Advise for a rookie knife guy

22-rimfire said:
I use a Condor Kumunga (10"), Condor Pack Golok, and Condor Village Parang the most. Often I just use a regular stiff machete. I don't generally chop down large trees and generally not hardwoods that are any size. I use a saw for those. So, you can see from the ones I mentioned, I do like Condor stuff and your choice of the CRKT is a good one. These chopper machetes are just a bit of a burden to carry on trails unless you know you need them. Hence, you compromise with a smaller blade and make do in that situation. That is where the popularity of the Kabar Becker BK-9 comes into play as it is more versatile. I'm comfortable with 1075 or 1095 myself. 3V would probably be a little better. Very comfortable batoning with these if I need to.

Take a look at the Fletcher custom knife sub forum and you will see what he calls the Griffin. Hell of a chopper!! Runs around $300-$400 area.
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Would you mean Dylan Fletcher knives?
 
Yeah, Dylan Fletcher. Griffin is one of the regulars here over in the wilderness survival forums (The Great Outdoors). He designed a number of the fixed blades for Schrade a while back. That was before Schrade was sold again and I don't know what the status is for that relationship now. He was looking for the ultimate chopper, designed it, and Dylan made it for him. I've looked at them at the Blade Show but I just never pulled the trigger to have Dylan make one for me. I just don't chop enough and comfortable with what I use already and I would rather keep the money in my pocket. I believe Dylan uses O1 steel for those which should be fine.
 
T Timothy79 You can find some various threads on image posting/hosting. There is also some threads about why not to use PhotoBucket for hosting there is usually some info on posting and alternative hosting in those.
 
Dylan Fletcher's shop is part of the Fiddleback knife shop in GA. He used to work for them and then started on his own. He makes a good knife.
 
If your talking about sharing pics it is easy just find an image host service, not photobucket, and then get the image link put that url link between image tags ie
Code: 
[img]https://yourimagehost/yourimagefile.jpg[/img]
 
Timothy79 said:
Also which kind of steel is preferred for choppers?
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Timothy79 said:
Or batoning

or batoning
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Generally as long as it's a high-carbon steel it will perform fine in chopping situations. 1095 is among the harder steels generally used in tough outdoor blades, whereas other carbon steel like 5160/4140 are a bit softer and thus a bit tougher but won't hold a razor edge as long when using it. I've had no issues with the 1095 from ESEE/Rowen or with the 1095cv from Ka-bar/Becker, but I really don't have any choppers in other steels than those.

I think as far as RTAK vs BK9, that's more of a personal preference than anything else. The biggest benefit to the Becker is the handle design, it is fantastically comfortable. The RTAK has fine steel and probably is a bit heavier so it'll hit harder, but the handle may cause quicker fatigue as it's rather large and blocky in comparison.
 
KingMC said:
... The biggest benefit to the Becker is the handle design, it is fantastically comfortable.
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It is very comfortable for chopping, but a bit thick for cutting for me. More comfortable with the BK-14, BK-15 handles personally. This is mostly a function of hand size and personal preference.
 
22-rimfire said:
I think the ESEE 4 would work well for you if you're comfortable with the price. I prefer a leather sheath and that has been one of the reasons I haven't stepped out beyond the ESEE 4 in their line. Their handles on the standard models are a little thin for me, and probably would like the HB better. Just about anything Buck is good; especially for the price. Take a look at the Condor line too. I would lean toward one of their short machetes for the chopper like the Condor Pack Golok or Village Parang. They also have a pretty broad assortment of knives in the 4" length range if you like the shape. All come with a functional (real good as far as I'm concerned) leather sheath.

In terms of knife laws, I don't know the law in NJ. There is a serious difference carrying a large knife down the street versus wandering around the woods in terms of practical legality.
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So would this be the one?
ESEE Knives Model 4 Plain Edge Fixed Blade Knife (Black) with Black Molded Sheath & Belt Clip Plate Link removed, read the site rules.
 
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