Agent Iron's comparison between the Becker BK9 and the SOD got me to wondering how the Becker BK7 would do against it. Of course mine have sharper edges than factory, but with equal edges how would they compare? Just for fun, how would the Ranger RD7 and Swamp Rat Ratweiler do?


First up was the Becker. I used a pine sapling trunk. I don't feel like chopping through 5" maple logs with 7" blades today. Good grief, the little Becker took over 20 chops just to get through. The knife weighs about 13 oz, but the balance point is on the first finger. It's a light, fast fighter, not a chopper.

My super sharp SOD did it in just 11 chops. It also weighs abut 13 oz, but balances at the peak of the thumb ramp.

My very sharp Ratweiler did it in just 9 whacks!

My old Ranger RD7 with a super edge did in in 12 chops.

That thinned out convex edge makes the SODLE comparable to my best 7" choppers.

But just to keep things fair, I thinned the edge on the Becker a bit more. You can see where the belt hit the coating as I went for the thinnest edge possible on the BK7. It did a bit better, but still way behind the others.

I think it is the balance point.
As you can see here, the Ratweiler is blade heavy but the the "fighting knife" Becker balances on the first finger.

The Ranger and SODLE are both blade heavy, too.

So here is how they placed in this little test. In all honesty, there is not much difference in chopping between the SOD, RW, and RD7.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/Sevens009.jpg[/img]
Next I plan on putting the DFLE up against the BK9. That should be close.

nice. wouldn't happen to have a recon scout, would ya hd?

sweet comparison HD thanks!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


i almost bought a RD series RIGHT before i learned about bussekin!

I have a Bark River KSF Custom Bowie that was made from a RS blank. It came fully convexed and chops like crazy.

Thanks for the info, having the equip to keep them sharp and do it fast sure is nice.

Great job, HD! That Ranger looks wicked sharp.

OHhhh Yea!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Nice chop off!!! Thanks for sharing Vic!

All those edges look so good! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Cool post...do you convex your edges by hand or by machine?

we're gonna have to make a sticky grindshop thread.

Thanks, guys. I was going to do a chop off between the DFLE and Becker BK9 Combat Bowie, but finding suitable wood was a problem. So I just played around with them some. I have chopped with all of these in past chop offs. They are all good choppers.

I already know that the RD9 and DFLE are about even, but the DFLE is much more comfortable to chop with. I went out looking for something not rotten, not too hard like that seasoned maple.

This stuff is like chopping rocks!

Maybe something down this trail.

This pine over the drainage ditch needs to be removed. The Becker made quick work of it.

Well this is too little. Just two whacks with the BK9.

One whack with the DFLE.

Two with the RD.

The RD is a pain for me to chop with anyway. That handle digs into my pinkie when chopping. The Becker and DFLE are much more comfortable.

I did find some pine heartwood for firestarting and I split it up.

These are all good choppers, but I'll have to find some better wood to do a proper chop off. I can tell you this, the DFLE is my hands down favorite for all-around use.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/BigUns017.jpg[/img]

I use a belt sander.

and a sheath like that makes it all the sweeter.