Big Kershaw Chopper?

UCPOPO

UCPOPO

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Dec 2, 2010
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Does Kershaw make a big heavy chopping knife? Something thick, 10" blade and full tang? Just thought I would check. Thanks
 
not thick, but take a peek at the kershaw outcast. it is a pretty nice knife. be warned, it is not full tang, but it is pretty solid. a handle mod would make it kind of a fat junglas.
 
thegeek574 said:
not thick, but take a peek at the kershaw outcast. it is a pretty nice knife. be warned, it is not full tang, but it is pretty solid. a handle mod would make it kind of a fat junglas.
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+1 The Outcast was my first thought, too.
 
thegeek574 said:
not thick, but take a peek at the kershaw outcast. it is a pretty nice knife. be warned, it is not full tang, but it is pretty solid. a handle mod would make it kind of a fat junglas.
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as close to full tang as you would ever need, only the last inch or so is not steel.
 
Ive looked at those briefly. I do like the looks. My concern is D2 steel for a chopper.
 
UCPOPO said:
Ive just heard D2 doesnt make the best chopper material because it has a tendency to be a tad brittle
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I think you should be fine. I know what you're talking about with the rumors/claims about D2's "brittleness" that occasionally pop up. But they're rarely, if ever, substantiated with actual experience/evidence, and often simply seem to be due to people confusing relative brittleness (for example, D2 is going to be relatively "brittle" compared to something like 1095) with absolute brittleness. Also, I'm sure Kershaw tailored the heat treat/target HRC to the size/intended use of the knife, meaning that it'll be a bit softer -- and thus tougher/less brittle -- than the ~60 HRC that D2 is often taken to in folders.
 
ZT should offer a chopper in CPM 3V, possibly based on the 0100, scaled up with a 10" blade. I'd buy one if the actual retail price (not MAAP) were in the $300-350 ballpark. Or less :D
 
I appreciate the info guys. Its nice to be able to ask questions and not be jumped on like I was in another group forum here. Thanks again!
 
I like the Outcast but I traded mine away. I use Tramontina machetes. A bolo in 18" and a 12" are in my truck all the time -- they take a great edge and they are cheap.
 
Kershaw runs the D2 on the outcast a little softer and with a spring temper, it will take a beating so well you would think D2 from kershaw has some sort of magic powers compared to what some claim of D2. Being a little softer gives up very little with edge retention too, it holds a edge for a long time.

Being D2 its not easy to sharpen so a belt sander for major work and a good diamond rod for field sharpening would be my suggestion.
 
I used my Outcast to chop out some small bushes in the front of the house. I was chopping at the roots in the dirt and didn't have any issues with chipping at all. I was impressed with the knife as I figured after hitting a rock or two that I would be having to deal with some big chips. I liked it so much that I bought one for the bug out bag.

Also, it comes with a very decent sheath. Actually, one of the best that I've received with a production knife of this type.
 
I have had few chips in mind after hitting rock, buy I also put mine to a belt sander and really thinned down the edge.
 
I have heard nothing but good things about the Outcast. I say go for it. The price is nice, so you aren't out a ton either way.
 
Chopper? You want a chopper? My last Christmas goodies:

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I made the mistake of looking at the BM 171 Chopper one too many times locally last autumn/fall. My wife really thought I wanted it - and got it for < half price. It's in a display case here - all 10" of the CPM-M4 blade edge. 22 oz, I think and 5/16" spine - and with an absorptive handle supposedly made of recycled rubber horse stall floor mats. I am afraid to get it damp, lest it rejuvenate some smells. Besides 'BladeSports' chopping events, I have no idea what to use such a monstrosity for - it slurps for dicing veggies... maybe a watermellon...
 
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Tony8179 said:
I used my Outcast to chop out some small bushes in the front of the house. I was chopping at the roots in the dirt and didn't have any issues with chipping at all. I was impressed with the knife as I figured after hitting a rock or two that I would be having to deal with some big chips. I liked it so much that I bought one for the bug out bag.

Also, it comes with a very decent sheath. Actually, one of the best that I've received with a production knife of this type.
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Spot on, describes my experience with the Outcast to a "T." I keep my Outcast attached via MOLLE to my GHB in my Jeep. I used it a little in the recent 'nado cleanup here in North Alabama and it performed flawlessly. I would've used it more, but I took the opportunity to test some scales for another knife that were gifted to me with the understanding that I would put them through some heavy-use testing. The key to any middle-to-high-end steel is the heat treat, and Kershaw found about as close to the perfect balance of hardness, edge retention and brittleness control as you can get with the D2 in the Outcast.

I only have one criticism of the Outcast, and that's that the handle was too skinny for my ham-hocks. I wrapped mine with paracord, which solved the girth problem, but which also defeated the shock absorption qualities of the neoprene handle. The 550 made it hard as a rock. Not bad for minimal use, but I'd have to unwrap it if I ever needed it for extended hard use. It does look cooler though:

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UCPOPO said:
I appreciate the info guys. Its nice to be able to ask questions and not be jumped on like I was in another group forum here. Thanks again!
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This.

Blues
 
I beat on mine for a few months battoning firewood and clearing alot of brush from my property......Damn thing still bit me clean
 

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I really, really want to like mine. It is just the right size and heft for clearing saplings and processing firewood. The problem is the obtuse edge grind. This thing simply isn't sharp, and I cannot for the life of me get a proper edge on it. It is a chopper, so I don't expect it to shave, but it should be better than Tom Hanks' ice skate!
 
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