Which one of these heavy choppers from Ontario would you recomend?

[N7111]

Hi, I'm a little torn between Ontario's Kukri, the SP8, and the SP53. Is one of these just simply better, or do all three have pros and cons? Or does it just come down to looks between three? I am right now leaning towards getting the SP8 and the kukri, since they're both just $50 each and the SP53 is $80, so for $20 dollars more, I can have 2 choppers instead of one. Any thoughts are welcomed, thank you.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I really dislike the SP-8 to be perfectly honest. I'd go with the kukri or the 53.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Maybe consider the SP10 as well. It has a number of very positive reviews and is quite a bit less expensive than the SP53.

 

[Quillan]

Get the Ontario SP50 Gen II...outstanding blade. 9+ inches, FFG, 1/4" spine, 5160 carbon steel. A chopping and batoning machine...great knife. Its all you need for wood processing. I prefer it over the BK9 and that's high praise...

 

[glocker199]

SP-5! 10" long 1/4" thick beast of a knife. Mine chops like a hatchet. It's been out of production for several years but you can get one on amazon for around $50.

 

[jac_solar]

SP-5! 10" long 1/4" thick beast of a knife. Mine chops like a hatchet. It's been out of production for several years but you can get one on amazon for around $50.

I believe they've re-introduced this model, since Knifecenter recently got them in stock:

The Ontario Spec Plus SP5 Survival Bowie features comfortable handles manufactured with a Kraton polymer, a 1095 epoxy powder coated-carbon steel blade, full tang construction, wide razor sharp edges, and a Kydex-lined Cordura sheath. New for 2014, this knife now features a sharpened back swedge for improved tactical performance. Proudly made in the USA.

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/ONS...ith-sharpened-swedge-de-santis-cordura-sheath

Several of the knives in the SP series have a 1/4 thick blade, similar length, steel, etc. Blade geometry is probably the most significant difference between those SP blades.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...ival-10-inch-blade-cordura-and-leather-sheath

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON6420/ontario-kukri-machete-blade-cordura-sheath

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...-marine-raider-fixed-9-34-blade-kraton-handle

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...ife-8815-inch-Flat-Ground-Blade-Kraton-Handle

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...fe-9436-inch-Saber-Ground-Blade-Kraton-Handle

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/ONS...ith-sharpened-swedge-de-santis-cordura-sheath

This "only" has a 0.18" thick blade, but it's probably my favorite design out of these, or at least one of my favorites:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...c-Plus-8-inch-Carbon-Steel-Blade-Blade-Sheath

Here are some other choppers;

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CN...n-Steel-Blade-Hardwood-Handles-Leather-Sheath

This one has a 5/16 thick blade:

Some other types;

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-Blade-Kraton-G-Handle-Leather-Cordura-Sheath

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-Blade-Black-Kraton-G-Handle-Polyester-Sheath

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...Blade-Kraton-G-Handles-Leather-Cordura-Sheath

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-Blade-Kraton-G-Handle-Leather-Cordura-Sheath

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-Combat-Bowie-Knife-9-inch-Carbon-Steel-Blade

I haven't heard anything about this, but I like the design:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BO...18-inch-Blade-Leather-Handle-w-Leather-Sheath

 

[N7111]

Lots of big bowies, I like. I like the SP line because they're a little less heavy on the cash, and they're US made, which is a biggie for me. I kinda want a large blade for heavier wood work then my smaller Kabar or Entrek, and for clearing areas, prying (one of the things I like about the sp8 is that the tip is designed for prying), limbing trees and hacking away weeds, etc. I haven't really looked into the bk9, would it be able to do all that? It is lighter then the others, which makes it easier to carry. And I know that Beckers are tough bastards, which is always nice. Thanks for the answers so far.

 

[Quillan]

BK9 is a very very good wood processing knife.