I used to have one of the old heavy saber ground RD9s. It was a beast of a chopper. I prefer the lighter, faster flat ground RDs. The saber grind is fine for chopping wood, but not quite as efficient as a flat grind for through cutting smaller saplings and such in one chop. The same applies to the Dog Fathers. The heavier CG in saber grind will out chop the flat ground DFLE, but is not as good at cutting through lighter stuff. In both cases, the superior shock absorping quality of Respirene C handle makes the DFs easier on the hand than the Ranger's full tang with micarta.