Better than a Machax................

thrillbilly said:
actually, in straight out power-chopping the 9 will outchop the 4. But just by a small amount, the 4 is still a good chopper.
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Do you think so? I would have said my 4 will out-chop my 9, though I have not done extensive side-by-side testing on that point. Yet. :cool:

I do agree that the difference between the 2 blades is small, and the fact that the (smaller and lighter) 4 can pretty much keep up with the 9 is impressive. I think the mechanical advantage created by the 4's curvature compensates for the lack of beef (relative to the 9).
 
JWL said:
Do you think so? I would have said my 4 will out-chop my 9, though I have not done extensive side-by-side testing on that point. Yet. :cool:

I do agree that the difference between the 2 blades is small, and the fact that the (smaller and lighter) 4 can pretty much keep up with the 9 is impressive. I think the mechanical advantage created by the 4's curvature compensates for the lack of beef (relative to the 9).
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I do think so. But I am more skilled/familiar with the 9, perhaps my technique is hindering the 4's performance.....but I dunno. In limb-chopping and such, the 4 holds it's own with the 9, and is actually more comfortable for long-term use...and is quicker in hand. But for POWER-chopping the 9 has the edge, IMO
 
Outchop this, outchop that, if you gotta baton, forget chopping. Either way, both are well suited for the woods, but to go along with "chopping", you are gonna have to have a knife that can do more than just chop. Both fit that bill.

I will say my tests have shown the BK9 to outchop the BK4, but that was a Cam era 4 and it sucked. YMMV.

thrillbilly said:
I do think so. But I am more skilled/familiar with the 9, perhaps my technique is hindering the 4's performance.....but I dunno. In limb-chopping and such, the 4 holds it's own with the 9, and is actually more comfortable for long-term use...and is quicker in hand. But for POWER-chopping the 9 has the edge, IMO
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That "snap cut" that Ethan teaches, will make short work of branches up to 1" and more.

Moose
 
And keep in mind the Natti BK4 is a whole differnt animal than either the Camillus or the KaBar. Thicker and with a whole different edge geometry.
 
OK, the second video is up.

Geektechnica said:
Coulda fooled me. Keep up the good work! I've been looking for someone to talk me into buying a Machax. (now just need someone to talk my wife into letting me...)
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Attention, Mrs. Geektechnica, buy your husband a Machax. Mach schnell! This is straight from the DOC(TOR). :D

Geektechnica said:
OK :) Doc: Will you be stripping the new one to match the older one? Might make for a more even comparison, as the extra friction will surely make a difference in certain tasks, no?
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I don't usually strip choppers, in fact, I spray paint machetes to protect the metal that's not cleaned by chopping. I do, however strip small knives for better carving.

Moosez45 said:
WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

I can't wait, ya'll. Not sure how many of you know, but I'm VERY interested to see the comparison to the Cinci Era Machax compared to the new one. Of all that I know, Doc would be the one to know.

And Doc, take no offense but thank gawd there was no tank tops. :D

Moose
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Moose, thanks for your vote of confidence. I hope you still think so after all are posted. And what's with the wardrobe critique? Eh? :D

coote said:
Goodness me. Doc...... You have a great screen presence, and both you and your interviewer seem to be naturally talented at making a video presentation. I was sincerely impressed.

They probably sent you that knife 'cause it is a bent one. Everyone knows that a knife should be straight :)

I don't need another knife, but I've long admired the BK7 and BK9. I'm guessing that the Machax would out-chop a BK9, but I reckon the straight knife would be more useful to me for general hunting and trapping. I'd be interested to hear your opinion on 'straight vs curved'. Maybe this will get a mention in a later episode.

Good stuff Doc. You may have found your niche. Sure beats tv.
Click to expand...

Hey SC, surprised to see you in the Becker forum. Do you think you could send me some of whatever you're smoking. Sounds like good s**t! :D

Hope I covered all the questions - late for a doctor's appointment.

Doc
 
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Hmmm.... thanks for the response regarding the chopping ability of a BK-9. Interesting. I'm looking forward to the next video installments.

I've never handled a Machax, so I'm not qualified to say much about it. But I have owned a number of khukuris.

I bought the khukuris during a trapping phase when I was looking for the ideal trap-line companion. I was mainly setting snares, and I used the khukuri (or its equivalent), for clearing away obstructing vegetation, and cutting and trimming poles for pole-snares. I also used the back of the khukuri as a club for killing small animals.

Looking at Doc's videos, I'd say that the Machax would probably suit me better than a khukuri as a trapper's companion for the general chopping tasks. Plus it would probably be lighter and easier to carry than some khukuris. The Machax sheath looks to be more practical and less bulky than many khukuri scabbards. On top of all that, I like the good feeling of being able to see a full tang in a handle. Although I never had a khukuri fail, I just like knowing that the tang goes full width all the way.

But I never did adapt to having a 'bent' knife. I guess there would be a lot of Nepalese around who couldn't get used to a straight one. However I have now sold or given away all my khukuris. The bend made it difficult to use the back of a blade as a club, and the khuks were generally a bit heavy and bulky to tote around. My current big blade is a 10" machete.... which has proven to be a great little tool.

One task that occasionally befalls my fixed blade companion is to 'stick' a large animal such as a hog. I know that this could be done with a curved blade, but in the heat of the moment a straight blade better suits my instincts. And if on some rare occasion I had to use my big blade as a lever, I'd feel much better equipped with a straight knife.

