I really want to get another toy/ knife, but I can't decide between two...

D

Doogoon

Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Messages
971
But I'm caught between a knife and a machete. I already have some other types of knives so I'm pretty certain getting the following style. It's either of the following:

http://www.coldsteel.com/two-handed-katana-machete.html
csstoreonline_2199_9515890
Price I'm paying: $40.

Or

http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/12
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Price I'm paying: $73.


The machete is half the price, made well by Cold Steel and god damn it looks like the most fun I'll ever have, but I'll only ever get to use it when I go out the the forests, decide to get creative when I garden, or there is a zombie apocalypse. I can purchase it over the counter at a local store.

The Ka-bar looks and has the reputation of being solid, seems like I'd get a few more chances to use it and costs twice the machete does. Also I would have to order it online.

Help me decide! Try not to just suggest knives because you like them better. This is the style I'm after right now.

EDIT/ Off topic: Why isn't there a Cold Steel forum with the other brands?
 
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KabBar utility/fighters are awesome in the USMC configuration, but can't say the Tanto is that appealing. Of the two that CS Machete looks like a heck of a lot of fun!
 
ka-bar is basically utility/combat while cold steel is concepts. so it makes the choice for a 'fun' knife a bit easy. a purist type like me likes to collect knives with the same theme but with likable improvements: buck 110, schrade uncle henry, then the puma, then the cold steel voyager.
 
If it's purely a recreational "fun knife" bigger is always more fun ( at least for me anyways ) so I'd opt for a large machete/sword hybrid but I'd rather have the Condor Bush Cutless instead of the CS Katana.
 
hank_rearden said:
ka-bar is basically utility/combat while cold steel is concepts. so it makes the choice for a 'fun' knife a bit easy. a purist type like me likes to collect knives with the same theme but with likable improvements: buck 110, schrade uncle henry, then the puma, then the cold steel voyager.
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I have my dads waaayy old Uncle Henry, it's quite something so I don't think I'd need a second one. I also have a buck 119 and a couple small utility blades. I don't like getting the same knife twice. I want to expand from what I have as all I have is clip and drop points, so I'd like to have a tanto type knife.

@Whetrock: I like the idea for having a two handed machete. Lots of power and ability. One hand will tire my wrist much faster and wouldn't be quite as amazing.
 
My suggestion is NOT to get the 2HKM. It functions poorly if used as a machete OR as a sword. Tons of shock transference, awkward blade/handle ratio, point of balance way too close to the hand. No matter how you hold it or use it it will not perform like it could or should.
 
If you are willing to pay around $70 for a knife (Kabar) then I would definately give Condor a look! They make some really nice stuff, and cool to boot! Check out 42Blades just above my post.

For Cold Steel to have a forum at BF, CS would have to get a company rep to oversee it, plus they already have a forum at their own site, and with the response of many here being negative about CS, probably just don't want to fight it.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
My suggestion is NOT to get the 2HKM. It functions poorly if used as a machete OR as a sword. Tons of shock transference, awkward blade/handle ratio, point of balance way too close to the hand. No matter how you hold it or use it it will not perform like it could or should.
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Yup. Just looking at the design, length, blade width, that looks like a wreck of a design just waiting for you to injure yourself with. Doesn't look balanced or long enough for you to 2-hand it comfortably or safely. It ain't going to cut or chop any better than a well-made machete at 1/3 the price.

Get the KABAR, it'll last you a lifetime, not that CS.
 
CWL said:
Yup. Just looking at the design, length, blade width, that looks like a wreck of a design just waiting for you to injure yourself with. Doesn't look balanced or long enough for you to 2-hand it comfortably or safely. It ain't going to cut or chop any better than a well-made machete at 1/3 the price.

Get the KABAR, it'll last you a lifetime, not that CS.
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Seriously. The build quality is good but it's the single worst machete in actual use that I've ever seen. If you take a hammer, hold it upside down, and grasp as closely as you can to the head and try to drive a nail by striking it with the handle you'll get the idea. The point of balance being right at the base of the blade means you have no power whatsoever if you have a hand right below the guard. Then if you try to hold it by the end of the handle to shift the balance point forward and compensate...it puts it equidistant between your grip and the primary zone of impact, causing it to act like the axle of a giant see-saw. If you try chopping a log while holding it this way it transfers the shock so badly you might as well be beating on it directly with your fists.

It really is an AWFUL machete design. Well made, though! :p
 
Honestly...I think they are both impractical and silly.

But! In the grand, cosmic scheme of things, what ultimately matters is that you don't think they are silly.

Buy the one you think is cooler looking. :thumbup:

(But get a Tramontina machete too.)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Seriously. The build quality is good but it's the single worst machete in actual use that I've ever seen. If you take a hammer, hold it upside down, and grasp as closely as you can to the head and try to drive a nail by striking it with the handle you'll get the idea. The point of balance being right at the base of the blade means you have no power whatsoever if you have a hand right below the guard. Then if you try to hold it by the end of the handle to shift the balance point forward and compensate...it puts it equidistant between your grip and the primary zone of impact, causing it to act like the axle of a giant see-saw. If you try chopping a log while holding it this way it transfers the shock so badly you might as well be beating on it directly with your fists.

It really is an AWFUL machete design. Well made, though! :p
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+1

But I don't like the Kabar much better. If you want to have some fun with CS stuff, you might consider their special forces shovel. It's cheaper, looks way better designed and you can throw it!
 
Yeah I'm not a fan of the tanto KA-BAR either, but if I could only choose one or the other I know where my money would be going!
 
timberweasel said:
Your search is over. Behold... :D

bk03.jpg


...the mighty Becker BK-2 :thumbup:
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This is definitely next on my list of knives to buy.

The thing about the Ka-Bar tanto though (and other knives by Ka-Bar alike) is that I've heard that the tang is only a needle that is delicate. Both the guy at the shop and people on these forums have said that it's not very good for a new knife design. I think I'm going to have my fun with this awesome machete, and get the BK2 with my upcoming birthday money.

Thanks for the advice!
 
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