You just never know until you try them back to back, which knives have the best "feel" and work best for a given task. Today's task was slashing brush, or bushwacking. I gathered some of my favorite light fast choppers for a little comparison on the vegetation in my yard. None of these have a factory edge. They have all been sharpened and are very sharp.

Top to bottom:
ESEE Junglas "machete"
Scrap Yard Dog Father LE
Busse Bushwacker Mistress
Browning Crowel/Barker Competition knife
Ranger RD9
Swamp Rat M9LE

The testing area:

First up was the Busse BWM, a 3/16" thick 10.5" blade of INFI steel with micarta handles. It slashed pretty well, but felt a bit heavy for snap cuts.


Not bad, but I know I have faster blades than this one. It's a good all-arounder, though.

Next up was the DFLE. This has been a favorite of mine since I got it. It served me well in the Altamaha, slashing through brush and chopping fallen limbs from my path. It can chop and slash. It cut these brances clean, and felt faster and easier to me than the BWM.


Then it was the ESEE Junglas. The Junglas excells at this, as one might expect.


The Junglas was the best slasher so far. And it can chop, too. But at 22 oz, I'd still take the DFLE over it for extended use. 17 oz is much lighter to swing and carry.
But then came a little surprise for me. This Browning, which is a so-so chopper but a brush slashing demon!

Swish! Look how clean it cuts standing palmetto leaves. This thing has great balance and feel.


Next up was the Swamp Rat M9LE. I love this knife! Talk about lively in the hand. It was very very close to the Browning in slashing performance.



I am surprised that this 9" blade is so competitive with the longer ones. This is a great bowie.
Finally, my Ranger RD9. With its flat grind, this knife is fast, too.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Busse/Bushwackers018.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Busse/Bushwackers018.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Busse/Bushwackers020.jpg[/img]
The Ranger can hold its own, for sure.

Ok, so what, if anything, does it all mean? Not much, really. It means I prefer fast handling big blades for bush slashing. Why do I like the Junglas better than the Bushwacker for slashing brush? It all has to do with balance.



The Junglas balances right at the blade/handle junction, while the BWM is slightly more blade heavy. Of course, in chopping wood, that blade heavy feel is an advantage.

And wouldn't you know it? That fast handling M9LE balances more like the Junglas. Same for the RD9.

So here is how I rated these fine knives today for ease of use when bushwacking. Top to bottom. But don't fret if your favorite isn't on top. They all work just fine. These are just my subjective prefences for this task only.

It's been a good afternoon.

Thanks Vic,now I want/need/want/need/want a Junglas. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the pics and posting!

Hows about the handle(s) you like the most?

Saw a tempting M9 the other day...so tempting...

All have good, comfortable handles. I particularly like the Junglas handle, the Browning, and the Bushwacker's in that order. As for the DFLE, it is the only one with Res C, which is epecially good when chopping hard wood and was fine for today's light duty as well. But the M9 and Ranger handles are fine. Get that M9. It's a fine knife.

thanks for the writeup vic, i know it must have made weed whacking last much longer in order to document everything.

also, i find it ironic how the "bushwacker" is on the bottom lol

Compared to my old FBM, FFBM, or KZ, it would be on top in this contest! It's a great knife, my favorite Busse. I just like the balance and feel of the Junglas better. Bear in mind that I could have used a $6.00 machete today and kicked ALL the others bad. What I was doing was seeing which of all these fine big knives was the easiest to slash vegetation with. That's all. It doesn't mean the one the came out on top is the "best" knife by any means.

thanks for the awesome review HornDog.

ive had my eye on that Junglas for some time now, this write just convinced me to get one. i love the look of it. i think the Junglas with my SOD and my Muk LE will be the perfect set up for my next outing.

Beside Busse and Busse-kin blades, the only other fixed blade knife company i buy from is ESEE. the RC-4 and RC-6 are amazing blades.

yea i know, but it made me giggle

I have to agree, the ESEE knives perform very well for the money. I would never say that they are as tough as the Busses or Scrappers, because they are not. But they work well and come nice and sharp.

plus they have a great price point and their warranty rivals that of any bussekin

yup, i dont think anything is will compare to busse or busse-kin in toughness, but ESEE with their prices and amazing warranty are a good second. plus the guys at ESEE are really cool dudes.

Great review, Vic!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

There's one very serious competitor missing from that line up... the Basic 11. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My favorite is still my DFLE, but the B11 is right up there with it now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I left out my Becker BK-9, too. I can't own every knife. But a Basic 11....oh yes, that would be a heck of a bushwacker! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good review. I am not surprised by the Browning being the best wacker. After all, it was built around the idea of rope cutting comps.
Thanks for sharing with us.

Nice review Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Fantastic review! Gotta love a unbiased Mod <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Awesome review HD.

Thanks for taking the time.

Vic - I think you would really be impressed with the B 11 ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Like I really need one, eh? But if they show up in the store, you know I'll get one of those. The Basic 11 looks like a serious bushwacker to me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I think a B11 will give the DFLE a good run for the money! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Vic that review was awesome. Thanks.

Great pics.

I was wondering if you (or anyone else) owned another big Busse blade. Like maybe a Battle Mistress. From what I understand the BWM is the thinnest Busse large blade. And I was just wondering if you feel any lack of strength. Is it still a real Chopper like the others are.

From everything I've read or heard Busse are really really strong so I was wondering if maybe saving a little weight was a good thing. And by saving that weight do you really give up a whole lot.

another nice line up. thanks HD!

my M9LE has survived every big blade cut I've made. got rid of a CGFBM my DDF because I felt like the M9 was sufficient. finally picked up a BWM and realize now that I prefer a thinner faster blade. still want another DF but I think the B11 may be high on my list for the big chopper duty.

I just re-read the results and I want to go chopping! Thanks again for a great review.

A lot of it is personal preference. I like my choppers light and fast. I sold my FBM and FFBM. I have two BWMs. They are strong enough for me.

sexy knives.

Vic, Grab a B11 if you get the chance. I like it better than the BWM, which is a fine blade. The extra length and width yet lighter weight makes a difference. For a Busse it is very good price/performance.

Since the B11 was somewhat limited and there is still high demand, Scrapyard should come out with our own big Res-C bushwacking blade.

We've asked for it before, so lets ask for it again... the Biggest Dog... the Alpha Dog... the 12 inch "extra long" DogFather.

Is it time?

I do like the B-11 above the the BWM that I had for a short time.

Lazi and Java

Hey I found this guy after you had mentioned the Basic 11. I had never seen one so I just did a search I know this is a another forum and I know nothing about it but this guy is selling some B11's. So Ill just post a like to the page.

http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?9758-Busse-Combat-knives-F-S

With all the interest in the upcoming 911 and other big blades, I am bumping this. My recent experiences on a "maintained" trail reminded me that a big fast light handling blade is a must for this terrain. The Browning Crowell-Barker competition knife works well for this type of bush slashing, as do the DFLE and M9LE. Thinner faster slashers like those reviewed here are superb "trail knives" for my terrain. Of course a nice golok or parang works well, too.

This little 5" "Survival" knife was useless for clearing the trail.

You need a BIG knife!

I'm glad you bumped this. I like my DogFather, but with its sabre grind & extra weight, I don't see it as a Bushwhacker.

My thoughts are to get a 9-11 from both SY and SR and see which one I prefer.

I also agree with other posters that ESEE makes some great knives. They are definitely my second favorite knife company. I have a Junglas, but it doesn't see much use any more for some reason.

I'm also thinking that the upcoming LBNMSHBM might be a contestant in this area. Jerry's post on BladeForums did not indicate that it would have a deep hollow grind like the others in the LB series, so I'm guessing that it'll be thin to compensate for the weight loss under the slabs.

This is a great comparison. Thanks HD.

Now Vic, you don't ACTUALLY think we believe you stabbed that Browning through the tree do ya?

Ok, so at first glance I thought you had batoned the knife in it. Then I actually looked at the pic.

I've got the BK&T mangnum camp, it's not bad, but I wish it had more weight toward the front of the blade.

The split in the tree was already there. Just messing around. But the Browning is a fine slasher for brush and palmettos. The big Junglas is bulky and makes me look like some DEA agent or something. The Browning has a sheath that I can tuck into my waistband and be hidden under my vest, so it sees a lot more use than my others when walking trails that "normal" hikers use. Down in the swamps, I prefer a swing sheath, so I carry the BWM with the Rainwalker swing sheath, Ontario Survival Bowie or sometimes my modified Western Bowie. I finally let my coveted DFLE go. The M9LE took its place. My fully convexed BWM now rides in the swing sheath Jeff made for the DFLE. Most areas I trek in are easy walking, with only occasional thick areas. If it was all thick, I'd just strap on a machete and be done with it. Nothing works better.

Interesting to read this again Vic ... I have a regiment re-union coming up and it basically involves a walk up Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons and after that I plan to stay on and make the most of being down there doing some of the old selection routes to get myself fit. I have a number of knives lying on the carpet next to my rucksack and am trying to decide which one to take?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ... this happens now far too often !! I think I have to thin the herd ... but the choices are hard to make ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

The ones in the line up are :

Camp Tramp
Basic 9
Basic 11
BWM LE
Cold Steel Carbon V Khukri
Nuclear TTKZ

They are listed light to heavy performance wise ... and whilst I want to travel light I don't mind carrying a little weight in a knife ... it goes in the ruck sack and is'nt noticed like it would be if I were to carry my choice on the hip.

At least having narrowed things down to these favourites it makes things a little easier ... there must be at least "double" the number and more if I were to include them all ... and there in lies the "rub" ... all of the above and all of the large knives I own could do the job but making a choice is'nt easy at all. It feels like one of those "if there could only be one" threads <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For my uses I find up on the Moors that if I were to be stuck and needed a fire going in an emergency then I need a knife which could tackle a fence post or a hardy birch or thorn tree as wood is scarce and not lying on the ground. So a long blade able to baton through a post or take a small tree down is the order of the day ... a bushcraft knife or folder would'nt be up to it ... and I guess I will probably take my Basic 9 as I usually do. It is light and long enough for the tasks I will need. Makes me sort of query whether I really need all the others. If I want something a bit more effective I would probably jump to the Nuclear TTKZ ... although I do like the CS Khukri for it's lighter weight. For balance and feel I love the BWM LE ... and the Camp Tramp is perfect if I want to carry the knife on my belt ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> no wonder I find it hard to decide !

I liked reading your review because it reminds me of my own dilema ... they are often "all good" ... and like you I think it is now time to sell a lot off and just have a simple life with "one" choice ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I tried to thin the herd. I really did. But the wife just found my huge Coleman camping box in the laundry room full to the brim with machetes, parangs, goloks, bowies, and other assorted big knives. She was awe struck. I sheepishly said, "Yeah, I've been meaning to sell some of those.....but not the KSF machete, or the Patrol machete......or..."

This comparison is great,but I like your "16 survive knives compare" more,which was the first test I saw when I came to this forum,btw.It shocked me.You are just a fantastic tester that can tell us so much about the knives through your review.
Well done!
Want to be your friend,so can I have your email address?
I don't know if that's OK.
I never have a foreign friend on Internet.
Kind of excited.

Sure, knifefriend. I can always use another friend! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Vic, have you ever put these same knives to the test in the chopper, fire prep, shelter building, and/or other various and sundry tests? I'm all for seeing new reviews or resurrections from the dead <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm still looking for more reviews of the M9LE--I'm concerned about that back causing hotspots in certain tasks (like chopping <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

Try using the search function. The M9LE received plenty of reviews when it came out. I didn't have any discomfort chopping with it. It held its own against the DFLE and my fully convexed NMSFNO.


http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...part=1&vc=1

http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...part=1&vc=1

Horn Dog, thanks for the great review. I have been eyeing the Junglas for quite some time now and you have just pushed me closer to the edge on taking the plunge.

thanks for the info. I was about to buy a Esee Junglas in till the 911 was announced.

I agree. I've done plenty with my M9LE and did NOT notice that problem, at all.

Junglas is a good knife ... I have one here. But I believe I prefer the 911 -- which I got a chance to handle at Blade11. Not chop -- but at least handle.

This is making me think I need BOTH the M9LE AND the 911 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

ok, "need" is probably too strong a word <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great post HD!

Good to see you again!

MM

and lets get the 9-11 goin!


MM

Good to see you posting Old Physics!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

time to ad the rodent9 911 and basic10 to the mix

And maybe, just maybe the FDM.

great idea

Come on FDM!

MOAD! MOAD! MOAD! MOAD!

There he goes again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> And Dan, PLEASE don't make it thicker than .333.

although this is an older post it is my first time reading it. Good info! the moad huh. sounds like a big knife.

MOAD is for those times when chainsaw ain't quite enough! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />