- Joined
- Mar 28, 2010
- Messages
- 197
Field test
Date: 5-22-2010
Blades tested: Becker BK9, ESEE Junglas, Khukri mod, KA-BAR(2), Gerber LMFII, ESEE-6
Purpose: to determine which of my blades are best at which task
Task categories: log chop, limb removal, baton
Location: Cascade Mountains, Washington State
Participants: my 13 year old son and myself
Wood used: various downed trees from recent storms
Basis for analysis: strictly our two opinions based on what we experienced performing the tasks.
I'll begin by tossing in some pics - location, packs, and the blades.
This pic shows one of the various downed trees we used for the test
Just showing off our gear in this one
and here are the blades used in the test (sorry all sheathed)
Now for the results:
Chop test: listed in best to worst performing order based on tiers indicating significant differences of blade performance. For instance the blades in tier 1 were quite a bit better than those in tier 2, etc. We found that tiers 1 and 2 held the blades we prefer for chopping and would use the others only if no other option was available. Tier 3 would have been a challenge, but tier 4 would have driven us insane very quickly.
1) BK9/Junglas/Khukri mod (no particular order - all excellent)
2) KA-BAR(both)
3) Gerber LMFII
4) ESEE-6
Limb test: Same listing/reporting strategy as the chop test. Including limb test seperate from chop test because we found several differences that we did not anticipate prior to the test that we want to share. We expected the big blades to do their thing and they did - impressively. What we did not expect was how well the KA-BARs and Gerber LMFII performed - effortless and quick. The huge dissapointment was the ESEE-6 which almost had to gnaw at the limbs over a long period compared to all others.
1) Junglas/BK9/Khukri mod (again no particular order)
2) KA-BAR(both)/Gerber LMFII
3) ESEE-6
Baton test: same criteria and "logic". The length had a lot to do with the results with the exception of the Khukri mod. The ESEE-6 would have made tier 1 if it had a longer blade, but batoned famously. The Gerber LMFII had a more seriuos issue with length but also came through on smaller diameter pieces. The surprise here was the Khukri mod which was a bit dull, but could not help but wonder if the flat blade was the issue more than sharpness.
1) BK9/Junglas
2) ESEE-6/KA-BARs
3) Gerber LMFII
4) Khukri mod
Summary:
We began with certain expectations but wanted to do the test to see where the rubber meets the road. We found the big blades performed as expected - and were incredibly good at the tasks. A nice surprise was how the KA-BARs performed. We preferred the feel of the Kraton handled KA-BAR but both came out as outstanding tools in all aspects. We could see the Gerber LMFII as a very good camp knife as long as you have something else to chop logs with (or pair it with a sawvivor). The glaring surprise for both of us were the issues with the ESEE-6. The ESEE-6 did not, could not, and would not chop or limb worth a bean for either of us and it was not a subtle difference - it was glaring. The blade was still razor sharp out of the box & if anything I have a personal bias for the knife because of the feel and quality of it's build. Nonetheless we were both very disappointed with its performance in our test. My son believes the issue is with the blade and not the handle. I thought the issue was strictly with the handle which felt like it disappeared when you make a chopping motion - like it had no "oomph".
Date: 5-22-2010
Blades tested: Becker BK9, ESEE Junglas, Khukri mod, KA-BAR(2), Gerber LMFII, ESEE-6
Purpose: to determine which of my blades are best at which task
Task categories: log chop, limb removal, baton
Location: Cascade Mountains, Washington State
Participants: my 13 year old son and myself
Wood used: various downed trees from recent storms
Basis for analysis: strictly our two opinions based on what we experienced performing the tasks.
I'll begin by tossing in some pics - location, packs, and the blades.
This pic shows one of the various downed trees we used for the test
Just showing off our gear in this one
and here are the blades used in the test (sorry all sheathed)
Now for the results:
Chop test: listed in best to worst performing order based on tiers indicating significant differences of blade performance. For instance the blades in tier 1 were quite a bit better than those in tier 2, etc. We found that tiers 1 and 2 held the blades we prefer for chopping and would use the others only if no other option was available. Tier 3 would have been a challenge, but tier 4 would have driven us insane very quickly.
1) BK9/Junglas/Khukri mod (no particular order - all excellent)
2) KA-BAR(both)
3) Gerber LMFII
4) ESEE-6
Limb test: Same listing/reporting strategy as the chop test. Including limb test seperate from chop test because we found several differences that we did not anticipate prior to the test that we want to share. We expected the big blades to do their thing and they did - impressively. What we did not expect was how well the KA-BARs and Gerber LMFII performed - effortless and quick. The huge dissapointment was the ESEE-6 which almost had to gnaw at the limbs over a long period compared to all others.
1) Junglas/BK9/Khukri mod (again no particular order)
2) KA-BAR(both)/Gerber LMFII
3) ESEE-6
Baton test: same criteria and "logic". The length had a lot to do with the results with the exception of the Khukri mod. The ESEE-6 would have made tier 1 if it had a longer blade, but batoned famously. The Gerber LMFII had a more seriuos issue with length but also came through on smaller diameter pieces. The surprise here was the Khukri mod which was a bit dull, but could not help but wonder if the flat blade was the issue more than sharpness.
1) BK9/Junglas
2) ESEE-6/KA-BARs
3) Gerber LMFII
4) Khukri mod
Summary:
We began with certain expectations but wanted to do the test to see where the rubber meets the road. We found the big blades performed as expected - and were incredibly good at the tasks. A nice surprise was how the KA-BARs performed. We preferred the feel of the Kraton handled KA-BAR but both came out as outstanding tools in all aspects. We could see the Gerber LMFII as a very good camp knife as long as you have something else to chop logs with (or pair it with a sawvivor). The glaring surprise for both of us were the issues with the ESEE-6. The ESEE-6 did not, could not, and would not chop or limb worth a bean for either of us and it was not a subtle difference - it was glaring. The blade was still razor sharp out of the box & if anything I have a personal bias for the knife because of the feel and quality of it's build. Nonetheless we were both very disappointed with its performance in our test. My son believes the issue is with the blade and not the handle. I thought the issue was strictly with the handle which felt like it disappeared when you make a chopping motion - like it had no "oomph".
As much as I like the idea of chopper blades, all the ones I have bought pretty much stay on the shelf for lack of ease to carry and lack of usefulness in detailed knife tasks. I agree with the comment of pairing a knife like the ESEE-6 with a saw. That is a very effective combination. In fact, I prefer that combination to a weight forward chopper balanced blade which is less useful for detail work.
