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@@gideonstactical On Cabela's site I saw the 12" version of this knife you plan on reviewing that one? It looks like a good camp knife but I already know it's too front heavy & feels unbalanced, that is one of the reasons I stopped using some knives in my collection.
I love this channel for comments section. And this man hits on spirtualality!!! Less aggressive negativity here!! Love ya ll and awesome to see real world stuff we can afford. I would use this kukri!!! Love it
As a former tapline guy that used to cut meat professionally and has hunted and fished for 45 years this is my opinion...A KNIFE CHOILED IS A KNIFE SPOILED the dumb choil is where I use my knife the most .....edge close to the handle
We definitely need more 7 inch and over fixed blades. We also need more 3.75 to 4 inch folders. Knife companies are shrinking things on purpose to get more money from less materials.
More options are always better, but I usually carry on the smaller side for EDC unless I’m needing a bigger blade because smaller knives are lighter and more pocketable.
Looks the part, but I'm "old school", BK 9 and a bushcraft knife, LT Wright GnS, or PKS Scorpion for long term trip, for a few days ( 3 at most ), LT Wright Sospes or PKS Mountaineer....that's my go to, but like most of your viewers....I also have a massive box with, Kabar Becker's, Tops etc.....what can I say...."knife freek"...😂 brilliant video and happy New Year to you the family and all watching....🍺🍺🍺🏴🏴🏴🥃🥃🥃
I've worked outdoors my whole life in Florida. Chopping through brush is a must in my line of work. I've probably cut through more branches, logs, brush than any random group of 100 avid backpackers/campers combined. With that said I have never needed a lanyard in my entire life nor do I care to ever have one.
Just purchased mine. Holy cow is this thing a tank. I’ve always liked kukri shapes but this one really spoke to me for some reason. Can’t wait to put it through its paces.
My problem is now I want to go to Cabela’s and Buy the whole bushcraft line. I especially like The Hatchet. It looks solid. The Machete may be more of a Zombie Apocalypse Collectible but that 12 inch Blade looks mean! Great Review as always.
if you use a countersink bit, you can make a smoother transition on those drill holes. that will not only make it more comfortable, it will make it to you have less of a chance of the hole wearing larger or flaking off bits of micarta. also, a quick search gave me the OEM, Benchmade is making them in their Oregon factory.
I have the short version and I love it, i made the sales clerk show me the sheath to make sure it wasnt a cheap nylon one or a leather. The size and shape with the kydex at that price point sold me. It's on par with my esee blades too. 🤙🏼
Love a good recurve, we don't see enough of them. I think many reviewers in the knife community don't really like them, so we hardly see the few that are available. I would probably try and put a lanyard hole in just the tang, covered by the Micarta, and definitely add a sharpening choil. BTW - on the Cabela website: "The Cabela's Bushcraft Chopper Knife is made by a private vendor to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's specifications, which have requested that we not release any of their information."
Excellent review. I have a Cabela Store in a town I go to often and I was wondering about this knife. Good timing for your the review. By the way, the chopping block is a 2x6.
A metal "tube" in your lanyard hole would keep the lanyard from fraying and breaking. Maybe use a piece of a stainless steel straw and file the edges of the piece smooth with a little round file. It would help protect the micarta scales around the hole, too. Maybe JB weld it to the tang inside so you can still take the scales off for cleaning.
personally, i've been using kukris since literally the first time i went out in the woods on my own- so a solid 12 years now- i've personally found that i actually prefer not to have lanyards- though i understand a LOT of folks do- seems like a pretty solid blade though, great review bud!
I still have a Dart and use it quite often, I love it! That looks like one heck of a good alternative and the slightly harder steel is awesome. Thanks for the info!! Hadn't heard of it and now really wonder who makes it...
No blade, regardless of size, needs a choil. Looks like they could have designed the handle a little better (they should have designed it with a "hook" on the end of the handle) I'm definitely getting a Tops DART vibe as well. Personally, I would have put the lanyard hole towards the middle of the handle. Great video. I didn't know about this blade either, and now it's on my list
Reminds me of the discontinued Buck Thug designed by Ron Hood. I still regret not picking one of those up, might have to head to my local Cabela's soon!
