Opinions wanted .Spyderco Forester vs.other large choppers

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bcornelis

Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
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I have been thinking of getting a large chopper for some time,:jerkit: and have the hunt narrowed down to a Scrapyard dogfather or Fallkniven A2 or NL series.

I just noticed the new Spyderco Forester model and wonder how people think it would stack up again'st these other two brands. I own some Spyderco folders (mini-Manix, delica 4) and have an appreciation for their quality.

This might be the wrong forum as I am speaking to the "converted" but I would be interested in hearing some objective comments.
 
For the price an after market DF is your best bet. The SR-77 is pretty much indestructable. The Res-C handle is superior for chopping comfort. In the end the choice is yours since they will all perform adequately.
 
I haven't seen much discussion on the toughness of the N690C steel used in the Hossom fixed blades, so I don't know how well the stainless steel will hold up to chopping.

Hopefully others with more experience with the steel can chime in.
 
Hard to have a lot of opinion on the Forester as it was just recently released in the wilds. So hardly anyone has one yet. I have one but don't have the others you are interested in. It is a well made knife, good handles that can easily fit oversized hands, IMO.

I've cut three branches with it so far, they dropped.

Other than that, I've never understood the fascination of making firewood with a knife so I just better zip it.
 
Other than that, I've never understood the fascination of making firewood with a knife so I just better zip it.[/QUOTE]

Don't zip up. I agree that a hachet or saw is more efficient for firewood. The advantage I see of a large chopper is having a light machete type knife able to perform other tasks such as clearing brush or ? A knife is easier to field sharpen than an axe, saw or machete.

Curiosity, why did you buy a large Forester?
 
While Spyderco is easily one of my all time favorite companies, and that transcends just knives, I have to sincerely say that Busse/SYK/SRKW have better suited materials and much more experience and accomplishments in the field of large, chopping camp blades, and I would put their offerings in that area second to absolutely none.
 
bcornelis said:
Don't zip up. I agree that a hachet or saw is more efficient for firewood. The advantage I see of a large chopper is having a light machete type knife able to perform other tasks such as clearing brush or ? A knife is easier to field sharpen than an axe, saw or machete.

Curiosity, why did you buy a large Forester?
Click to expand...

Spyderco always makes knifes that cut as a primary requirement. Some fixed blade makers might focus more on a knife not breaking at the expense of a good slicer/cutter. Not that Spyderco knives ignores strength...far from it, but I know their knives will cut things.

For that and more, I became an "All Variants Collector in Spyderco's collector club. So really, I obligated myself to buy it almost two years ago. Long before Spyderco announced this baby.

It seems like a logical design. The handle will prevent hand slippage for pull or push cuts and chopping. My hands sweat...especially if I'm using tools, so mechanical retention is always a consideration.

I also was previously impressed with the manufacturer Fox and the steel they used as Fox made Spyderco's Volpe, which is an excellent knife as well.

So far, I'm certain a person could do brush clearing and wood cutting with the Forester if they find themselves without specialist tools. :)
 
J85909266 said:
While Spyderco is easily one of my all time favorite companies, and that transcends just knives, I have to sincerely say that Busse/SYK/SRKW have better suited materials and much more experience and accomplishments in the field of large, chopping camp blades, and I would put their offerings in that area second to absolutely none.
Click to expand...

Perhaps that is why they did the collaboration with Mr. Hossom?
 
Simply licensing the design of an established maker isn't the same as years of experience producing, in house heat treating, testing multiple designs and improvements over decades, etc. on these type of blades.

Granted, I haven't used the Forrester, and I have no doubt it's a stellar blade, but, in all honesty, I'd be afraid to treat it like I do a Busse offering.

Alternatively, if and when Busse makes a folder, I don't expect it to touch the sophistication and cutting ability of a Manix or Caly 3.
 
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