Alright children...our favorite kind of question...the knife kind!

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KEmSAT-Survival

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Sep 23, 2008
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Okay, for some time now I've been fighting the "big chopper" bug. I have a CS Kuk machete. But I want something more, something excellent, something I can definitely trust, that's been proven time and again.

I have had my eye on the TOPS Armageddon for almost a month. My sweaty little palms itched every time I saw it. The sad thing is, I've never held one. I know the resale is pretty good on them should I decide I don't like it; and I can get a decent price on one.

My question is...should I pull the trigger on the Armie, or is there another big chopper (custom or otherwise) for right about the same money (maybe a little less), but definitely not any higher than 250 that a person can get with the same reputation for dependibility?
 
The TOPS version looks pretty nice. I had a custom Arm from Trace and that thing was a serious beast. probably the best chopper I've owned.
 
I have a Crowell/Barker competition cutter that I've beaten pretty hard with no ill effects. It's high-carbon steel and they must have heat-treated it right, because it takes an excellent edge and holds it very well. The handle is kind of blocky, but you could always trim it down a bit. The sheath is top-notch. It goes for $140 at AGRussell but you might find it for less elsewhere.

The only beef I have is, it's made in Taiwan :grumpy:

If you're willing to spend $250, you should really look into a custom.
 
I would look at Ranger Knives RD series. You can still find the ones made by Justin for a fair price.
 
Have you thought about contacting Bill Siegle about designing one to your specs. I see him posting large cusotm choppers out of 5160 in that price range.

Like you, I just jumped into the deep end with large knives. I ended up with my first one being a Dan Koster, Survivor. It is big, heavy and a really cool knife to handle. I am not done running it through its paces yet.

I will say that some pictures of the Trace Rinaldi custom Armageddon showed up here a few days ago and they are beautiful.

Good luck with your decision.
 
It is always a matter of how much do you want to spend, how much weight are you willing to carry, if you are worried at all about using it not onl for chopping... and how much reputation/hype do you want it to have.

I am a budget minded guy and I would advise you to have a look at the Kersaw Outcast (arround $70), BK-7 ($70), BK-9 ($80), Ranger RD9 ($150), Ontario RAT RTACK II ($120) and even the Browning Crowell Barker Competition ($120).

If you want to carry something more expensive, go look for Busse, Ferhman, etc.

There is a whole lot of big choppers out there. Anyone chimming in here is going to give you a lot of different options but let me tell you something, most of them will try to make you steer off that TOPS Armagedon....
Mikel
 
I hadn't thought about the RD series...and I've been itching to try some of Ranger's stuff.

1/4" 5160
Lifetime guarantee...
57-59 RC
Lots of people trust their stuff....
A helluva price...

I'm just about sold, except for one question:

So tell me (I've never used anything with 5160) is 5160 a better steel for a chopper than 1095?


ETA::

Just called Justin....he merged with Ontario in June and they're producing the Ranger knives now...
 
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Big choppers? Around 250, you might have to pay a little more, but I would check out Scott Gossman's Tuskers and Buffalo knives.

You can also take a look at David Farmers big choppers.
 
I really liked the RD9 I had. I just didn't have a use for a gigantic chopper. It was a beast of a knife though. I don't think I could have broken it if I wanted to.

5160 is a tougher steel than 1095. In my experience, 1095 takes an easier edge though.

What I don't know is the whole Justin RD9 vs. Ontario RD9. I had a Justin RD9. If Ontario is making them to the same quality, then I wouldn't hesitate to go with one.
 
Aside from the custom choppers (and definitely jump on one of those if you can afford it), I'll recommend a Becker BK-9. It's a stout and reliable chopper. I have not handled one of the newer Kabar versions, but my Camillus BK-9 has been around the block a few times and it keeps coming back for more. For the price range you mentioned, you could get a BK-9 with a nice custom sheath (like a Normark), and still have some funds to spare.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I think the KA-BAR/ BECKER - BK-9 is a good deal ! It's a good chopper but the weight is still no problem to wear on your belt. The problem with "BIG CHOPPER" is the weight, if it's to heavy then I find myself leaving it at home when I hit the trail:o The BK-9 is just about the right weight IMO:thumbup:
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All this knife needs is a Convex edge & IMO it would be perfect !
 
I don't know the name of the knife, buy Koyote has a big chopper/small machete that I keep seeing show up in pictures, makes my mouth water everytime! Or there are the modified Ontario machetes by Off the Map Outfitters or Bark River, I've heard good things about both.

Good luck!

Brandon
 
Save yourself a lot of $ and get Chiruwa AK from Himilayan Imports.
 
KEmSAT-Survival said:
I hadn't thought about the RD series...and I've been itching to try some of Ranger's stuff.

1/4" 5160
Lifetime guarantee...
57-59 RC
Lots of people trust their stuff....
A helluva price...

I'm just about sold, except for one question:

So tell me (I've never used anything with 5160) is 5160 a better steel for a chopper than 1095?


ETA::

Just called Justin....he merged with Ontario in June and they're producing the Ranger knives now...
Click to expand...

If you check the forums you can still find knives made by Justin at fair prices. I don't know if 5160 is better than 1095 but I do know that Justin makes a knife that will take anything you want to give it.
 
Echo on the BK9
Mine is the Camillus brand and it's been around the block a few times and back.
Keeps on ticking.
 
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