Honest question...re choils...

Raging Rhino

Raging Rhino

Joined
Nov 14, 2011
Messages
667
Why, oh why, put a choil on the taliwhacker? Yes, I understand the purpose of a choil....but why on a design like the taliwhacker? Don't get me wrong, the taliwhacker is sick and I must have one...but I must admit this default choil thing, regardless of the design, drives me crazy. I am hoping that someone can provide some reason. Please, "to choke up on the blade for finer tasks" responses are not needed...the taliwhacker is not a design meant for finer tasks. This thread is not meant to be critical...it is an honest question...hoping that Im missing something. Regardless, I want a Tali, because it's purdy and sharp... but man, why a choil on a tanto fighter?
 
Ease of sharpening the entire edge?
I prefer the look myself.eta-the start of a no choil edge drives me crazy if not near perfectly straight, im anal.
 
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I agree with you Eric. The transition from ricasso to blade isn't as "smooth" without a choil.
I think the ATW would have been better with the Busse "elf" choil or even just a small sharpening choil.
Cool a$$ knife though!!
 
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^^^ This^^^ (No, not the buzzard! :p )

I prefer the look as well, the choilless knives just look odd to me.

The simplest reason for the choil is its a design feature that is synonymous with Busse. It with the "talon hole" create that "Busse look". Search all the way back to the Steel Heart 1 and you'll see the look.
 
I have knives with and without (B10s sping right to mind) I much prefer the "look" of the choil and at the least acknowledge that it does make sharpening that little bit easier. I don't find that loss of edge just there annoying in the slightest. That said I think the Cold steel SRK is a great looking blade and "perhaps" the ATW would have looked better without.
 
But choils get snagged on clothing and flesh. On a fighting knife a choil is only a handicap. A tiny sharpening choil could be allowed.
 
In the early days my Basic 7 had a very small choil, about a 1/4" maybe, for what seemed to be the reason mentioned about (putting the edge on). I prefer that most.
 
gixxer1237 said:
But choils get snagged on clothing and flesh. On a fighting knife a choil is only a handicap. A tiny sharpening choil could be allowed.
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....gotta tell you mate in a fight like that the choil is going to make bugger all difference. I have seen folks killed and wounded with all knids of sharp objects (and some blunt ones ;) ) and a clean cut choil is not going to be any significant disadvantage.
 
lobo9er said:
choils are useful and the majority of these sold that get used wont be for combat.
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Yes they are, but not for this design, which is the point. If one is focused exclusively on usefulness and practicality then blade designs would be rather boring wouldn't they. If that were the case, then the atw design would cease to be.

As far as ease of sharpening...not true, just don't start your sharpening until you get to full plunge. I think it comes down to aesthetics and personal choice for appearances, which is understandable and expected. It seems like the vast majority simply prefer the look of choils regardless of their usefulness on a particular design, this explains it. I wonder what the ratio of b10 choil vs. no choil was or BJ choil no choil...I presume this is the reason. I was just wondering if there's something else I'm not aware of. Personally I love choils on 5-8 inch utility drop point blades. Longer or shorter, or specialized designs not so much. You choil lovers are taking over the world I think... Assimilate or be left behind it seems.

Although I would definitely prefer no choil on the atw design, it is awesome with or without it...I will still love it and use it. Oh and the whole discussion of choils snagging on clothes, etc., while valid...a remote possibility of it ever being an issue. I always just put a false edge on the back side of the choil (no 90 deg angles)...prob solved.
 
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But it is called a Taliwacker right? A fighting knife.

Andy I know that it probably wouldn't be a concern but it could. Of all they guys I know who have been there and done that only one ever used his knife on another person and it was a quick cut to the hand. I'm just embracing the idea of a fighting knife.
 
The only reason one would ever need/use the very rear portion of a blade that size with that handle shape IS for ”finer tasks”. That said, if one doesn't think they would use the said blade for finer tasks, why be bothered by the choil? JMO...
 
Originally Posted by Jerry Busse
On the other hand, when I was making the video for the original SHBM and attempting to cut 12 pieces of free hanging 1" diameter hemp rope, the bundle was so wide and my aim was off by just enough, that the choil hung up on the last 1/4' inch of the bundle and I ended up ripping my shoulder completely out of the socket. Hurt like a mofo. . . On the upside, I had to drink for 3 months straight to get past the pain, so it did have its benefits!
 
Raging Rhino said:
I think it comes down to aesthetics and personal choice for appearances, which is understandable and expected. It seems like the vast majority simply prefer the look of choils regardless of their usefulness on a particular design, this explains it. I wonder what the ratio of b10 choil vs. no choil was or BJ choil no choil...I presume this is the reason.
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I seem to remember reading that most folks had ordered a choil when given the choice in the examples you provided and believe that also held true for the Tankbuster offering. Judging by the ratio of choil/no-choil versions of those knives on the exchange, I'd imagine that not even one in ten produced were choilless.

I believe your reasoning to be correct in that the choils are the default because of aesthetics, as Jerry has said that he prefers the looks of a choiled knife.

I'd imagine that aesthetics are also the reason for most people liking them on Bussekin, and the rest likes the idea of "choking up" for finer tasks. I personally hate choking up on bare metal and would rarely have need for doing so as I always have a multi-tool handy.

I loved the look of the ATW, but was quite sad to see that it indeed did have a choil. I'm just glad that the B10LE and Boss Jack were offered without choils, as they are near perfect for me and my preferences/uses.....:)

DSC_0097_zps39ac20f8.jpg
 
aaaa_cccc said:
I seem to remember reading that most folks had ordered a choil when given the choice in the examples you provided and believe that also held true for the Tankbuster offering. Judging by the ratio of choil/no-choil versions of those knives on the exchange, I'd imagine that not even one in ten produced were choilless.

I believe your reasoning to be correct in that the choils are the default because of aesthetics, as Jerry has said that he prefers the looks of a choiled knife.

I'd imagine that aesthetics are also the reason for most people liking them on Bussekin, and the rest likes the idea of "choking up" for finer tasks. I personally hate choking up on bare metal and would rarely have need for doing so as I always have a multi-tool handy.

I loved the look of the ATW, but was quite sad to see that it indeed did have a choil. I'm just glad that the B10LE and Boss Jack were offered without choils, as they are near perfect for me and my preferences/uses.....:)

DSC_0097_zps39ac20f8.jpg
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Man I love that muddy red/black g10 jack! that color combo is my favorite... I also have a choiless b10le and BJ and love 'em dearly. My BJ started out muddy...but after I finished thinning out the edge and grind transition...I decided to strip and polish and add a choil, if you can call it that, to the spine instead of the edge. So, since you started it...here's my contribution of a couple choilless love shots.

nochoilbusse-01_zps1af245dd.jpg

nochoilbusse-04_zpsdc29a68a.jpg

nochoilbusse-09_zps20f233b4.jpg

nochoilbusse-15_zps4e843d53.jpg
 
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