Recommendation? BK9? JUNGLAS?

For baton work, as mentioned earlier by other posters, the SP53 is my favorite. It is terrible as a knife, as it's basically a wedge.

I use one regularly for this purpose.

The BK9 is better suited for chopping and cutting.

The Esee has a FFG blade. In my experiences, these types of grinds tend to bind up, or deform more often.

They are all great knives though.
 
I'll take a closer look at the SP53. Comfort is always nice at my age. I can still get the work done but can't go as long as I use to, and that chain saws getting heavier.:) Thanks again.
Crag the Brewer said:
I reread this post..... I didn't see your age, and that you mostly wanted to use it for splitting wood for your stove.

Again, I Highly recommend the SP-53.
It's .250" thick blade is one of my best splitters.
And more importantly, the rubber grip is comfy during Battoning.

You would be surprised how much Shock certain knives send into your hand.
I will wrap certain knives with silicone wrap/tape to help
Click to expand...
TH
 
This is a follow-up to the thread. After research and a couple of YouTube videos, I bought the Ontario SP-53. Remember I said I wanted to split wood for my kitchen wood stove and get away from an axe or hatchet. And I considered batoning an easy and logical choice. The stove is a cooking stove with a short firebox, so splitting one foot pieces are about right, and batoning one foot logs is the way to go vs. using an axe or a hatchet, or the maul I've been using.

I have the BK7, BK9, and Ka-Bar Kukri. Fine tools and do great work. But the SP-53 is thick, heavy in a belly that is well-placed, and very importantly, has a flat spine for the full length of the blade, which the others do not. These characteristics make it a natural for batoning, and an excellent chopper.
.
I have a lot of hard oak. I chopped a 5 inch dying tree down in about 15 minutes, interspersed with a few quick breaks for the old man. I then chainsawed into 1 ft pieces. Finally, batoned one 1 ft log into 3 pieces, which took maybe 2 minutes, to see if my purchase was a good one.
My conclusion is that for primarily batoning this Ontario SP-53 does a fine job with very little effort, and the chopping was easier too.

Lastly, I'll say that Oak ain't easy in any size. (Some of those goobers on YouTube batoning Pine, well ...) But Crag the Brewer gave me some real good advice. Taking the SP-53 on a hike or using it to cut tomatoes, maybe not. but it fits my need here at the house just fine.

Thanks Crag.

PS looked at posting pictures and couldn't find an easy way - seems you have to load them somewhere and then insert the URL in the post. Maybe this is the only way, but a lot of trouble compared to simply uploading directly into the post as so many other forums do - so I'll skip it for now. Sorry
 
I have had both and it is such a tough call.. Both really good. I have an junglas 2 now and it fits me the best. Like it best overall. But I love Becker handles they just lock my grip in. Great knives ..........sorry I am not much help
 
rctic said:
I have had both and it is such a tough call.. Both really good. I have an junglas 2 now and it fits me the best. Like it best overall. But I love Becker handles they just lock my grip in. Great knives ..........sorry I am not much help
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No problem. Always appreciate comments- thanks
 
I'm glad you are pleased with the results.
Sometimes we want to justify our fancy, expensive knives?

I have knives that cost 4-5 times the SP-53, but they sure as heck don't preform to that level of 4 times as good.

I knew you'd be happy.

The good news is you have a perfect user, now.......
All your future knife purchases can be because they Look cool. Haha
 
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Crag the Brewer said:
I'm glad you are pleased with the results.
Sometimes we want to justify our fancy, expensive knives?

I have knives that cost 4-5 times the SP-53, but they sure as heck don't preform to that level of 4 times as good.

I knew you'd be happy.

The good news is you have a perfect user, now.......
All your future knife purchases can be because they Look cool. Haha
Click to expand...
My early knife purchases some 40 years ago were historic in purpose, hence Ka-Bar USMC with pressed leather gripes. Went on to get a 1214 kraton grip serrated blade. I field dressed deer with that one and saw how it easily cut through the sturnam and rig cage - it's still my goto for that.
But I also began seeing knives as tools that had different purposes. And learned that knives many times are hyped to sell: reviews on YouTube are a good example.
My take is the right steel and right length for the task. And, I never have found a knife costing more than $200 necessary, at least for us common folk.
 
OKC 12" Machete $20
elJg6Q4.jpeg
 
The Buck Froe should also be considered. It’s a great wood splitter.


n2s
 
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