BK20 vs Esee Junglas?

B

bootzon

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Dec 30, 2015
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This is a request since I don't own a Junglas. I apologize if you were curious as I am, and clicked looking for a comparison.

Anybody own both that could give a report on a head to head comparison? I searched for any previous threads and found none. I don't remember reading a detailed comparison in the bk20 threads. The Junglas would seem to be about the closest thing to the BK20 among production blades unless I've missed something(s).

A video would be awesome if anyone is so inclined.

Thanks
 
Murph has both and he shared his thoughts with me on the subject. If he has time with Blade Show and all, maybe he will chime in. I will let him share his thoughts.


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I has both, so here

The bk20: made of thicker stock, but has better balance. Way better handle. Carves as well as it chops, which is damned good. Long, but not too long.

The Junglas: thinner stock, so a tad lighter, but not as well balanced. Handle is huge, so big hands love it. Carves like a brick, but chops very well. No clip.

Hope this helps.


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I would imagine that the 20 is similar to the Ontario sp5 Bowie. That one is also 1095, .25 thick, has a 10 inch blade and a full flat grind


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axlplayer14 said:
I would imagine that the 20 is similar to the Ontario sp5 Bowie. That one is also 1095, .25 thick, has a 10 inch blade and a full flat grind
Click to expand...

You're right. Good suggestion. Forgot about seeing that before. A three way comparison?
 
i had a bk20 and a junglas - i prefer the junglas' balance (felt more nimble in hand) and better handle...i wish the bk20 was a lot thinner otherwise i would've kept it...it'd be close to a fiddleback forge 12" machete which i still have.

fiddleback forge 12" machete, bk20 and busse basic 10 le.

ff_12_bk20_bb10le_zpsvj1g00x9.jpg
 
I have both, but really haven't logged enough time with the 20 or done a side-by-each comparison yet. I personally don't think the Junglas has a huge handle; feels very comfortable in my slightly smaller than average size mitt. The Junglas certainly chops well, but I'd sure hate to do "small knife" tasks with it. Course, I don't think I'd want to do them with the 20, either. The 9, OTOH, is capable of both without being too big/too small. For me, the RBK (BK21) hits the hardest, and can still handle some fine work - though it's more fatiguing to use for that stuff compared to the 9. The Junglas, while fun to use, just feels more like a one trick pony to me. The 9, 4 and, with some caveats, 21, all seem better suited to general woods use than the ESEE (especially in the hardwood forests here in the Northeast). Jury's still out on the Bundock for me. I won't be getting rid of it, but it'll have to be pretty outstanding to knock my other faves off the pack. To each, though. I've got a lot of choppers and a few heavy machetes....but not a great degree of experience or skill. But I'm pretty sure it comes down to what works for you.....if you've got the scratch, buy both. Neither will be hard to sell and recoup losses - and the 20 comes with two absolutely free Beckers that are outstanding in their own right. Be careful of the rabbit hole....and don't let anyone (and that includes ME) tell you what will work best for you.
 
I have to admit I'm curious about this pair going head to head. I have seen more than a few BK9 vs Junglas threads and never felt that was very evenly matched. Not that its a big deal but after getting the BK20 I did wonder... Hey Junglas want some of this now?
 
axlplayer14 said:
I would imagine that the 20 is similar to the Ontario sp5 Bowie. That one is also 1095, .25 thick, has a 10 inch blade and a full flat grind
Click to expand...

Not really. I have the SP5 and with the distance from edge to spine being as short as it is the blade is pretty light. It's closer to a BK9.
 
bigghoss said:
Not really. I have the SP5 and with the distance from edge to spine being as short as it is the blade is pretty light. It's closer to a BK9.
Click to expand...

Oh ok. I was thinking about the sp5 because I don't have the money for the 20. Is it a good blade?
 
axlplayer14 said:
Oh ok. I was thinking about the sp5 because I don't have the money for the 20. Is it a good blade?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Ontario makes good blades. I haven't really beaten the snot out of mine yet but I'd say it's probably right behind the BK9 and 4 for overall performance and maybe just ahead of the Ka-Bar Large Heavy Bowie.

If you don't mind the extra length, the Parangantang is a beast and it's only $60-ish bucks right now.
 
I have a Junglas coming in for review, and I started thinking about this very comparison.

It is interesting hearing what people are saying, I can't wait to have both knives in my hands.

What I find interesting is that it is assumed that the Junglas is lighter weight, because it is made of thinner stock.

The Junglas weighs in at 23oz, while the Bk20 weighs in at 20.8oz, most likely due to the grips scales.

Which also says a lot about the balance that people were talking about earlier.

I must admit, for as many knife comparisons as I have done, this might be the one that I am most excited about!

Now to find a Bk20!
 
The Sp5 is an absolutely excellent blade, especially for the price. It is the first knife that I ever reviewed, and when it went head to head against the Bk9, the results were surprising.

With that being said, I still have the Bk9, and not the Sp5. With that being said again, I haven't had an Sp5 in a year, and I have another one on its way to my house ;-)
 
I don't own BK20 yet... but I own Junglas and BK 9... not comparable but I use the BK9 more because I really like the handle. true Junglas chops better because it's full flat grind with thinner stock, but at longer period of time it hurts my hands.
 
It took me a while to learn but: there is a lot to be said for faster, lighter, thinner blades. You just have to find a happy medium, or, like many of us, own a crapload of blades. It's like i always tell my wife: purses & shoes for women and guns & knives for men. Need one for every situation. A woman would not bring a giant tote/purse to a cocktail party & we would not use a steak knife to chop a tree...........well, unless it was a BK&T steak knife anyways. LOL
 
beachmaster said:
I have a Junglas coming in for review, and I started thinking about this very comparison.

It is interesting hearing what people are saying, I can't wait to have both knives in my hands.

What I find interesting is that it is assumed that the Junglas is lighter weight, because it is made of thinner stock.

The Junglas weighs in at 23oz, while the Bk20 weighs in at 20.8oz, most likely due to the grips scales.

Which also says a lot about the balance that people were talking about earlier.

I must admit, for as many knife comparisons as I have done, this might be the one that I am most excited about!

Now to find a Bk20!
Click to expand...

May know where you can find 1 hit me up wid your addy,
Do like your point of view
 
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