All joking aside, the big Busse is beautiful. So is the FBMLE, but like the FFBM, it is a pure chopper, too heavy for machete work. I still think that the DFLE is the ultimate bowie chopper. Keep it light. If Dan decides to do one that big, I think 3/16" thick and 12" length would be best. In a narrower blade, like a golok or bolo, he could get away with 1/4" thickness and either a full flat or convex grind and still keep the weight down.