the original bk9 was almost a quarter inch thick. I will be surprised if the new bk9 is thinner but it sounds like people are saying it is thinner. it use to be more like a battle rat. for edge retention I like sr101. I really decided that more recently as I notices m6 has held up better than most my other knives. the becker and cold steel line used the same steel and had great edge retention. the first knife to dethrown the recon scout was the m6 but now the choweiler is king for me. edge retention on s7 is not the best but if you want strenght than s7 is a good choice. another plus for scrap yard is their design. I like the handles and spine on my scrap yard knives. they are the most comfotable design and perfect for chopping and batoning. the sod is a better choice in the long run, if you change your mind you can sell it for at least your cost. I just sold three scrayard blades. these knives never loos value. I just bought a nmfbm and hope to buy a small swamp rat soon. now my tan sod might be the coolest knife ever. I hope it comes soon.

How do you think the edge retention of SR101, and INFI compare to CPM 3v?

FYI, YMMV But I have had a BK9 for several years now, (original of course) and never have been impressed with the handle grip retention and therefore have only used it maybe three times. The SOD will be a direct replacement for it and it will get used if the handle is at all like the RES-C Howler I adore. Depending on how the SOD turns out, I may re-handle the BK9, save it for the boys, or just part ways with it. It's a great knife for what it is, but I don't like the grips and have a hard time trusting using it.

Uh, the BK7 and BK9 are .188" thick. If they were 1/8" thick, that would be .125". 3/16" is just about .188" thick (3/16 actually being .1875). Anyway, just thought I'd clarify.

As far as the BK2 being a full 1/4" thick, I think that the bigger knives may be slightly thinner so they can chop, but still be quick in the hand. In other words, the slightly thinner blades of the BK7 and BK9 may be to maintain the blade heavy balance while avoiding too much blade forward weight. Does that make sense?

"Uh, the BK7 and BK9 are .188" thick. If they were 1/8" thick, that would be .125". 3/16" is just about .188" thick (3/16 actually being .1875). Anyway, just thought I'd clarify"

Oops, sorry about that, my head has been killing me.

Just an update on this thread and confirmation of what you stated.

I went out yesterday with a BK9, Sp8 Ontario machete, and my cg SOD. I did some whittling, shaving of some small rounds, some fuzz sticks,and some chopping. All tests were done on Cherry. Out of the Box the Bk9 was slightly sharper then the SOD and the SP8. The BK9 was a real slicer, and even after some chopping and other outdoor use in the past, it was still sharper then either knife new.

As far as nimble wood working skills the SOD did not present any advantage. I expected with the choil...which I hate to say...I kind of like now...the SOD to be better then the others. I think I have more control, but with the factory blade setup, it is so thick that it's bredth actually hinders performance. The BK9 allowed two handed work that gave great precision. The SP8 suffered the same fate as the SOD.

When chopping.... The BK9 was significantly better then the SP8 which suprised me as the SP8 is .25" thick, heavy, and an inch longer then the BK9. The SOD would chop at a rate of about half the other two. It was not able to drive deep into the hardwood, and because of it's thickness, it was more painful on the hand even with the res-c. It was like slamming it down on the flat side and taking the revertebrations through you hand.

I then took the BK9 and hacked off pine bows at an incredible rate. It was not as effective as my 14" bolo machete, but not noticibly far behind. It was lopping off 3/4 and some times 1" limbs with one swipe. It allowed more close quarter work then my bolo, which takes more distance to swing properly..sometimes distance is hard to find in the brush.

The BK9 would on occasion bind in the wood. I think it is due to it's tall blade along with it's deep cutting power. It is fast and light, and cut like a light saber.

All told, I probably did 40 percent more work with the BK9 then with the SOD. I checked for sharpness and the BK9 was still extreamly sharp. It was still a slicer after all that. Only one small portion where most of the impacts occured was lacking original sharpness. A few strokes with a sone and some stropping on my pants and it was good as new. The SOD was noticably more dull then original, and it took me much longer to get her back to original. Not bad, but longer. I will not go into the SP8, but will say that I have punished it pretty hard over the past few months, and it is tough, sharpens easily, and is a heck of a pry bar....I should know.

