Contemplating order a KDSH

Zymologist · Jan 27, 2014

I'm awaiting a price quote on a Muddy Hammerback KDSH with Red/Black G10.
I'll probably opt out of muddy and go black coating just to save a few bucks but I need some help from the more experienced rats here.

I've searched KDSH videos but I just couldn't find a video that seemed to really show its chopping potential.
I found a lot of videos with weird form that just looked awkward and dudes chopping limbs that were bouncing and it just didnt seem to let the KDSH shine.
Point me in the right direction if I'm wrong and theres a better one out there.

My expectations are for a pretty packable chopper that can hold its own in the chopping workload of a Battle Mistress or close to it but with the versatility to be thrown and used for more utility work like hammer in stakes,digging etc.

Is my perception of its chopping power off?

On the other side if I don't order this I'm probably gonna go for a ASHBM since I don't have a BM yet and I'm fearful for waiting much longer since it could disappear from production.

Any information is greatly appreciated and looking to hear back from your experiences and or better googlefuu.

dman62 · Jan 27, 2014

I have a muddy/black G10 sans spike and it's pretty sweet. Here's my take on it. It doesn't have the weight to the head like a normal hatchet. Physics being what they are that means your arm has to do more work to do the chopping. My GB Wildlife hatchet will out chop it on wood without nearly the work. Bites way deeper on every stroke and splits better to with the wider head. My Chopweiler, B10, and Battler Rat are better wood choppers. Chopping wood wasn't what it was designed for though. The poll on it isn't really wide enough to hammer stakes in my opinion. If you want a wood processing tool there are better options. The 1111 that was just put up at the Yard should be a beast and is a bargin. I'd say if you want a hawk to throw get the spiked version. I may still do that. I like my spikeless version and will keep it because I think it just plain looks cool and it is different. It's also pretty bomb proof, no wooden handle to break. Just my 2 cents. Let us know what you decide.

worldwood · Jan 28, 2014

Like said above, it will chop, but its not going to chop as well as a BM. Or any where close for that matter. I love my KDSH ( with spike ) but its not the thing i use for chopping. I mostly just play with mine, throwing it and using it to destroy stuff and break things apart. I have chopped wood with it, but i also found the chopweiler and several of my other knives to be much better choppers.

If your looking into a KDSH just for chopping id say look into something else, for instance the Yard now has the 1111 available to order and that would be an amazing chopper in the same price range. But If your looking for one of the funnest sharp things you will own that will rip things apart, be fun to throw, and also work as a chopper in a pinch... Id get the KDSH. I love mine, but it has the spike and i throw it quite a bit.

Zymologist · Jan 28, 2014

Ah sounds like she won't hold up to my expectations in the chopping department. I'll stick to getting the ASHBM or maybe take a look at the 1111. I do love my 1311.

Thanks for your input. I'm sure the KDSH is fun to use but right now my desire for choppers is stronger.

Zymologist · Jan 28, 2014

On a side note since when did the 1111 come out on the Scrapyard site? $220 wow what a deal I'm placing an order tonight.

Hindsight · Jan 28, 2014

If you get a chance to pick up a KDSH jump on it. It may not be the best chopper out there but for a light weight tool you can't beat it. On a side note the 1111 is an awesome blade and you will love it.

unwisefool · Jan 31, 2014

Back in December some friends and I were headed to a cabin for the weekend in some pretty bad weather. One of the SUV's slipped off the road and came to rest against a tree. There was no way to move the SUV without the tree tearing up the the whole side of the truck. I remembered I had my KDSH in my car so we chopped down the tree at the base in short order and were able to move the vehicle without further damage. Is it the best chopper? No. But it worked really well when I needed it and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

Hindsight · Jan 31, 2014

unwisefool said:
Back in December some friends and I were headed to a cabin for the weekend in some pretty bad weather. One of the SUV's slipped off the road and came to rest against a tree. There was no way to move the SUV without the tree tearing up the the whole side of the truck. I remembered I had my KDSH in my car so we chopped down the tree at the base in short order and were able to move the vehicle without further damage. Is it the best chopper? No. But it worked really well when I needed it and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

Glad you guys made it out alright.

Zymologist · Jan 31, 2014

unwisefool said:
Back in December some friends and I were headed to a cabin for the weekend in some pretty bad weather. One of the SUV's slipped off the road and came to rest against a tree. There was no way to move the SUV without the tree tearing up the the whole side of the truck. I remembered I had my KDSH in my car so we chopped down the tree at the base in short order and were able to move the vehicle without further damage. Is it the best chopper? No. But it worked really well when I needed it and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

Wow what a story glad everyone was safe. Thanks for sharing!