Best 9"+ Beater for the Buck

DEXIX_five-oh said:
no warranty, not US made, way too much in comparison to the to those that are.
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Dunno bud, I have used Trail Masters for over 20 years and never had one break on me, currenty own 2, had 4 total. ;)

I also own other blades Like Busses and HI Khurkies and others so I am just saying they are good beaters. :)

The Dog Father would be the best choice from your current list IMO. :)
 
Ankerson said:
Dunno bud, I have used Trail Masters for over 20 years and never had one break on me, currenty own 2, had 4 total. ;)

I also own other blades Like Busses and HI Khurkies and others so I am just saying they are good beaters. :)
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I've never had ANY fixed blade break, but Lynn "ShortShorts" Thompsons refusal to provide a lifetime warranty is all i need to know about a company PERIOD. see also : American Jobs. i like em.
 
DEXIX_five-oh said:
I've never had ANY fixed blade break, but Lynn "ShortShorts" Thompsons refusal to provide a lifetime warranty is all i need to know about a company PERIOD. see also : American Jobs. i like em.
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I have broken a lot of them over the years. ;)

But yes everyone has their opinions. :D
 
adding the RTAK II to the list, $172 is well within my range. can anyone post a photo of the RTAK II in the hand? it looks massive.....

standing questions :
1.) Does anyone know when the Outcast went foreign made? has it always been?
2.) Does anyone have a model # for Becker replacement micarta handles? were these a Camillus part?
3.) Does anyone have Pictures of the RTAKII in the hand? next to another a KaBar for size ref?
 
ok, Micarta handles for the Becker line are apparently known as BK77NHDL after the ltd edition S30V BK7 that bore them. that knife was apparently a ltd edition of 150 pieces.

Standing questions are now:
1.) Does anyone know when the Outcast went foreign made? has it always been?
2.) Does anyone know if the BK-77HNDL are still in production? can you point me to anyone other than NewGraham who has them?
3.) Does anyone have Pictures of the RTAKII in the hand? next to another a KaBar for size ref?
 
DEXIX_five-oh said:
ok, Micarta handles for the Becker line are apparently known as BK77NHDL after the ltd edition S30V BK7 that bore them. that knife was apparently a ltd edition of 150 pieces.

Standing questions are now:
1.) Does anyone know when the Outcast went foreign made? has it always been?
2.) Does anyone know if the BK-77HNDL are still in production? can you point me to anyone other than NewGraham who has them?
3.) Does anyone have Pictures of the RTAKII in the hand? next to another a KaBar for size ref?
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To answer #2 there still in production being made by Ka-Bar like the rest of the Becker line. Heres a link for a dealer.
http://www.tomarskabars.com/index.html
 
DEXIX_five-oh said:
ok, Micarta handles for the Becker line are apparently known as BK77NHDL after the ltd edition S30V BK7 that bore them. that knife was apparently a ltd edition of 150 pieces.

Standing questions are now:
1.) Does anyone know when the Outcast went foreign made? has it always been?
2.) Does anyone know if the BK-77HNDL are still in production? can you point me to anyone other than NewGraham who has them?
3.) Does anyone have Pictures of the RTAKII in the hand? next to another a KaBar for size ref?
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Never owned an outkast but saw a thread earlier where someone purchased one off a forum member and it was bent. He was pissed and Kershaw refused to straighten it or something. Others chimed in. Some posted pictures of theirs that were stripped and modded (convexed) but that must really add to the price not to mention hassle. Those that had them modded love them. The others that bought them didn't think to highly of the choppers and complained of chips and breaks. As for the Dogfather, well yes you would likely pay over double retail buying one off another forum member here. Like any Bussekin. And if looks matter to you, well, they do to me anyway. Kabar makes a heavy bowie and a kukri that I have heard good reviews on by those who slay zombies:eek: I think they are American made though Kabar may make cheap folders in China. Not sure though.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
As for the Dogfather, well yes you would likely pay over double retail buying one off another forum member here. Like any Bussekin. And if looks matter to you, well, they do to me anyway. Kabar makes a heavy bowie and a kukri that I have heard good reviews on by those who slay zombies:eek: I think they are American made though Kabar may make cheap folders in China. Not sure though.
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1276, 1277 Heavy Bowies and the Kukri and Cutlass Machetes are made in taiwan, sadly. i LOVE the Large Heavy Bowie (1277) but i'd never be able to bring myself to purchase one.


So does scrapyard have that same amorphous, non-catalog production like busse? or do they just rotate through standard models, and i'll eventually catch them in stock on the scrapyard site?
 
