Which 9" to 10" Big Chopper from Ontario, Scrap Yard, TOPS, ESEE, or EnTrek, ?

Scrap Yard. Tough as nails, easy to sharpen, big brute of a blade. It'll take everything you got and laugh at you.
 
I did consider the BK-9 at first but after trying the handle out I found the grip too short. My hands are wide unfortunately, so shorter handles don't really work for me. They're like bear claws with shortish fingers. Kabar uses the same handles for all the Beckers it seems so they're kind of out. I worried that the handle on the 911 was too short but a couple vids of guys with larger hands using them put me at ease. I like a longer handle on my blades. I'm unsure how the Ontario will play out because the handle length is close to the same as the BK-9, the top and bottom of the handle doesn't look as bulbus though. From what the Mod said on the Ontario forum it will be out early august so I have some time to consider which to get.

I did look at the Swamp Rat Rodent 9, it uses the same steel so it's now another I'm considering. I personally like a thicker stock blade so I ruled machetes out. I'm trying to keep this purchase U.S. made also, I didn't make that distinction but I probably should have. That takes the Kershaw Camp blades out of the running.

Any other recommendations or insight will be greatly appreciated and thanks for the help guys!
 
From your list the 911 is awesome. Since you mentioned you want a bigger handle, I'm pretty sure the R9 has a longer handle than most. I prefer INFI steel over all the others you listed. I'm a fan of Resiprene handles too so I'll suggest looking for a Busse Basic 10. It's an amazing blade. That or the Busse Basic 11. Neither will be easy to find but they are out there.
 
mastiffhound said:
I did consider the BK-9 at first but after trying the handle out I found the grip too short. My hands are wide unfortunately, so shorter handles don't really work for me. They're like bear claws with shortish fingers. Kabar uses the same handles for all the Beckers it seems so they're kind of out. I worried that the handle on the 911 was too short but a couple vids of guys with larger hands using them put me at ease. I like a longer handle on my blades. I'm unsure how the Ontario will play out because the handle length is close to the same as the BK-9, the top and bottom of the handle doesn't look as bulbus though. From what the Mod said on the Ontario forum it will be out early august so I have some time to consider which to get.

I did look at the Swamp Rat Rodent 9, it uses the same steel so it's now another I'm considering. I personally like a thicker stock blade so I ruled machetes out. I'm trying to keep this purchase U.S. made also, I didn't make that distinction but I probably should have. That takes the Kershaw Camp blades out of the running.

Any other recommendations or insight will be greatly appreciated and thanks for the help guys!
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If you can find a Scrapyard or swamp rat, I think you can't go wrong. But the ESEE Junglas fixes everything you don't like about the RTAK including the sheath. The handle is big enough but not stupid like the RTAK. I have both the RTAK and the Junglas and I can tell you that the difference is night and day. In fact I have wondered if I could install Junglas Handles on the RTAK. Also the junglas is a high sabre grind while the RTAK is a full flat grind so the Junglas is actually a stouter blade with a better heat treat. Really, the only similarity is the profile.
 
Interesting problem, I would've thought that the RTAK II would fit your hand really well, if you've got wide hands. And you don't want the BK9 either. I would've suggested the Ontario RD9, but that has a small handle so I don't think you'd like that either. Out of the ones you listed, I'd think the TOPS Armageddon or Scrap Yard would be best for you. Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman is still not available. Esee Junglas is a better version of the RTAK II. Entrek Bison is 440C stainless, so I don't know if I'd push that knife too hard. It can't possibly be as tough as the others on this list. TOPS Armageddon is tough enough to survive a nuclear war. The only question is whether you'd like what is basically a sharpened pry bar. I like TOPS, I have the Armageddon, the 11 inch Steel Eagle, and the Condor Alert (recently discontinued). They're all very heavy knives for manly men - you have to eat meat and build muscles to use 'em. Their handles feel great to me, I guess that's why they cost 2-3X Ontario knives. I haven't bought any of the Busses or Scrap Yard knives yet. I've heard the Ontario SP51 is a good chopper too. It has a saber grind and is heavy, as opposed to the lighter flat ground SP50 version which I have. SP51 is still available for purchase but has been discontinued recently.
 
