best 9-10" chopper under $100?

Translash

Translash

Doing evil things...
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Jan 18, 2011
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Hi guys. I ordered a kukri from nepal recently and it chops so darn well....but I feel every vibration through my bones and it hurts a lot because the handle is made of buffalo horn.

I am looking for a chopper 9-10", good comfort, weight, thickness, and durable steel.

I have looked at a bunch and the ones I have on my head are:

Becker Bk9
Kabar heavy bowie
Ontario sp10 marine raider

Any more recommendations?
 
The BK9 sounds like it fits your requirements perfectly.

If you can go a little higher, though, I'm really happy with my ESEE Junglas.
 
Might consider the RTAK-2. I've got one I've put alot through and it's held up very well. The stock handle is a little large, but you can mod it to your liking with a file pretty easily.
 
There's also the two from Ka-Bar, cutlass and the kukri, each are about $40. Worth checking out. Nice comfortable handles.
Ontario also has the RD line from Ranger. Nightstalker, is one that comes to mind.
 
Oh, there's also the Kershaw Outcast. The handle should dampen the blows from chopping.
 
From Scrap Yard Knives:
The Dogfather CG—heavier
The Dogfather LE—lighter
Great choppers, both.
Both with Res-C handles, which soak up a lot of that vibration.
Neither is in production, you’d have to haunt the exchange.

Oops. I missed the “Under $100.00” part. Forget I said anything.
 
Do you have a decent hatchet? I recently picked up a husqvarna for $40 and it carves surprisingly easily. Chops real nice too. :-)

If you,re set on using a big knife for chopping, I would grab the sp10. That thing looks like fun!
 
why so many people like esee junglas so much when the bk9 has roughly the same specs but half the price??? =S

anyways thanks for the input fellas I was actually looking at the dogfather series b4 but I wince whenever I think of throwing 300 dollars into trees =S

And yes I have a hatchet from cold steel (trail boss) LOL it's pretty good but i like to stick with a sturdy survival knife =S
 
You might also consider the Condor Kumunga.
image-con-ctk238-102hc_first.jpg
 
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Translash said:
why so many people like esee junglas so much when the bk9 has roughly the same specs but half the price??? =S

anyways thanks for the input fellas I was actually looking at the dogfather series b4 but I wince whenever I think of throwing 300 dollars into trees =S

And yes I have a hatchet from cold steel (trail boss) LOL it's pretty good but i like to stick with a sturdy survival knife =S
Click to expand...

I was confused about that, too. But now that I've handled both and ended up with a Junglas, I can tell you that the ergos are just outstanding on the Junglas, and the micarta grips give you much better traction than the Becker's grivory. Also, each handle is individually matched to each blade, so the fit is perfect. The knives have great quality, and are individually numbered. The steel is the same, but the heat treat on the Junglas is better. Also, the sheath is a huge difference. The sheath on the Junglas is worth a lot more than it seems, and after inspecting it, you can see why.

Ultimately, Becker knives are an excellent value and I'm glad that they exist. But ESEE certainly does offer a lot to justify double the price, and many, me included, will consider the ESEE a better value.
 
I really don't care for large knives with the full profile tangs and slab handles. It hurts my hand when I chop when them. Maybe I'm just hitting too hard, I dunno. What I do know is that I really liked my Ontario Marine Raider Bowie, Kabar Large Heavy Bowie, Kershaw Outcast, Cold Steel Laredo Bowie and TrailMaster. I've been able to buy each of them for under $100.
 
I think for shock mitigation, raw chopping power and under $100 bucks it's hard to beat the KaBar heavy bowie. For just a little more than $100 I would like to try the new Buck Hoodlum by Ron Hood. It sounds very promising in the shock mitigation category. Supposedly it has a specially designed cut out in the handle that acts similar to a tuning fork to dampen the vibration. There are some other ergonomics behind the design which I forget right off hand, but I am looking forward to trying it out. I happen to have some nerve problems in my right arm and I am always looking for ways to reduce stress and stock when working with hand tools of any kind.
 
Translash said:
why so many people like esee junglas so much when the bk9 has roughly the same specs but half the price??? =S
Click to expand...

I have a BK9 and my son has a Junglas. The Junglas outchops the BK9 for sure. The BK9 is more comfortable in my opinion and chops very well and it does other knife-like tasks better than the Junglas (again - in my opinion) but the Junglas wins chopping contests.

They are two very different tools - they're both outstanding - but they don't fill the same niche.

If you can afford both - rock on! If not, you have to get the one you like better and for me, that's the BK9.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
I'll give another vote for the BK9, very comfortable in the hand and for me thats a major plus when your choppin for any length of time.
 
Translash said:
Hi guys. I ordered a kukri from nepal recently and it chops so darn well....but I feel every vibration through my bones and it hurts a lot because the handle is made of buffalo horn.
Click to expand...

Just a thought--before you give up on your Kukri, try making a few changes to your gripping technique. There's an art to using a kukri correctly that really affects how it feels.

If you're feeling vibration, it's because you're holding onto the handle too tightly. Grip with the pointer finger and the thumb, and let the rest of your grip be fairly loose. This will allow the blade to swing into the wood, and you'll get a more powerful chop, and it also will reduce the stress on your hands. You'll find that with a lot of those more "ergonomic" kraton handles, that those will actually tear your hands up a lot more than the wood or horn handles on a good kukri.

I'd recommend reading through the safety thread in the Himalyan Imports subforum. As long as you already have a good chopper, you should be able to use it without pain if you alter your chopping technique.
 
Becker BK9 or Ontario Gen II SP50. For $60-$75, I think it's tough to find a better quality within that category (9-10" chopper) and price range. Yes, there are great knives cheaper, and great knives more expensive.
 
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