KA-BAR Jarosz Choppa (video review)

C

ChattanoogaChop

Joined
Nov 21, 2020
Messages
200
This is my first review video. I don't really focus much on specs and technical details (there are plenty of good videos out there that do a great job at that) but instead try to demonstrate the knife being used in a variety of orthodox and unorthodox ways.
 
I ordered one of these and I modified it in the same way, tennis wrap and 90' the spine. I was super hyped, and I took it camping with the gf...it chops like no other knife I've ever had, almost as well as a hatchet, but I hate that handle so goddamn much. The back portion of the handle where the lanyard hole is, it's just exposed metal. It made my hand so sore when I did the loose chopping motion that maximizes the swing. I had paracord doubled up in that area, and tried to fill it...but it just sucks in that one spot. I also found the edge retention fantastic, like you, but I'm not a huge fan of the choil.

Different strokes for different folks, my gf loved the blade and it's now hers. All the better for it in my opinion. If the handle was redesigned I would say it was perhaps the best chopper on the market. I got it as a one knife option, or a knife I would take into a survival situation. I prefer my Condor Hudsons Bay for that, personally. Did that area of the handle give you any troubles?
 
IaccidentlyCutmyThumb said:
I ordered one of these and I modified it in the same way, tennis wrap and 90' the spine. I was super hyped, and I took it camping with the gf...it chops like no other knife I've ever had, almost as well as a hatchet, but I hate that handle so goddamn much. The back portion of the handle where the lanyard hole is, it's just exposed metal. It made my hand so sore when I did the loose chopping motion that maximizes the swing. I had paracord doubled up in that area, and tried to fill it...but it just sucks in that one spot. I also found the edge retention fantastic, like you, but I'm not a huge fan of the choil.

Different strokes for different folks, my gf loved the blade and it's now hers. All the better for it in my opinion. If the handle was redesigned I would say it was perhaps the best chopper on the market. I got it as a one knife option, or a knife I would take into a survival situation. I prefer my Condor Hudsons Bay for that, personally. Did that area of the handle give you any troubles?
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Not especially, but that might be because I didn't do as much intensive/protracted chopping as you did. I've been through a few 2x4s with it and don't recall really any hot spots. I do know that people that have bigger hands don't like the handle, though, bc it seems to be the only negative thing I've heard anyone say about this knife. I thought the scales were kind of slippery, but the handle suited my hand (I have average sized hands) and the smaller handle might be why your gf took to it so well. I really like it myself.
 
ChattanoogaChop said:
Not especially, but that might be because I didn't do as much intensive/protracted chopping as you did. I've been through a few 2x4s with it and don't recall really any hot spots. I do know that people that have bigger hands don't like the handle, though, bc it seems to be the only negative thing I've heard anyone say about this knife. I thought the scales were kind of slippery, but the handle suited my hand (I have average sized hands) and the smaller handle might be why your gf took to it so well. I really like it myself.
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Hey man if you like it rock on! I think a 3/16ths slab of 1095CV with a sabre grind is always attractive. I think it is really handsome too. It sort of feels like a short sabre or gladius or something. Really nice tool. If it had Becker handles I think it'd put the BK9 outta commission. Sacrilegious, I know.
 
IaccidentlyCutmyThumb said:
Hey man if you like it rock on! I think a 3/16ths slab of 1095CV with a sabre grind is always attractive. I think it is really handsome too. It sort of feels like a short sabre or gladius or something. Really nice tool. If it had Becker handles I think it'd put the BK9 outta commission. Sacrilegious, I know.
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Ha, when I tested the BK2 I thought the handle was a little big, and had a hot spot when I thrusted into anything with any resilience, but I love that knife. Id like to have the big boy too
 
ChattanoogaChop said:
Hey, thanks! If you liked the format, I have a few reviews of other cutting implements on my channel
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Yes, cool videos! As for me, the best moments - bottles with water. Looks impressive! What if to make exact list of things (for example vegetables, bottles, bushes, rope or what ever) you cut in videos. So it will be more clearly what certain knife\machete can do? Just my thoughts ... But any way thank you for your videos. They are helpfull!
 
Easy_rider said:
Yes, cool videos! As for me, the best moments - bottles with water. Looks impressive! What if to make exact list of things (for example vegetables, bottles, bushes, rope or what ever) you cut in videos. So it will be more clearly what certain knife\machete can do? Just my thoughts ... But any way thank you for your videos. They are helpfull!
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It's not as scientific as it could be; but I try to use some common things (notebook paper, garden hose, 2x4s, cardboard, drinking straws, erc.) so that there is some familiarity to the viewer in terms of what's being chopped. Sometimes I'll chop stuff meant for the dump that's less about the pragmatic estimation of the blades' performance and more about just destroying stuff to enjoy destroying stuff. Really just trying to have fun with it.
 
I’ve been considering getting the Choppa and the Turok for a while but the scales turn me off..I would love to see TKC make some custom scales for these knives like they have with the Ka Bar/Becker line..it seems G-10 or micarta would be a major improvement
 
The slippery handle scales are the only negative thing about that knife. It seems to be a common complaint, and I'm surprised there have been no alternatives offered for that model. (I put tennis racket wrap on mine to help me hang on to it.)
 
The self sticking wrap they use horses legs, which also comes in many colors works great also.
Several of us used to use it as a pre filter on Nitro buggies in r/c racing. Many A main races are 30 to 45 minutes long, and about half way thru you’d rip it off to free up air to the motor.

it comes in rolls several feet long so it’s good for many wraps and is pretty dang durable.
 
I’ve been considering getting the Turok for a while now,I love the design of it but those plastic scales are a turnoff and I wasn’t able to find any aftermarket micarta or G-10 scales to replace them with
 
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