Looking for a 9-10" chopper

dbltap45acp

dbltap45acp

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Dec 19, 2008
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Hoping you guys can point me in the right direction. I am looking for a 9-10" chopper, 3/16 to a 1/4" thick. It will do some chopping and be used to baton a ton of wood. I am a firearms instructor, and one of the guys that teaches with us was a winter survival instructor for the military. We have quite a few classes set up this year for winter coures and I realized that I sold all of my large blades. I am on a budget this time and that is where my dilemma starts.

I have owned a mass amount of Busse and kin blades, almost all of the Fehrman lineup, and a handful of customs. I ended up selling pretty much everything except a couple ESEE knives and my two bushvraft blades. My Spyderco bushcrafter and Skookum bush tool werent going anywhere. Like everyone else, times are a little tough. I did decide that I do need at least one good chopper so the search begins. I am hoping you guys can give me some ideas I havent thought of, in the $200 to $250 max price range.

I spoke to M. Grifffin and he seems to make a good custom that looks interesting, and so far that is the leading contender. I absolutely love the Tripple Six blade that Justin Gingrech did for Brian thats pictured in the build off, but I am pretty sure that one is out of my price range. Since I will be batoning a lot to get to the dry center the sheeps foot design would lend ittself well without worrying about the tip breaking. I also considered the ESEE Junglas since I have always had good luck that company in general.I would love a Busse basic 11 if I could find one in that range but I dont see that as possible. I would love to stck with a custom but I am kind of particular when it comes to some features and some custom makers are set with their own design and dont like changing whats in their head.

So any help would be great, please start throwing ideas my way as you guys think of them. I appreciate your time. Pictures always help as well.
 
You sure you can have a custom blade made in time?? You should look at swamp rat, they have a rodent 9 that's right at $200. Also scrap yard makes a 911 and a 1311. All amazing choppers, but 13" is a bit much for me. Ive heard good stuff about the Ontario RTAK2 and the Buck Hoodlum.
 
Short-Tang, our winter here lasts a long time, this is Wyoming. M. Griffin gave me a time table of a month, so that isnt to bad. I have had to wait a bit for Nick Allen of NWA and Ray Laconico but they have a huge fan base. Most of the makers around here can get it done quick. With the Christmas season I could be out of line with that assumption though.
 
every decent chopper I have cost more than $200 or so.

I'd get a nice ax or machete for the time being.
 
since you're going to baton a ton of wood (and since it'll be winter the frozen wood will be even harder on the knife) i'd go with a junglas...the turn around time for a warranty replacement should be one of the fastest if something bad happens.

i had a junglas and the busse basic 11 out chops it and feels more nimble in the hand but for your intended use, i'd save your money and go with the esee...or even a becker bk-9.
 
Why baton a ton of wood? Use an axe.

If your buddy is a survival instructor, have a discussion about wasting energy by overexertion. Getting sweaty in winter survival situation is a good way to freeze.

Practically speaking, batoning is just a emergency technique when you dont have anything else to do a better job, or is that the point?

Now if you just want a big knife, I can understand that...
 
CWL, it will be used in a few survival courses, that is true. The fact that it will be used a ton to baton through wood is mainly due to my uncordinated wife who almost took her leg off with an axe. This knife will split rounds into smaller wood at times at home to make kindling to start fires in the fire place. It's fun, and there is less of a chance for the need to call 911.
 
I would suggest a BK&T BK-9 or BK-4, Ontario SP-51, SP-53, SP-Kukri & ESSE Junglas for production blades Made in America.

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My modified BK-9. 3/16" thick 1095 CroVan. My modified Ontario 12" machete on bottom.

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BK-4 MaChax on top. 3/16" thick 1095 CroVan.

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Ontario SP-51. 1/4" thick 5160.

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Ontario SP-53. 1/4" thick 5160.

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Ontario SP-Kukri



I would suggest taking a look at Condor Tool & Knife as well as Ka-Bar.

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Condor Lochnessmuk on top, Pack Golok on bottom.



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Ka-Bar Grass machete (closest), Cutlass machete, Kukri.


All of them are chopping beasts. :D
 
I have a Junglas and Pack Golok -- both are great. The Junglas fit my hand well with no mods, the Pack Golok needed about 2 minutes on a belt sander to bevel the handles a bit.
If you're willing to put some work into reshaping the handles, the Ontario RTAK2 and RD9 are 1/4" thick 5160 at a reasonable price.
(I had an RD4 and hated the handles)
BK9 is a great knife, but the other 4 I mentioned above are better choppers.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
Contact Bryan Breeden and Chad Hill of White Feather Blades
Click to expand...

I'll second Dr. Bill's recommendation RE: Bryan Breeden. I love my Breeden knife and though it's not a chopper, i can attest to Bryan's knife-making skill.

Bryan's work is exemplary. Based on conversations i've had w/Bryan, he could probably get something worked up in the price range you're prepared to spend. The only caveat would be the timing/scheduling for the winter classes and the knife completion. Because Bryan makes such incredible knives he is in pretty high demand and that can mean a long waiting list, but you never know how things go unless you ask.


I hope you enjoy your knife search and the winter survival courses and yes, batoning is a very useful skill for winter climate training.
 
My two choppers...Swamp Rat Battle Rat (with a sweet Koyote Girl sheath) and HI Tamang.

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The Junglas is great, but I'd also look at Breeden. A custom knife for a great price, and from what I've seen, they come extremely sharp.
 
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