Love the channel Aaron. Huge fan of the parts of your videos that show your modifications to gear. What I’ve seen done before is removing the screw closest to the butt of the knife and running the lanyard through there. Haven’t had any issue on my knives I’ve done that with. Keep on keeping on my dude
Still love my Buck Talon. It's a little on the heavy side, but it always goes camping with me, and I've used and abused the heck out of it, and it remains my faithful companion to this day.
G'day Aaron, not bad for the dough and there's only the odd design where a choil is desirable IMO. Good sheath and I reckon the swivel clip could be a winner for cross draw, though I'd be whacking a dangler on it. However, as a chopper, (besides the lanyard hole), I do think its a bit short and needs more weight up front. Cheers Duke.
Sorry Aaron I was numbskull that authorized the lanyardless hilt hole,but we designed this like that because well tbh our drill press was down that week and we're just a small shop...if you had been a tad more patient we've corrected the problem and we added a skull crusher as well,but thanks for your support 😊
I have that Ontario SP8 survival machete that I had purchased a dangler style kayak sheath that cost more than the machete itself. Lol! Nice video I’ve been considering purchasing another long blade soon.
Having lived in Nepal for over a year, I have a special place in my heart for Kukri style knives. I like this one, and also the TOPS Dart, but I'd love to see a review on the SlySteel Survival Kukri. It is no question more of a chopper than this, and the Kukri I am saving up for....I think. I have a few colector Kukri knives I brought back with me, but I want one to use for camp chores or whatever.
I have purchased 6 Khukuri's from Khukuri House Themal, over the years. My favorite one has a 8 inch blade, with a half guard and is full tang. It is pretty much my go to knife for hiking and camping.
Kailash Blades out of Kathmandu.... you'll never look back. Get the real thing. 1. Hand-forged by experienced smiths in Nepal 2. 5160 spring steel 3. Differentially tempered with "cho" notch (strengthens blade and absorbs shock) 4. Tons of options for lengths, thickness, grinds, handle lengths and materials... 5. Proper handle design for safe heavy-duty chopping 6. Convexed edge for strength and sharpness 7. Lifetime warranty
Check out KHHI and KHT, both make great Khukuri for every day use. I have Khukuri from them that are going on 10 years of homesteading use. Sheathes and blades are beat up, but they keep on trucking on. A decade is longer than many other Khukuri houses have even existed. I'm currently using a raw Panawal from KHHI along with a Royal Bhojpure from KHT and a 10.5 inch Khukuri similar to what the British Gurkha carry, made by a local maker in Nepal when I was over there. Don't even have his contact anymore. As to choils on large choppers...that's the opposite to how we use them for fine tasks, we sink the point into say a stump and move the wood, which allows for fine notching and even feather sticks with minimal effort. Get a nice fine grit tapered diamond rod for touch ups and you're good to go. Funny thing is I got more Khukuri as backups over the years but haven't gotten around to using them yet 🤣
I just pulled the trigger on the LTWright knives Les Stroud Wild Harvest series field knife! Would love to see you use and review it one day as well. Also love this blade shape and knife overall, might have to give the Cabela a try eventually!
Update: The Les Stroud field knife came in today and I couldn’t be more impressed from LTWK. Definitely think you should check this out some time even if you don’t upload about it!
Earliest I’ve ever been to one of your videos. Looking forward to watching. Have you considered purchasing the svord 18th century trade knife? I’d love to see you test svord knives. They have a lot of cool blades.
Have yall tried the Brush Demon from Outdoor Edge? I’ve had mine for a year, and I really love it. It strikes the perfect balance for a do-it-all blade. It’s a great chopper with that saber grind, and it’s light enough to breeze through brush, vines, etc. Has a functional choil, so you can choke up and do finesse work too. I latched a Mora to the sheath to have a smaller companion blade, pun intended. It makes for a complete kit. Brush Demon is a great machete/large knife/heavy chopper. It really does do it all. The handle is thin for the pinch grip method, but I added a tennis overgrip for a more North American grip-it-and-rip-it technique. Can’t say enough good things about the brush demon. It’s designed off a falcata.
