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KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Review

Overview

The KA-BAR Becker Campanion is a fixed blade knife designed for camping and hunting. The Campanion was designed by Ethan Becker, an avid outdoorsman. Ethan Becker founded Becker Knife and Tool Corporation in the early 1980’s to design the industrial-strength tactical and survival knives he’d always wanted for himself, and manufactured by KA-BAR in the USA.

BK2

Details

The Campanion’s 20 degree, drop point blade is a made from 1095 Cro-Van steel, and the knife weighs 1 lb. It has a blade length of 5.25″, an overall length 10.5″, and a blade thickness of 0.25″. The handle is made of grivory.

Sheath

BK2-wrap

The sheath that comes with the Campanion is pretty decent. It’s fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN), and the knife fits very securely. The sheath has tie down eyelets and slots around the edge for use as attachment points. It also has a drainage hole on the bottom, which is a great thing to have. It comes with a nylon dangle with snap that will allow you to hang the knife from your belt.

Intended Use

The Campanion is a very versatile fixed blade knife. KA-BAR markets the knife as a camping/hunting knife, and in that role, the Campanion is a great choice. Where I think this knife really excels is when used as a small survival knife. In an EDC pack or lightweight bugout/get home pack, where a smaller knife makes sense, the Campanion would be a great choice.

At 0.25″ thick, the blade is extremely sturdy, and handles abuse well. This thick blade means you can really beat on it without a high risk of the blade breaking (keep in mind that any blade can be broken). The drop point blade would also make a decent skinning knife in a pinch.

Impressions

The Campanion really feels great in your hand. It has a great heft to it and is really a beast of a knife. At .25″ thick, it’s going to be able to handle just about anything you can throw at it. The low point has to be the nylon dangle belt loop. It’s large and not very useful in my opinion. I suggest either sewing the loop so that it fits more securely on your belt, or removing it altogether. I also wrapped my sheath with 550 paracord.

Wrapping Up

The KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion is an all around excellent fixed blade knife. At around $50, it really is great value. If you need a knife for camping, hunting, or for an EDC/bug out bag you’re putting together, the KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion needs to be on your list of knives to check out.

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6 Responses to KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Review

  1. Mike January 28, 2012 at 7:11 pm #

    Great review! I’m a big fan of Becker’s. I’ve got a BK5. I got it years ago just before they were discontinued. I love it.

    • Brandon January 28, 2012 at 7:46 pm #

      Thanks Mike!

  2. Frank March 14, 2012 at 4:44 pm #

    I am also a big fan of the BK2, I picked it up in September of last year and it is still my go to knife you cant beat it. No knife that I own in that size range will beat it in a chopping test or even just cutting small stuff. It is awesome!

    I actually replaced the sheath on mine with a skystorm leather sheath. You should check them out, just google the name and you should find them. The sheath is 100 bucks but it is made to order, custom and freaking awesome, I wish they made models for all of my knives. It will undoubtedly last a life time.

    I have not replaced the handle with Micarta scales yet but am considering it. I actually like the Grivory handle that comes with it.

    Cheers,

    Frank

    Buy Becker BK2 Knives and accessories.

  3. Matthew Conklin September 25, 2012 at 2:50 pm #

    Might have to check this out. I have a BK3, and love it, but it is huge. Might be a good in-between knife.

    • Brandon September 25, 2012 at 2:52 pm #

      It’s a great knife, I’ve beat mine up quite a bit and still love it.

  4. Paul June 15, 2013 at 3:12 pm #

    As a survival knife I saw it also on forums, but it is a multifunctional tool – one of the best sellers!