Best Chopper/Camp Knife?

firemanTFD said:
Use as a machete/axe. Something to clear a camp or build an emregency shelter, etc. One I can hand to my grandkids someday. Thanks!
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I would recommend a simple Woodman's Pal and add a smaller FB for camp chores such as cooking and such or even a folder. I can't count up the months I have spent in the woods with mine and a Demo knife. Both also performed very well both at Ft Irwin as well in the field at Knox and in Germany, Belgium, and Holland (I turned down quite a few offers for it overseas). The Woodman's Pal can chop, split, baton, dig, even works as an improvised ice ax for climbing. I have even rebaked finishes on mine over the years...Brownell's stuff works great. I would be hard pressed to find a tougher tool.

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The "Son of Dogfather" knife is available at Scrapyard right now for $120. It has an 8" blade but it looks like a good chopper.

I can't give a review as these haven't shipped yet. Mine is on the way. However I do have a SY Yard Guard which is a very good chopper, and it only has a 7" blade.

Also, the Cold Steel Trail Master is very good big knife, and a good chopper.
 
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Check out the new Kabar Beckers. You'll spend lesss $$ now and you can put the rest towards college, braces or a lifelong folder or smaller fixed blade.
 
"Reprofiling" means changing the shape of the blade as viewed from the side (i.e. changing a kukhri blade into a straight spear point...as a drastic example)

"Regrinding" or "Rebeveling" the edge means altering the angle of the edge grind (i.e. from a 40 degree to a 30 degree....as an example)

For $200, I'd throw the Bark River Hudson Bay Camp Knife into the mix for consideration...........
 
From my experiences

If you want a large knife to use for heavy chopping 2 major characteristics are necessary.

1.) Curved blade, weight forward, large belly with a nice sweet spot i.e. a kukri style or bolo style blade.

2.) A convexed primary grind and edge. Flat grinds tend to bind more.

Knowing this and your price range the first thing that pops into mind in HI kukris.

Personally, the best design I have found is the original Cold Steel ATC. It outchops everything from Busse to HIs of similar size and even larger. The only drawback is that it is flat ground. If you could get an original ATC with a better handle and a convex grind you'd have a mini chainsaw. Sadly, they are rare and expensive on the aftermarket.

I've been hinting at Mike at BRKT to make something like this for a while.

The BRKT golok is a great tool but doesn't have the curved/belly/weight forward extreme profile like a kukri or bolo and it's lighter compared to those style blades. Works really great but depends on how heavy the chopping will be.

BRKT is coming out with a kukri early nexy year.
 
The Cold Steel Magnum Khukri Machete, if you like big machetes. The CS khukri machete, if you prefer them a little smaller. Both are cheap, but effective. You have to regrind the edges when you get them. They come as dull as a deer antler from CS, but they take a pretty good edge.
The Becker BK-9 is also a great cost-effective knife.
 
Question: Best Chopper/Camp Knife?

Answer :The Khukuri/Khukri that grabs your fancy the most!
 
Hey Fireman.....

A LOT of good advice here.....If you are not terribly impressed with the BK&T BK9, I think you can not even remotely go wrong wth the CROWELL/BARKER I Have an earlier Jim Crowell competition knife and it is a frigging light sabre and, I have had the pleasure of holding and hefting the newer one...WOW.....As well known as he is in the ABS crowd Jim is one of the most under-appreciated smiths around, a fine craftsman who THINKS his way through stuff...The comp knife I have is a truly prized posession and a real chip hog !!!!!....If you ever have a chance to corner him at a show--DO IT!!!.... He is a really great guy and a positive wellspring of cutlery knowledge......

All Best,

ethan
 
Linder Machetes are nice. German quality. Stainless steel. Well under your price range. I've been using one for years. The midsize version 14".
 
A bolo from Reflections of Asia. Tough village grade workers for $30 shipped. I've got the pointy one from Batangas (more in line with machete work) and the heavy curved tip one from Ilocos (it's a beast). It can chop side by side with the big WWII from HI. They won't win any beauty contests but they'll give FAR more expensive blades a run for their money.

Frank
 
firemanTFD said:
I'm a traditional knife kind of guy. Unfortunately, the economy being what it is, I can not afford a Busse. Need to stay under the $200 range. Slip it under the wife's radar.

The Browning looks nice but I prefer something heavier in the tip for chopping.

Thanks for the info guys. Keep it coming.
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I own Busses, and various other high end knives... and they are a joy and really are worth every penny you pay for them. But as an all purpose beater... I have an older Ontario Spec Plus Survival Bowie that I use a lot in the woods as a chopper and utility blade. I take it because I really don't care if I lose it in the woods someday. That's one consideration you need to make about an all purpose outdoor knife... the fact that it is possible to lose them. You can drop them in places you can't get to or just stumble and the knife go sliding in the bush and despite every effort to look for it... you just can't find the dang thing... Had that happen with a folder once. I have beaten that thing to death over the years and it is still in one piece. The edge has held up and any dings or chips it's taken eventually sharpened out. It's not pretty. But it works and they can be had for around $60.00. I don't think I've ever gotten as much value out of a knife as that thing.

As far as a kukri (spelling) goes... The excel at chopping but that's about it. They lose in other camp chores to a more traditional bowie style blade. Bolos are good, clip, drop, or spear point bowies tend to work the best as a jack of all trades though. Like I said the kukri will out chop it hands down. And they can perform most other tasks ok but awkwardly.
 
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