Ngl, that Tops Dart looks super yummy. I don't have any Tops knives, but if I decide to purchase one, that'd be the first one that I would save up for to buy.🤨🤔😉🇺🇸
I have a Khukuri with a 8 inch blade, also made from 5160 high carbon spring steel. I think I will stick with that. Oh and it was made in Katmandu Nepal :)
Another Great Review Aaron , you always tell it like it is , no matter Who it is and thats why You are 1 of the Best Blade/Gear Review channels on UA-cam right now I.M.O. ☝️ That Blade kinda reminds Me of a smaller Kershaw Camp 10 , I own 2 of them and Absolutely Love them .... 👍🖖
That is a really nice looking knife. It does not bother me that there is no lanyard hole. What I do not like is a skeletonized handle on a chopping knife. There is a video of a Becker bk2 with a broken skeletonized handle. Many years ago I bought a bk2. And when I found out the handle was skeletonized I bought Esee 5 to replace it.
After having reviewed literally about 1000 Fix blades here on the channel having a skeleton on a handle doesn’t bother me in the least. Never had one break under a handle scale. The likelihood of that is getting struck by lightning way more likely to have a tip snap or a bend in the blade.
I love choppers but I don't ever need a lanyard hole. If you watch the bushcraft videos that Joe flower has released in the videos he says that you are supposed to have a super tight grip. That leads to exhaustion therefore more chances of you releasing the knife.
Lanyards on choppers are actually dangerous when connected to the back of the handle. Atleast having a hole near the ricasso is safer. I have personally seen atleast one person have it slip and go into them. A swell at the butt instead is much preferable. That's why you rarely seen lanyards used in places where choppers are commonly used in Asia, Africa, South America.
The blade on that knife is pretty similar to the blade on the fehrman extreme judgment. It has a bit more of a drop point but super similar. And the fehrman extreme judgment is my favorite big chopper.
I dislike choils on large blades because I love the long sword-like cutting edge. My favorite use of choil design is compact tactical fixed blades between 4-6 in
How do you compare that with Spartan knives kukuri? I love kukuri knives, not only because they’re cool to look at, but I find that they are more useful in a variety of different task. For me, I’m not that thrilled with my Spartan. I think it’s the slipperiness of the grip.
I would say the grip is more clothing and the hills and valleys help a little bit. This is gonna be a much faster in the hand, finer cutting instruments than that Spartan. The spartan is much thicker and heavier and blade forward heavy.
@ have you tested or tried any of the new Ontario stuff from Blue Ridge knives? I had an original rat 7 and wanted to replace, but I don’t know if the new stuff is any good
Make sure you take hand sanitizer to your blade before sharpening so you don't clog the pores with sap on your sharpening stone. Even useing sanitizer on a stone to float the steel work's excellent! Another great review Aaron!
He should check out Full Tang Tactical’s gear and modular chest rig. Much more versatile American version of what he’s wearing in the vid, there’s almost no reviews for it on UA-cam right now.
I hate choils. I do think that while you can chop with a 7" blade, you would do much better with a 10" blade. Only the individual can decide what lenth works best for them. It's a decision between length and encumbrance.
5160 is optimal at 59HRC. At 59-60 you have to be careful to never exceed 60 because the toughness falls off a cliff. No reason to ever run it softer than 59 -- you lose both strength and toughness (and a little wear-resistance) by going softer and gain nothing in return. It is several times tougher than the 1095@57 that TOPS uses.
I'd buy this over an Essee 6 or a RAT 7 if I was starting from scratch. I'd also take this over a small Kukri as well. Aaron, I agree with you on the lanyard hole issue. They really need to extend the tang past the scales to provide a small pummel with a lanyard hole.
Totally. It’s just what they’re calling it. I will definitely call out a camp knife for a survival knife. Bushcraft knives to me. Small usually Scandi ground Knives
I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods? Perhaps that was their reasoning in naming this knife. Idk, I'm an optimist, but I see your point.
