Blade for slicing banana stalk

[Danke42]

I found a how too video.

 

[darthrabbi]

24" circumference, around 7.5" diameter?

The hawkbills would probably let you cut around the stem (kinda pull it through the stalk from different directions?) without swinging or sawing back and forth, and then maybe something else to split the stem and chop it down? Kinda like batoning through wood to get the thick stalk into a more easier to manage thickness and then chop it up? So a cheap hawkbill to cut the stalk down (kinda cut in a circle at the stem?) and then 5-8" chopper to split the stem down into quarters or so and then chop those sections down lengthwise? I am assuming the stems are somewhat soft even at that diameter?

What about splitting the stem from the top down into several pieces (like batoning a log) and then cutting those sections? Like quarter the stem from the top down to the ground and then cutting through those quarters?

Thank you for the suggestion. As someone who doesn’t have a “5-8” chopper,” are there any you could recommend?

 

[darthrabbi]

They cut at a downward angle- just like cutting sugar cane. Machetes are awesome for so many chores.

Thanks. This would avoid harming the daughter plants around it? If so, is there any particular machete (and blade length) you would recommend or anything would work?

 

[beeinak]

Thanks. This would avoid harming the daughter plants around it? If so, is there any particular machete (and blade length) you would recommend or anything would work?

I suggest cutting higher to get comfortable with it, then you can get lower. People have many opinions about the best machete. Personally, my favorite is an 18” bladed Ontario I have had for decades. Length is important to consider what/where you are cutting, as well as your posture when doing so. I think any decent one should handle the job without much trouble (Latin American brands are quality/inexpensive). Keep in mind that most come pretty dull, so you will need to put a good edge on it. The Baryonyx 16” blade looks very useful.

 

[Sgt 127]

We had a banana tree in Texas. Stupid thing grew at a spectacular rate. Discovered after the first winter, the whole thing collapsed on itself, dead, and new shoots popped up everywhere.

So, I just lopped them off after the first cold day with an old military machete. Sliced them clean. Didn’t worry about a few inches of stalk remaining, figured it would just rot and add nutrients to the soil.

They are remarkably heavy and seemed like 80% water.

Next spring. 3 shoots came up around every stalk I’d cut.