As many of you know, the Scrap Yard DFLE has been my favorite big knife since it came out. Big enough to chop, light enough to slash vegetation, it's just about perfect. But it has some serious competition now. The new M9LE has much the same feel as the DFLE, with a well contoured G10 handle and a wickedly sharp blade of SR101 steel. I put a nice convex edge on my M9 to match the one on the DFLE. In fact, the M9LE's edge may be just a touch thinner.

I took a nice fat freshly cut limb of Red Bay and set it on the chopping blocks. I started with the M9. Man, this thing bites deep with each chop.
In 40 chops, it was through.


It was the mighty DFLE's turn. Never my most powerful chopper, it has always been a good one for its weight. The blade did not seem to bite quite as deep as the M9 did. It took 51 chops to chop through, but the limb is just a bit thicker here. Still, I must admit that the M9LE did chop a bit better.

Both knives were still very sharp and able to skin the limb in nice thin slivers.



Just for fun, I chopped a thicker portion of the crooked limb with the M9LE.



Even after this, the knife would still slash palmetto leaves like a lazer. These are definitely my two favorite big knives. Two can be good. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SRKW/M9LEDFLE013.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SRKW/M9LEDFLE014.jpg[/img]

Awesome Chop Off.

These two are neck and neck it seems. I don't own either, but the looks of the M9LE are drop dead sexy.

Very nice chopoff as always. I was pretty surprised by the results - I hear the word "dogfather" and I immediately think "chopping machine", but the LE version must drop enough weight in its svelte package to compare more evenly with the M9LE.


As much as I love the M9LE, I still think I'd prefer the res-c handle for extended chopping. Vibrations through that rough G10 handle on the M9LE have beaten up my hand pretty good when batoning.

That was great Vic....Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

You are quite right, MM, Res C is the way to go for lots of chopping. Still, for a full tang handle, the M9LE felt pretty good. The DFLE is much lighter than the DFCG, and not quite the chopper, but for all-around use I prefer the LE. Ever since my full convexed NMSFNO out chopped my M9LE, I've been meaning to have a rematch. It isn't raining now, and only 90F, so its time to see if my reprofiled M9LE can take the NMSFNO. I hate losing all my Red Bay trees to the Ambrosia Beetle, but at least it gives me something to chop and vent my anger. Anger is not a good thing to keep inside. I may even require Waki Intervention. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I dont have an M9LE....yet. My Dogfather LE is also my favorite chopper. Just the right weight and feel and shock absorbtion. Thanks for the review I want an M9 even more now.

You mean you don't bottle up your rage and save it for a rainy day?


Nice comparison on the two knives! This is the one I've wanted to see for a little while, now. That and the rematch with the NMSFNO.

Thanks for the chop-off. Nice comparison of the blades.

nice chop-off. I've very curious how the M9LE will chop/feel against the choppers in the 2x4 test.

I think a good sharp M9LE can hold its own with just about any similar sized knife of similar weight.

How do you suppose the Ontario RTAK or upcoming RC-10 would stand against these two fierce competitors, chopping wise?

I have a M9LE, would love a Dogfather...but like to support both of my favorite knife companies.

More so than that, I am curious as to how a 3/16th chopper stands up to these two.

I have both the RTAK and RTAK 2. They are formidable choppers. I would imagine a new one by RC would do well, too. The RTAK can hang right in there with these. Being 3/16" thick doesn't seem to matter.