Ontario would be my choice. Superb 5160 steel. The Jungles is infact an RTAK II with better fit and finish and a kydex sheath so I see no point in that option for you.
 
codycash said:
Ontario would be my choice. Superb 5160 steel. The Jungles is infact an RTAK II with better fit and finish and a kydex sheath so I see no point in that option for you.
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and better heat treat, there is really no reason to keep the RTAK. Get rid of that and get the ESEE
 
GrReaper said:
Interesting problem, I would've thought that the RTAK II would fit your hand really well, if you've got wide hands.
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It's the shortish fingers that are the problem. They just don't wrap around far enough. Top to bottom of the handle is ok.
 
I have been from one end to the other with "choppers".

The SYKCO 1311 is the one to beat. I would sell my soul before I sold that knife. You have to use it to believe it.
 
If anybody has these choppers and could give me a thickness measurement side to side and spine to front at the widest points on the handles I'd appreciate it greatly. As someone said, they are all pretty good knives. I think at this point it's going to be a numbers game. As always thank you for all the help in advance!
 
Southern Gent said:
I accidentally came across this post, but I love choppers, so thought I would throw in my $.02. I personally love ESEE and the company, so that is my pick of this field. One I have not seen is the Fiddleback Forge Camp Knife. Best ergos out there and a custom in A2 is speracular and you can get a mid tech in 3V. It is a chopping beast.


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BEautiful knife and in A2 it should be incredible. What blade length is that one.
 
Not on your list but how about a Crowell Barker Competition Knife by Browning. It is specifically made for chopping competitions.
 
jbass said:
Not on your list but how about a Crowell Barker Competition Knife by Browning. It is specifically made for chopping competitions.
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I just heard of the Browning for the first time recently. It looks like a surprisingly nice blade for the money. The distal taper on the tang is very uncommon for a production blade.

I picked up an Elk Ridge ER-271 a couple of weeks ago, which appears to have borrowed heavily from the Competition design, though I doubt anyone would confuse the two. I don't have much experience with knives in this size, as my needs have been well met with a 4-5" fixed blade or my 14" Tramontina machete. Figured that for <$25 the Elk Ridge would give me something to mess with and help my decide if I want/need something higher end like a Junglas, BK-9, or even the Browning.

Only real issue out of the box was the excessively blocky handle, but a few minutes with a belt sander made world of difference:

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my favorite big chopper, is this one by Tim Olt. 11 inches of A2 steel, cryo treated, and .28 thick. Will chop through anything. Well balanced, keeps a wicked edge, and does it all. I don't see any reason to buy a commercial knife.
 
I've narrowed it down to the TOPS Armageddon, Scrap Yard 911, ESEE Junglas. All three are carbon steel and I've watched enough videos to know that all three can take some severe abuse. Why did I rule the others out? Well, I'll answer that:

Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman- I thought about it having no protective coating and I'd drive myself nuts worrying about it rusting even though I'm OCD about cleaning and oiling my tools. I also had the mod confirm that the RC will only be 53, I just don't think it will hold an edge anywhere close to the others.

Entrek Bison- While I like the idea of stainless, most have said it might not hold up to the same abuse as the carbon steel offerings. I might get it at a later date but only to supplement the other large fixed blade I get. I wanted something that I could count on no matter what, and the consensus is stainless just won't hold up to abuse like the carbon steel blades will.

So I have some questions about the handles on the three front runners.

1. How has the Res C handle on the Scrap Yard knives held up for those that have had them for at least 2 years? Any problems with chemicals or degradation from exposure to the elements or sunlight? If I somehow destroy the handle does it have a tang large enough to mount micarta or wood scales?