@@Woodzy-5326 "I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods?" You may also open a can with it - does that make it a can opener?
I had to regrind my DART. It finally aggravated me enough with its very very poor out of the box performance. Terrible cutter, chopper or anything besides a sharp pry bar. Bte thickness was ridiculous. So I reground it with files. Night and day difference! It should have been designed with a bit of a bird’s beak for retention as well 🤦🏼♂️ oh well
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How long do you make your lanyard?
@@gideonstactical
On Cabela's site I saw the 12" version of this knife you plan on reviewing that one? It looks like a good camp knife but I already know it's too front heavy & feels unbalanced, that is one of the reasons I stopped using some knives in my collection.
@@pettryb01 I’m not sure I’ve never actually measured
I love this channel for comments section. And this man hits on spirtualality!!!
Less aggressive negativity here!!
Love ya ll and awesome to see real world stuff we can afford.
I would use this kukri!!! Love it
Heck yeah! We need more utilitarian kukris, not just the big combat kukris
I love 5160 steel also 1095 leaf spring for knife blades
I like the 7 inch size with no choil. Also a big lover of recurves.
It is a great size, i’m glad that the balance point was good so no need for a choil.
As a former tapline guy that used to cut meat professionally and has hunted and fished for 45 years this is my opinion...A KNIFE CHOILED IS A KNIFE SPOILED
the dumb choil is where I use my knife the most .....edge close to the handle
Agreed, why bring your hand closer to the blade when you can bring the blade closer to your hand?
We definitely need more 7 inch and over fixed blades. We also need more 3.75 to 4 inch folders. Knife companies are shrinking things on purpose to get more money from less materials.
Yes, we definitely need some more big Blades in the world
I wont carry a folder with less than 3.5 in....prefer 3 3/4in to 4 1/4in
I noticed that too.
It's because laws are changing for the worse too
More options are always better, but I usually carry on the smaller side for EDC unless I’m needing a bigger blade because smaller knives are lighter and more pocketable.
Looks the part, but I'm "old school", BK 9 and a bushcraft knife, LT Wright GnS, or PKS Scorpion for long term trip, for a few days ( 3 at most ), LT Wright Sospes or PKS Mountaineer....that's my go to, but like most of your viewers....I also have a massive box with, Kabar Becker's, Tops etc.....what can I say...."knife freek"...😂 brilliant video and happy New Year to you the family and all watching....🍺🍺🍺🏴🏴🏴🥃🥃🥃
I've worked outdoors my whole life in Florida. Chopping through brush is a must in my line of work. I've probably cut through more branches, logs, brush than any random group of 100 avid backpackers/campers combined. With that said I have never needed a lanyard in my entire life nor do I care to ever have one.
Fair enough! It's all about what works for you and your needs!
Just purchased mine. Holy cow is this thing a tank.
I’ve always liked kukri shapes but this one really spoke to me for some reason. Can’t wait to put it through its paces.
Very cool! Hope it serves you well. I’m pretty impressed with the tool myself.
My problem is now I want to go to Cabela’s and Buy the whole bushcraft line. I especially like The Hatchet. It looks solid. The Machete may be more of a Zombie Apocalypse Collectible but that 12 inch Blade looks mean! Great Review as always.
if you use a countersink bit, you can make a smoother transition on those drill holes. that will not only make it more comfortable, it will make it to you have less of a chance of the hole wearing larger or flaking off bits of micarta. also, a quick search gave me the OEM, Benchmade is making them in their Oregon factory.
Wow! Send me that link
I have the short version and I love it, i made the sales clerk show me the sheath to make sure it wasnt a cheap nylon one or a leather. The size and shape with the kydex at that price point sold me. It's on par with my esee blades too. 🤙🏼
I agree, the sheath is the best part of the deal, quality for the price is fantastic
I forge 5160 ( leaf spring ) for all my choppers. 5160 keeps a good edge and is high in durability.
