That Helle is a sweet looking knife and performed well in the video. Hmmm...

For just $18 more than $100 you can get the Ritter folder. See this sites home page.
The Sock

My opinion regarding large knives is quite different from yours. You forget that knives are also used as weapons, and in countries were guns are allowed only for hunting or target shooting, a large knife is something you depend upon for defense against two-legged or four-legged critters. Probably you don't have to face it in the USA but down here, running into cimarron dogs or pumas or, God forbid it, boars, is a distinct possibility. I agree with you that large knives are unwieldy and heavy, but sometimes that weight can be mighty reassuring!

Yah, if you can stretch just a bit the full size RSK is $118: Doug Ritter RSK.

While it is basically a Benchmade Griptilian, it has dual studs and is flat ground.

Good improvements on an already outstanding knife IMO.

I have one in the limited edition M2 steel, and it hasn't left my pocket since.

-john

Different strokes for different folks but IMHO a knife wouldn't be my first choice for any of that. A 3" to 4" blade works fine on humans. Poking holes, even just random stabbing, tends to back off any but the most motivated attacker. For wild animals, four legged or two, I lean more toward a good stick. Five foot of stout hardwood helps maintain a safe distance as we negotiate the relationship.

Given that you need to be close to use it as a weapon I wouldn't think a knife, even a large knife, would be the best option. But then again if it is all you have go with what you got.

We do a lot of boar hunting with Cattahaula dogs, and we have tried many knives and spears. In our experience, spears are not very good. Once the dogs grab the boar you go in from 4 o'clock and stab behind the shoulder. Our favorite knife has a 9 inch blade 1/4" thick with a clip point and razor sharp. Handguard is a must 'cause blood makes the handle slippery and you could cut your fingers.

I lean more toward a good stick. Five foot of stout hardwood helps maintain a safe distance as we negotiate the relationship.

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Sticks are nowhere to be find in the pampas, it's just grassland, so if you want a stick you have to bring it with you. In the northern provinces where you have subtropical bush, you always carry a machete, and a smaller knife, 4 or 5 inch.

I recommend a Leatherman Wave or similar - very versatile and useful. I wouldn't baton with one, but then I wouldn't baton with anything, and I have never felt the need to, ever.

I would recommend a Gerber LMF II if you want a good batoning knife. I used mine in an emergency to cut thru a cable using a wrench to whack the back of the blade with. I quick touch up and the edge was fine(the coating was scratched off) but thats no big deal.

I got mine in Canada for less than 100 bucks, I'm sure you can find it down south for even less being that it's made in the U.S

For folders check out the Dozer made by K-bar(I think)

If you are hell bent on battoning with a knife, any folder isn't really a good idea. Maybe only for very, very light stuff and then it better have a really solid lock mech. I found out the hard way.

What the hell is everyone's beef on this forum with large knives anyway?

A lot of times I have a kukri strapped to my pack because its lighter than an axe for when I need to do some light chopping. To my belief, I wasen't trying to compensate for anything, I simply match the tool to the job. Sometimes a job calls for a bigger blade. will bet my last dollar I can make that knife do things that most of you wouldn't consider doing with an axe or a saw(or both)

A large blade can do everything a small blade can, but not the other way around.