Help guys...important decisions!

ocnLogan said:
Fun is just as valid of a reason as anything else :).

I'd decide first if you want a big knife, or a machete/golok/parang type object. The big knife will chop, potentially as well as a small hatchet or hawk, but should also be able to do more typical knife tasks. The machete like object should chop quite noticeably better, but might not be useful for say... Skinning a squirrel (which, is on the brain because in the Becker subforum someone used their bk9 for that).

Once you know what type of tool you want, then you can narrow down from there.

If it means anything, my trio for a while has been my folding saw, bk9, and Mora (for non backpacking anyway). Been quite happy with it. I don't chop much, and my batoning "need" has gone down a bit as well. So I've been considering downsizing it a bit, but that's neither here nor there.

Good luck :).
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Very true indeed...at the moment I am using a small machete I obtained cutting a bigger one. It chops quite well but you got the point...it does just that. Of course I can.do everything else with my A1 (which is the best knife I ever owned in more than 20yrs, even better than esee' and BK's that I love so much). But I was wondering if a bigger knife paired with a small Mora wouldn't be more effective.
Also that's the reason I was considering the A2... unfortunately I see that few peoples own an A2 and I can't find suggestions on this knife.
It is freaking expensive also...not to mention that is almost impossible to find someone who wish to sell its own...
 
It sounds like you want an A2. Will you really be happy with one of the other knives?

Out of those mentioned, I would take the ESEE. It is a good knife, is available, and should hold value well enough if you don't like it.

However, I would be thrilled to have a GSO10.

My pick would be a Scrapyard 1311. An 11 inch Busse like the Boom Parang would be excellent too.

I have been using a Swamp Rat rodent 9 as my chopper/batoner and I have been very happy with it after I figured out the handle. (My theory is that it is designed to either be choked up on or held all the way back for chopping and not held in the middle.)
 
Over the years, dicking about in the woods, I've tried a good few tools. These all work for chopping and cutting, any more and I'll get the chainsaw out:
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The fun side is important, and a good way to learn or just be out there. For me any excuse over the office.
For me I found once over utility size then its quite a jump to reach something big enough to be properly practical. I like the Junglas but find its not enough and too much; sort of sits in a place that doen't really work. Not enough to chop through much, too much for fine work, and for springy stuff doesn't quite have the reach nor catch the cut. There are a whole bunch of this class of knife that just don't work. Cut and chop rarely works on heavier wood tools. I like the Skrama because it cuts but for real chopping it requires a real axe. Saws, and I'm in the Silky camp, as they are so very efficient.
 
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This is the chopper I keep him hawing around and not ordering. Take a look. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1416065-The-Griffin-X-Feast-your-eyes-FEAST-THEM! There are a couple of threads on it and in particular the prototype thread by Mistwalker which summarizes the "why" and so forth.

I talked to Brian at Blade and was going to order. Then I put that decision off because I knew that it was mostly just a "fun blade" for me and then considering the cost with likely use comparison. But I am still lusting for one of these Griffin X designs.
 
Another vote for the Junglas here. I've taken mine on a few backpacking trips and I've never had a shortage of wood to burn. She's a BIG girl (heavy) and I usually wish I had something smaller during uphill sections of a hike, but when I make camp I live like a boss. The kydex sheath included with the knife makes it worth the price IMO; it's almost as sweet as the knife itself.
 
Ombra said:
Very true indeed...at the moment I am using a small machete I obtained cutting a bigger one. It chops quite well but you got the point...it does just that. Of course I can.do everything else with my A1 (which is the best knife I ever owned in more than 20yrs, even better than esee' and BK's that I love so much). But I was wondering if a bigger knife paired with a small Mora wouldn't be more effective.
Also that's the reason I was considering the A2... unfortunately I see that few peoples own an A2 and I can't find suggestions on this knife.
It is freaking expensive also...not to mention that is almost impossible to find someone who wish to sell its own...
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I have the A2 and it's a better chopper than the A1, but still a packable size.
If You like the A1, but want to go bigger the A2 is the ticket!

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Mine has got a new handle in Moose antler, just for the fun of it and I agree with You about the fun part of the knifehobby.


Regards
Mikael
 

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Mikael W said:
I have the A2 and it's a better chopper than the A1, but still a packable size.
If You like the A1, but want to go bigger the A2 is the ticket!

attachment.php


Mine has got a new handle in Moose antler, just for the fun of it and I agree with You about the fun part of the knifehobby.


Regards
Mikael
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My friend...your A2 is just AWESOME!
Congrats!!!


I guess I will pick an A2 as well...just the second before buying an Junglas.

You guys are so convincing :rolleyes:
 
An alternative to the A2 would be a Survive!Knives GSO7/7 which could be on sale right now though would take a while to be ready to ship. Its as big a "knife" I would go before going chopper/machete.
 
Of what you listed, is go with the Junglas. If it is only performance you're looking at, and not fit and finish, the RTAKII will give you the same utility and performance as the Junglas.

If you want 3V goodness w/ a DLC coating, and 3D'd G10 handle scales, you can get a 12" blade of chopping bliss by going with a Cold Steel Magnum Warcraft Tanto. I know it is not the first thing that comes to mind in regards to a chopper, but it most certainly is a chopper through and through.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Take a look at the Ontario Spec Plus gen 2 SP51 and SP53

Good luck in your search!
 
Ombra said:
My friend...your A2 is just AWESOME!
Congrats!!!


I guess I will pick an A2 as well...just the second before buying an Junglas.

You guys are so convincing :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Thanks!
And good luck in Your search, whatever the choice might be.

Regards
Mikael
 
Looks like you made your decision... two out of the three you were originally considering.
 
If you want a chopper, definitely get one! And follow the advice of the more knowledgeable guys here... full flat grinds and comfortable handle!

However, if you are after eficiency / performance... nothing beats a saw for processing firewood. Keep that in mind! It is usually faster and safer to use, ligther in the pack and cheaper to purchase! A folding saw is great, but if you are determined to process lots of wood, then a packbable one that breaks into pieces for packing is going to be even more efficient (blade is supported on both ends, not only in one, so it is less likely to bend, blades are also ligther and cheaper to carry and buy as replacements).

No go out there and chop sumthin!
 
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