Better Beater of the Two?

[Wabajack]

I’m really not a big knife fan (great way to start a thread huh ), I’ve used them enough to get a good feel for them but ended up getting rid of them all, they’re not my thing, but if I were to give them another go which one of these two knives would be better? (politics aside please) It‘ll be used batoning and chopping, you know, axe stuff.

The Ka-Bar Bowie:

Or the Ontario SP5:

(any other suggestions in the $50.00 range are welcome)

Right now chopping tools don’t get much pack time with me, if a fire is on the menu a folding saw is the tool for the job IMO, next in line would be a hatchet or a machete depending on the environment… so this knife will have some pretty stiff competition.

I figure it would be fun (and not too expensive) to have a sharpened pry-bar laying around. :thumbup:

 

[longbow50]

They both look like bowie knives to me, but the only one of the two that I have actually gotten some on hands experience with, is the Kabar bowie and it was an OK knife that did what was asked of it.

Otherwise, I would suggest looking around for an authentic Khukuri. There are some out there that can be had for close to what you are looking to spend and it would probably chop circles around the two knives that you have listed.

 

[Wabajack]

They both look like bowie knives to me, but the only one of the two that I have actually gotten some on hands experience with, is the Kabar bowie and it was an OK knife that did what was asked of it.

Otherwise, I would suggest looking around for an authentic Khukuri. There are some out there that can be had for close to what you are looking to spend and it would probably chop circles around the two knives that you have listed.

Good advice, I was able to dig up this website;

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/Content/Catalog/Browse/?CID=a5771bce93e200c36f7cd9dfd0e5deaa|5d48

IIRC I've heard good reports from customers about these products, does anyone know how a khukri from here would compare to one of the two aforementioned knives for my stated purposes?

 

[orrey45]

Of these two knives I would go with the Ontario. I dont particularly like Kbars, don't really have a reason I guess its just personal bias.

I might try a small machete instead. You can get a 12" Tramontina or Ontario 12". You might also look at Condor Knife and Tool's various blades and the Cold Steel Bushman.

 

[Myal]

Of these two knives I would go with the Ontario. I dont particularly like Kbars, don't really have a reason I guess its just personal bias.

I might try a small machete instead. You can get a 12" Tramontina or Ontario 12". You might also look at Condor Knife and Tool's various blades and the Cold Steel Bushman.

I found that machetes lose their edge kinda quick , where as a bigger type bowie knife will hold it a lot longer , and a knife as my Valiant Co Golock will hold its edge for ageas and ages and ages and ages and then only need a barest touch on the stone and a strop before its back in action again ...



if ya cant tell , Im a serious sucker for that javanese gear now ....

 

[bearthedog]

Rubber handles and chopping seem like a good combination for getting blisters. Use a light tuff Tramontina 12" for $6.

Then spend the extra money on a kydex sheath from Leatherface.

 

[Tohatchi NM]

A good khuk will beat either of the bowies silly. Make sure you factor in shipping from Khukri House. I'd point you towards Himalayan Imports (Bladeforums, under manufacturers) but the deals only go down to about $75 or $80.

Golok would be good. More machete-like, but still suitable for batoning.

Some interesting inexpensive options from Scandanavia:

Leuku $60
http://www.ragweedforge.com/FinnishKnifeCatalog.html

#c-223 - Giant mora-style knife, $36
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

And there's always the Cold Steel Bushman which is popular in these parts.

 

[coaldigger]

Good advice, I was able to dig up this website;

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/Content/Catalog/Browse/?CID=a5771bce93e200c36f7cd9dfd0e5deaa|5d48

IIRC I've heard good reports from customers about these products, does anyone know how a khukri from here would compare to one of the two aforementioned knives for my stated purposes?

I got my Jungle Model from KH a couple of days ago (took 33days from the day I placed the order) This thing is AWSOME ! 3/8" thick blade & 10" long blade It looks Great ! If you don't mind the wait GO FOR IT ! Cost was $45.00 shipped!

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[jh205]

if ya cant tell , Im a serious sucker for that javanese gear now ....

G'day Myal,

Spoke to Suwandi yesterday and I've got a Golok on the way...gonna be a few days coming from Perth but I'm getting excited. Feel like a kid at Christmas...

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I've got the KaBar heavy bowie and like it very much. Takes a good edge, and will chop and chop and chop. Certainly a suitable camp knife and brush clearer, good for batoning, etc.

I don't have a good khuk but will just about guarantee that a proper example will outchop the bowie. I've got the 12" Tram that bear posted, but haven't done a fair enough 'head to head' to compare them here. It will chop and take a baton fairly well.

 

[Myal]

G'day Myal,

Spoke to Suwandi yesterday and I've got a Golok on the way...gonna be a few days coming from Perth but I'm getting excited. Feel like a kid at Christmas...

you will not regret it

he sells gear that looks pretty and cuts awesome . Good stuff .

 

[akennedy73]

you will not regret it

yep, valiantco goloks are amazing choppers :thumbup: