I'm all about a extra-jumbo, blade heavy chopper but I'd want to see it differentially tempered. Can you tell I'm a katana nut? lol

I would be interested in a 12" to possibly even 14"-15" blade "IF" with "Thinner" (Not thicker!!!) than 1/4" blade and the balance and feel is done right.

I am NOT personally interested in "thick", heavy, massive longer blades.

If that is what Dan want to make and what others want to buy, then great, make them. I am all for "lots" of options. The more options and variety the better. But, I am personally probably going to pass on big, long, massive "Fatties".

I don't want anchor bars with handles. To each their own. I know a lot of people LOVE ultra thick, large, massive sharpened bars of steel = "Fatties". But, I have no interest in "Fatties" for knives ...... or much anything the term "Fatty" might apply to.

Big thick "Massive" knives feel "Awesome" in an: "Aunold" hold in the hand/show for the camera to drool on kind of way. Cool to own for "show" and "display". But, not ideal or preferred for my preferences for carrying and using - at least not for me, my uses, my preferences and my opinion. To each their own.

For me to be interested in blades over 10", I need the thickness to come down.
With thickness coming down, I prefer to have the weight redistributed. Usually, less tall near the handle (but, NOT flimsy and still sufficiently stiff/rigid) and more tall towards the tip: Like a bolo, golok or parang.

The DFLE and Battle Rat are very nearly optimized for their size (9.5" - 10.0" blades).
But, if longer than 10", I prefer to go away from a Dog Father shaped blade.

I am not as big on Kukri designs. I know kukri shapes work well for chopping, but I prefer bolo, golok and parang shapes for versatility.

I would have voted if there were thickness options of 0.1875", 0.20" or 0.22"


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At least we know that the idea of a 12" Dog Father is popular.

When I've used my Spyderco/Hossom Forester to clear trails (usually branches above head level), all I can really think about is how much nicer it would be if the knife were HEAVIER.
The Forester is a 9" blade that weighs the same as the SOD (or Becker 9), so it's not really a heavyweight, but when I use it for chopping I tend to wear myself out just pushing on the knife as I swing. Ideally you just swing the knife, and let the weight of the blade carry it through the branch (virtually no wear on your wrist that way). If the total weight of the knife is just over a pound, it doesn't get very far, and you end up making a lot of swings, also wearing you out. I also have my 24" Machete, but it still isn't very heavy and can't really chop (it does work well on the light stuff though).
I guess I have more strength than endurance, so I would prefer a knife will get as much work done per swing as possible. IMO that means long and heavy.

But what if 12" and 3/8" thick is TOO heavy, and I come back wanting a 1/4" version? Could be. I certainly wouldn't complain about a normal Dogfather stretched an extra two inches.

A 10 inch DF infi folder! now thats a knife.... and no need for a sheath.... do they make pocket clips sturdy enough?

Im thinking a 3/16th thick balde

I don't want a heavy wieldly one that will wear me out. Got to be a happy medium.

I don't know what the NMFMB is, but I have one of those monster NMF"B"M's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />... It is a "Beast".... I don't know what is so "reassuring" about it (when did "I" say that???), but it is a beast. and very heavy.

Sounds like you have a bit of that "Big thick "Massive" knives feel "Awesome" in an: "Aunold" hold in the hand/show for the camera to drool on" thing going on. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Sure, a big massive chopper like the NMFBM will take nice big chunks out of wood (once sharpened with a good edge) compared to most lighter and smaller 10" blades. But, that power comes at a price - figuratively (compromises in weight carry) and LITERALLY! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

But, I will never carry the NMFBM. It is just way too heavy. I don't even have a sheath for it. And it still doesn't compare to a good camp axe of similar size for chopping if just looking for a chopping tool for around camp or the house.

NMFBM weighs about 30 ounces. Most good 16" camp axe/hatchets typically weigh less.



But, the advantages of a thinner longer blade are it's versatility, ability to slash, chop, control AND carry if needed.

If not going to "Carry", the advantages of an axe: axe chops better.

Your call. Again, I don't really have ANY problems with Dan making such a knife - especially if enough people want such a knife. And again, to each their own.

I couldn't even swear I wouldn't buy. I was dead set on not buying the NMFBM. I thought the price and size were crazy then. But, then I caved (sucker addiction <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />) on one of the Ganzaaa's and bought the Bama Clay. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/loopy.gif" alt="" />

The NMFBM "IS" cool to gawk at.... like the MOAB. ($2100 worth of gawk! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />) And sure, both chop well for a knife. But, I still just don't care to actually use or carry such big knives. And I dang sure didn't fall for the $2100 "offer". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Power is great for chopping. But, for a knife, I don't want to sacrifice control or manipulation just to gain power. If that happens, I might as well use an axe.

Truthfully, I still feel the NMFBM is too expensive for what it is and will probably end up selling my NMFBM some day (don't contact me at this time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />), but good chance some day.

I still like my DFLE and Battle Rat for chopping knives.... and I would take EITHER over the NMFBM as a versatile user and especially for carrying.

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I'm thinking a man's blade. Something around 4 lbs. would work. 1/2 thick with a full convex grind on an 18" long blade.
Res-C handle core with a nice thick coating of Rhino brand truck bed liner material for a non-slip grip.

I really wouldn't mind seeing something like a DFCG with about 4" of small serrations on the spine starting about an inch up from the handle. Cutting rope and such. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If ALL you want is to "chop" with a heavy tool doing a lot of the work, have you tried an axe or camp hatchet (with a GOOD edge)?

As far as weight vs. power and wearing out. Depends on your intended chores.

I still look for a "knife" to provide versatility and be worth carrying.

If all I want is a tool to chop, there are BETTER tools that cost WAY less.

But, personally, I am not going to carry much over 16 - 20 ounces of knife on my belt. And rarely even that. But, that is me.




I don't know what machete you have. But, I can chop quite well with quite a few different machetes.

They do make some machetes thicker and heavier than others if looking for more power.

The heavier ones are not as nimble and not as good on the "light stuff" because not as nimble and wieldy, but if you want a heavier duty machete that can chop well, you might want to look into the Condor El Salvador (with carbon steel blade!) It will chop. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> .. and for only about $50 comes with leather sheath and EXCELLENT convexed edge. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


Tramontina machete = 17.0 ounces; 0.084” thick; 17.625” blade; 22.9375” oal

Condor – El Salvador = 22.0 ounces; 0.13” thick; 17.9375” blade; 23.125” oal


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