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As a former tapline guy that used to cut meat professionally and has hunted and fished for 45 years this is my opinion...A KNIFE CHOILED IS A KNIFE SPOILED the dumb choil is where I use my knife the most .....edge close to the handle
I'd buy this over an Essee 6 or a RAT 7 if I was starting from scratch. I'd also take this over a small Kukri as well. Aaron, I agree with you on the lanyard hole issue. They really need to extend the tang past the scales to provide a small pummel with a lanyard hole.
We definitely need more 7 inch and over fixed blades. We also need more 3.75 to 4 inch folders. Knife companies are shrinking things on purpose to get more money from less materials.
Love the channel Aaron. Huge fan of the parts of your videos that show your modifications to gear. What I’ve seen done before is removing the screw closest to the butt of the knife and running the lanyard through there. Haven’t had any issue on my knives I’ve done that with. Keep on keeping on my dude
A metal "tube" in your lanyard hole would keep the lanyard from fraying and breaking. Maybe use a piece of a stainless steel straw and file the edges of the piece smooth with a little round file. It would help protect the micarta scales around the hole, too. Maybe JB weld it to the tang inside so you can still take the scales off for cleaning.
Having lived in Nepal for over a year, I have a special place in my heart for Kukri style knives. I like this one, and also the TOPS Dart, but I'd love to see a review on the SlySteel Survival Kukri. It is no question more of a chopper than this, and the Kukri I am saving up for....I think. I have a few colector Kukri knives I brought back with me, but I want one to use for camp chores or whatever.
I have purchased 6 Khukuri's from Khukuri House Themal, over the years. My favorite one has a 8 inch blade, with a half guard and is full tang. It is pretty much my go to knife for hiking and camping.
Kailash Blades out of Kathmandu.... you'll never look back. Get the real thing. 1. Hand-forged by experienced smiths in Nepal 2. 5160 spring steel 3. Differentially tempered with "cho" notch (strengthens blade and absorbs shock) 4. Tons of options for lengths, thickness, grinds, handle lengths and materials... 5. Proper handle design for safe heavy-duty chopping 6. Convexed edge for strength and sharpness 7. Lifetime warranty
Excellent review. I have a Cabela Store in a town I go to often and I was wondering about this knife. Good timing for your the review. By the way, the chopping block is a 2x6.
Still love my Buck Talon. It's a little on the heavy side, but it always goes camping with me, and I've used and abused the heck out of it, and it remains my faithful companion to this day.
Earliest I’ve ever been to one of your videos. Looking forward to watching. Have you considered purchasing the svord 18th century trade knife? I’d love to see you test svord knives. They have a lot of cool blades.
Have yall tried the Brush Demon from Outdoor Edge? I’ve had mine for a year, and I really love it. It strikes the perfect balance for a do-it-all blade. It’s a great chopper with that saber grind, and it’s light enough to breeze through brush, vines, etc. Has a functional choil, so you can choke up and do finesse work too. I latched a Mora to the sheath to have a smaller companion blade, pun intended. It makes for a complete kit. Brush Demon is a great machete/large knife/heavy chopper. It really does do it all. The handle is thin for the pinch grip method, but I added a tennis overgrip for a more North American grip-it-and-rip-it technique. Can’t say enough good things about the brush demon. It’s designed off a falcata.
I have a Khukuri with a 8 inch blade, also made from 5160 high carbon spring steel. I think I will stick with that. Oh and it was made in Katmandu Nepal :)
Ngl, that Tops Dart looks super yummy. I don't have any Tops knives, but if I decide to purchase one, that'd be the first one that I would save up for to buy.🤨🤔😉🇺🇸
I now have both the SOG Seal XR folder AND the fixed blade version the Seal XF. These knives are the only ones I own from SOG. They are pretty awesome. I also have a Benchmade Adamas and mini Adamas. Also great knives. I’m thinking of giving the full size Adamas folder as a birthday gift. Then I will get an Adamas fixed blade. What’s up with that? Can you elaborate on owning both the folder version and the fixed blade version of the same knife? I’m leaning towards fixed blades nowadays.
The blade on that knife is pretty similar to the blade on the fehrman extreme judgment. It has a bit more of a drop point but super similar. And the fehrman extreme judgment is my favorite big chopper.
Another Great Review Aaron , you always tell it like it is , no matter Who it is and thats why You are 1 of the Best Blade/Gear Review channels on RUclips right now I.M.O. ☝️ That Blade kinda reminds Me of a smaller Kershaw Camp 10 , I own 2 of them and Absolutely Love them .... 👍🖖
I hate choils. I do think that while you can chop with a 7" blade, you would do much better with a 10" blade. Only the individual can decide what lenth works best for them. It's a decision between length and encumbrance.
He should check out Full Tang Tactical’s gear and modular chest rig. Much more versatile American version of what he’s wearing in the vid, there’s almost no reviews for it on RUclips right now.
5160 is optimal at 59HRC. At 59-60 you have to be careful to never exceed 60 because the toughness falls off a cliff. No reason to ever run it softer than 59 -- you lose both strength and toughness (and a little wear-resistance) by going softer and gain nothing in return. It is several times tougher than the 1095@57 that TOPS uses.
I love choppers but I don't ever need a lanyard hole. If you watch the bushcraft videos that Joe flower has released in the videos he says that you are supposed to have a super tight grip. That leads to exhaustion therefore more chances of you releasing the knife.
I had to regrind my DART. It finally aggravated me enough with its very very poor out of the box performance. Terrible cutter, chopper or anything besides a sharp pry bar. Bte thickness was ridiculous. So I reground it with files. Night and day difference! It should have been designed with a bit of a bird’s beak for retention as well 🤦🏼♂️ oh well
Totally. It’s just what they’re calling it. I will definitely call out a camp knife for a survival knife. Bushcraft knives to me. Small usually Scandi ground Knives
I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods? Perhaps that was their reasoning in naming this knife. Idk, I'm an optimist, but I see your point.
@@Woodzy-5326 "I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods?" You may also open a can with it - does that make it a can opener?
Lanyards are for limp wrists. Ever see a sword with a lanyard? Much heavier than this knife. Ever see a native machete with a lanyard? Nope, unless it is designed for limp wrist Westerners. Ever seen a lumber jack say, "Wait, i have to put my wrist through this lanyard before I swing this 4 pound axe!"
Interesting. Definitely looks like a knockoff of the Tops Dart. Looks like a good chopper though. I find it hilarious how “Bushcraft” is becoming a marketing buzzword.
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How long do you make your lanyard?
I forge 5160 ( leaf spring ) for all my choppers. 5160 keeps a good edge and is high in durability.
I love 5160 steel also 1095 leaf spring for knife blades
I like the 7 inch size with no choil. Also a big lover of recurves.
It is a great size, i’m glad that the balance point was good so no need for a choil.
As a former tapline guy that used to cut meat professionally and has hunted and fished for 45 years this is my opinion...A KNIFE CHOILED IS A KNIFE SPOILED
the dumb choil is where I use my knife the most .....edge close to the handle
Agreed, why bring your hand closer to the blade when you can bring the blade closer to your hand?
I have a Buck 808 Talon with 5160 steel and it’s a beast. It’s 0.25” thick and batons wood great. That steel is very tough!
By the way, the Buck 808 Talon has multiple lanyard holes and a nice Kydex sheath.
Heck yeah! We need more utilitarian kukris, not just the big combat kukris
I'd buy this over an Essee 6 or a RAT 7 if I was starting from scratch. I'd also take this over a small Kukri as well. Aaron, I agree with you on the lanyard hole issue. They really need to extend the tang past the scales to provide a small pummel with a lanyard hole.
We definitely need more 7 inch and over fixed blades. We also need more 3.75 to 4 inch folders. Knife companies are shrinking things on purpose to get more money from less materials.
Yes, we definitely need some more big Blades in the world
I wont carry a folder with less than 3.5 in....prefer 3 3/4in to 4 1/4in
I noticed that too.
It's because laws are changing for the worse too
You could also replace the last screw with a hollow threaded rivet type screw. I dont know if thats the correct name for it, but I know it exists
I like the idea!💡
Dang it...I bought this drill and I will use my drill!😁
Again...as always....thank you for all you do bring us
My pleasure!
Love the channel Aaron. Huge fan of the parts of your videos that show your modifications to gear. What I’ve seen done before is removing the screw closest to the butt of the knife and running the lanyard through there. Haven’t had any issue on my knives I’ve done that with. Keep on keeping on my dude
Thanks for the recommendation!
