Some time out with the Choppers

Hard Knocks

Hard Knocks

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Oct 1, 2012
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Spent some time out last weekend putting a few blades through the paces just for the experience. The GSO-10 gets a little surly if you don't feed it, so it was time.



Decided to give the choppers a little work. L to R SRKW M9, S!K GSO-10, and a custom from G L Drew.



I figured they needed a decent sized object of affection, this one should work

 
I figured I had best start with the lightest blade, the GL Drew knife. This knife is quick in the hand, a pleasure to use really, and would shine as an around-the-camp knife. Maybe a little light to tackle this whole task, but it bit pretty well and threw some good chunks.



Moved up to the Swamp Rat M9. I've got some experience with this blade, so it is a known factor and definitely helped me to judge the other two. After the Drew knife opened things up, the M9 began taking some heavy chunks. It wasn't long before I realized I was going to be dealing with a punky core to the log, still pretty solid at this point, but softening up.



Onto the GSO-10. Holy smokes, this was my first outing with the 10, and I can tell you this thing bites deep!



It wasn't long before I was down to the lower portion of the cut, where the extra length of the 10 worked nicely. If I had not had the 10, I would have had to clear room on the off side to work with, or would have barked my hand.

 
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Even with the rotten core, the outer hard wood made for a pretty good workout. I had expected to put about an hour into it, but was at about half that even with the picture-taking.



Victory! :)

 
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The main things I noticed in use from this day:

I rarely use gloves, and was glad to not develop any hot spots. I work with a leveling hammer every day, so that helps, but was a little worried. Needlessly, it turns out, a testament to all the makers.

The GSO-10 is a beast. There's just no two ways around it. It has great geometry and bites very deep. And although I haven't checked actual weights, feels no heavier than my M9 in use. The one critique I have on the 10 is that when I was really getting into it and using all the force I could muster, the protrusion toward the butt of the handle was uncomfortable against my small finger. If I had used a lanyard to lock my hand in, I could have possibly mitigated that occurrence. Still, I'm very impressed with it's performance, a real winner, and will definitely try to snag one of the new model 10s to try out as well.

If my main focus was batoning, I would grab the SRKW M9. The geometry of the M9 is just superior in the splitting department, whereas the GSO 10 is superior on the chopping side of things. Although slim, the M9 handle just works wonderfully for me. But that is highly subjective and will not be the same for everyone. This was the M9 CG which is saber-ground and did not bite as deep as the 10.

G L Drew's blade, what a sweet user. It was outmatched here, however, that did not remove the smile from my face while I was using it. It is very well balanced and carries much 'smaller' than its actual size. It will be a pleasure to pack, or to do chores around camp. Also, the G L Drew and the GSO-10 were much better at snap-cutting the few light limbs and twigs that I removed before starting into the log. I'm sure this is a tribute to their geometry, and the M9 came in last in this department with its thicker grind. One critique on the Drew, it could use a longer guarded area between the index finger and the blade, and the handle may have a bit too much taper, forcing the hand forward, but now I'm just getting picky :)

There are probably better tests for a chopper, but for just some fun experience this worked out pretty well. I was pleased with how everything performed, and can say for sure that a GSO-12 would not have been overkill on this one!

Cheers!
 
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A very nice collection of hardware there Mate! I just hope that I won't become too obsessed with this fetish of ours ;)

Call me nutty if you will, but in my humble opinion everyone should always carry a 3" skeletonized blade (as a neck knife or one that its handles can be disassembled easily) when in the woods, because it lends itself to a variety of (afterthought) tasks such as becoming the tip of a spear ;)

Not saying that you don't have or carry one as I think that you are displaying a GSO 3.5 there, but I always tend to :o
 
My elbow hurts just looking at that last picture! :eek:

You get the feral beaver award, for sure. Good work on that log and thanks for sharing.
 
