As I was starting to gather up some camp and utility blades I read a lot of threads about other's experiences and watched a bunch of YouTube vids. I finally got the chance to try and compare some of my older plus some recently acquired blades in a chop off. Nothing scientific here and just my own observations after trying to swing the same number of times on the same type of branch with six different blades. I know there are many great blades out there but this is what I have at my disposal now. The contestants are shown below. All were either factory edge or touched up by me to as good an edge as my relatively novice skills would allow. I thought going in the Kuk would be untouchable and to tell you the truth the weight and balance of it made me feel I could chop for a long time with it. However, after swinging all six blades the same number of times with my attempt at the same type of force with each, to me the clear winner was the BK7 with the Ka-Bar full size right behind. Both really dug into the wood easily and because of their size and balance I felt it was easier to be more accurate with each swing so they were more efficient. My results are in the second pic. For me it seems that the one blade I want with me if I need a work horse would be the BK7...that is until I have the BK9 I'm currently lusting over. Then of course I'll have to mix in a CS Trail Master and try this test again. At this point I'd have to say, 'Mr. Becker, thank you for making a great knife.'
L to R - KLVUK Kukri, Ontario SP5, BK7, Ka-Bar Full Size Fighting Knife, BK2 and an Ontario Afgan Bush
The cuts are cleaner and deeper for the BK7 and then the Ka-Bar. Note that the BK2 had comparatively respectable results.
L to R - KLVUK Kukri, Ontario SP5, BK7, Ka-Bar Full Size Fighting Knife, BK2 and an Ontario Afgan Bush
The cuts are cleaner and deeper for the BK7 and then the Ka-Bar. Note that the BK2 had comparatively respectable results.
