Affordable chopper options

Revolverrodger

Revolverrodger

Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
3,878
I’m looking for a chopper with a blade around 10 inches long and 0.25 thick.
Looking at affordable knives I see the kershaw camp 10 but I’m not a huge fannif recurve knives...
Any other suggestions ?
 
The Camillus BK9 just misses your length (9") and just misses your thickness (.21) ....quite a knife for about $100
 
btw recurved blades are good for chopping , one of the reasons why kukri is an exelent chopper is its curved blade. If you do not want "Kershaw Camp 10" then i would recomment "KA-BAR BK9", its not very budget but not as expensive as some premium class knives.
If you want more budget chopper then "Schrade SCHF45 Leroy" but i guess its made of 8Cr13MoV
 
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The Becker Knife & Tool BK-9 (manufactured and sold from Ka-Bar) is what you are looking for.
You just missed their 50% off sale but they can be had a very reasonable prices considering their performance and warranty.
 
Much of ontarios SP series. I have an SP-53 which is a mean chopper and mostly within your desires except it has a light recurve, which I like for choppers. The SP-10 and SP-5 are 2 more that should be priced well and treat you well.

If you're not against used, stripped, and would tolerate the recurve, I would forward my SP-53 so you could give it a go if you're in the US. I haven't used it since getting a smaller HI kuhkri that I like for chopping and then a 911 for chopping at lighter weights.
 
Chopping machine:
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The BK9 would be my suggestion for whacking at stuff . I noticed recently the Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman a 1/4" thick 10" blade stainless chopper with nice looks.
 
Ontario Knives SP-10 Raider Bowie. Made in USA, fits your criteria, and is pretty much indestructable. Also the handle absorbs shock very well which comes in handy while chopping. For what you get the price is a steal.
 
Some good suggestions so far, +1 for the BK9 and Condor knives. The ESEE Expat Libertariat is close in price. The sheath is functional though not great but once the edge is sharpened it makes a good camp knife and short machete.
 
My budget chopper short list would be RTAK-II, SP-53, and Skrama. Only have the Skrama currently though as I have a bunch of more expensive choppers.

Would like to buy something from Aranyik, but starting to wonder if their storefront will ever reopen...

If you're feeling really brave, you could try the MTech MT-151, Raptor, or Outlander. :confused:
 
I sometimes use the Condor Kumunga as my short chopper knife. I mentioned the Condor Ironpath above; it's on my buy list when I get around to it. It is simply not a purchase priority for me as I have lots of choppers that don't get used often. My standard chopper is the Condor Pack Golok if I know that I will be chopping with a blade. It is standard equipment if I am car camping or needing to cut up a big limb in the back yard. I wouldn't carry it long distances hiking unless I "know" I will need it. If you have average sized hands, you can even use it two handed.

I like the budget chopper concept as the use is occasional at best for me. I am sure you're familiar with the BK-9 since you're a Beckerhead.

If you want to go really cheap, I would look at the Ontario 12" machete. Tough little blade, but uncomfortable handles for me. I have a couple of them as I thought they were the "answer" to my chopper knife.... decided differently after I used it a few times.

I will say that a lot of the Condors are 5mm or 0.20" bar steel and not 0.25". But I honestly don't see a need for 0.25" steel on a knife like this.
 
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