Bladesport chopper

JG Custom Metal Works

JG Custom Metal Works

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Nov 27, 2013
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Okay so I'm thinking about getting into bladesports and wanna build a chopper. I'm probably gonna go with either 52100 or possibly M4. What I'm trying to figure out is the bevel angle. I know they're usually 2in wide blade made from .25in thick stock(and that's probably what I'll use). Most of the ones I've seen are close to a full flat grind with about a .25in of saber on the spine.

What bevel angle do I need to be considering? Also, what kind of edges are these guys running? Convex?

I'm also looking at using some horse stall mats for the handle. Is there any other material i should be looking at?

Any advice on making one of these would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Chopper steel should have high toughness , CPM 3V is a good one .CPM M4 and 52100 are not.
Convex is stronger for chopping.
Some of the fiber composites , G10 types are rugged.
1/4" x 8" long should give you about 1 pound which is a capable chopping weight.
 
There is a difference in design between a camp chopper, and a competition chopper. Different beasts.
 
ggoose said:
Please elaborate for we, the ignorant and uninitiated...
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From my limited understanding competition choppers are made ONLY to chop the things in the competitions: golf balls, tennis balls, 2x4s, rope, thick cardboard tubing, etc... There is never ANY use for a tip in these competitions so the majority of blades are squared off at the end. A camp chopper might be used to pull double duty(utility/chopping) and therefor might need a tip. Other than that there are specific criteria fo the choppers used in Bladesports. 15in overall length and 10in blade. Watch some bladesports competitions on youtube and you'll understand.
 
Bill Burke said:
yea m4 is terrible for this that's why almost all the top competitors are using it.:D
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Exactly. That's my understanding as well. My only problem is that I don't know if I can bring myself to drop out on a big slab of m4. There so expensive, I'd be afraid I'd screw it up. I guess at some point u just gotta shit or get off the pot...
 
Competition cutters are sometimes referred to as "race" knives. They are only used for minutes at a time; they're highly specialized and ground almost insanely thin at the edge. CPM-M4 is King in Bladesports... by most competitors accounts, few other alloys have the fine-edge retention required to chop through two or more 2X4's and then make precise, very fine cuts in the same run during a timed event.

A more general purpose camp chopper needs more toughness and a thicker geometry true razor sharpness is less important... one might compare it to a 4X4 truck instead of a Formula One car. CPM-3V and 52100 are excellent choices for that.

creature7 said:
Exactly. That's my understanding as well. My only problem is that I don't know if I can bring myself to drop out on a big slab of m4. There so expensive, I'd be afraid I'd screw it up. I guess at some point u just gotta {go for it}...
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Build a practice knife out of 52100 to get your feet wet. Later, move up to CPM-M4.
 
I think its great your wanting to get into the sport! Where are you located? In a couple weeks im going to try and get certified so i can compete as well.. Its just looks like so much fun!!

Another great steel if you can find it is Vanadis 4 Extra, the knife Dan was using at BladeSports when he won the championship was made of this. Its just difficult to locate in thick enough stock, difficult for me to locate anyways LOL.

Here is my competition knife from Dan Keffeler. This is made of 52100 and ranges from .32-.35" thick. Its a BEAST.

DSC02882_zpsb037717d.jpg
 
james terrio said:
Competition cutters are sometimes referred to as "race" knives. They are only used for minutes at a time; they're highly specialized and ground almost insanely thin at the edge. CPM-M4 is King in Bladesports... by most competitors accounts, few other alloys have the fine-edge retention required to chop through two or more 2X4's and then make precise, very fine cuts in the same run during a timed event.

A more general purpose camp chopper needs more toughness and a thicker geometry... one might compare it to a 4X4 truck instead of a Formula One car. CPM-3V and 52100 are excellent choices for that.
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So do you think 52100 would be too inferior to m4? I see that Jose Diaz(president of bladesports) makes a good amount of his choppers out of 52100. If that steel is comparable to m4 then I'd rather use it since its about half the price.
 
worldwood said:
I think its great your wanting to get into the sport! Where are you located? In a couple weeks im going to try and get certified so i can compete as well.. Its just looks like so much fun!!

Another great steel if you can find it is Vanadis 4 Extra, the knife Dan was using at BladeSports when he won the championship was made of this. Its just difficult to locate in thick enough stock, difficult for me to locate anyways LOL.

Here is my competition knife from Dan Keffeler. This is made of 52100 and ranges from .32-.35" thick. Its a BEAST.

DSC02882_zpsb037717d.jpg
Click to expand...

That knife is awesome! I'm in northeast kansas.
 
mete said:
Chopper steel should have high toughness , CPM 3V is a good one .CPM M4 and 52100 are not.
Convex is stronger for chopping.
Some of the fiber composites , G10 types are rugged.
1/4" x 8" long should give you about 1 pound which is a capable chopping weight.
Click to expand...

Beat me to it. +1
 
creature7 said:
So do you think 52100 would be too inferior to m4? I see that Jose Diaz(president of bladesports) makes a good amount of his choppers out of 52100. If that steel is comparable to m4 then I'd rather use it since its about half the price.
Click to expand...

It's certainly worth a try - 52100 works really well for lots of things. Call Brad at Peters HT and ask him about it. He does the HT for a lot - perhaps most? - of the Bladesports competitors.
 
The knife with the best heat treat wins. If heat treat is optimized for both steels, then go with what the pros are winning with. :thumbup: They're obviously doing something right!
 
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