A metal "tube" in your lanyard hole would keep the lanyard from fraying and breaking. Maybe use a piece of a stainless steel straw and file the edges of the piece smooth with a little round file. It would help protect the micarta scales around the hole, too. Maybe JB weld it to the tang inside so you can still take the scales off for cleaning.
Good idea!
Thank you for this! I recently found out about this and wanted to know if anyone had already done a review.
You did not disappoint.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!
It's too bad they dropped the ball on the lanyard hole, however I'm very glad to see an American manufacturer stepping up their game.❤🇺🇸
Having lived in Nepal for over a year, I have a special place in my heart for Kukri style knives. I like this one, and also the TOPS Dart, but I'd love to see a review on the SlySteel Survival Kukri. It is no question more of a chopper than this, and the Kukri I am saving up for....I think. I have a few colector Kukri knives I brought back with me, but I want one to use for camp chores or whatever.
That’s a great choice and I will check it out and potentially review it soon.
I have purchased 6 Khukuri's from Khukuri House Themal, over the years. My favorite one has a 8 inch blade, with a half guard and is full tang. It is pretty much my go to knife for hiking and camping.
Kailash Blades out of Kathmandu.... you'll never look back. Get the real thing.
1. Hand-forged by experienced smiths in Nepal
2. 5160 spring steel
3. Differentially tempered with "cho" notch (strengthens blade and absorbs shock)
4. Tons of options for lengths, thickness, grinds, handle lengths and materials...
5. Proper handle design for safe heavy-duty chopping
6. Convexed edge for strength and sharpness
7. Lifetime warranty
Excellent review. I have a Cabela Store in a town I go to often and I was wondering about this knife. Good timing for your the review. By the way, the chopping block is a 2x6.
Still love my Buck Talon. It's a little on the heavy side, but it always goes camping with me, and I've used and abused the heck out of it, and it remains my faithful companion to this day.
Sounds like you have a solid go-to!
It's a good lookin knife! Not a bad price either. Looks SOLID.
Earliest I’ve ever been to one of your videos. Looking forward to watching. Have you considered purchasing the svord 18th century trade knife? I’d love to see you test svord knives. They have a lot of cool blades.
I’ve owned Dewalt Milwaukee Makita & More. From My needs Ryobi gets the job done for now. I went back into construction I would upgrade probably.
This is very similar to the Tops D.A.R.T. knife same steel same recurve but is definitly more money
Have yall tried the Brush Demon from Outdoor Edge? I’ve had mine for a year, and I really love it. It strikes the perfect balance for a do-it-all blade. It’s a great chopper with that saber grind, and it’s light enough to breeze through brush, vines, etc. Has a functional choil, so you can choke up and do finesse work too. I latched a Mora to the sheath to have a smaller companion blade, pun intended. It makes for a complete kit. Brush Demon is a great machete/large knife/heavy chopper. It really does do it all. The handle is thin for the pinch grip method, but I added a tennis overgrip for a more North American grip-it-and-rip-it technique. Can’t say enough good things about the brush demon. It’s designed off a falcata.
No I need to check that one out!
Great video
How does this kukri stack up against the ka bar fighting Kukri of similar weight?
I like this more
I have a Khukuri with a 8 inch blade, also made from 5160 high carbon spring steel. I think I will stick with that. Oh and it was made in Katmandu Nepal :)
That sounds awesome!
Looks a lot like the profile of the TOPS DART. Love those recurved blades!
I’m sure it will do a good job chopping
Ngl, that Tops Dart looks super yummy. I don't have any Tops knives, but if I decide to purchase one, that'd be the first one that I would save up for to buy.🤨🤔😉🇺🇸
I now have both the SOG Seal XR folder AND the fixed blade version the Seal XF. These knives are the only ones I own from SOG. They are pretty awesome.
I also have a Benchmade Adamas and mini Adamas. Also great knives. I’m thinking of giving the full size Adamas folder as a birthday gift. Then I will get an Adamas fixed blade. What’s up with that? Can you elaborate on owning both the folder version and the fixed blade version of the same knife? I’m leaning towards fixed blades nowadays.
The blade on that knife is pretty similar to the blade on the fehrman extreme judgment. It has a bit more of a drop point but super similar. And the fehrman extreme judgment is my favorite big chopper.
Awesome!!
