Help me Pick out a 10" chopper

L

Loves2stabU

Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
35
Please help me pick out a $100-$200 big chopper type knife. I want a (mostly) flat grind, 10" blade and more of a drop point shape than a clip point shape. I don't mind a little clip point like in the Dogfather, but not too more than that. Therefore, certain knives like CS bowies and RD9, Ont Marine Raider Bowie etc are out. I have narrowed it down to 5 candidates. There are others I have considered but I have settle on these. Prices are actual retail.

This will first a fighting knife & second survival/field knife for me. More of a hack'n slash type knife than a a dagger type so I want it heavy and a little front heavy. I want it to be as close to indestructible as possible and with good edge retention.

Please comment on your experience of these knives and companies and fill in missing data.

Scrapyard Dogfather: $140-$200, 20oz, .275" thick, transferable lifetime less conditional warranty, no pommel, no sheath

SwampRat Ratmastiff: $218, 1/4", Warranty?

Marbles Trailmaker: ca $160, 1/4", Warranty? 18oz (leather)

Tops Armageddon: $220, 1/4", 24oz! differential temper, conditional & non-transferrable warranty

Browning Crowell/Barker: $104, 1/4"??, 17.4oz, hollow rivets in tang for forward lanyard, Warranty?

(BTW, I don't want a RTAK or SP5, just so you know)
 
Loves2stabU said:
Please comment on your experience of these knives and companies and fill in missing data.

Scrapyard Dogfather: $140-$200, 20oz, .275" thick, transferable lifetime less conditional warranty, no pommel, no sheath
Click to expand...

iirc they still have the sheath on their site. extra, of course. i had one, briefly, then sold it. not because it wasnt a great knife, but because i was not in need of another chopper. the balance is great, and the steel takes and holds a very good edge.

should be easy to find within your price range. users and new.

SwampRat Ratmastiff: $218, 1/4", Warranty?
Click to expand...

same busse family warranty. pricier than the scrapyard, you may have difficulty finding one in your price range.

Tops Armageddon: $220, 1/4", 24oz! differential temper, conditional & non-transferrable warranty
Click to expand...

good steel, beast of a knife. but i find the tops handles to be too blocky. if you have very large hands, they may be more comfortable.
 
Justin (Ranger knives) often makes customized versions of his knives, so if you were looking for something like longer RD9 with modified clip I think you will easily get it in your price range - and he offers the unconditional warranty.

You can also consider something like Bolo or Golok (examples here: http://www.valiantco.com/ )
 
I vote the Dogfather I have one and love it much I was able to get mine when they first came out in feb 07. very high-end for not a terriably high-end price. I like the looks of the Browning comp knife too, and bet that it will that will preform well.
 
Where did you see the Browning Crowell/Barker for $104? The best I could find was 117.00
 
I have a lot of 9" to 10.5" blade choppers. The Dog Father and Dog Father LE are my favorites to use. The Respirene C handle is shock absorbing for extended chopping. Top to bottom: DFLE, Ranger RD9, Browning Crowell-Barker Competition Knife.

ChopOff018.jpg
 
Out of those, I'd go with the Dogfather. It's a good, tough chopper, backed by a great warranty. You'll have to turn to the secondary market to get one, though.

If I were you, I'd contact Justin at Ranger Knives and ask how much he'd ask for an RD9 with a drop point (or indeed, pretty much any config you would like).
 
Loves2stabU said:
Yes I have considered Kurki,

Maybe I could have Ranger Knives make me one.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I would let Justin make Rangers and HI make khuks.

Justin is a great knifemaker, but khuks are hard to heat treat.

I own a RD6 and a few HIs. I really like both. But to each his specialty.
 
cybrok said:
To be honest, I would let Justin make Rangers and HI make khuks.

Justin is a great knifemaker, but khuks are hard to heat treat.

I own a RD6 and a few HIs. I really like both. But to each his specialty.
Click to expand...

Khukris hard to HT???

Since when?
 
Ever considered a kershaw outcast? Very good chopper, almost like a khukri but without the annoying curve in the blade. The DFs are hard to find btw, you cant just buy them off the website.


Noz_Kershaw_Outcast_w.jpg
 
Outcasts are not great.
Very obtuse edge, not a great chopper(not on wood, ok for bush), handle sucks
if you go to my link you will see my outcast, I improved the handle by cutting the rubber off to expose the hard plastic(which made it more comfortable then the rubber) then I wrapped it in paracord making it 100 time more comfortable
I will convex it latter
not great out of box but great once you improve them
 
Go for the Dog Father. I have both the Dog Father and the Browning, Both are great choppers but the DOG has more forward weight and I believe it would take alot more abuse then the Browning when subjected to hard use. The Browning is a good buy but I would spend a little more and get the DOG if I was only going to have one Big Chopper.
 
The Kershaw Outcast is tuff to beat for the pricepoint . Cuts good , already comes with a fair / good sheath .

Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top