stopping this from being a 1 is the blade...the reason why it didn't get higher marking was the sheath. A busted sheath means I no longer have a carry. it is now a garage knif, I didn't buy a garage knife, I bought a tactical carry. One hit and this thing splits open like a cheap plastic toy exposing the blade edge/tip now raking my leg. If a solid kick can take out the sheath, this is NOT a tactical knife. Change the description to plastic garbage sheath for which there is no tough replacement.