2. Are the white spacer/accents removable on the Armageddon? That would be a nice way to adjust the grip size without having to start sanding them down.

3. Is the handle of the Junglas that significantly thinner than on the RTAK II? Some actual dimensions would be great if someone has or can get them.

As always, thank you guys for all the help!
 
mastiffhound said:
I've narrowed it down to the TOPS Armageddon, Scrap Yard 911, ESEE Junglas. All three are carbon steel and I've watched enough videos to know that all three can take some severe abuse. Why did I rule the others out? Well, I'll answer that:

Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman- I thought about it having no protective coating and I'd drive myself nuts worrying about it rusting even though I'm OCD about cleaning and oiling my tools. I also had the mod confirm that the RC will only be 53, I just don't think it will hold an edge anywhere close to the others.

Entrek Bison- While I like the idea of stainless, most have said it might not hold up to the same abuse as the carbon steel offerings. I might get it at a later date but only to supplement the other large fixed blade I get. I wanted something that I could count on no matter what, and the consensus is stainless just won't hold up to abuse like the carbon steel blades will.

So I have some questions about the handles on the three front runners.

1. How has the Res C handle on the Scrap Yard knives held up for those that have had them for at least 2 years? Any problems with chemicals or degradation from exposure to the elements or sunlight? If I somehow destroy the handle does it have a tang large enough to mount micarta or wood scales?

2. Are the white spacer/accents removable on the Armageddon? That would be a nice way to adjust the grip size without having to start sanding them down.

3. Is the handle of the Junglas that significantly thinner than on the RTAK II? Some actual dimensions would be great if someone has or can get them.

As always, thank you guys for all the help!
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From the Scrapyard site:

Resiprene C
(Think of it as an all-terrain truck tire with better chemical resistance)

Resiprene C was made famous as a handle material when it was used on the Busse Combat Basics. Respirene C handles have all the advantages of rubber handles without any of the disadvantages. They are comfortable, shock absorbing, slip resistant when wet, and provide insulation from the cold. Unlike Kraton, Resiprene C is a Non-hygroscopic material which means that it will neither "take on" or "emit" fluids. This quality not only gives them unparalleled durability but makes them extremely easy to keep clean as dirt will simply not stick to them. It is impervious to salt water, petroleum based chemicals and is much more resistant to higher and colder temps than is Kraton. Resiprene C is likewise impervious to the powerful insect repellant, DEET. It is so amazingly tough and durable that Busse stands as the only company to have ever put a Lifetime Guarantee on a rubber handle. All Scrap Yard handles are fully textured to supply a slip-resistant purchase in any grip configuration. So, whether you hold the blade in a saber grip, reverse grip, upside down grip, side grip, or whatever which way you are required to hold it for your particular application, you will be assured of having a secure hold.

I can’t find it now but they used to show the naked tangs. They are rounded, not rat-tailed. Dan designed the tangs to be usable handles, even without the Res-C. Wrap the tang with paracord and/or duck tape and your hands will thank you.


I’ve had no noticeable degradation in any of my Res-C handles. I have one kraton handle that has aged to nearly useless.
 
mastiffhound said:
1. How has the Res C handle on the Scrap Yard knives held up for those that have had them for at least 2 years? Any problems with chemicals or degradation from exposure to the elements or sunlight? If I somehow destroy the handle does it have a tang large enough to mount micarta or wood scales?
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The ResC not only holds against the elements, it is guaranteed for life by Busse. If you somehow destroy the handle, send it to the Yard for a replacement or reimbursement. Alternatively, the ResC can be heated and molded to remove cuts/damaged areas.
 
I have just flat abused one of my 711's. It is my sacrificial blade that gets all the crap jobs. That handle is ridiculously good. Pretty it is not.....Tough is definitely is. You're going to have to try to destroy it to get the job done.
 
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