Well, I finally got my hot little hands on a Becker Bk-4 Machax, and I have to say: I think I've found my do-everything blade. This thing is AWESOME!
First off, I don't have the production version of this knife. the model I bought is a pre-production version that differs from the production version by having the old finish rather than the new, tougher powdercoat, and the old roll-stamping rather than the new laser etch. I added a set of factory micarta to it, since I like how it looks, but I may switch to a set of stippled grivory scales for actual use. The stippled grivory scales are more secure in the hand I think.
Here's some pics.
It's actually smaller in person than it looks in the pics. The blade is the same size as the BK-9, but it feels and works very differently from the Bowie.
The first thing you notice when you hold the Machax is that it is quite blade-heavy. But despite that fact, it also moves very well in the hand. Snap-cuts are powerful and deliver some serious power. Yet you can still work your Filipino knife fighting drills with speed and accuracy.
Thanks to the angled grip, the blade rides even with the level of the hand, and the Machax comes to point like a quality Bowie knife. Thrusts are extremely accurate. The swedge, if sharpened, would give the Machax a devastating back-cut ability. The backcut on the Machax is very fast.
As a tool, it can chop with the best of them, yet, because of the way the scales are designed, you can still do detail work and bushcrafting chores with the heel of the blade, including shave hair, with no extra effort. Ethan Becker really designs a good blade.
Honestly, if you're looking for the perfect knife for any eventuality, from survival or work to chopping the heads off zombie mutant bikers, this just might be the knife for you. I'm getting at least one more Machax.
On the weekend, I'm probably going to strip the rest of the finish off. Then I'll blue it, etch the blade, and convex the edge. maybe I'll even put an edge on the swedge.
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