I love a good kukri style blade. And 5160 is a great choice of steel for this blade style. I'd love to see it in 80crv2 or 52100 as well.
Love a good recurve, we don't see enough of them. I think many reviewers in the knife community don't really like them, so we hardly see the few that are available. I would probably try and put a lanyard hole in just the tang, covered by the Micarta, and definitely add a sharpening choil. BTW - on the Cabela website: "The Cabela's Bushcraft Chopper Knife is made by a private vendor to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's specifications, which have requested that we not release any of their information."
You could also replace the last screw with a hollow threaded rivet type screw. I dont know if thats the correct name for it, but I know it exists
I like the idea!💡
Dang it...I bought this drill and I will use my drill!😁
I do NOT like that handle, especially the guard (with a potentially slipery handle)
The Camp 10bis $70 to $80. A great heavy hitter
Again...as always....thank you for all you do bring us
My pleasure!
You illustrated a very important point - very few things are perfect. You took the initiative to modify the knife so that it works better, for YOU.
Excellent review. I have a Cabela Store in a town I go to often and I was wondering about this knife. Good timing for your the review. By the way, the chopping block is a 2x6.
I have a Buck 808 Talon with 5160 steel and it’s a beast. It’s 0.25” thick and batons wood great. That steel is very tough!
By the way, the Buck 808 Talon has multiple lanyard holes and a nice Kydex sheath.
A metal "tube" in your lanyard hole would keep the lanyard from fraying and breaking. Maybe use a piece of a stainless steel straw and file the edges of the piece smooth with a little round file. It would help protect the micarta scales around the hole, too. Maybe JB weld it to the tang inside so you can still take the scales off for cleaning.
Good idea!
Love me some 5160 spring steel !!! One of my most favorite steels.
personally, i've been using kukris since literally the first time i went out in the woods on my own- so a solid 12 years now- i've personally found that i actually prefer not to have lanyards- though i understand a LOT of folks do- seems like a pretty solid blade though, great review bud!
I still have a Dart and use it quite often, I love it! That looks like one heck of a good alternative and the slightly harder steel is awesome. Thanks for the info!! Hadn't heard of it and now really wonder who makes it...
It's a good lookin knife! Not a bad price either. Looks SOLID.
No blade, regardless of size, needs a choil.
Looks like they could have designed the handle a little better (they should have designed it with a "hook" on the end of the handle)
I'm definitely getting a Tops DART vibe as well. Personally, I would have put the lanyard hole towards the middle of the handle.
Great video. I didn't know about this blade either, and now it's on my list
The build quality at a glance without one in hand reminds me of the build quality of my esee.
Reminds me of the discontinued Buck Thug designed by Ron Hood. I still regret not picking one of those up, might have to head to my local Cabela's soon!
Love the channel Aaron. Huge fan of the parts of your videos that show your modifications to gear. What I’ve seen done before is removing the screw closest to the butt of the knife and running the lanyard through there. Haven’t had any issue on my knives I’ve done that with. Keep on keeping on my dude
Thanks for the recommendation!
Still love my Buck Talon. It's a little on the heavy side, but it always goes camping with me, and I've used and abused the heck out of it, and it remains my faithful companion to this day.
Sounds like you have a solid go-to!
i got mine on sale for 89.99. what a deal 🎉 this design is very close to the kukri.
Thanks again! Have a great day!
G'day Aaron, not bad for the dough and there's only the odd design where a choil is desirable IMO. Good sheath and I reckon the swivel clip could be a winner for cross draw, though I'd be whacking a dangler on it. However, as a chopper, (besides the lanyard hole), I do think its a bit short and needs more weight up front. Cheers Duke.
This is very similar to the Tops D.A.R.T. knife same steel same recurve but is definitly more money
Sorry Aaron I was numbskull that authorized the lanyardless hilt hole,but we designed this like that because well tbh our drill press was down that week and we're just a small shop...if you had been a tad more patient we've corrected the problem and we added a skull crusher as well,but thanks for your support 😊
I understand! Sometimes things happen! Thanks for the explanation, I appreciate it!
I have that Ontario SP8 survival machete that I had purchased a dangler style kayak sheath that cost more than the machete itself. Lol! Nice video I’ve been considering purchasing another long blade soon.
Having lived in Nepal for over a year, I have a special place in my heart for Kukri style knives. I like this one, and also the TOPS Dart, but I'd love to see a review on the SlySteel Survival Kukri. It is no question more of a chopper than this, and the Kukri I am saving up for....I think. I have a few colector Kukri knives I brought back with me, but I want one to use for camp chores or whatever.
That’s a great choice and I will check it out and potentially review it soon.
I have purchased 6 Khukuri's from Khukuri House Themal, over the years. My favorite one has a 8 inch blade, with a half guard and is full tang. It is pretty much my go to knife for hiking and camping.
Kailash Blades out of Kathmandu.... you'll never look back. Get the real thing.
1. Hand-forged by experienced smiths in Nepal
2. 5160 spring steel
3. Differentially tempered with "cho" notch (strengthens blade and absorbs shock)
4. Tons of options for lengths, thickness, grinds, handle lengths and materials...
5. Proper handle design for safe heavy-duty chopping
6. Convexed edge for strength and sharpness
7. Lifetime warranty
Check out KHHI and KHT, both make great Khukuri for every day use. I have Khukuri from them that are going on 10 years of homesteading use. Sheathes and blades are beat up, but they keep on trucking on.
A decade is longer than many other Khukuri houses have even existed.
I'm currently using a raw Panawal from KHHI along with a Royal Bhojpure from KHT and a 10.5 inch Khukuri similar to what the British Gurkha carry, made by a local maker in Nepal when I was over there. Don't even have his contact anymore. As to choils on large choppers...that's the opposite to how we use them for fine tasks, we sink the point into say a stump and move the wood, which allows for fine notching and even feather sticks with minimal effort.
Get a nice fine grit tapered diamond rod for touch ups and you're good to go.
Funny thing is I got more Khukuri as backups over the years but haven't gotten around to using them yet 🤣
How does it compare to the Kershaw Camp 10. I have a C10 and love it - but its not American made. BTW they are easy to sharpen
I just pulled the trigger on the LTWright knives Les Stroud Wild Harvest series field knife! Would love to see you use and review it one day as well. Also love this blade shape and knife overall, might have to give the Cabela a try eventually!
Update: The Les Stroud field knife came in today and I couldn’t be more impressed from LTWK. Definitely think you should check this out some time even if you don’t upload about it!
Earliest I’ve ever been to one of your videos. Looking forward to watching. Have you considered purchasing the svord 18th century trade knife? I’d love to see you test svord knives. They have a lot of cool blades.
I’ve owned Dewalt Milwaukee Makita & More. From My needs Ryobi gets the job done for now. I went back into construction I would upgrade probably.
It's too bad they dropped the ball on the lanyard hole, however I'm very glad to see an American manufacturer stepping up their game.❤🇺🇸
That is one hell of a knife.
Have yall tried the Brush Demon from Outdoor Edge? I’ve had mine for a year, and I really love it. It strikes the perfect balance for a do-it-all blade. It’s a great chopper with that saber grind, and it’s light enough to breeze through brush, vines, etc. Has a functional choil, so you can choke up and do finesse work too. I latched a Mora to the sheath to have a smaller companion blade, pun intended. It makes for a complete kit. Brush Demon is a great machete/large knife/heavy chopper. It really does do it all. The handle is thin for the pinch grip method, but I added a tennis overgrip for a more North American grip-it-and-rip-it technique. Can’t say enough good things about the brush demon. It’s designed off a falcata.
No I need to check that one out!
Great video again, Aron! Can you take a look at the boker tracker? Around 7 inches, 1095, micarta and kydex for only 80 bucks!
I’ll take a look
Do you have a video tour of your personal collection of knives? Or do you rotate em through so much nothing stays?
I know you Aaron, when i saw in the short that the knife doesn’t have a end hook or equivalent structure, I knew it is going to be a problem
Looks a lot like the profile of the TOPS DART. Love those recurved blades!
I’m sure it will do a good job chopping
Ngl, that Tops Dart looks super yummy. I don't have any Tops knives, but if I decide to purchase one, that'd be the first one that I would save up for to buy.🤨🤔😉🇺🇸
I have a Khukuri with a 8 inch blade, also made from 5160 high carbon spring steel. I think I will stick with that. Oh and it was made in Katmandu Nepal :)
That sounds awesome!
Another Great Review Aaron , you always tell it like it is , no matter Who it is and thats why You are 1 of the Best Blade/Gear Review channels on UA-cam right now I.M.O. ☝️ That Blade kinda reminds Me of a smaller Kershaw Camp 10 , I own 2 of them and Absolutely Love them .... 👍🖖
I agree, the Kershaw Camp 10 is a really awesome knife! Thanks so much Brian!!
I also own 2 Kershaw Camp 10. Very handy choppers/defensive tools. Love your reviews
I’m dying for you to get and test Utah Knife Works Tracker… that sucker looks amazing but Arron, I want your opinions
It is definitely on my list of knives to review!
I find myself grabbing ax, hatchet for chopping and really only using a 4... 5" blade.
Yeah those smaller blades are really versatile!
@gideonstactical i do like a knife chopper though. Has a cool value to it,...fun,..light weight.
That is a really nice looking knife. It does not bother me that there is no lanyard hole. What I do not like is a skeletonized handle on a chopping knife. There is a video of a Becker bk2 with a broken skeletonized handle. Many years ago I bought a bk2. And when I found out the handle was skeletonized I bought Esee 5 to replace it.
After having reviewed literally about 1000 Fix blades here on the channel having a skeleton on a handle doesn’t bother me in the least. Never had one break under a handle scale. The likelihood of that is getting struck by lightning way more likely to have a tip snap or a bend in the blade.
that looks like a good knife 5160 is good steel
Been looking at this one... it's as if Tops, Buck, and Cab. did some sort of colab...?
Reminds me of the kershaw camp
I love choppers but I don't ever need a lanyard hole. If you watch the bushcraft videos that Joe flower has released in the videos he says that you are supposed to have a super tight grip. That leads to exhaustion therefore more chances of you releasing the knife.
Lanyards on choppers are actually dangerous when connected to the back of the handle. Atleast having a hole near the ricasso is safer. I have personally seen atleast one person have it slip and go into them. A swell at the butt instead is much preferable. That's why you rarely seen lanyards used in places where choppers are commonly used in Asia, Africa, South America.
Any experience with apoc?
Not yet 🤔
A Tops Dart at 33% off. I'm in.
The blade on that knife is pretty similar to the blade on the fehrman extreme judgment. It has a bit more of a drop point but super similar. And the fehrman extreme judgment is my favorite big chopper.
Awesome!!
Reminds me of the buck reaper I dig it
Totally!
I dislike choils on large blades because I love the long sword-like cutting edge. My favorite use of choil design is compact tactical fixed blades between 4-6 in
Totally understand that. 😄
I never like a choil. I'd rather have the handle closer to the blade. I bet the recurve helps with finer tasks too
“100% power engagement” made me lol
Excellent video sir!
Thanks for watching!
Commented about the DART similarity on the Short before watching this.
How does this kukri stack up against the ka bar fighting Kukri of similar weight?
I like this more
How do you compare that with Spartan knives kukuri? I love kukuri knives, not only because they’re cool to look at, but I find that they are more useful in a variety of different task. For me, I’m not that thrilled with my Spartan. I think it’s the slipperiness of the grip.
I would say the grip is more clothing and the hills and valleys help a little bit. This is gonna be a much faster in the hand, finer cutting instruments than that Spartan. The spartan is much thicker and heavier and blade forward heavy.
@ have you tested or tried any of the new Ontario stuff from Blue Ridge knives? I had an original rat 7 and wanted to replace, but I don’t know if the new stuff is any good
What jacket is that you are wearing?
