Recommendation? Blade geometry for large choppers. Help needed

S

Storm W

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Feb 19, 2019
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I have an order for 2 oversized choppers. They are out of 1/4" AEB-L 2.5" wide one with a 12" blade and the other 14". He is a 6'6" Veteran who is a body builder and is ripped at 260-280. When I worked with him we were working over 80 hour weeks and I was loosing weight and thought it was great. He said he was loosing weight as well and was pissed since it was pure muscle. Lol. He wants them more as a weapon rather than hardcore choppers.

I was wondering what kind of weight and edge thickness I can safely use. Same with hardness.
 
Since he is a body builder and not a powerlifter, you had better not make it too heavy:)

I still love the 3V chopper I made with a 13" blade.
I started the grind as FFG and then switched to convex.
It is super tough and holds an edge well. I did a bunch of yard work and it still didn't need more than wiping off.
Stall mat handle over micarta liners.
If he wants more of a weapon look, you could modify the profile to more of a Bowie.
For AEB-L I would go around 60 HRC, but you can look at Larrin's charts for more guidance.

PSA: lose weight; loose fit, loose change

OaxT56y.jpg
 
Richard338 said:
Since he is a body builder and not a powerlifter, you had better not make it too heavy:)

I still love the 3V chopper I made with a 13" blade.
I started the grind as FFG and then switched to convex.
It is super tough and holds an edge well. I did a bunch of yard work and it still didn't need more than wiping off.
Stall mat handle over micarta liners.
If he wants more of a weapon look, you could modify the profile to more of a Bowie.
For AEB-L I would go around 60 HRC, but you can look at Larrin's charts for more guidance.

PSA: lose weight; loose fit, loose change

OaxT56y.jpg
Click to expand...
He has a welder and in the military for 20 years as well and if I had to arm wrestle him I would just go break my own arm. Lol. I'm never sure what those guys who pay to go lift heavy things call what they do.
 
Go full height flat or convex to .025" behind the edge, and it will be plenty tough enough. If I were making them, and they were for me, I would go even thinner than that. I have done AEB-L choppers at 61 RC in 1/8" thickness with .020" behind the edge, and demolished hard wood.

Here is one of them:

 
I would suggest a tactical barong pattern from 1/4” stock, with a full flat grind and a sharpened swedge .

n2s
 
Storm W said:
He has a welder and in the military for 20 years as well and if I had to arm wrestle him I would just go break my own arm. Lol. I'm never sure what those guys who pay to go lift heavy things call what they do.
Click to expand...
Ha yes, sounds like a big dude whatever his hobbies are called.

Please post your progress as this plan comes together. I'm with David on pushing the grind a little thinner than you might expect. I recently bought a khukuri with a steep bevel and cutting is disappointing relative to my chopper.
 
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