Kabar/Becker BK21 vs Tops Power Eagle

T

Tachead7075

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Apr 7, 2016
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Hey guys, Im looking to get a purpose built large chopper and have narrowed it down to these two knives. Does anyone have both to compare? Which one would be the most effective chopper? I have always wanted to try a Kukri but, I think the Power Eagle's full flat ground 1/4" blade might have better bite then the BK21's 3/16" saber grind. What do you guys think? Thanks:thumbup:
 
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Busse Basic 11. Lightweight, tough and a performer.

bussebasic11-4.jpg


Otherwise just a regular cheap machete of your choice with the length of your choice..

Kukris are more a cultural thing than anything else. I see no particular advantage or disadvantage when using one over a regular straight chopper, in the long run. I dont prefer them.

I've also had bad experiences with TOPS handles. Too square and uncomfortable.
 
DPC said:
Busse Basic 11. Lightweight, tough and a performer.

Otherwise just a regular cheap machete of your choice with the length of your choice..

Kukris are more a cultural thing than anything else. I see no particular advantage or disadvantage when using one over a regular straight chopper, in the long run. I dont prefer them.

I've also had bad experiences with TOPS handles. Too square and uncomfortable.
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Lightweight is not what I am looking for. Heavier weight forward designs are generally much better choppers.

Your Busse is nice but, would work about as well as an Esee Junglas for chopping(not very well). I am looking for a knife for heavy chopping and batoning firewood in the back country as well clearing large alder and brush. A purpose designed weight forward chopper, not a large knife like your Busse.

I am not looking for a cheap machete. I am looking for a premium large (12"+ blade of 3/16-1/4" 1095 or 5160) heavier weight non-flexible knife.

Kukris are not just a cultural thing. They were designed specifically to optimize certain attributes(including chopping) and have proven to be one of the best tools as well as edged weapons in history. There are other good designs as well but, kukris are definitely one of the better chopper designs.

Yes I agree, Tops handles can be a bit square in some models but, that doesnt bother me much and I often change to custom scales anyway.

I am not really looking for other suggestions as I have researched most options and narrowed it down to these two models. Thanks.
 
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WK ONE said:
What?

[video]https://youtu.be/DLT3ZHGwang[/video]
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The Junglas is not a very good heavy chopper when compared to machetes and purpose built choppers like the two I have listed. It is a large knife and was designed for jungles as a cross between a lite machete and knife. Jeff Randall himself said it could be outperformed by a much lower cost machete. I love Esee and would love an excuse to get another but, the Junglas is just not the best option for the purposes I plan to use this for.

Again, I have narrowed it down to these two blades and dont need any other suggestions.
 
Tachead7075 said:
Again, I have narrowed it down to these two blades and dont need any other suggestions.
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Then just make up you own mind.
Or buy both.

If you don't want other suggestions, you're in the wrong place.

"I want a nice lock-back folder that costs no more than $55, maximum."
"Buy a Sebenza! You'll love it!!!"

So yeah, just get used to it. ;)
 
stabman said:
Then just make up you own mind.
Or buy both.

If you don't want other suggestions, you're in the wrong place.

"I want a nice lock-back folder that costs no more than $55, maximum."
"Buy a Sebenza! You'll love it!!!"

So yeah, just get used to it. ;)
Click to expand...

I am looking for someone who has both to compare and/or some opinions on which would be the better chopper if you read my original post. I am not looking for suggestions on other knives. I have researched the other options and came down to these two for my purposes.
 
Tachead7075 said:
I am looking for someone who has both to compare and/or some opinions on which would be the better chopper if you read my original post. I am not looking for suggestions on other knives. I have researched the other options and came down to these two for my purposes.
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Well you're going to get them anyway.
You can get annoyed by it, or not; your choice.

The handle will be more comfortable on the Becker, but TOPS makes a pretty much indestructible knife.
People who have the TOPS seem to like how it chops.
 
Tachead7075 said:
Hey guys, Im looking to get a purpose built large chopper and have narrowed it down to these two knives. Does anyone have both to compare? Which one would be the most effective chopper? I have always wanted to try a Kukri but, I think the Power Eagle's full flat ground 1/4" blade might have better bite then the BK21's 3/16" saber grind. What do you guys think? Thanks:thumbup:
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I think the Ka-Bar has a much better weight-forward design and the grind makes it comparable to the TOPS in 'bite' as you say. When chopping, a saber grind is often preferred to a flat grind, as it has more weight and you don't really go deep enough into thick wood to worry about the shoulders of the saber grind making too much contact.

The TOPS looks like a large knife, the Ka-Bar looks like a full-blown chopping machine. Go with the Ka-Bar.
 