However, that is just my experience. Things are different for different folks in different circumstances and I'm interested to learn more.

Why am I at the Becker forum Doc? Because I feel the yearning to get a big tough knife and I like what I've heard about Beckers.
 
coote said:
Hmmm.... thanks for the response regarding the chopping ability of a BK-9. Interesting. I'm looking forward to the next video installments.

Sorry, I missed that sc. We did not compare it to the 9 but may in the future.

I bought the khukuris during a trapping phase when I was looking for the ideal trap-line companion. I was mainly setting snares, and I used the khukuri (or its equivalent), for clearing away obstructing vegetation, and cutting and trimming poles for pole-snares. I also used the back of the khukuri as a club for killing small animals.

Looking at Doc's videos, I'd say that the Machax would probably suit me better than a khukuri as a trapper's companion for the general chopping tasks. Plus it would probably be lighter and easier to carry than some khukuris. The Machax sheath looks to be more practical and less bulky than many khukuri scabbards. On top of all that, I like the good feeling of being able to see a full tang in a handle. Although I never had a khukuri fail, I just like knowing that the tang goes full width all the way.

I have a 15" HI CAK by Sgt. Khadka and it weights a ton. The Machax is so much lighter, I think you'd really like it, although, if I had to stick pigs once in awhile, I'd choose the 9 over the 4.
One task that occasionally befalls my fixed blade companion is to 'stick' a large animal such as a hog. I know that this could be done with a curved blade, but in the heat of the moment a straight blade better suits my instincts. And if on some rare occasion I had to use my big blade as a lever, I'd feel much better equipped with a straight knife.

However, that is just my experience. Things are different for different folks in different circumstances and I'm interested to learn more.

Why am I at the Becker forum Doc? I don't really care why, just good to see you in here. Because I feel the yearning to get a big tough knife and I like what I've heard about Beckers.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can go wrong - excellent value for the money! Down side for you maybe the cost of shipping to NZ. BTW, stick around, couple of specialty knot segments coming up. Phil is still editing and uploading.

Doc
 
Moosez45 said:
That "snap cut" that Ethan teaches, will make short work of branches up to 1" and more.

Moose
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that is one realm where the 4 rules....it is GREAT for snap cuts, it just naturally does it seems like. Like I said, for limbs, it's a beast....makes cutting 50 or 100 small limbs quick and almost effortless. I can see it being a indispensable tool when it comes time for me to set stands and clear shooting lanes for the Fall!
 
Number 3 is uploaded to the first post, but the subsequent ones will have to be added on the end, because of a 3 limit video per post.

Batoning:

[video=youtube_share;pdpGWA8UAY0]http://youtu.be/pdpGWA8UAY0 [/video]

Note: there will be more comparison comments at about video 11. The videos up to 11 will just be a few different skills and how some of them are done with the KaBar 4.

Doc
 
Oh, hell yeah. Now, we're getting some wood. :D

Moose
 
Nice to see the blades in action.

I'd pick the thinner blade. Lighter to carry and theoretically a better slicer. For serious chopping I'd use an axe. These chopping knives are great for all-purpose work and light chopping. The curve in the blade should help when trying to cut thin, flimsy brush. And I reckon a thinner blade should be marginally better for thin brush, if sharpened well.

There's reasonable levering with a blade, then there is dangerous abuse. I'd have no hesitation levering away my chopped wood with the thinner Ka Bar despite the lack of a "prying guarantee". Surely a blade like that would handle it.

Yep Doc, the quoted costs of shipping a knife to New Zealand from the USA are quite substantial. I've also found that a number of dealers (with the better prices) in the USA state that they don't ship outside America..... I guess they've run into problems. But I'm sure if I persist I will get a reasonable deal. Second-hand maybe. Perhaps I can arrange a swap. Anyway, I'm not spending any more money just now.... my outdoors discretionary fund is being spent on getting a top quality sound moderator fitted to my .308 hunting rifle.

I'm looking forward to the knot information coming our way on the "Outdoors with Phil and Doc" show.
 
as as a handy guide:

9026-crop-X2.jpg
 
And now for a little trap action:

[video=youtube;4eRoJtiq6Fg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eRoJtiq6Fg&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Doc
 
Or maybe some arrow action:

[video=youtube_share;bswCdeb9fjc]http://youtu.be/bswCdeb9fjc [/video]

I should have mentioned in the video that the pair of notches are 90 degrees from one another. I think you can see it in the video, though.
 
Some toggle knots:

[video=youtube_share;P0Om14mtxOw]http://youtu.be/P0Om14mtxOw[/video]

An alternate method of hanging a food bag - I'm not sure how clear this is, so if you have any questions............

[video=youtube_share;lyT3XcBZybg]http://youtu.be/lyT3XcBZybg [/video]
 
Some more small knife work:

[video=youtube_share;OY690j0GYqM]http://youtu.be/OY690j0GYqM [/video]

Modifying the nail trap trigger:

[video=youtube_share;VVwymGEdjvE]http://youtu.be/VVwymGEdjvE [/video]
 
The summary:

[video=youtube_share;0dY7yLLwiBQ]http://youtu.be/0dY7yLLwiBQ [/video]

WAIT!!!THERE'S ONE MORE:

[video=youtube_share;neIdA9_3H_o]http://youtu.be/neIdA9_3H_o [/video]

Well, that's it - a day in the woods with Phil and I. There were a bunch more blooper videos, but the language used would preempt them from this forum. :redface:

Hope you liked them.

Doc (and Phil)
 
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