9-11" Chopper (Junglas, Grasso Bolo II, 911 or R9)

[Ethan_Hardy]

I have a pretty evident hole in my growing user collection. I need help! I have a RMD ordered and already have an S1 and 711. The RMD is going to be used as a day-hike/food prep/utility knife. The S1 will flex into the uses for the RMD but will be preferred if I expect to get wet. The 711 is my "jack of all trades" knife, the one I prefer if I dont feel like packing too many blades. I feel the need for a chopper! I have been browsing and have my eyes on a couple. I ruled out the BK9 just because I want something more; I cant really explain it, I want something with more "cool" factor (as lame as that sounds). I have my eyes on the Junglas, Bark River Grasso Bolo II, 911, and Rodent 9. I am trying to find out what performs better. Anyone have any thoughts? I like Res-C on my 711 but also like the looks and ergos of the R9 handle (I also LOVE SR-101). The R9 would go good with my black/black canvas RMD on order though....I really like the convex grind of my S1 so I feel drawn to the Bolo II but if I got the R9 or 911 I would definitely convex it. I have had a RC-4 before but ended up selling it regretfully, so I also feel drawn to the quality of the Junglas and the sheath is stellar from what I have. You guys have always helped my decision making before. What do you think?

 

[Peak_Oil]

Svord von tempske

 

[tek77]

My $0.02: The res-c handle on 911 takes care of the handle vibrations during chopping/batoning. As bomb proof/efficient as the rest of your listed options. That's my choice and for this reason alone I prefer it over my junglas.
But honestly, I would take a good axe over any of these any day. Your 711 can easily take care of anything else.

 

[Ethan_Hardy]

Yeah that is what I have heard. What axe do you use? A SAK, RMD, and hand axe would be a good combo the way I see it. I have had my eyes on the Wetterlings Small Hunters Axe, I like the size.

My $0.02: The res-c handle on 911 takes care of the handle vibrations during chopping/batoning. As bomb proof/efficient as the rest of your listed options. That's my choice and for this reason alone I prefer it over my junglas.
But honestly, I would take a good axe over any of these any day. Your 711 can easily take care of anything else.

 

[Big Mike]

9-11" Chopper (Junglas, Grasso Bolo II, 911 or R9)

The Bark River Knives - Grasso Bolo II is a real bruiser. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Big Mike

 

[Shotgun]

Yeah that is what I have heard. What axe do you use? A SAK, RMD, and hand axe would be a good combo the way I see it. I have had my eyes on the Wetterlings Small Hunters Axe, I like the size.

For car camping sure. If you hike I'd suggest a saw over an axe. Lighter, cheaper, faster and safer...your RMD can do the splitting. My 2 cents.

 

[HoosierQ]

Look at an HI Khukuri for that sort of work...if in fact you want a knife to do it. I had a Junglas. It was a fantastic big knife. The problem is it is sort of the knife that answers the question that nobody (not me anyway) ever asked. Two big to do normal knife work, way to short to do machete work, and not heavy enough to chop as well and other configurations. At the end of the day, it is just a great big knife. At about the same size, an HI Khukuri will chop rings around it. Like I said, it was a fantastic piece of work, but one I just couldn't see using. I am a die hard machete man and for that, you need 22 or 24 inches of blade...and honestly, not nearly the amound of refinement that you get on the Junglas. You can buy 6 or 7 really good machetes for the price of one Junglas.

 

[Big Mike]

Yeah ...a... hand axe would be a good combo the way I see it.

I have had my eyes on the Wetterlings Small Hunters Axe, I like the size.

Good call.

A small axe, if you can carry one, is always the efficient way to go.

Customized Wetterlings and BRK GB-II Prototype





Big Mike

 

[Jroden5446]

I'm going to go off the board and suggest the Scrapyard 1311

Unbelievable chopping power for only 3/16th thick, Great steel, great heat treat, same handle as the 711, light.

It out chops just about everything I have ( including a few HI kuks) other than the Zilla ( which is much heavier)

And they can be found on the x here at not that big a markup. Just my 2 cents

 

[Ethan_Hardy]

Nice! I like the blue and black. Is that the A-2 version? How does it hold up? Have you had any problems with it chipping when chopping hard wood?

The Bark River Knives - Grasso Bolo II is a real bruiser. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Big Mike

 

[Ethan_Hardy]

Dang that is a beauty! A little big but I dont doubt its chopping power! Definitely wouldnt mind getting one at some point.

I'm going to go off the board and suggest the Scrapyard 1311

Unbelievable chopping power for only 3/16th thick, Great steel, great heat treat, same handle as the 711, light.

It out chops just about everything I have ( including a few HI kuks) other than the Zilla ( which is much heavier)

And they can be found on the x here at not that big a markup. Just my 2 cents

 

[Ethan_Hardy]

Thanks for the suggestion! I have heard good things from HI and Khukuri House. Have you heard anything good about the Cold Steel Gurkha Khuk? I am a fan of the thick stock and modern materials used. If Busse-Kin would release a Khuk i would be all over it!

