Which Chopper to Buy ?

chavez556

chavez556

Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
1,448
Hey Folk's

I'm in the market for a good old chopper ! So here are my guidelines

1. Has to be under $100 (there are just to many options for less than a bill )

2. Carbon blade preferably 5160 or 1095 .

3. At least 8" ( flat or hollow grind) I'm going to convex anyways .

A couple I'm eying are the Ontario Sp50 Gen 2 or the Becker BK9 . I'm not worried about the sheath because no matter what I'm going to send it off to get some kydex.
 
You can't go wrong with any of these: BK9, Ontario SP8, SP10, SP51 (i like this model better because it is stronger/thicker than the SP50, but thats just me), 12" machete. I own all of these except the SP51. They take & hold a wicked sharp edge. Some are only $50. The BK9 chops better than you can possibly imagine, right out of the box. The Ontarios, you will prob have to sharpen the blade & fix the grind, but they are fantastic after you do that.
 
If you're not averse to hidden tangs and paying for shipping, I'd recommend the Valiant Golok Kelapa:

GolokKelapaHoneysuckle20100604_sm.jpg


Last I recall they were about $80 Australian. In the sub-$100 price range it's my favourite light-medium duty chopper.
 
Spend the 199.00 and get the new swamp rat 911 from swamp rat knife works. BCM and SR101. Coated and a chopping machine for the money. Not the greatest chopper they make even, but its damn worth the value. Well worth the extra 100 bucks and given the lifetime warranty and awesome customer srvc. But if you need to stick within a hundred bucks-can't go wrong with one of those bigger sized Beckers. A lot bang for your buck with either; whether your spending a hundy or two hundy.
 
CR33 said:
Spend the 199.00 and get the new swamp rat 911 from swamp rat knife works. BCM and SR101. Coated and a chopping machine for the money. Not the greatest chopper they make even, but its damn worth the value. Well worth the extra 100 bucks and given the lifetime warranty and awesome customer srvc. But if you need to stick within a hundred bucks-can't go wrong with one of those bigger sized Beckers. A lot bang for your buck with either; whether your spending a hundy or two hundy.
Click to expand...

I LOVE SR101 ! But I just found out my car needs a new head gasket =-( .. I seen a review where a guy compared his M9 to the Sp50/51 and he was pretty impressed with the SP50 performance for the money .
 
I'm not against those handles, Ontario would replace them if they ever broke. The slight issue is if they were to get damaged in the field, melted near the fire for example. A micarta handle is not only more sturdy, but you can re-sand them, re-shape them, and the full tang allows for a better paracord wrap if need be.
Like said, the Ontario's need some work, especially the machetes. The handles on those are bulky, and the edges aren't sharp. After a few mods, they are great chopper. My 12" Cutlass can out perform my Junglas as far as chopping. Those machetes cost about $25. Justin Gingrich quoted me about the same price for making custom micarta scales, or you can do it yourself for less. I put some wood scales on mine for no cost at all, used a sabre saw to rough it out, hand drill, files and sandpaper. I even put the same rivets back in, just epoxied the whole thing.
Anyway, lots of choices out there!
 
I just gave my oldest son a Condor Golok and I SERIOUSLY want one for myself-50.00 for the knife and strong leather sheath. For a more conventional style knife for 100.00(or very close to it) I would contact Breeden- I did.

Bill
 
For only a little more than your limit, you might consider the Browning Barker Crowell. Really a helluva knife.

The Condor Golok is a great value.
 
Don't forget the Ontario Ranger series in 1/4" 5160, bombproof knives in that price range.
 
OKC GEN II SP-53 in 5160, I gave it a thinner convez zero edge. Hard to beat for the money,it takes a pounding, I treat it like a Busse and holds up well. If the sheath fits loose you can remove the kydex liner ,heat it up with a hair dryer and squish it down untill you like the retention and slip it back in. With your left over money you can buy a Mora Force as a companion and still be under $100.
 
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BK9

See it chop!
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Marvel as it snap cuts!
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Cringe as it goes all tactical on your backside!
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Salivate as it prepares snacks!
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Rest your buns on the ad hoc outdoor furniture it prepares!
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Hear the angels sing as it pops its Excalibur pose!
20101231_ac_06.jpg


Heck yeah you want one. :D

---

Beckerhead #42
 
MY TWO CENTS: I know you said under $100. BUT, I would give due consideration to throwing in an extra $30 and picking up the ESEE Junglas w/o the sheath, which is the going price at knifecenter dot com. That's a serious chopper/survival knife that is basically indestructible, and has an iron-clad warranty. I don't own one but everything I've heard about them is pretty solid.

By the way, how do you convex a hollow grind? :confused:
 
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