Chopper/large camp blade

L

live2hunt72

Joined
Dec 30, 2012
Messages
71
Hey guys I'm looking for a recommendation for a chopping blade or large camp knife style. I really had my eye on the spyderco hossom forester, but I can't seem to find one anywhere. Not really interested in an axe, something more like a junglas style blade. Any recommendations that I'm not thinking about? Or f anyone knows where I can find one of those spydies would be great.
 
I see alot ot threads where everyone call the Becker BK9 the "best camper/chopper", but I also like the Ka-bar Potbelly. Both are about the same price within $10. I don't have either, but I will soon! I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward the Potbelly. Since you're looking at a junglas style blade, I would think the BK9 would serve you well. Go to the Becker foru. It won't take you long to learn about the BK9.
 
I had Tim Olt make me this one. Steel is A2, 10 inches long. Never really liked anything from one of the regular production companies.
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If its the price of the Junglas that is keeping you from getting one, you could get an Ontario RTAK II for about $100 that has a 10 1/4" edge, and is near identical.
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live2hunt72 said:
Hey guys I'm looking for a recommendation for a chopping blade or large camp knife style. I really had my eye on the spyderco hossom forester, but I can't seem to find one anywhere. Not really interested in an axe, something more like a junglas style blade. Any recommendations that I'm not thinking about? Or f anyone knows where I can find one of those spydies would be great.
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Not knocking spydie, but there is much better out there for the money. The hossom goes for $200 and is 15" OAL, approx. So in that range you have a slew of good knives. BK9, Junglas, Browning competition cutter as well, of which I just picked one up in trade, so I have or have had all three.
 
My $20 Ontario 12" Cutlass machete can outchop a Junglas. I convexed the edge, so it bites deep but is still strong enough to chop hard woods. My Culberson Bolok can outchop any other knife or machete that I own. Bruce Culberson can make you a great blade, he's on these forums.

The tip of the Junglas is great for knife work. Yet, it tapers so there's no significant weight out there to help with chopping wood. It's designed to cut through softer vegetation for use by the DEA. It was not made for chopping wood, it can, but I'm saying there's better designs.
 
Kershaw Camp 10 can be found under $50.
Junglas is a good knife, RTAK II needs significant handle reshaping for comfort, as does the RD9.
Condor Hudson Bay and Pack Golok are both good choppers, too. (personal preference to ther pack golok)
 
Stinkypete85 said:
If its the price of the Junglas that is keeping you from getting one, you could get an Ontario RTAK II for about $100 that has a 10 1/4" edge, and is near identical.
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I have both and just so the OP understands the differences, the handle on the RTAK is much wider than the Junglas and a lot of people do not like it. Having said that, micarta is easy to sand and shape, so you can easily hog off enough to make it comfortable for you.

The other thing about the RTAK is that the new ones are made of 5160 steel. I am sure mine is 5160, when I had it on the belt sander the other day and very little sparking compared to 1095. Common with a knife that has more chrome in it.
 
It's on the lower end of the price spectrum, but I'm quite fond of the Condor Hudson Bay knife and feel that the blade profile it sports is ideal as a camp knife, also it's not overbuilt like a lot of larger blades and can lend itself useful to a wide array of different chores.
 
Machete machete machete. Condor bolos are good. As is the Cold Steel Jungle Machete. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Machete machete machete. Condor bolos are good. As is the Cold Steel Jungle Machete. :)
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This!!!! If you just have to have a big knife, try the Condor Kumunga. It chops as good as the big name competition but for a lot less money.
 
I agree with 42b here. Get a machete from Condor. Their bolos are great choppers for the money. If you rather a large knife, look at all the Condors. Get a feel for what you like before dropping a lot of dime onto a blade.
 
First off thanks for the replies fellas, I was originally leaning toward the junglas, checked out A bk9 today which seemed nice. I've heard bad reviews about the rtak2 sheath, is there a good replacement out there? As for the custom in the classifieds, that's a beautiful chopper, a bit out of my price range though.

I've noticed that no one has mentioned the brkt golok, how would that compare to the junglas.
 
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