[video=youtube;o_GUFFnIDyw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_GUFFnIDyw[/video]

[video=youtube;y8e1DhGB0ao]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8e1DhGB0ao[/video]
 
[video=youtube;ln78KsEfBZQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln78KsEfBZQ[/video]

[video=youtube;vlJFNxlvUh8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlJFNxlvUh8[/video]

[video=youtube;GXuk_noLcZo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuk_noLcZo[/video]
 
stabman said:
Well you're going to get them anyway.
You can get annoyed by it, or not; your choice.

The handle will be more comfortable on the Becker, but TOPS makes a pretty much indestructible knife.
People who have the TOPS seem to like how it chops.
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I am generally open to opinions and am sorry if I sounded annoyed. I am not. Its just the ones suggested(Busse Basic 11 & Junglas) were nothing like the ones I am talking about and wont excel at the uses I plan to use this blade for. I also asked specifically about these two.

Thanks I appreciate your opinion. I have read a few reviews and watched some videos on both but, am still finding it hard to decide. I do like the handle better on the Becker and like how BK's have more aftermarket options available. But, I generally like FFG's better and think the FFG on the Tops might bite better/penetrate deeper with less effort. What do you think about the chopping ability(on heavy wood) and batoning ability between the two? I wish there was a comparison video of the two like there is between the different Beckers.
 
KingMC said:
I think the Ka-Bar has a much better weight-forward design and the grind makes it comparable to the TOPS in 'bite' as you say. When chopping, a saber grind is often preferred to a flat grind, as it has more weight and you don't really go deep enough into thick wood to worry about the shoulders of the saber grind making too much contact.

The TOPS looks like a large knife, the Ka-Bar looks like a full-blown chopping machine. Go with the Ka-Bar.
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Thanks:thumbup:

I agree but, rememeber the Tops is the heavier of the two and is 1/4" stock vs 3/16" for the BK21.
 
Tachead7075 said:
Thanks:thumbup:. But, I already watched all those but the chop off one. I will watch it.
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Looks like they both chop pretty darn well.
Probably comes down to which one speaks to you and makes you want to spend the cash.
Both are made by manufacturers that stand behind their product.
 
stabman said:
Looks like they both chop pretty darn well.
Probably comes down to which one speaks to you and makes you want to spend the cash.
Both are made by manufacturers that stand behind their product.
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Thanks for your help, I am torn really.

I think the handle will fit me better on the Becker as I have small hands. I also like that the BK is more popular and thus has more aftermarket stuff readily available(scales, sheaths, exc.). But, I have never tried a Kukri design before and am not sure if I will like it. I also dont think 1095 is the best choice for a large knife/machete and worry about its strength long term. Saber grinds are not my favorite generally either.

I like the 1/4" stock on the Tops and the FFG. I also like that it is 5160. And, it has a more traditional nice hybrid blade design. It also comes with micarta handles which are much nicer then BK's Ultramid ones imo. But, I am worried about the handle being too large for my hands and I woudl ahve to send it in to have a custom sheath made for it as its not as popular as a BK.
 
Tachead7075 said:
Thanks:thumbup:

I agree but, rememeber the Tops is the heavier of the two and is 1/4" stock vs 3/16" for the BK21.
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Sure, thicker stock usually means more weight. I was comparing the two grinds, you get more bang for your buck with a saber grind than an FFG when it comes to weight-per-thickness.

You want tip-heavy, the Khukri will have that more than the bolo.
 
I do not own that specific Tops, but I have a few, and the BK21....

for what its worth, what I've found a lot in actual use is FFG blades like to bite deep then stick and take quite a bit of effort to free up for the next swing....

The saber grind of the BK eliminates most of that, and the blade is thick enough to handle heavy work and thin enough to penetrate deeply....

I'd say both knives will reach about the same depth per swing side by side in the same section of wood... but the BK will get 2 more swings in while you free the Tops from being wedge locked...

just my 0.02 based on my limited experience.... YMMV
 
stabman said:
Then just make up you own mind.
Or buy both.

If you don't want other suggestions, you're in the wrong place.

"I want a nice lock-back folder that costs no more than $55, maximum."
"Buy a Sebenza! You'll love it!!!"

So yeah, just get used to it. ;)
Click to expand...

In my defence I have to say the TOPS is listed as worth 270$ and I bought my B11 for 275, so it's in the ballpark.
 
Tachead7075 said:
Lightweight is not what I am looking for. Heavier weight forward designs are generally much better choppers.
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I meant to say it's lighter than most knives that size at 410 grams or 14.46 oz, not that it isnt front heavy.

Bear in mind, the Kukri is what I would call unwieldy and you'd have to get used to it. The bolo design is perhaps more light in the hand (regardless of weight) and certainly more wieldy doing chores that aren't just whacking the bush.

As for the price I always think TOPS is a bit overpriced for 1095, although the fit & finish is flawless judging for the one I own.

I also think the TOPS looks better, although if I were you I'd probably get both eventually.
 
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