Casinostocks said:
A very nice collection of hardware there Mate! I just hope that I won't become too obsessed with this fetish of ours ;)

Call me nutty if you will, but in my humble opinion everyone should always carry a 3" skeletonized blade (as a neck knife or one that its handles can be disassembled easily) when in the woods, because it lends itself to a variety of (afterthought) tasks such as becoming the tip of a spear ;)

Not saying that you don't have or carry one as I think that you are displaying a GSO 3.5 there, but I always tend to :o
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Yes, I do prefer having the option of the smaller blades for a lot of tasks. I am seldom without a swamp warden or the GSO 3.5, and am very much looking forward to the release of the 2.7 :thumbup:

TRfromMT said:
My elbow hurts just looking at that last picture! :eek:

You get the feral beaver award, for sure. Good work on that log and thanks for sharing.
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The feral beaver award, that would be a great gag award if there is ever a Survive! get-together :D

Standard78 said:
Holy crap HK! You put the hurt on that poor tree!
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You trained it well B! :)
 
Only some very light use, snap-cutting and a little splitting as I was getting pressed for time. I wanted to check it alongside the ratweiler. I need to do some more with both. I really like it though, bud. I think that one is going to be a keeper for me as it was extremely comfortable, again that is going to be very subjective with the large handle, but I liked it.
 
Casinostocks said:
A very nice collection of hardware there Mate! I just hope that I won't become too obsessed with this fetish of ours ;)

Call me nutty if you will, but in my humble opinion everyone should always carry a 3" skeletonized blade (as a neck knife or one that its handles can be disassembled easily) when in the woods, because it lends itself to a variety of (afterthought) tasks such as becoming the tip of a spear ;)

Not saying that you don't have or carry one as I think that you are displaying a GSO 3.5 there, but I always tend to :o
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In a survival situation I simply hate the idea of taking my knife, one of my most important tools and lashing it to a stick and turning it into a spearhead. I completely fall on the side of using the knife to make a fire hardened spear point on a improvised pole.

Maybe it's just me. I just can't do it. I can't! Maybe I'm too old-school. After all, I can't even bring myself to use most of my knives. Safe Queens will be the death of me. :(
 
I'm sorry.............. but I'm not sorry. With a thread title like this I had to :D



Impressive work, HK! Great write up! By looking at the renderings would you guess the new spec 10 handle would be more comfortable on one's pinky finger? Here's another one: when you choke up to the choil does the knife feel pretty neutrally balanced? Maybe a better question: where is the balance point?

I didn't realize you had a FF camp knife, nice! This is one model that really intrigues me and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it sometime.
 
rcb2000 said:
Great pics, thanks for the reviews!
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khukoo head said:
Looks fun! I'm liking the GSO 10.
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donscpoo said:
Awesome review HK!
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Thanks guys. It was definitely fun giving them a workout.

Silver Needle said:
By looking at the renderings would you guess the new spec 10 handle would be more comfortable on one's pinky finger? Here's another one: when you choke up to the choil does the knife feel pretty neutrally balanced? Maybe a better question: where is the balance point?

I didn't realize you had a FF camp knife, nice! This is one model that really intrigues me and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it sometime.
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Thanks bud. Gotta love Ar-nold (said in my best Austrian accent :) ) in Predator!

The 10 balances about an inch and half forward of the scales. It has a really good choil, and like Standard showed with his try stick, it balances well for performing more intricate tasks. The wide blade with the relatively acute grind is great at snap-cutting small vegetation, too.

As far as the grip question, yes I believe the new model will be more comfortable, and possibly add the ability to get more power into the swing. The first thing I did when I got home was review the rendering on the site, and I will be very excited to try to land a new model 10. I don't want to seem like I'm coming down on the current model, more like I'm EXCITED for the new model :thumbup:

I have had very little time with the Fiddleback that I got from Tinbanger. I'm going to change that soon. I can say a couple of things, though. One, I like that big handle. I thought it might be oversize, but it lends itself well both to choking up, and then sliding back to get power into a cut. Also, the guard for the index finger is very well done and comfortable. It's a good size for a multitude of tasks and I believe will be a great woods-bumming knife. I would love to see it in a review alongside a gso 6 or 8.
 
Knowing how big that M9 is.... The GSO 10 is a BEAST!! I want one more every day..
Thanks for the comparison.
 
Thanks, HK, for the helpful reply!

azwelke, your comment reminded me about a recurring thought I have................... if the 10 does this well at chopping, what will the 12 be like?!!
 
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