RAT Izula or Becker Necker?

[Alanvalentinus]

The Izula

The Izula has a curve on the back of its blade that brings the belly of the blade forward from your hand and into the material you are cutting. That curve makes the knife a better cutter it reaches forward into the material requiring less effort from you. Also though I haven't seen it tested on the BK11 if its coating is anything like the Becker Companion it leaves allot to be desired. Where as the ESEE coating is outstanding and known to last for a long long time.

this is what convinced me about the Izula's effectiveness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSrlvqrZQKY

I own 2 Izulas and plan on getting the Izula 2 when it is released. http://www.eseeknives.com/izula-II.htm

That being said I have a BK11 coming in the mail for fun.

I am curious about the BK14 BRAT or EsKabar why is it coming out at almost the same time as the Izula 2? did Kabar steal the handle shape from Randal? I like the thickness of the BK11 being almost as big as the ESEE3 but I like the curve of the Izula so I dont quite know if the Izula 2 or the BK 14 would be more to my liking. Ill probably own them both in the end any ways.

[Tireur]

Neither.
Life is too short to carry cheap knives



Bark River Necker, AKA, The Izula Killer

[AgentBlack]

and now you dont have to pick! (my choice would still be Izula)

MUST READ!

Its ESKABAR!
ESEE + KA BAR
The two companies collaborated to produce this "best of both worlds"
Being sold as model BK14

Top is the Becker Necker
Middle is the ESEE Izula
Bottom is the ESKABAR (available fall 2010)

OK, it's fall 2010 is it out yet?? I was gonna get the becker cause I like the larger blade. Now I could have the blade I like and the optional micarta izula scales I like...Is it here yet? Is it here yet? Is it here yet? Is it here yet?

[Alanvalentinus]

The Bravo necker is cool as shit no doubt, but as long as it is difficult to sharpen an appleseed blade, especially in the field, I wouldent call it the izula killer. but awesome no doubt, one of those will be coming my way in the near future no doubt. good color choice too

on the becker angle though. I JUST recieved the EsKaBar and I realy like the knife but the Sheath retention is way worse than I thought it would be. it doesent take too much for me to be able to dislodge the blade from the sheath, no were near the retention of the ESEE sheath. very disapointed, AND the blade is too large to fit my KSF sheath. I am very very cross. How is the retention on the Bravo sheath?

[Tireur]

It takes learning a new habits, but sharpening convex blades is stupid easy. And this is for a neck knife right, how often have you had to sharpen your necker in the field? (and that was probably only because you did a bad job on it at home, and that's if you can't be bothered to carry an Altoids tin sharpening kit, and that's if you can't be bothered to learn how to convex sharpen with a regular diamond stone).

Convex edges...the path of the future...

[Arch]

I find it easier to sharpen convex edges (in the field or at home). At home a mouse pad works well, but for field use a small strop (section of leather attached to a section of paint stir...with some green compound on it) takes about 15 seconds to get the edge back to "hair popping".

The slicing ability of convex is incomparably superior to any other edge profile.

However, I'd pick the SwampRat Swamp Warden above any of the neckers mentioned in this thread. The edge holding ability of SR101 is amazing.

Here are a few pics from a camping trip last weekend...

[D-Math-ATP]

I Have a Bravo necker, the edge is awesome. plus you get all those colors and handle options. and you can get it in 2.5 inch blade or a 3.5 inch blade, and the handles are swapable between the two. as for the sharpening in the field, it's really easy to make a field strop with half a paint stick and a strip of leather, add some sharpenning compound available from knives ship free and you have a handy little package. It's worth it to carry to have that awesome edge that barkies do.

and even when it's lost it's razor sharp edge because you haven't touched it up, it still has a good working edge.

[Browning 35]

Neither.
Life is too short to carry cheap knives



Bark River Necker, AKA, The Izula Killer

Kinda odd, that's the knife I was thinking of immediately after reading the OP.

Here's a place to pick them up at.

Bark River Necker at Crystal Falls Trading Company For $67.46 (*Click*)

I've bought knives from Crystal Trading Company before and I've never had a single problem.

I still haven't picked one up one of these knives yet, when I do it'll go directly into my GHB and I'll get it in Blaze Orange with the Orange Micarta G-10 handle.



I dropped a knife while trying to field dress a hog in the dark once and it took me forever to find it. The next knife I get will be in orange so I'm able to find it easier if I set it down or drop it in the dark. It's not like I'm going to be using the thing for 'Sentry Removal' or anything, so having it in camo or black really isn't much of an advantage to me and I don't care if anyone see's it as I'll just be using it for the regular reasons that most people have knives for (to cut things with).