Just to set the record straight I remember the post you're talking about DRIVEBY, the guy brought the outcast to kershaw and they said that they did not have the ability to straighten it there in Portland because they are made overseas. I too do not own an outcast but ive heard a lot of good about them and a little bad. The main gripe seems to be the factory grind, apparently its a bit to obtuse and doesnt chop as well as a more acute grind or better yet a convex.
 
To add to that, I have dealt with Kershaws warranty department and it is excellent and very generous.
 
I've got a Becker 9, it's an amazing knife for the money. Great chopping performance that weighs just a pound.
 
the becker is looking stronger and stronger.

RTAK II looks thin in videos, again requesting pics. next to a BK9 would be just fantastic. eh? hint hint.

and Amen on Kershaws warranty. i love nothing more than a department who checks to make sure its theirs, and then just ships a new one.
unfortunately, i have eliminated the Outcast from any of MY projects, because of my insistence on American Manufacture.
 
DEXIX_five-oh said:
i'm putting together four to six smaller messanger style bags, as "hand-outs" in the innevitable zombie apocalypse ;) and while they all have a good folder, a good multitool, a good flashlight etc etc i don't know what good chopper to go with.

needs to be no LONGER than 16" Blade, NON FLEXIBLE (no machetes, plz) made in the USA and under around $200

what do you guys think?

this isn't a pattern i have experience with (being in SoCal) but i was recently on a bit of a hike and needed some chopping power. i like to have a bog to toss at friends when they accompany me, and i don't want to get big TOPS Armageddons, Strider PABs or Busse Battle Mistress' that're going to get shelved until an unskilled user hits a rock with em. thats a waste TWO ways.

Thanks Guys!
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The Busse would laugh at the feeble rock.
 
12" blade, full tang, 5160 spring steel, hand made in the US of A
http://zombietools.net/tools/
ParaBellum1G.jpg
 
Devilito said:
12" blade, full tang, 5160 spring steel, hand made in the US of A
http://zombietools.net/tools/
ParaBellum1G.jpg
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oh, im gonna hate going there , on account of it makes me look immature and foolish, but has anyone ever used seen handled any of these peoples products? the sheath is high quality enough to make me think these are "knife people", but the overall look and presentation of the blades makes me think United Cutlery (never a good thing)

anyone know about their heat treat? these made ok?
 
DEXIX_five-oh said:
oh, im gonna hate going there , on account of it makes me look immature and foolish, but has anyone ever used seen handled any of these peoples products? the sheath is high quality enough to make me think these are "knife people", but the overall look and presentation of the blades makes me think United Cutlery (never a good thing)

anyone know about their heat treat? these made ok?
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read their FAQ, it says everything about their knife making. Looks like high quality useable stuff
Do you guys actually make these blades?
Yup, we do everything in our shop in Missoula, Montana. Here’s our basic process:

1) We cut the basic sword shape out of bars of quality 5160 spring steel. 5160 is one of the best steels to use for longer blades like ours as it is more durable and less prone to breakage than other steels (like stainless).

2) For some of our blade models, we will then heat and hammer the blade into shape.

3) We grind the blade to within 20% of its final edge, and give the blade its “distal taper,” the gradual reduction of blade material from its handle to its point, which reduces weight and gives it its balance.

4) We then heat the blade to just above 1500 degrees and quench it in oil. This hardens the blade. We then put the blades in an oven to take them back up to around 400 degrees, which tempers it, or returns flexibility to the blade. The blade is then cleaned and polished.

5) Next, we cut our basic handle shapes from T6 aluminum, we attach the handle with steel pins, and then sculpt the handle to its final shape using powergrinders and hand files and rasps.

6) Finally, the blade is spattered with a beeswax/tar concoction and painted with ferric chloride acid which etches a pattern into the blade.
 
while I approve of the urge to Buy American, Himalayan Imports Kukhris sure sound like they fit your bill - they are indestructible brutes, the original Zombie Tools (similar design, same steel) hand (and foot) -made by master craftsmen who take pride in their work so they can feed their families - definitely not a chinese sweat-shop operation. You can check the store

http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

or check the HI subforum daily for special deals, like currently the baby Ganga Ram (~5" handle & 10" blade) for $85!!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688668
 
Devilito said:
read their FAQ, it says everything about their knife making. Looks like high quality useable stuff
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Fantastic! might have to get one just to see, i always enjoy finding new companies and makers, especially those helmed by young guys..... Para Bellum for me might be in the cards.


also:
kukris are certainly easily used by the uninundated, but are A.) much scarier looking should a park ranger or sheriff stop and ask what we're on the way to decapitate whilst scrambling around a state park and B.) not US made, which is sadly, a deal breaker.
 
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