Best value for a chopper?

T

TFin04

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Aug 21, 2005
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Looking for a larger knife (7-9" blade) that would stand up to some chopping and batoning.

I know that there are many well known makers out there such as Busse, but I can't afford something like that.

What would be a good blade for this use? What price range am I looking at for quality? Can I get something like this for under $100?

As a fellow knife knut I know that workmanship, blade steel, etc play a huge role in a quality knife. Problem is, I don't know squat about the large fixed blade market!

Help me, oh wise bladeforums.
 
Ontario Spec Plus Marine or Survival knife. I have both and the excell at that kind of work. The run about 50-70$. The Kershaw Outcast in D2 is another good one for well under 100.00. I have all three of these and have used them all.
 
Check out the review of the Browning competition knife- although it's $139, it's a very good value for that price. I've also heard a lot of good things about Ranger knives. And there's always the Busse "family" knives- Swamp Rats and Scrap yard- especially if you can find a user cheap. And don't forget Himalayan Imports if a Khukri appeals to you- some make great choppers and they're often in your price range. Good luck, have fun shopping!
 
You mentioned Busse.

Take a look at both Swamprat and Scrapyard. Excellent knives with a Busse heritage, but without the Busse price. Swamprat even has its own sub-forum here.

I have knives from all three makers ... choppers included ... and I'm very happy with my purchases. :D
 
I would also look into Scrapyard knives, or even Swamp Rat. Can't beat those knives, especially for the price.

- Ah you just beat me to it Oldphysics lol
 
The Ka-bar Heavy Bowies are well priced.
Or, step up to a Recon Scout or Trailmaster. These were the heavy duty kings before Busse.
 
Wow, a wealth of knowledge in about a half hour late on a Tuesday night...

This is why I like BF so much...

This knife is going into a hiking/bug out bag. While I am looking for some size, there is such thing as too big here. I'll start looking at the knives mentioned. Thanks fella's!
 
MVF said:
Check out the review of the Browning competition knife- although it's $139, it's a very good value for that price.
Click to expand...

I have read good things about the Crowell/Barker Browning Competition knife. With 10-inches of 1095 steel, micarta handle, it would be hard to go wrong here. A.G. Russell sells them.

- Joe
 
Used to be a BK9 was a value till a year ago. Maybe again in another year when the Ka-Bar version rolls out. I picked up a used one last year for 30 bucks.

You can look for a Ranger on the used market and they do roll in at under a "C" note. RTAK is another but I don't know if I would baton with one. The RTAK 1 I had seemed a bit thin for that but then again, I never tried it so what do I know.

On the low cost end, the CS Bushman. It can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it and keep on going.

A bit over your range is the Scrapper 6. I've had good service from mine but they don't come with a sheath so that puts you over your limit.
 
The Ontario RTAK is out of production, and the RTAK II is significantly better.

It's a great knife for the money, as are just about all the knives mentioned here.
 
rtak 2 is two thin and will break if it wedges and is pryed. the k bar and ontario bowie survival are bargains
 
scrappy said:
rtak 2 is two thin and will break if it wedges and is pryed. the k bar and ontario bowie survival are bargains
Click to expand...

I have one of the Ontario Bowie SP-5 knives and agree with you that it is a terrific bargain. :thumbup:
For fifty bucks or so you get a big hunk of 1095 a quarter inch thick.
But I still think the RTAK II is an excellent knife at 80 bucks give or take.

I'm not familiar with the K Bar Bowie, other than it's made in Taiwan of 1085 and gets lots of good reviews.
 
For something real cheap, I'd go with the Ka-Bar Large Heavy Bowie. It's a real bargain, and it's a tough knife. And in spite of being a chopper, it still cuts quite well.

But for something indestructible, try one of the Ranger Knives RD models. They go from 90 to 120 $ from the smallest model to the largest 9½" RD9. These things stand up to batoning, chopping and prying if you feel like it, and have a great lifetime warranty. And they're also readily available, so you don't have to go looking for them in the secondary market or waiting for exactly the model you want to get back in production.
 
For 50 bucks half your budget. I would say the large 9" K-bar Heavy Bowie. As a few have already recommended.
 
:thumbup: Ranger Knives!! Great value. Justin is a good guy who knows what he's doing and will make what you need. My RD6 seems indestructible.
 
just out of curiosity, and because I too have been lokking at choppers, I was wondering if any of you had any opinions on the Spyderco forester? I thought that I looked like a great knife for heavy woods work but haven'ta word about it.
 
+1 to Ranger knives. These things are like tanks with a sharp edge. I love my RD9. Plus, you can't get a better guy to work with than Justin.
 
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