Look at an HI Khukuri for that sort of work...if in fact you want a knife to do it. I had a Junglas. It was a fantastic big knife. The problem is it is sort of the knife that answers the question that nobody (not me anyway) ever asked. Two big to do normal knife work, way to short to do machete work, and not heavy enough to chop as well and other configurations. At the end of the day, it is just a great big knife. At about the same size, an HI Khukuri will chop rings around it. Like I said, it was a fantastic piece of work, but one I just couldn't see using. I am a die hard machete man and for that, you need 22 or 24 inches of blade...and honestly, not nearly the amound of refinement that you get on the Junglas. You can buy 6 or 7 really good machetes for the price of one Junglas.

 

[Creaky Bones]

I'm sure some of the high end owners here will dismiss this suggestion, but I always thought the Condor Boomslang was a great looking chopper, and you could pick that and a BK9 up for less than the price of some of the knives mentioned.

 

[Polamalu]

I have a pretty evident hole in my growing user collection. I need help! I have a RMD ordered and already have an S1 and 711. The RMD is going to be used as a day-hike/food prep/utility knife. The S1 will flex into the uses for the RMD but will be preferred if I expect to get wet. The 711 is my "jack of all trades" knife, the one I prefer if I dont feel like packing too many blades. I feel the need for a chopper! I have been browsing and have my eyes on a couple. I ruled out the BK9 just because I want something more; I cant really explain it, I want something with more "cool" factor (as lame as that sounds). I have my eyes on the Junglas, Bark River Grasso Bolo II, 911, and Rodent 9. I am trying to find out what performs better. Anyone have any thoughts? I like Res-C on my 711 but also like the looks and ergos of the R9 handle (I also LOVE SR-101). The R9 would go good with my black/black canvas RMD on order though....I really like the convex grind of my S1 so I feel drawn to the Bolo II but if I got the R9 or 911 I would definitely convex it. I have had a RC-4 before but ended up selling it regretfully, so I also feel drawn to the quality of the Junglas and the sheath is stellar from what I have. You guys have always helped my decision making before. What do you think?

You want a cool factor? Look no futher.....Google survive knives GSO 10. It's has better steel than what you've said (heat treat is the key not the steel. I know, I know)
It's heat treated by peters heat treat so you can't go wrong. Bark river send some of its knives there as well.

 

[Jmboz]

Is it just me or does it look like there's a huge chip in Big Mike's Bark River Grasso Bolo II?

 

[Big Mike]

Is it just me or does it look like there's a huge chip in Big Mike's Grasso Bolo II?

It's just you.


Though I did do some damage to to that edge in later testing on some very hard/dry wood.




Big Mike

 

[chiral.grolim]

Is it just me or does it look like there's a huge chip in Big Mike's Grasso Bolo II?

I wondered the same thing, esp. after all the threads related to major edge-failures in the Grasso Bolo line...

To the OP, the kukri in the photo with the SYKCO 1311 IS a Busse kukri. They've made, what, 3 different lines? "Killa Zilla", "Killa Zilla II" and "Test Team Killa Zilla"? Google "TTKZ" (acronym for the last one).

But I am curious what type of "performance" you are looking for in this knife?

I own an 18"-blade machete, Rodent 9, HI 15" Vojpuri khukuri, and GSO-10, and each excels in different ways, but I use the GSO-10 more than the others because I am more often at the tasks it is better suited for. I also own a Fiskars splitting axe, husqvarna all-around axe and hatchet, and CS Trail Hawk - the axes serve their specific purposes (felling and splitting larger trees), but the hatchet and hawk rarely see use, they are simply too awkward and clumsy with no chopping advantage over the large knives mentioned.

So again, what specific performance requirements do you seek? Machete? Machete/hatchet? Hatchet/hunting-knife/shovel/throwing knife? Hatchet/axe/hunting-knife? ...

 

[DRodent]

I had a Rodent 9 and sold it to my BIL - nice knife but for chopping something with better geometry should work better.

I also have a few 1311's but they are more like a short machete - they are nice and light for their size though.

I bought a Bark River Grasso Bolo III the 12" blade model and while I haven't used it yet (the fit, finish edge and polish are fantastic I sort of hate to mess it up-I know use it but I have a lot of others already beatup) I don't doubt it would be a better chopper - its 5160 steel with a bolo style that puts a lotof weight to the front.

The GB II should be a good chopper also.

I have a Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works "Bullnoser" with a 8.5" blade also in 5160 that is similar to the GBII - MMHW uses a different grind but it is a very good chopper.

Plus i have a Woodsmans Pal and a condor Parang but they have a softer steel.

Short answer is I would definetly get the Grasso Bolo II you won't be dissapointed.

 

[1066vik]

I have a Junglas, 1311, and Condor Pack golok - love them all and all 3 chop very well.
got to do some comparison chopping with a 911 that had been convexed and all 3 of mine with factory edges outchopped it.

 

[banana-clip]

Another vote for the Scrapyard 1311, and the Scrapyard 1111 is a good one too. They should be on Scrapyards site for sale sometime in the near future.