A pic of my BK9. It´s got a nice patina

Which is kind of a silly point to make.
I already know that my 14" heavy machete will clear brush faster than just about anything out there, and I usually resort to nippers after my arms are worn out anyway.


Mmm Regulator. [/quote]

The phenomenon you are experiencing is true machete use... what a machete is meant to do... a 14" machete is useless in a continual chopping scenario... 24" is the minimal in a sustained clearing endeavor... You cannot expect a large knife to chop like a machete.. it ain't gonna happen... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Large knives are not machetes...Machetes are not large knives... Can you use one for the other....sure... but it just doesn't feel right.... think of your tools... is a butter knife a screwdriver?... but how many of us have used it as such... the right tool for the right job... SY knives as I see them offer strong, well made, custom, well designed knives that deliver superior performance in their realm...

Buy a big knife to do big knife things.... buy a machete to do machete things...the right tool for the job...

'nuff said

end of line

Doc

I've used both in similar situations, and have noticed similar results to what
Joshua says. Both knives have factory edges on them.
The SOD feels heavier and has a far more comfortable handle than the BK9.

I just plain don't like the handles on the BK9. They're supposed to be
ergonomic, but sure don't feel that way to me. I've taken to wrapping white
hockey tape around the handle just to help. As the tape wears out too soon,
I'm going to have to give it the bike tire inner tube treatment soon.

I like both knives a lot, but feel that if the SOD were given a Horn Dog
edge, that there would be very different results to a chop off.

Given a SHTF situation like bld522 talks about, I too would feel very
comfortable reaching for a Becker, RAT Cutlery or a Ranger.

Thankfully though, I take my Camp Tramp with me everywhere (except
the shower), but it sits there on the bathroom counter... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
for when I get out of the shower.

Cheers

Come on...can anything really beat a SoD (S)pecial(C)ustom(L)imitd(E)dition VEX by HornDog????

Other than it's daddy with a HD vexing, not in my book <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />