Big Bowie Chopping

GrinderMcgee

GrinderMcgee

Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Messages
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Here is a demonstration of some big bowie chopping technique with a Cold Steel Trail Master in VG-1 SMIII.

I try to maintain at least a 45 degree angle of attack, and keep the cut as wide as the thickness of wood. This is the way I have been getting the biggest chips.

[youtube]FuyuOxvkinI[/youtube]

Here is a video of the folding saw. I was rushing myself for the camera so the results here are not typical. Usually I get much better results.

[youtube]kSARoGi7cQU[/youtube]

Sorry for the cursing but I tried to keep it to a minimum.
 
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lol don't you love how wore out your arm is after either or ? you were definitely putting in some serious chopping work
 
I try to pace myself so that the burn doesn't get intense but the camera was definitely making me push harder. :p

Usually it is a combination knife/saw for wood 5"+ in diameter. The knife is definitely more efficient for limbing. It can lop off sticks up to 1 1/2" in one swing.
 
Anybody like to offer advise, experience or comments? I know we got a large number of choppers here hatchets, axes and knives.

What works for you?
 
Howdy,

I find a 19" to 20" small forest axe (I have a Wetterlings) works the best for me.

In my experience a small axe is much easier than any knife for chopping/cutting.
 
GrinderMcgee said:
Anybody like to offer advise, experience or comments?
Click to expand...
I relax, and let the tool do the work, whether it's a knife, saw, axe, jackhammer, whatever.
No need to chop "hard", or put much effort into it.
It won't take much longer, and you won't get out of breath. Actually, it'll be much faster in the long run if you have a lot of work to do, because it won't wear you out. Like drawing a handgun-smooth is fast.
Your chopping was neat and pretty consistent. Trying to keep a fast pace, though, and putting a lot of effort into it, you'll get sloppy quick, and your results will go downhill.
Not trying to be too critical. You said you were going faster for the camera, and the cut itself looked great.

Toward the end, you might try leaning forward and taking a wedge out of the side opposite you with a couple of chops rather than trying to cut straight down through it. It won't look as pretty, but will concentrate the force of your chops in a smaller area, and they'll be deeper.
Might speed things up a little, and will make those last few chops to finish the job easier.
Thanks for the videos!
 
the trailmaster is still one of the best knives on the market. My old CV blade is still in great shape but the handle has loosened up on me.

thanks for the videos
 
The tang and handle design do mean it's not the most durable and bullet-proof knife in the world, but for the weight, I really don't know if there is anything out there that can out chop AND out baton a Trailmaster.
 
Hey, there's some choppers!! Thanks for the advise and comments guys!

OwenM said:
Toward the end, you might try leaning forward and taking a wedge out of the side opposite you with a couple of chops rather than trying to cut straight down through it. It won't look as pretty, but will concentrate the force of your chops in a smaller area, and they'll be deeper.
Might speed things up a little, and will make those last few chops to finish the job easier.
Thanks for the videos!
Click to expand...

Great, anything to speed up that last 15-20% or so of a cross cut. That is the toughest part and when I'm taking my time the point where the saw usually comes out of my pocket.

I have seen a ton of videos on the chopping on youtube. While I enjoy user testimony, it just seems general technique is "swing away". Just wanted to share what I have read and found to work.
 
Any videos coming up with your newest addition??? :D
Great video Bro!
 
As for chopping tips; your technique looks really solid to me. You definitely made sure to make the V big enough.

I think you might have been doing this, but once I have a V going, I alway try to twist my wrist into the cut as it's hitting the wood, helps with not getting the blade stuck and sometimes you will blow out a chuck of wood that you weren't expecting.
 
Hey, thanks Gene! Right now, I don't know if I could put that laser edge you gave it through any serious labor just yet. I'd rather just sit here and watch the monitor light gleam off it. I know, its a sin, but I gots my users too!

remmmm, thanks man. The twist is something to work on for sure, it really helps those chips pop so they aren't in the way. The technique is something that could always use honing, just like my knife, so thanks for the suggestion.

Another good one while I am thinking of it is to always bring the tool over the same shoulder. This goes for one-handed and two-handed chopping like with an axe also. You can have seen success both ways, but this is text book.

Any other sweet tips ya'll?
 
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