best chopper--Livesay, Bussee, Kukri???

B

bowler1

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2000
Messages
139
I was wondering what popular opinion was about this subject. What do you all feel is the best knife for chopping (small trees/sapplings/firewood for camping etc).

Ones I am particularly interested in hearing about are the Livesay RCM, Various Bussee knives, and the Cold Steel Light Kukri.

thanks

Matt
 
I've got Newt's RCM, RTAK, and Wasp. They are all very good choppers. I can't say anything about the others.

------------------
The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
I have the CS Gurka Kukri,It chops very nice but has one serious drawback that is the handle is very poor for long term use. The handle might be better if you loose all the little nubs which will give you blisters before a days work is done.

I just recieved a Ang Kola Khukuri from HI and performed the same cutting tests with it. Which was to chop through a douglas Fir 2x6. It went through it with out having to exert a hole lot of effert (the same also with the CS) but at the end the hand definetly felt better. I would not want to use the CS all day but for short term use it works well. For long term use definetly go with thew HI. Much more user frendly and costs less.
 
B1,
None of the above. The Cold Steel LTC or the Light Gurka Khukuri isn't ment for heavy chopping, they are more like short, stiff bent macheties. The other two are just big knives, useful for the odd whack here and there, but not for heavy chopping unless you happen to be a Cyborg.
It seems that what you are looking for is a "Real" Khukuri. For the price of say the Busse Basic, you can get a great Khukuri, like an 18"WW2 from Himalayan Imports and a large SAK and a good utility/Hunting knife (or folder).
Dan
 
Another surprisingly great chopper is the BK&T Campanion, it is a small knife, 5 inches, but it can beat many larger knives as far as chopping goes, it is really solid too.

------------------
Be alert, the world needs more lerts.
 
I've got a CS LTC Kukri, and haven't had the problem that Bors found. I think the handle is really good for my hand, and I have average size hands. If you go to www.botachtactical.com you can pick one up for under 70 bucks.

Mine chops like hell, it's easy to sharpen, and has a good strong sheath. I don't think you can go wrong with one.

[This message has been edited by Velitrius (edited 04-25-2000).]
 
I'll second that. This sounds like a job for an ax. About 3/4 size would be good.
 
Best chopping knife - any quality Kukri or machete.

Best chopping blade - any quality Axe or hatchet.

 
I love big blades, I've got a Livesay rapid deployment machete and a Gurkha House khukuri, but for real chopping my Gransfor Bruk hatchet will out-perform them easily.

Add a Gerber sport saw with the hatchet and you'll be a wood-cutting fool up to about 4-5 inches in diameter.
 
i'll second Mr Poff's motion for the axe.

However, which one? A felling or lopping axe perhaps to reduce a tree to a log? A splitting or cleaving axe for dealing with the log? A carpenter's axe or side axe for making short work of the lighter wood?

Damn, it's as bad as choosing a knife!

Roger
 
Originally posted by kevinb17:
I love big blades, I've got a Livesay rapid deployment machete and a Gurkha House khukuri, but for real chopping my Gransfor Bruk hatchet will out-perform them easily.
Click to expand...

I am sick and tired of people talking about THEIR Gransfor Bruk hatchet. Which one should I get?



------------------
Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Hoodoo, they may have expanded the product line, but at the time I got mine the only hatchet they made was the "Wildlife" hatchet.

I have the "forest" axe which is kind of a 3/4 size axe. You can choke up on it and use it one-handed, but then you've really got a hatchet, eh? The majority of the time the hatchet size is more useful.
 
On the GB axes - I got the broad axe (chops through 3 to 4 inch trees in one hit), the Large Carpenter, the Hunter axe and the Swedich Carving and they are all my favorites. My brother has the Wildlife and he carries it hiking all the time.

If you have to chop a lot or like to play with toys - get the Broad axe - you will be amazed at what a large size axe with a razor sharp, but durable, edge can do.....Puts the HI khukri's to shame.
 
Of course axes put knives to shame...

But we are talking about knives, here.

HI Khukuris- pick your style and size.
 
thanks to all who replied. I am suprised that nobody has mentioned anything about Busse Knives.

Can somebody tell more about these Gransfer Bruk axes? I have never heard of them.

thanks

Matt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top