need arge chopper - which one?

Easy---

Get both--try them out.

Keep the one you like most--sell the other one.

You should be able to get back all your $-less $20 or so.

That is the ONLY way to be sure which one of the 2 are better for YOU.

OR you might be like most of us--and keep them BOTH
 
I know we got a ton of BK-9 fans here, but I just don't see it. I dislike the balance of that knife a ton. As far as materials it seems to be very solid though. Haven't handled the Large Heavy bowie but the cutlass feels great for chopping.
 
nemoaz said:
You're missing the point.

And BTW, I didn't say I had a machete from Walmart. Mine are GI. I think I do have a hatchet from WM, the product of poor planning during a truck camping excursion with the kids, but I haven't seen it for a while.

I don't use a knife to chop. Neither did lumberjacks. They used choppers to chop. I also don't try to skin an animal with my rifle. It shows a basic lack of understanding of the uses of tools. And ignorance of physics.

If you want to use a large knife as a chopper, you also better be darned good at sharpening knives and understand the different types of edges necessary for chopping versus precision cutting.

Like i said, a $15 Walmart hatchet or machete is a better chopper than any large knife.

If you want a large knife because you like it, so be it, but stop trying to justify it with some of these nonsensical arguments. I admit that I like plenty of things that aren't particularly pragmatic.

I will concede that the knife is the appropriate choice for large pieces of fruit or vegetables.
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Not to start an argument, but lumberjacks used axes because they were doing lots of dedicated felling, and that's what axes are made for. Large knives can do everything for some people--it all depends on the environment and circumstances. To say that using a large knife for chopping is displaying an "ignorance of physics" strikes me as a little conceited and inflammatory, though I'd hope that wasn't how you intended it. Plenty of folks use large knives for chopping with great success. Many are even designed for the task. To ignore this is folly. :o
 
It costs more, but check out the Ontario Ranger RD-9:
ON9418BM.jpg

Has better grips than the BK, and is made of 5160 steel.
 
A large knife is the middle ground between the power and weight of a small axe and the speed and slicing ability of a machete. How can both axe and machete perform better for an axes task of chopping? That is ignorance of physics.
 
Of the two, The Heavy Bowie if it is for mostly chopping, the BK-9 is better for all around camp use. People differ, the BK-9 feels better in my hand than any other big knife that I have tried. I don't do much chopping with a knife so for me, I wouldn't tie much money up in a chopper.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Just don't get your machete from Wal*Mart! :barf: At the very least get yourself a $6.00 Tramontina! Or better yet, grab a Condor. :cool::thumbup:
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Condor. Definitely. I'm happy with mine.

Or ... you could try the new ESEE (was R.A.T.) Junglas, due out any time now. They're also making a light machete that looks fantastic!! I'm extremely happy with all my ESEE knives.:thumbup:
 
And the ESEE Lite Machete's blade is made by Condor, no less! :D:thumbup:
 
BK9.
The handle isn't nearly as bad as some people think it might be. Very comfortable, weight forward for good chopping. Takes an edge easy, holds an edge well.

I can't say anything about the heavy bowie because I've never used it.

If you get the BK9 and find the handle a little slick, like it has been stated you can stipple it....or just buy some hockey stick or baseball bat grip tape.

I sing the praises of Mr. Becker's design everytime I get a chance. It's a great knife.
 
udtjim said:
Of the two, The Heavy Bowie if it is for mostly chopping, the BK-9 is better for all around camp use. People differ, the BK-9 feels better in my hand than any other big knife that I have tried. I don't do much chopping with a knife so for me, I wouldn't tie much money up in a chopper.
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Yea..I don't want to spend much. But I do want a large blade that I can pound into tree stumps without worrying about the blade braking.

Someone mentioned a cheap walmart axe.... I bought a cheap coleman axe and it broke within 30 days. Plus, I think a long knife is more efficiant for some things.
 
KEmSAT-Survival said:
BK9.
The handle isn't nearly as bad as some people think it might be. Very comfortable, weight forward for good chopping. Takes an edge easy, holds an edge well.

I can't say anything about the heavy bowie because I've never used it.

If you get the BK9 and find the handle a little slick, like it has been stated you can stipple it....or just buy some hockey stick or baseball bat grip tape.

I sing the praises of Mr. Becker's design everytime I get a chance. It's a great knife.
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Hallelujah, brother, hallelujah.
 
OldPhysics said:
Condor. Definitely. I'm happy with mine.

Or ... you could try the new ESEE (was R.A.T.) Junglas, due out any time now. They're also making a light machete that looks fantastic!! I'm extremely happy with all my ESEE knives.:thumbup:
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Had an RC-4...great quality but the handle was too small and thin. I like the Junglas but I don't want to spend $170 when I can get something that will work for half the price.
 
yea the BK9 is a laser. It makes a nice 'snick!' sound when lopping 1 - 4" limbs and rapidly cuts thru big stuff.

I stipple my grips with a dremel.
 
nemoaz said:
Like i said, a $15 Walmart hatchet or machete is a better chopper than any large knife.
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HA! Sorry but you couldn't be more wrong on that one. Some machetes are great but those WM models are junk! :thumbdn:

A good large knife is great for light chopping, and is extreamely versital for all kinds of other uses too.

Don't hate on other peoples style of knives just because you don't have the skill to use them properly.:D
 
I own both, and both are good blades. I've found I prefer the BK9 a lot for balance, aesthetics, and because the handle on the Heavy Bowie is a bit massive. Both have good edges and both chop well, for a big blade. A khukri or a hatchet will outchop either by a wide margin.

See this thread for a more full discussion of both, from a gent asking the same question as you. I have some comparison pics in that thread that might help you.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712032
 
BryFry said:
Don't hate on other peoples style of knives just because you don't have the skill to use them properly.:D
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:jerkit:

Son, I was jumping out of planes, wearing a funny green floppy hat, and going to survival training (that is apparently now considered "torture") long before your daddy nailed your mama in the back of grandpappy's pickup truck and began your existence.
 
How about a JK Knatchet, you could even have John make a larger version that mine !

P1190002-1-1.jpg


P1190001-1.jpg


Cuts like a knife and chops like a hatchet !
 
nemoaz said:
:jerkit:

Son, I was jumping out of planes, wearing a funny green floppy hat, and going to survival training (that is apparently now considered "torture") long before your daddy nailed your mama in the back of grandpappy's pickup truck and began your existence.
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:D :p :D :p :D
 
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