Another Great Review Aaron , you always tell it like it is , no matter Who it is and thats why You are 1 of the Best Blade/Gear Review channels on RUclips right now I.M.O. ☝️ That Blade kinda reminds Me of a smaller Kershaw Camp 10 , I own 2 of them and Absolutely Love them .... 👍🖖
I agree, the Kershaw Camp 10 is a really awesome knife! Thanks so much Brian!!
I also own 2 Kershaw Camp 10. Very handy choppers/defensive tools. Love your reviews
Excellent video sir!
Thanks for watching!
I hate choils. I do think that while you can chop with a 7" blade, you would do much better with a 10" blade. Only the individual can decide what lenth works best for them. It's a decision between length and encumbrance.
Comparison with the BK4 would be
fun
Not a huge fan of 5160 but for a big chopper its good enough. FWIW most kukris are made of some type of spring steel like 5160.
58-60 HRC is better than most!
Looks like a clone of the TOPS DART
I think buck make that blade
Likely, but why not say?
Good observation, it really does look that way.
“100% power engagement” made me lol
I'm interested to know who makes that knife.
Not too many OEMs out there that could do this could be Buck, I don’t think it’s tops, not sure who else it would be.
😂that was me asking about the HT.
Awesome!! Thanks for the recommendation
He should check out Full Tang Tactical’s gear and modular chest rig. Much more versatile American version of what he’s wearing in the vid, there’s almost no reviews for it on RUclips right now.
I will check it out!
Reminds me of my Schrade SCHF9 knife.
U should do a vid onn military surplus 😅
5160 is optimal at 59HRC. At 59-60 you have to be careful to never exceed 60 because the toughness falls off a cliff. No reason to ever run it softer than 59 -- you lose both strength and toughness (and a little wear-resistance) by going softer and gain nothing in return. It is several times tougher than the 1095@57 that TOPS uses.
I’m a real sucker for recurve. It’s just sexy. And functional. Except when it comes to sharpening. But, there are work arounds.
Ya, the Sharpal rod sharpener works really well i should in the video
@ yep. I had not gotten to that part yet. Great suggestion
I have never,
ever, EVER used a lanyard. I'm 55.
I wanna see the big machete in this line
I plan on getting the rest of the line and testing it over the next few months videos dropping regular
I love choppers but I don't ever need a lanyard hole. If you watch the bushcraft videos that Joe flower has released in the videos he says that you are supposed to have a super tight grip. That leads to exhaustion therefore more chances of you releasing the knife.
I had to regrind my DART. It finally aggravated me enough with its very very poor out of the box performance. Terrible cutter, chopper or anything besides a sharp pry bar. Bte thickness was ridiculous. So I reground it with files. Night and day difference! It should have been designed with a bit of a bird’s beak for retention as well 🤦🏼♂️ oh well
That is a bummer, you're right though, they can be a little thick.
I know that there are no official definitions, but how is that a bushcraft knife? Looks more like a jungle/deep woods "survival" knife.
Totally. It’s just what they’re calling it. I will definitely call out a camp knife for a survival knife. Bushcraft knives to me. Small usually Scandi ground Knives
Reminds me of what Ontario Knives did back in the day with there Bushcraft Series of blade’s in 5160.
I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods? Perhaps that was their reasoning in naming this knife. Idk, I'm an optimist, but I see your point.
@@Woodzy-5326 "I mean, would you not be doing bushcraft tasks in the jungle and/or deep woods?"
You may also open a can with it - does that make it a can opener?
@papimaximus95 Well, now you just made it a multitool.
✌️😎
This is a kukri.
Lanyards are for limp wrists. Ever see a sword with a lanyard? Much heavier than this knife. Ever see a native machete with a lanyard? Nope, unless it is designed for limp wrist Westerners. Ever seen a lumber jack say, "Wait, i have to put my wrist through this lanyard before I swing this 4 pound axe!"
For that price buy a ESEE you'll get a better warranty
Interesting. Definitely looks like a knockoff of the Tops Dart. Looks like a good chopper though. I find it hilarious how “Bushcraft” is becoming a marketing buzzword.
Totally! This is not a bushcraft knife to me
Better lose that Ryobi bro
I think those curved blades are hard to sharpen?
Did you see my portion of the video where I talk about re-sharpen them with rods? Check out the chapter selection.