8" Blade Camp Knives Compared

Nice informative review and comparison. Thanks for taking the time to do the tests and posting the results. Out of curiosity, I wonder how the Becker BK-9, which is only one half inch longer, would do against the ones you tested?
 
The Becker is a fine chopper. Here it is with some similar sized knives, the Swamp Rat M9LE and Ranger RD9.
Nines016.jpg

My NMSFNO outchopped it, too. :D
Nines024.jpg

The Outlaw rules.
NMSFNO014.jpg
 
Thanks for doing this Horn Dog. My poor wallet is whimpering right now because I want a Busse so bad!

You're looking a little blade heavy right now and as a favor to you I'll take a Busse off of your hands, which will give you the thrill of the chase as you search for your next Busse purchase. Your welcome. PM me for shipping details.
 
The handle is small so all the forces of chopping are concentrated on a smaller area of my hand. Maybe. I don't know. All I know is that it stings like heck and is not pleasant to chop with at all. If the knife chopped well, it might be more tolerable, but the knife does not chop well, unlike some other recurves I have used.
 
Horn Dog said:
The Becker is a fine chopper. Here it is with some similar sized knives, the Swamp Rat M9LE and Ranger RD9.
Nines016.jpg

My NMSFNO outchopped it, too. :D
Nines024.jpg

The Outlaw rules.
NMSFNO014.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks, Horn Dog. I've been using a 14 inch bolo, but it's pretty heavy for carry. I've been looking at the BK-9 as a chopper, since it's within my budget (I live on Social Security, so things like Busse's are out of the question, price wise).
 
The Beckers are fine knives and a good value. They are well worth the asking price. I have been pleased with mine.
 
Horn Dog said:
The handle is small so all the forces of chopping are concentrated on a smaller area of my hand. Maybe. I don't know. All I know is that it stings like heck and is not pleasant to chop with at all. If the knife chopped well, it might be more tolerable, but the knife does not chop well, unlike some other recurves I have used.
Click to expand...

I see that it is small, spine to edge, but is it small otherwise?

Marion
 
Great review as always Vic, would the ChopWeiler be anywhere close to these ?
 
pitdog said:
Great review as always Vic, would the ChopWeiler be anywhere close to these ?
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The Chopweiler is right in there, pitdog. As you know, it is an outstanding chopper, at least as good as the Old Ranger RD7 with a more comfortable handle. I have compared the NMSFNO with my Chopweiler in a different chop-off. These are all 8" blades and the CW is about 7.5".
 
Interesting that the 8" choppers went best to worst based on heaviest to lightest - it shows that weight is a very significant factor, design perhaps having more influence on long-term comfort than short-term efficiency. ??
 
Interesting comparison. If you take out the BRKT, which was designed with a completely different edge profile, then weight seems to become the overwhelmingly deciding factor. Do you think that is an accurate reduction or a coincidence?
 
On the Entrek Destroyer, besides the handle, what do you think of the blade design for chopping? Do you like that slight recurve?
 
CaptInsano said:
Interesting comparison. If you take out the BRKT, which was designed with a completely different edge profile, then weight seems to become the overwhelmingly deciding factor. Do you think that is an accurate reduction or a coincidence?
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Yes, that seems to be the case here. But in other chopping contests, I have had light knives like the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp do better than heavier ones. Balance, handle shape, overall length, and edge geometry all seem to be important, too. Also, while the BRKT edge profile may well be one of the thinnest here, all these blades have had their edges reprofiled to thinner convex edges than factory.
 
MRpink said:
On the Entrek Destroyer, besides the handle, what do you think of the blade design for chopping? Do you like that slight recurve?
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The Destroyer mystifies me. With that forward weighted bolo blade and recurve shape, it should chop better. I thinned the horribly obtuse factory edge as much as I could without just grinding the whole darned blade to a full convex profile. As we see from the old Ranger, the saber grind can chop well in some blades. I think I could chop with much more power if the knife had a larger handle. I have an old Cold Steel 10" kukri called the MTC that is a recurve that chops very well. It has a 1/8" thick saber ground recurve shape. There is just something wrong with the whole balance and feel of the Entrek. I wish I was smart enough to figure it out. I like recurves for chopping, when they work.
 
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