hard use / chopper between 9 and 13 inch, what is currently available?

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Apr 4, 2012
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535
I'm looking to buy a fixed blade, hard use / chopper between 9 and 13 inch with a sheath, maximum budget would be around 500$

right now this one is the winner; Extreme Judgemen

but before i decide I want to know what else is available out there, I'm open to get a custom.

it also has to respect Canada law since it would be shipped there.
 
Busse FBM. Can be had for around there (if you hunt, and are patient).

You can buy a Scrapyard 1311 13.5 inch blade for 1/2 your budget.
 
Busse FBM. Can be had for around there (if you hunt, and are patient).

You can buy a Scrapyard 1311 13.5 inch blade for 1/2 your budget.

it seem the 1311 is no longer available, if i read the scrapyard forum correctly
 
Becker Knife & Tool

BK-9
BK-4

Ka-Bar

#1248 Cutlass Machete
#1249 Kukri Machete
#1279 Grass Machete

Condor

Lochnessmuk
Pack Golock
Warlock
Boomslang

Ontario Knife Company

SP-8, SP-10, SP-51, SP-53, SP-Kukri and theit 12" Machete.

I own all these knives i posted. They are hard use blades. I beat the snot out of mine, at home usually, but in a controlled environment none-the-less. I want to know that my knives can comfortably take what i would actually use them for in a SHTF scenario. They can & they do. Can't go wrong with any of them.
 
I'd definitely go custom for that price range, you can get it built exactly how you want (blade thickness, length, steel, blade shape, etc) and it will be unique. As far as SR101 (52100) vs 3V, 3V is going to be tougher, hold an edge longer and be a little more rust resistant (neither are stainless) but will be a bit more difficult to sharpen due to the extra carbides. I have several fixed blades from different companies all of which I really like, but on every single one there's something I'd change (slightly wider blade, different blade steel, uncoated, etc) and I have one custom knife that I designed and there's absolutely nothing I'd change about, I'm very happy with it.

As far as finding a maker, check out the custom for sale forum here see who works with the material you like (steel and handle), message a couple makers to find out about their availabilty/backlog and go from there. My only two custom knives have been made by Big Chris on this forum (one his design I bought off the forum, the other mine, with his help), and I highly recommend him, I plan on at least 2-3 more from him of my own design, including a 13" chopper.
 
How about a Golok?

Golok_Black_Canvas_279_95_600.jpg


For the money you're talking about, you could buy one and have a few hundred left over to buy more fun stuff.

What kinds of stuff do you plan on chopping up here in the Great White North? You have planned uses in mind? What knives have you tried that did or didn't fit the bill?
 
We specialize in hard use knives, check out our web site at millerbrosblades.com and see what you think. We like to use 5160 for all our heavy duty knives and swords too. The M-8 with a 9in. blade makes a nice size chopper as well as several other models. We do custom orders too if you want to change some things and make it your own.
You can also watch some of our testing videos on youtube, or on our web page. If you have any questions, you can email me at amiller@millerbrosblades.com
Hope you find what you are looking for.
 
There are custom makers here that use s7 or cpm 3v that will be nearly inderstructible. I have a Scrapyard Dogfather (s7 steel) and it is a monster chopper that are sometimes available on the exchange forum here well within your price range. I also recommend the basic 10 because it does eveything the Dogfather does plus its more stain resistant, it will run about $100 dollars or so more. I prefer uncoated blades so they can chop and clean up easy for food prep. Semi stainless is the way to go. YMMV

Unklfranco
 
How about a Golok?

Golok_Black_Canvas_279_95_600.jpg


For the money you're talking about, you could buy one and have a few hundred left over to buy more fun stuff.

What kinds of stuff do you plan on chopping up here in the Great White North? You have planned uses in mind? What knives have you tried that did or didn't fit the bill?

Second the BRKT golok. I have the one with the upswept tip, though others keep the standard tip for digging and pushing bark of the wood. I love mine, this thing chops like a champ.
 
If you want a really hard use chopper why not look at the Chiruwa Ang Khola from Himalayan Imports. It is one heck of a chopper and is only $175 shipped.
 
My suggestions would hinge mainly upon your intended use. For instance I utilize choppers mainly around the house trimming limbs (1-2 inches and less). However for heavier duties I would of course recommend a good hatchet or boys axe. For lighter duties the extra length of some such as a BK-6 Patrol Machete are not ideal where you need to get into tighter spaces to prune limbs. For this I went custom, about a 9 inch blade of .25 think A2 from a maker on another forum. Of course for trail clearing then extra length comes in handy. I guess what I am getting at is for me, one does not do it all. But going custom, you stand the best chance of hitting on as many wants as possible.

2012-10-31122939.jpg
 
What about Mineral Mountain? You don't hear much about them on the forums. I have one, like the deep woods bowie. It takes a beating and still going strong.
 
Anything big and bad from Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrap Yard, Survive! GSO 10, Big Chris makes some badass stuff here as well
 
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