Dedicated chopper knife for $100 or less... Sugestions?

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Preacher Man

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For Christmas I'm think of getting a dedicated chopper/camp knife with sheath. I already have a few choppers (HI Foxy Folly, Kabar Kukri machete, Cold Steel Kukri machete, Condor Golok, Gerber Camp Ax). I'm looking for something shorter, I guess between 9 to 11 inches. My budget is $100 or less including sheath and shipping. Right now I'm considering the Condor Boomslang. I like the design and Micarta handles. Any suggestions within my budget?
 
Although I don't have one, and I hear the sheath isn't the best, the BK9 would be a good option. I have used one before, and quite liked it.
 
I'll second the Boomslang. It's pretty damn sweet. :):thumbup:
 
If the sheath of the Boomslang is anything like the sheath of the Golok, it is a good sheath. The BK9 is in my radar, and it is one of my possibilities. I like the blade material of the BK9 better, but like the Boomslang blade and handle design better.
 
Can't go wrong with the BK9. You could get some micarta scales for it, though that might put you over $100 by a Hamilton or so.

Kabar Big Brother is another option you may want to consider.

Ontario SP-52 is a decent chopper.
 
Preacher Man said:
If the sheath of the Boomslang is anything like the sheath of the Golok, it is a good sheath. The BK9 is in my radar, and it is one of my possibilities. I like the blade material of the BK9 better, but like the Boomslang blade and handle design better.
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Yup! The Boomslang sheath is the same quality as the sheath for the Golok. It swallows the handle for about 1.5" for a nice friction retention. It's a very handy knife in the hand, too, in spite of its chopping power. The handle is very comfortable and well shaped. The ones I've received have been very well finished, though I get a few "Grade B" ones with reasonable frequency--small scuffs or burn marks in the micarta, or a slightly obtuse edge. I have yet to come across one with anything more than cosmetic flaws though. A "Grade A" example or a tuned-up "Grade B" should go neck and neck with most big choppers on the market. I believe Joezilla said he won a chop-off against a BK9 at PWYP with one. :):thumbup:
 
I am a fond believer of Kabar's 1095CV and for that reason alone I'd chose the BK9 over the Boomslang. Condor's stuff is fantastic but the steel quality just doesn't compare. Something like Kabar's Khukri Machete would be slick as well.
 
dbltap45acp said:
Anyone have a picture of a boomslang in the hand?
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Here is the link to a thread that FortyTwoBlades posted holding one. Hope that helps.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...BK9-vs-Condor-Boomslang?p=9649681#post9649681

If I were to choose between the Becker and the Boomslang I would have to go with the 9. The handle on the Boomslang just looks too big for my hands. They both look like really nice knives though. I have 3 Beckers and 2 Condors and they are all well made. I lean a bit toward Becker though.
 
Well, for reference I have tiny girly hands. I take a ladies' size 8 glove. Finding work gloves locally is always a pain in the ass! :p

The thing I like about the handle length is that the very dynamic balance of the Boomslang allows you to use the choil to choke up on it for normal knife tasks, and if you need just that extra little bit of "oomph" you can slide your hand down to the end of the handle to shift the mass a little extra forward. If you're looking for an end of the world wshtf-type knife I'd go with the BK9, though. Both knives are excellent. :)
 
I'm not familiar with the Boomslang, but I can tell you the BK9 is a chopping machine.
 
I'm partial to the BK-9, but the Condors I've handled have seemed like good quality.
There's also the Ontario RTAK-II. Pretty big handle on that one.
 
bk9 all the way brother... My friend is using my kabar version,I have an older camillus version I could send to try out before you buy one. just send it back when your done.. ( a name like preacherman inspires trust.)
 
I own all of the above and many more, but for the price you gotta try the SOG Jungle Canopy. It's amazing for under $50.00!!!!
 
Since you said in that 9" to 11" blade length and I have been in a big blade making mood for the last month or so, Maybe something like this.
It has a 3/16" thick blade and is 10" long blade.
IMG_0406-1.jpg



Or this. It might be a little extreme lol. This one has 12" blade and is 2.5" wide and was made out of a 1/4" thick piece of 0-1 steel. That one will cost more than your $100 like you wanted but I would need to use more grinding belts and the steel will be just a tad more also. most likly about $15 more, anyways.

IMG_0402.jpg


This is what it would look like as a neck knife lol.
IMG_0398.jpg



Here is another pic with the 12" one and then another knife I made up also. It has a 10" blade.
IMG_0397-2.jpg


These are hand made knives that I made using 0-1 tool steel.

I would make you one, Just Pay for the Materials.

Cost would be around $100. With most Micarta, or G-10 handles and some great wooden handles also like cocobolo, osage, and bocote. I make knives for fun not to pay my bills.

Here is the deal Shipping to you as long as you live in the USA will run you about $13 ( I know this because I sent out a knife like this a week back) so you are over you limit some, but you get a custom hand made knife and a handle that I will try shape to your hands.

Just let me know if you are interested or not. If you have your own thoughts as to what blade and handle shape you want I can sure try to do that for ya.


Bryan
 
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