After taking MagnaCut for a test drive with a limited release in the spring, KABAR has decided to sign the papers and bring the super steel into their production lineup. First standard KABAR to get the MagnaCut treatment is the Ethan Becker-designed BK2.
The flagship fixed blade at KABAR is, of course, their USMC Knife – otherwise called “a KABAR,” much in the same way the 110 Folding Hunter is often called a “Buck knife.” However, the BK2 Campanion can easily and lay claim to the title of “flagship understudy,” as it is the best-selling model within the very popular Becker/KABAR collaboration lineup. Outdoorsmen of all stripes quickly cottoned to this no-nonsense, ergonomics-forward user knife.

Now, that limited edition we mentioned earlier was also a Becker design, but a sort of unique one, closest in design to the BK16 in terms of standard production models. But this is the first time that KABAR has implemented MagnaCut in something in their ongoing catalog. Drawing a comparison between this steel and 1095 Cro-Van (used on the standard BK2) is challenging in some ways, because they are so different in age, formulation, and general design philosophy. But it’s safe to assume for many, if not most, users, the swap to this current-gen super steel will indeed be perceived as an upgrade.
Unchanged – and rightfully so – are the BK2’s ergonomics. Becker is known as a master of comfortable knife handles for a reason, and the hand-filling, bracket-shaped grip here is a proven winner. There is also the same Kydex belt sheath we see on the original Campanion, albeit with some BK & KABAR branding cut into the show side (if sheaths can be said to have a show side?).
The MagnaCut BK2 is out now.
Knife in Featured Image: KABAR MagnaCut BK2
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