Recommendation? FOMO - I need a huge huge blade!

I need a big blade for chopping, hiking, battoning. Which one would you get?

  • Ontario RTAK II 1095 (~$200)

    Votes: 4 10.3%

  • ESSE Junglass 1095 (~$300)

    Votes: 29 74.4%

  • Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri A2 (~$300+)

    Votes: 6 15.4%
  • Total voters
    39
thought rtak II is still 5160. still says as such on a lot of dealers who have stock, and ontarios website? there is talk of 1075 didnt hear about going to 1095?

I have one i thought was in 5160. its clumsy big and has some handle hot spots when used for awhile. I dont have a junglas, but I'd be more tempted tempted to try that one, due to better handle shape and better sheath.
 
Lamnia has the junglas for $234. (with sheath, $170 without) free shipping also. I ordered a knife from them a couple weeks ago and I got the knife 3 days later in the US. Super fast shipping.
 
jaypopsti said:
ESEE from those listed......or
Hit up the custom knife makers section of the exchange.
DviP9K1.jpg
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Is that a Bill Siegle?? Beautiful!

OP - Check out Mr. Siegle’s stuff - 5160 and amazing prices - most likely my next purchase.

Check out Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives too - also very high quality for the price imho...
 
Henry Beige said:
None of the above:
Why spend 300 bucks when the Skrama is better chopper and better all-around camp knife for under $100
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Exactly what I was going to say.... Get the Big Skrama!

Don't worry about the warranty. With the extra costs because you are in Europe, it would probably cost too much to ship back any how.

Plus the Skrama has good/better steel
 
scdub said:
Is that a Bill Siegle?? Beautiful!

OP - Check out Mr. Siegle’s stuff - 5160 and amazing prices - most likely my next purchase.

Check out Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives too - also very high quality for the price imho...
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SYKCO's impress me everytime I buy one....
They are very value orientated.
Waaaaaay better than most of what I have used.

I have only 3 so far, and each is a contender for best in their category
 
scdub said:
Is that a Bill Siegle?? Beautiful!

OP - Check out Mr. Siegle’s stuff - 5160 and amazing prices - most likely my next purchase.

Check out Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives too - also very high quality for the price imho...
Click to expand...
Yessir it is a Siegle
I love it so far :thumbsup:
 
EatingSarma said:
I have Warcraft Tanto, it cost me 150€ on a discount, and with another 50€ you can get a nice custom Kydex sheath.

It's CPM-3V steel, it's tougher, more corrosion resistant and more wear resistant than 1095.

It might not be as big as you want tho, but there is an XL model too, bit more expensive but it's just huge.
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I had never looked at this knife (not my favorite blade shape) but that seems like a heck of a lot of quality steel for the money. How does it chop?
 
West Senkovec, I like ~0.25 spines and finger choils on big knives, which for me eliminates the RTAK II and Junglas.

Ontario used to make an SP50 and SP51, which (sadly) I think have both been discontinued, but you might still be able to find one on the internet.

If I'm going to carry a big wood-chopping knife I want to use it for multiple purposes. I wouldn't want to clean a fish or do delicate camp chores with a kukri. I don't know much about kukris but think of them more as jungle tools than for hardwood or softwood forests.

eveled said:
A hatchet makes more sense. Estwing makes good ones, for very reasonable money. Then carry a knife that’s good at being a knife
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I like Estwing hatchets and have a couple, but no way would I carry one in the wilderness when I could carry a big chopping knife (I like ~10" blades with a finger choil) with considerably less weight and bulk, and much more versatile. From my experience, most people who recommend a hatchet or axe over a big knife have a vehicle or pack animal to carry their tools for them.
 
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jaypopsti said:
ESEE from those listed......or
Hit up the custom knife makers section of the exchange.
DviP9K1.jpg
Click to expand...

Can't beat a Bill Siegle in 5160....

He makes solid, no nonsense, hard use knives in a super tough steel.

For the money you would lay out for a production, take a look at his knives.




The Jungelas is a solid work horse, with a stellar warranty.
 
If you decide to go custom, check daliborknives work. He will make you a hell of a big blade in the price range of those options you have there. Or go ESEE, their warranty it’s great!
 
The Junglas is a brilliant knife. Excellent value for money! A Bill Siegle would also be an excellent choice. Post pics in the thread when you decide.:)
 
hugofeynman said:
If you decide to go custom, check daliborknives work. He will make you a hell of a big blade in the price range of those options you have there. Or go ESEE, their warranty it’s great!
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I second that! Dalibor @Daado is amazing to deal with and can hammer you out a mean chopper in that price range. Another custom maker on here who really understands the science behind a good chopper in your price range is @David Mary.

Of the three knives you have listed, the Junglas is the only one I haven't held. The RTAK II was nice for the trade I made for it, but I wouldn't spend $200. The CS kukri was a decent kukri, but you can get 18-19th century originals for less. If going the kukri route, reach out to @Kailash Blades. I certainly plan on going to them next time I need a kukri made.
 
irsh said:
I had never looked at this knife (not my favorite blade shape) but that seems like a heck of a lot of quality steel for the money. How does it chop?
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It's one hell of a chopper, and handle ergonomics are also great, it doesn't want to fly out, and it has no hotspots. Edge retention is also excellent.
 
DocJD said:
:) Great survival knife , very tough steel , and pretty easy to carry in the 7.25" blade model , but kinda short for much wood chopping .

Real hard to find one of the largest ones , ~12" blade . Wanted one , but couldn't find anywhere . :(
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It seems they are discontinued...
 
If it is just those 3 I chose the CS Khukri just because I like it more than my Junglass. I prefer the shape after owning HI and many other Khukri's throughout the years and use a small knife for dedicated smaller tasks. The Junglass is a very close second depending on the situation. Just ONE knife. I like the Junglass, no rules? I like the CS.
 
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