ESEE Junglas Sub.

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scissorface

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Oct 21, 2011
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Hey everyone. I was wanting to get an ESEE Junglas, but I'm only 15 so it would take me a while to get $150 to buy one with, so I was thinking about getting an Ontario RTAK 2 instead. Does anyone have any experience with this knife or good/bad opinions of it? Thanks.
 
Have you looked at a Becker BK9? It is only a little shorter, and is a lot cheaper. It is a high quality knife though. 1095cv with an excellent heat treat, and a terrific warranty.
 
The rtak2 isnt as well made and doesnt have the fit and finish of the junglas. If your set on the junglas, save and you wont be disappointed. I thought i could get away with a rtak2, and was mad at myself for cutting corners. The handle swell is way to uncomfortable for any prolonged use, the heat treat isnt as good and neither is the warranty. Just like slapper said, the bk9 is a great cheaper alternative without sacrificing performance and the handles are crazy comfortable. for a few dollars less than an rtak2 you can get a bk9 and some micarta handles and it will out perform. the junglas is awesome as well
 
slapper said:
Have you looked at a Becker BK9? It is only a little shorter, and is a lot cheaper. It is a high quality knife though. 1095cv with an excellent heat treat, and a terrific warranty.
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Just got a 9 a couple months ago and a 2 today.:D And I love 'em both.

Any other similar knives you guys know about that would be good?
 
I'd tell you to save up, because the Junglas is a great machete/knife/thing...;) Like I tell my boys, save up for something you want and not something to tide you over.
 
scissorface said:
Just got a 9 a couple months ago and a 2 today.:D And I love 'em both.

Any other similar knives you guys know about that would be good?
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As an owner of a Junglas, I'd recommend an axe instead if you plan on cutting lots of wood. The reason being that the thing will easily get stuck in the wood, and also that a blunt axe made quicker work of my papaya tree than my Junglas.
 
scissorface said:
Would you be able to baton with the Tramontina? The blade seems a little thin...
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You can always go with the Condor Knives Golok Machete.
1/4" thick stock, distal taper, 1070 steel, walnut, full tang (on newer version), all good stuff.
You can get it for WAY less than a Junglas, BK9, RTAK, or any of those...and it will outchop them all.:eek:
You have to sharpen it more often, and you'll still want a Junglas.
But if you get the Junglas, at some point you'll likely want the Golok.
Decisions!!!:D
 
I've seen photos of people batoning with a tramontia machete, so it can be done even if it wasn't designed for it.

I have a BK9, and quite like it. I use it like I use a hatchet, and it works well for that. I haven't used a Junglas, but I hear it is fairly comparable in terms of performance.

Other thoughts would be the KaBar cutlass machete. I hear that thing chops like a beast, and is great for battoning things.

The KaBar grass machete might work out for you well also.
 
Just found a new knife: TOPS steal eagle 111A, really likin' it. Anyone know what steel is used for it?
 
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Yes, save up for the real thing and you won't regret your purchase. Keep an eye on the for sale forums here and you might be able to snag one for a better price like I did.
 
scissorface said:
Would you be able to baton with the Tramontina? The blade seems a little thin...
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Batoning is highly overrated, real men use an axe. ;)
tips-tricks-baton-twirling-800x800.jpg
 
I was just about sold on the Junglas, and I'm sure it's a great knife--like all ESEE knives (I have 4's and 6's), but I wanted something substantially bigger than my ESEE-6 for effective chopping and decent bushwhacking. Then I happened onto the Condor Golok. Now this may not be what you really want but, because my "knife" needs were met by other blades, it was the perfect addition for me: 14" blade, 1/4" thick, full tang (2011 model), good ergonomics, fairly high quality, attractive, and quite economical ($56 shipped with better than average leather sheath from New Graham). Check it out...
 
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My Condor Golok came today, and I AM AMAZED! For $60--including shipping--I am AMAZED! This machete has a very nice edge--sharper out of the box than some knives I've purchased and an even, highly polished bevel. It's not quite as light as expected (not tapered to the tip as much as I anticipated), but that's more of a pleasant surprise, since I wanted more of a chopper. And the ergonomics are just fine. Also, I expected an above-average sheath (based on the reviews), but this sheath is DAMN NICE! I am actually DELIGHTED with this thing! Of course, it'll never replace the smaller knives I carry but, if you want a big, beautiful chopping work horse, give it a peek.
 
I have a few machete and parang but nowadays i prefer to use a light weight of machete when trekking/camping in the borneo jungle. Junglas to heavy for me.... Usually i just carry my Fallkniven F1 and a light weight parang and a SAK (inside my pouch).
 
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