However if I'm sticking exclusively with the two knives listed in the OP I'd have to go with the RAT Izula.

[Tireur]

I dropped a knife while trying to field dress a hog in the dark once and it took me forever to find it.

That's why I posted a picture of the Blaze Orange one, bought a Blaze Orange Necker2 as my first Barkie, have Blaze Orange 550 cord on all my other knives & firesteels (firesteels are the worst for losing) and basically and am a big fan of anything small but valuable I take into the woods having Blaze Orange on it somewhere. Plus it's hunting season up here now and every little bit helps.

The Bark River Neckers have a better grind on better steel with better sheath & scales options, however they do have a smaller grip like most Barkie knives I've handled. You really need the scales, just the para cord wrap won't cut it unless you have small hands.

[AgentBlack]

Guess what the man in the brown truck just dropped off today?




It's awesome!! And what would any guy with half a brain do first? Well it just so happens I have half a brain...


Bitchin Blaze Orange Cord Wrap!!

[Mr. Bob]

Different brand but similar style; I -really- like my Buck Paklite that I got a while back. $17 from knifecenter. The sheath works fine for me. I've not tried to put it around my neck as I have zero interest in neck knives.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... s=BU140SSS

[deeds]

ESKABAR all the way!!!

I'll post pics of mine on the weekend, maybe after test

[Browning 35]

Hmmm, pretty nice wrap job with the paracord.

The fact that it's orange and easier to see in low light just makes it even better.

[AgentBlack]

Hmmm, pretty nice wrap job with the paracord.

The fact that it's orange and easier to see in low light just makes it even better.

Thanks, I can't decide what to do with the ends...??

[Snapshot7.62]

Hmmm, pretty nice wrap job with the paracord.

The fact that it's orange and easier to see in low light just makes it even better.

Thanks, I can't decide what to do with the ends...??

Slide on a cord lock for a pretty handy adjustable lanyard.

[AgentBlack]

Hmmm, pretty nice wrap job with the paracord.

The fact that it's orange and easier to see in low light just makes it even better.

Thanks, I can't decide what to do with the ends...??

Slide on a cord lock for a pretty handy adjustable lanyard.

That was my first idea, but I can't find my slide locks....DAMNIT!!

[JustAnotherSnakeCult]

However, I'd pick the SwampRat Swamp Warden above any of the neckers mentioned in this thread. The edge holding ability of SR101 is amazing.

+1 My swamprat warden is my favorite knife. I perfer it over the IZULA because it's slight longer in both blade length and OAL length, feels better in my hand and holds an edge for a ridiculously long time. Scrap Yard is also coming out with a SR101 skeleton that might be worth a look as well…

[Browning 35]

Hmmm, pretty nice wrap job with the paracord.

The fact that it's orange and easier to see in low light just makes it even better.

Thanks, I can't decide what to do with the ends...??

Just burn the ends, once the bead forms press the blobs together and then use a cord lock tab.




You can find them at County Comm (*Click*)

[Black Optimus]

Ok, so I'm reviving this thread...

Just bought a Becker Necker from Amazon...it's been shipped and I hope to be able to give a review of it. I have howerver fallen in love with the Esee knives: Izula, RC 3 & 4. Hope to buy those soon also.

[Black Optimus]

My brother used my Becker Necker to gut a deer this weekend and carved through it like butter.

[phractal]

If you're lovin the 1095 and the bottle opener, Schrade makes one of a similar style for $16 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-Extreme-Survival-ComboEdge-Point/dp/B004PQFJGU/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_2

1095 carbon steel.
6 5/8" overall.
3 1/8" blade.
Black Zytel sheath with black stainless pocket clip and neck chain.
Also includes lanyard.



I'm gonna buy one, largely because I'm cheap. Iffin I were loaded and had to choose between those two knives, I'd probably go with the RAT.

[Black Optimus]

Sorry, that Schrade is one ugly looking blade. I'm about the look of the knife as I am functionality of it.

[Bethlehem]

I've been debating these choices for a while now. When I came across this thread I was surprised that nobody called the bottle opener on the Becker Necker a wire cutter. That's the only way I've seen it advertised. Has anyone tried it as a wire cutting feature?

[Tetra Grammaton Cleric]

I am a recent convert to the Cult of the Izula.

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