As a kukri owner I wouldn't call that a kukri in all honesty
Sure looks like a copy of the Ned Foss survival mini kukri.
Reminds me of my Schrade SCHF9 knife.
yep-me too 3:16
I'm interested to know who makes that knife.
Not too many OEMs out there that could do this could be Buck, I don’t think it’s tops, not sure who else it would be.
I think buck make that blade
Likely, but why not say?
Good observation, it really does look that way.
U should do a vid onn military surplus 😅
Not a huge fan of 5160 but for a big chopper its good enough. FWIW most kukris are made of some type of spring steel like 5160.
58-60 HRC is better than most!
Kukri Blade
I’m a real sucker for recurve. It’s just sexy. And functional. Except when it comes to sharpening. But, there are work arounds.
Ya, the Sharpal rod sharpener works really well i should in the video
@ yep. I had not gotten to that part yet. Great suggestion
Make sure you take hand sanitizer to your blade before sharpening so you don't clog the pores with sap on your sharpening stone.
Even useing sanitizer on a stone to float the steel work's excellent!
Another great review Aaron!
I have never tried that! Sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the tip!
I think I need one
He should check out Full Tang Tactical’s gear and modular chest rig. Much more versatile American version of what he’s wearing in the vid, there’s almost no reviews for it on UA-cam right now.
I will check it out!
Great video
I hate choils. I do think that while you can chop with a 7" blade, you would do much better with a 10" blade. Only the individual can decide what lenth works best for them. It's a decision between length and encumbrance.
5160 is optimal at 59HRC. At 59-60 you have to be careful to never exceed 60 because the toughness falls off a cliff. No reason to ever run it softer than 59 -- you lose both strength and toughness (and a little wear-resistance) by going softer and gain nothing in return. It is several times tougher than the 1095@57 that TOPS uses.
😂that was me asking about the HT.
Awesome!! Thanks for the recommendation
I'd buy this over an Essee 6 or a RAT 7 if I was starting from scratch. I'd also take this over a small Kukri as well. Aaron, I agree with you on the lanyard hole issue. They really need to extend the tang past the scales to provide a small pummel with a lanyard hole.
I know that there are no official definitions, but how is that a bushcraft knife? Looks more like a jungle/deep woods "survival" knife.
Totally. It’s just what they’re calling it. I will definitely call out a camp knife for a survival knife. Bushcraft knives to me. Small usually Scandi ground Knives
Reminds me of what Ontario Knives did back in the day with there Bushcraft Series of blade’s in 5160.
I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods? Perhaps that was their reasoning in naming this knife. Idk, I'm an optimist, but I see your point.
@@Woodzy-5326 "I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods?"
You may also open a can with it - does that make it a can opener?
@papimaximus95 Well, now you just made it a multitool.
704 knives please
Looks like a clone of the TOPS DART
On the topic of TOPS knives in 5160 their B.E.S.T. knife has gotten limited reviews.
Thank you for this! I recently found out about this and wanted to know if anyone had already done a review.
You did not disappoint.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!
I wanna see the big machete in this line
I plan on getting the rest of the line and testing it over the next few months videos dropping regular
It looks like a Tops DART.....I should have watched the whole video first...lol...My DART is made of s30v though.
I think at one point they did make it with that but now if you go to their site, it’s 5160.
@@gideonstactical Yes, I got mine when they first released it in s30v, it then went to 1095 and then to 5160.
Such a beauty to bad for us Europeans there's no good way to get one
I had to regrind my DART. It finally aggravated me enough with its very very poor out of the box performance. Terrible cutter, chopper or anything besides a sharp pry bar. Bte thickness was ridiculous. So I reground it with files. Night and day difference! It should have been designed with a bit of a bird’s beak for retention as well 🤦🏼♂️ oh well
That is a bummer, you're right though, they can be a little thick.
I have never,
ever, EVER used a lanyard. I'm 55.
If it isn't 10 inches, I ain't buying. You can do small and large things with a large knife. You can only do small things with a small knife.
For that price buy a ESEE you'll get a better warranty
✌️😎
This is a kukri.