Kabar/Becker BK21 vs Tops Power Eagle

It depends! Who would have thought?
:-D

For normal wood and occasional brush I'd get the BK21.

For hard wood something heavier.

For more brush than wood I'd go with a machete.

My BK21 is a very good all arounder.

If I'd have to take one blade only where I don't know what I'd encounter it be this one of the two.

However if you don't mind good looks and comfy handles then there would be options from Himalayan Imports, here in our very own BF :-)


I got heavier and lighter Kukris for more specific uses but not the Tops thus I can't compare directly but I hope my general knowledge of Kukris and the BK21 gives you some pointers.
 
No matter how you spell it, kukri designs work well in my experience. I have the cheaper CS kukri machete and a BK4 I like. BK21 is even more of a chopper. I believe there are several reasons for it. Among them are the weight forward characteristics of the blade; the angle of your wrist when the blade makes contact because of the canted blade; the angle of the edge as it is presented to the target. To elaborate that point, the sweet spot should be just a little toward the handle from the widest part of the blade. As one completes the chopping motion, that part of the edge is at an angle to the material and sort of pulls it into the blade as the widest part of the blade makes contact. I believe you can find videos to explain more completely.

As you noticed, BKT has good aftermarket coverage because so many people use them. For good reason. I think the BK21 is a future classic that will likely serve you well, keep it's value and desirability.

As a side note, after using the BK4 for a little while now, the BK 21 would have to be significantly better chopping bigger stuff to make up for the difference in weight and size. The BK4 packs a lot into a convenient size and weight. It has surpassed my expectations. I'm sure the BK21 is even better, if size and weight aren't a consideration. I like how I can deliver a more powerful blow in confined spaces than I could with a longer blade. Good Luck.
 
Personally I gravitate towards the Kukri as the design and experience with them call to me, and Becker's are pretty work oriented in general. Having all the aftermarket options is nice too (If the sheath it comes with is anything like most nylon kukri sheaths it must die a horrible death and be replaced!). I want to pick one up myself.

That being said I love TOPS and have a few, but I have seen a few failures from the Power Eagle as there was a bad batch or something that went out (not 100% clear on that but it has come up on the FB group), but they have also been great about handling replacement on any of those lemons. Otherwise I've seen the Power Eagle take out some serious wood and anyone who has one seems to be very happy with it.
 
Grey Falcon said:
Personally I gravitate towards the Kukri as the design and experience with them call to me, and Becker's are pretty work oriented in general. Having all the aftermarket options is nice too (If the sheath it comes with is anything like most nylon kukri sheaths it must die a horrible death and be replaced!). I want to pick one up myself.

That being said I love TOPS and have a few, but I have seen a few failures from the Power Eagle as there was a bad batch or something that went out (not 100% clear on that but it has come up on the FB group), but they have also been great about handling replacement on any of those lemons. Otherwise I've seen the Power Eagle take out some serious wood and anyone who has one seems to be very happy with it.
Click to expand...

Good to know about the issues with some of Tops and that they stand behind their product like Kabar does. Thanks:thumbup:
 
Let us know your experience. Do a review on the Becker subforom. I have several imported kukri. There is a learning curve. The handling and application is an acquired one, but worth the learning. They have been used for a long time overseas for many, many diverse things... It's fun to expand our knowledge in things sharp...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G800A using Tapatalk
 
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