New big chopper

turbo-henrik

turbo-henrik

Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
243
Hi all!

Im looking to buy a new big survival/bushcraft knife.

Things the knife have to be good at:
Chopping
Batoning
Use below freezing and down to -30 celsius.


Knives im currently considering:

Cold Steel TrailMaster SK-5
Looks like an amazing chopper with that 8mm blade.

ESEE Junglas
I know this knife is great, but a little expensive compared to the others.
So how does this compare performancewise to the others?

Ontario RTAKII
Looks very similar to the Junglas, how is the heat treat?
I know Nutnfancy loves this blade.

Becker Bk9
Ive heard alot of great stuff on this one, but it kinda looks.. hm. boring?

Ontario RD9
Looks to be a RTAKII with 5160 steel? How do they compare?




Id like to keep a pricetag <150$

I would easily get a 200$ blade if I lived in the US. But here in Norway we have to add tax which is 25% and the shipping.
So a 150 dollar blade will be :

Blade: 150$
Tax: 37.5$
Tax handling: 20$ approx.
Shipping: 20$ approx.

So thats 227.5$ for a 150$ blade... sucks huh?


thanks
 
Hey Turbo-Henrik, from the list you made I've got a couple and the best chopper to me is the BK-9, but if I may add a suggestion check the Browning Crowell/Barker....amazing knife and a bit below your pricetag. Cheers!!!!
 
I only have the Junglas, not the others. But, there are some pros and cons to all.
Junglas, higher price, but just a great knife, handle is awesome and so it the sheath.
The Ontario stuff will have block like handles, less ergonomic overall, and cheap if not sloppy sheaths.
I have an Ontario Afghan in their 5160. It can take a beating, it's tougher than 1095 in some ways. Won't take or hold the edge that 1095 will.
Some 80 grit sandpaper will allow you to modify those Ontario handles to make them more comfortable. They will never be as ergonomic as the Junglas tho..

If you're going to be using this for lots of work, you'll want the comfort of the Junglas.
There are other choices out there as well that may suit your cold weather extremes, this site has plenty of custom makers that can forge you some 5160 into a workhorse.
 
foxx said:
I only have the Junglas, not the others. But, there are some pros and cons to all.
Junglas, higher price, but just a great knife, handle is awesome and so it the sheath.
The Ontario stuff will have block like handles, less ergonomic overall, and cheap if not sloppy sheaths.
I have an Ontario Afghan in their 5160. It can take a beating, it's tougher than 1095 in some ways. Won't take or hold the edge that 1095 will.
Some 80 grit sandpaper will allow you to modify those Ontario handles to make them more comfortable. They will never be as ergonomic as the Junglas tho..

If you're going to be using this for lots of work, you'll want the comfort of the Junglas.
There are other choices out there as well that may suit your cold weather extremes, this site has plenty of custom makers that can forge you some 5160 into a workhorse.
Click to expand...

How do you think those Ontarios will be with custom Micarta handles?
I make my own Micarta and Kydex sheaths so thats not an issue.

thanks by the way
 
Norway, -30C, and you want to chop with a knife? :)

Well get something cheap, coz it may break no matter what the price. Condor Kumunga is large cheap chopper.
 
All those look like great choices to me.

Some others to consider are:
Browning 580 Comp Knife
Ontario SP10
Ontario SP5
Ontario 12" machete
SOG Tigershark
Ka-Bar Heavy Bowie
Condor Kumunga
Marbles Trailmaker
 
If you are looking at Ontario, you might want to check out the Ranger line they have. Oops, just saw you had it down.
 
turbo-henrik said:
How do you think those Ontarios will be with custom Micarta handles?
I make my own Micarta and Kydex sheaths so thats not an issue.

thanks by the way
Click to expand...

Unless you modify the shape of the tang, I'd say you can only modify them so much. The micarta can be shaped, but the curve of the tang is another issue all together.

some guys modify the Ontario 12" Cutlass machete. Change the handle to micarta, give it a better grind and you can turn a $20 USD machete into a pretty good chopper.
I've got one, I haven't got the handle changed yet, but hey, it's 1095 steel.
 
idaho said:
Norway, -30C, and you want to chop with a knife? :)

Well get something cheap, coz it may break no matter what the price. Condor Kumunga is large cheap chopper.
Click to expand...

Yeah you know us vikings dont mind the cold ;)


Thanks for the replies group, keep them comming :)
 
turbo-henrik said:
Yeah i listed that RD9. Do you have any experience with those?

How does that 5160 compare to 1095?
Click to expand...

5160 is tougher and 1095 will hold an edge slightly better.

Junglas and Becker should have a little better handle ergos for chopping.

I have a few RD-9s' made by Justin ... they chop like mad but are made as more of an all around blade and entry tool.
 
Last edited:
I had an RTAK-II that I contoured the micarta scales on and it worked great for chopping and batoning. I wouldn't use one without modding the scales though......
 
RD9 is a great chopper and tough as nails. Only complaint I have heard of, is the handle is not as long as some prefer.
 
Jax718 said:
RD9 is a great chopper and tough as nails. Only complaint I have heard of, is the handle is not as long as some prefer.
Click to expand...

Just saw some of Nutnfancys vids on that knife, seems like a great blade, but Nutn did chip that edge though.
 
RTAKII or RD9.?

I will place my order on one of these, but i can not make up my mind :S

RD9 Pros:
1/4" thickness
5160 steel

Cons:
Stock sheath sucks
Handle looks uncomfy.

RTAKII Pros:
Looks more ergonomic
Like the bladeshape more

Cons:
3/16" thickness (compared to rd9s .25")
 
Another vote for the Browning Crowell/Barker Competition knife. My favorite chopper for under $150 right now. :thumbup:
 
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