Oh, one other thing. I was doing some batan work through small 5" rounds of cherry. Cherry is hard..... I could get nowhere with the SOD or the SP8. The blade desgin, or thickness would not allow significant penatration even when delivering punishing blows with green pine. The BK9 penatrated nicely with less force behind the blows. The BK9 seems to be the better splitter.

No scientific tests here, just some thought I figured I would share since you gusy spent so much time responding to my questions.

I do have one more. Has anyone done a head to head comparison of the BK9 and the DF? That would be cool.

Take care
AI

Thanks for the review, AI. Why would you expect a 7.5" blade to chop as well as a 9" blade? Yes, I have a BK9 and a Brute, too. They are very good choppers and hold their edges well. A DFLE or DF with a good edge can out chop them both. Put a nice edge on that SOD and you will be surprised at how much better it chops. Nice review. Got any pics? Oh, you're right about the edge retention. SR77 does not hold an edge as well as 50-100B that my Beckers have. Apparently not as well as the new 1095CV Ka-Bar is using, either. For a chopper, toughness is very important. Since I am used to using machetes a lot, especially Tramontinas and Condors, a DF has superior edge holding to them. SR77 is a breeze to touch up once you get a good edge on it. It has never been a problem for me, but if edge retention is a priority, go with the Swamp Rats, Busses, Rangers, or Beckers.

I don't think sharpening anything is a problem for you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I wish you were here to give me that great edge on my SOD. I am sure you are right, that would make a huge difference in it's performance.

I did not think the SOD would outperform the BK9, but I thought it would be closer, and more comfortable with the grip. I think again, the blade shape could make chopping more comfortable with the SOD. I thought maybe the blade weight and design of the knife might make it close to the BK9. I am a picture retard, or I would gladly post em.

I tell ya what...I sure do love my cheap Tramontina Bolo... pound for pound and dollar for dollar it has no peer for hacking and chopping stuff. I just wish I had a nice sheath for it.

With the reshaped blade, how close is the BK9 to you DF's. Did you ever test them both stock? Thanks buddy!
AI

Questions- How good is that new Becker steel compared to the old Camilus steel used on the Beckers ? I believe that is what was used ? I also would like to see a " chop off" between the BK 9 and the DF as blade size is bigger and more compareable. Does anyone have a Tramontina that has a new edge profiled on that one could test against the BK9 ? How do ya think that would go? I have some Tramontinas coming that I am going to " try" to set an edge on. Maybe I should pick up that BK9 and do a three way test between the Becker-DF and compareable Tramontina ? Might be fun ? What do you guys think ? Any suggestions ? Thank You

Almost forgot- Thanks for the review AI <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> !! BTW- Somebody mentioned inexpensive pants for the Tramontinas ? If ya can talk Vic into setting an edge on it- might be worth it to have Jeff make nice pants for it !! Heck- I am even going to make a rig that has the Tramontina/mora and maybe the MPLE on it. That might be the ULTIMATE !! How about it Vic/ Tolly <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> ?Thanks

ordawg

I think you owe it to us...er...I mean yourself to get that BK9 and do that test!

My guess is the Bolo Tramontina will blow the other knives away in softer wood. It may even win by a large margin in hard wood, but would guess the more massive blades might even things up a bit in the harder stuff.

I would love to see the BK9 against the DF....that would be cool. I bet some folks here have already done just that.

I know the Battle Mistress would eat the BK9 alive from the Noss tests, but don't know for sure about the DF.

I just hate to spend near $100 on a sheath for a $6 knife, even if it is worth many times more then that.

Those are some good ideas! A Tramontina/mora combo would be mighty hard to beat. Small investment, great performance, and easily and inexpensviely replaced if something ever happens to them.
AI