help me pick a big chopper

Z

ZombieChoppa

Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
12
Hey all! I need some help picking a big blade for batoning and heavy bushcraft. This will be for extended backpacking and will be carried with an ESEE rc3 or rc4, not sure yet.

Im looking for an 8"+ blade 1/4" thick, micarta handles and kydex sheath for under $200....

My favorites so far are the ontario ranger rd-9($100), the esee junglas($160), and the tops armageddon($185)....


RD-9

pros:
cheap!
5160=slight corrosion resistance
i like the stabby point

cons:
nylon sheath
smallish handle


Junglas

pros:
its an ESEE!
amazing sheath

cons:
only one thats 3/16" thick
even though its thinner stock its about the same weight


Armageddon

pros:
blade design seems like it would be the best chopper
extra points for being different
versatile handle

cons:
nylon sheath
price
everybody hates tops lol


Ive considered others; im not big on the beckers and bussekin are too much $, im a fan of cold steel and i looked hard at the trailmaster but i dont like the handle and the sheath sucks.....

Right now im leaning towards the tops, i just received a mini harpoon and im very impressed....I probably wouldve bought the junglas already if it was 1/4" thick....

HELP!
 
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Hey all! I need some help picking a big blade for batoning and heavy bushcraft.
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what does "heavy bushcraft" even mean?

The people who coined the term "bushcraft" like Mors Kochanski, can survive in full Canadian winter with nothing more than a $9 Mora #1.
 
I believe there are stock kydex sheaths available for the OKC Rangers through Chestnut Ridge.

I had one made for my RD9 by David Brown. The RD9 is Pre-OKC and had the edge thinned by Justin Gingrich.

rd9-1.jpg
 
I don't have the Tops Armageddon. But the Junglas blows the RD9 away. The thinner blade only seems as a con on paper. I've used the BK-9 and Junglas extensively. While both are not a 1/4' thick, they chop with great authority and feel very nicely balanced (blade heavy).
Also, you cannot beat the ESEE warranty
 
I have a Browning chopper designed after the Competition Cutter used by Reggie Barker/Cowell something like that anyway it's awesome ,I've chopped with it alongside the Spyderco forrester and Lionsteel neoczen and I liked the way the browning did the best, they were all excellent but the browning came away with a little better penetration, if that's the kind of gauge that is important to you.However the Lionsteel & the Spyderco are more aesthetically pleasing but they also were more spendy.
Browning-$110 leather sheath so-so.made in Taiwan ,convex,carbon steel
Spyderco-$129 very nice sheath.Made in Italy,convex,n690co
Lionsteel-$250 no sheath I had to make one.made in Italy-not convex,calmax of sweden
 
i never really considered the Junglas a "chopper". it's 3/16" and pitched as a "machete". i gotta say, though, it's EXACTLY what i'm taking on my next outing. although it lacks the mass of what i would call a "chopper", it makes short work of taking down small trees. mine slices like a razor, yet is sturdy enough to tackle the bigger stuff. i doubt there's anything special about mine, compared to the rest of 'em. i'd feel confident that they all perform like that.

i haven't gotten to play with a Ranger, but if i was going that route, i'd take a Nightstalker. it's just like the Ranger except has a recurve.

one of my jobs takes me out into the woods, i keep an ESEE 5 on my belt and a Junglas in the vehicle. the Junglas is definately a different animal, it's not beefy by any stretch, but i find that a plus because it doesn't seem to make it frail, it just makes it a fast handling piece. i'd definately recommend it.

one thing though, don't get hypnotized by a warranty. a warranty won't get you home. also, don't worry about what sheath something comes with, there are plenty of custom options out there, some of which are very affordable :)
 
Flexxx said:
BK-9 and Junglas

both are exceptional.....
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What Flexxx said. My son loves his Junglas (on which he just put an fantastic edge) and I'm crazy about my new BK-9. They aren't just big choppers - they are outstanding choppers.

20101227_dc_07.jpg


---

Beckerhead #42
 
Razorsharp1986 said:
I don't have the Tops Armageddon. But the Junglas blows the RD9 away. The thinner blade only seems as a con on paper. I've used the BK-9 and Junglas extensively.
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I'm guessing you have some experience with the rd9 to say this? If i could cross this knife off my list that would be most helpful....can u elaborate?
 
Dorito Monk said:
It's more X-TREME than normal bushcraft, obviously. It's for rugged dudes whose needs are too HARDCORE and INTENSE for regular bushcraft. :p
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well, duh. OBVIOUSLY:D

Tyrkon Lawson said:
Perhaps the Condor Hundson Bay. http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=106

I think they are available now.
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Not sure about the grind on these knives...

BITEME said:
Spyderco-$129 very nice sheath.Made in Italy,convex,n690co
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All the foresters i saw were about $100 more than this price

cool site, but i saw no knives over 7"......scorpion looks like a cool shank tho...

zignal_zero said:
one thing though, don't get hypnotized by a warranty. a warranty won't get you home. also, don't worry about what sheath something comes with, there are plenty of custom options out there, some of which are very affordable :)
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good points


oso_blanco said:
I just did this very thing! Wanting to select a big camp knife I posted the following thread.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796691

I made my selection, in my case the Junglas, despite its thinner blade.

To find it’s mate I posted this thread.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=803699

I’ll be ordering the ESEE4 w/ after mkt. G10 grips

All situations being different, I hope this helps.:thumbup:
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helpfull, especially the second thread

banana-clip said:
Check out a Scrapyard Dogfather, might be able to get one around $200-$225
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not sure where to even look for one of these knives except for used....dont they do limited runs or something?

J.Davey said:
TOPS Power Eagle 12. Check out Mistwalker's review:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=799758

Under $200.00, it would definitely be the one I'd be buying!:thumbup:
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Thanks! great review on what looks to be an awesome chopper....not sure about that blade shape tho....it just looks so....pregnant
 
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The BK-9 is a great blade but the Browning Crowell/Barker is my prefered chopper above all the others I have, including Junglass, RTAK II, Dogfather, Golok BRKT...and the list goes on...:) and the other thing that's great about the Browning is that it's pretty good at small tasks too...Cheers!!!
 
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