O/T The quest for great chopping knives continues

not2sharp

not2sharp

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Jun 29, 1999
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310205BMFandBolo.jpg


Many of you know that I have grown very fond of my little Spanish bolo knife. A small knife about 10 inches in OAL, with a 5-1/2" blade that has a continous bevel all the way to the spine, and a very sexy recurved edge. Compared to my old BMF the knives are closer then one would suspect. Both, have 1/4 inch thick blades, sawbacks, and sharpened back edge at the point. Although, the blade shapes are very different, the sweat spot on either knife is located about four inches in front of the handle. So both knives chop at the same point.

I then looked at how they cut and noticed that while the blades differ by two inches in their length (5-1/2 to 7-1/2 inches), the edge length differs by only an inch when you measure along the curve rather then a straight line. Both are good knives , and the bolo is clearly an efficient design, capable of building alot of performance into a shorter package.

This was a lingering thought when I decided to find a replacement for my Campers Axe. The Estwing Campers Axe (the 26" long model) works well, and can chop wood far better then any camp knives including most khukuries. No surprise since that is what the tool is made for. But, it is still a heavy (4lb) single purpose tool, that lacks the versatility of the khukuri. So off I went to find a heavy knife designed to actually match the performance of the 3/4 size axe. Replacing a hatchet is easy, but a 3/4 sized axe is something else. A crazy task, but a fun one at any rate.

Well this is what Bill Siegle and I have come up with. The knife (ok sword?), is 26 inches long, just like the axe; and, it is a massive piece ground from a 3/8" thick bar of 5160. Also, like the axe, it is made for two handed chopping and has a fully convexed edge. But, the real heritage of this knife is clear from the photo below. The Behemoth is a vastly scaled up version of my old favorite.

310147BillSiegleBehemothsm.jpg


I don't know when I'll have the chance to test drive it, but it certainly feels right. Perhaps we can make a knife to chop as well as an axe. I hope to have a chance to find out since I also ordered a second designed based on the AK Bowie. If all goes well it should end up looking something like the photo below. The length is about the same (26 inches OAL), and the balance points are similar, and it is also intended for two handed use. This one is not in yet, but stay tuned. I'll post some more pictures when it pops up.

310149HIAKshortswordsingle.jpg


n2s
 
Wow, you and Bill did a great job. Behemoth is right. Just don't miss what you aim at!:D

Steve
 
I am glad you guys found it interesting. I forgot to mention that the hole visible in the handle guard is there to accomodate a 1/2 inch wrist strap. There is nothing like a little cheating when you are looking at something this massive.

I hope you guys are having a happy.

n2s
 
Very cool concept, n2s.

I still get the shivers anything I think of having a lanyard attached to a massive swinging blade...
 
See this thread for a good laugh.
Click to expand...

Ahhhhh.... Do to minor technical difficulties a full feature test of the prototype may have to be temporarily delayed.

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
Ahhhhh.... Do to minor technical difficulties a full feature test of the prototype may have to be temporarily delayed.

n2s
Click to expand...


They almost got close. :rolleyes:

Send a drawing next time with specs and maybe they will get it rite.
 
Send a drawing next time with specs and maybe they will get it rite.
Click to expand...

I Actually sent a (manipulated) photo in the first time.

Communications are always tricky when they are one directional.

n2s
 
Hey n2s,

Why didn't u try a large khuk, say, a 20+" AK, 22" GRS, or 30" Siru? Don't they function like an axe? Or get Uncle to come up with something big?

Wouldn't that be cheaper both and higher quality? Would they be as good at chopping?

Edited to add: Oh yeah, is it just me, or does the mini bolo look at least a bit much like a Pen Knife? :D:D:D
 
Why didn't u try a large khuk, say, a 20+" AK, 22" GRS, or 30" Siru?
Click to expand...

I did. The Siru is too light for the kind of cutting we are talking about here. Keep in mind this is more of an axe then a knife. The AK and the GRS are great, but I wanted to try something with a chiruwa handle and wider sweat spot (flatter curve).

n2s
 
is it just me, or does the mini bolo look at least a bit much like a Pen Knife?
Click to expand...

It does look like a Pen knife, but it is 10" OAl and the Pen is 12"OAL. This bolo sharpens up like a razor. Excellent steel whatever it is.

n2s
 
The Behemoth weighs 78 Oz. It is the heavy wood chopping version of the swords shown on this attachment. The blade is twice as wide as the sowrd blade and 1/8 of an inch thicker. The sword version weighs around 37 Oz. and can be used as a machete/sidearm.

BTW, the Spanish bolo weighs a mere 9 Oz.

n2s
 
I was supposed to do the model for the long AK bowie. I have never finished it. That is great that you got somebody else to do it Enrique. I appologize for dropping the ball on you. You were certainly patient enough with me. I humbly ask for forgiveness.
 
Bobwhite,

There is no appology necessary. No matter what we do I would not want to take control of the creative process away from the Kami making the knife. These guys can do some fantastic work. We should just give them the key parameters and allow them to work though the details.

n2s
 
N2S, that little bolo is intriguing. May I ask where you got it, and whether there are any more like it at home?

Thanks,
Joe
 
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