Chopper Vs. Big knife, My own testing.

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Fonly

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Sep 24, 2006
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So, after wondering about my next purchase, as in what It was going to be I got to thinking I needed another chopper. Be it a knife, I was thinking a Tigershark, BK9 should I find one, or even a Scrapyard, Blackjack or something. I was feeling like what I had wasn't working. So, I wanted to try out what I had now and see how they compared. A Gerber Gator axe with a knife in the handle and a Becker BK7 (my pride and joy). So, at this time I didnt need a new knife anymore, I just needed to refine what I had, and see which worked best. I had done a test like this before with a mini hatchet from my Grand Father, but I don't see that as a fair test considering it was older, the head was loose, and to be honest, it was too light.

Here are the contenders.
p5300205kh7.jpg


Now first on the list was chopping power, I gerber had the edge redone, just as the bk7 had, they were both thined out. So, first up was the Gerber. After 30

chops of moderate power it didn't do too bad.
p5300206ah7.jpg


Then the Becker,at 30 chops I honestly didn't think it would do this good, but I think the new edge really helped.
p5300208ls2.jpg


Out of the two, I've got to say its a tie, though if I had to hand it too one it would be the BK7, the profile of the BK7 just makes it more usful.


Now, for the Batonning.
p5300210uw6.jpg


The Gerber was batonned as it wasn't long enough to get a full power swing to split the round of wood. Though its width really helped in the spliting.

p5300214bz3.jpg

But it still managed.

p5300215tv4.jpg


Next the BK7.
p5300216fe6.jpg


Of course it had no trouble at all, and split a long piece.
p5300218qc6.jpg


As for the spliting, If it had to go to one, it would be the gerber, but this is because its an axe, and made for this, though its pretty darn close.
 
Continued:

Now, considering this would be an only large tool, and a time may come that it's my only tool, I wanted to know I could get the materials for a fire. First
up was the BK7. After batonning of some splits (kindling) I then proceed to make some shavings, this is when a knife really shines, and of course A large
knife can to the work of a large and small knife, where a small can only do that a small one safly, so the Mid length knives really shine here.
p5300219mr7.jpg


Now, with the Gerber knife it was a litte diffrent. Yes it was easy making shavings with the knife from the handle.
p5300221oq2.jpg


But what happens when the knife gets lost, and I can almost garuntee it will considering the Magnet that holds it in the handle sucks, I've dropped the knife out of it a few times and had to go looking for it. So, I thought it would make sense to make some shavings with the hatchet.
p5300222uu0.jpg


And all together.
p5300223un9.jpg



So, at the end off all this, where Do I stand? Through the test both products seem to stay pretty close to each other. They both can chop fine, the can certainly both baton, and they can produce shavings without problems. They also kept the sharpness levels that they began with. But, when you weigh in the facts that the knife can go missing from the handle and also can be a hazard to health, Also the BK7 being more well rounded yet still comparable, and could be used in self defense easier and more efficently, the BK7 stands out. Because its one package and can still do the work of the hathcet and small knife, it really comes out on top. For me, there isnt a questions anymore, 7" blade more me it is.



~BK7:
Chopping: 8/10
Batonning: 10/10
Whittling: 7/10

~Gerber hatchet:
Chopping: 8/10
Batoning: 8/10
Whittling: 2/10

~Gerber handle knife:
Chopping: .5/10
Splitting: 1/10
Whittling: 10/10
 
Put a lanyard on that little knife and tie it to the handle of the axe, it won't get lost anymore. after that, carry both and you have all you'll ever need;)
 
gunknifenut said:
Put a lanyard on that little knife and tie it to the handle of the axe, it won't get lost anymore. after that, carry both and you have all you'll ever need;)
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Then I gotta drill a hole, and, ugh..... I dont have the energy. haha :D

Plus that thing isnt worth my time. :D haha
 
Good review, Fonly. Refining your preferences by direct experience with your tools is the best way to learn what you like :thumbup:

I took a wilderness survival course and the very capable and experienced instructors all recommended large fixed blade knives of carbon steel for one's do-all wilderness tool :) They also liked to accompany it with a multi-tool, particularly Leatherman.
 
You might want to additionally try on some wider wood and some narrow springy wood and see the differences.

Nice work.

-Cliff
 
Thanks for the thorough and valuable test, good post:thumbup:

I have the Fiskars version of the Gerber axe, it doesn't have the built in knife but does have a bright orange handle tip that makes it easy to find in undergrowth. I find it a cheap but really useful hiking tool, it comes with a good cordura pouch that allows belt carry or fastening to a pack. An honest worker I say and its excellent compact lightweight gives it advantages.
 
Fonly said:
~BK7:
Chopping: 8/10
Batonning: 10/10
Whittling: 7/10

~Gerber hatchet:
Chopping: 8/10
Batoning: 8/10
Whittling: 2/10

~Gerber handle knife:
Chopping: .5/10
Splitting: 1/10
Whittling: 10/10
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A question: If a 7" bladed knife and a pocket sized hatchet get an 8 out of 10 on your chopping scale, what does a 10 represent? Where would a full sized felling axe or a really long brush blade be?
 
Since they are relatively close in performance, the question of weight comes up in my mind. So, how do they compare in that regard? I'd guess the Becker is lighter, but by how much?
 
the possum said:
A question: If a 7" bladed knife and a pocket sized hatchet get an 8 out of 10 on your chopping scale, what does a 10 represent? Where would a full sized felling axe or a really long brush blade be?
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On a diffrent scale, ten out of ten on this scale would represent something like a scrapyard or something. I didn't want to get into balance, grip or comfort, Just a quick over view of something in this size class.
 
XMP said:
Since they are relatively close in performance, the question of weight comes up in my mind. So, how do they compare in that regard? I'd guess the Becker is lighter, but by how much?
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The becker is 13oz and the gerber with the knife in the handle is 19oz.

This also crossed my mind in terms of the actual ease of carry, and of course the BK7 wins because of its simplicity, where as it the hatchet is on your belt you have to more less fiddle it out. I've cut my self taking the hatchet out befor.
 
the possum said:
A question: If a 7" bladed knife and a pocket sized hatchet get an 8 out of 10 on your chopping scale, what does a 10 represent? Where would a full sized felling axe or a really long brush blade be?
Click to expand...

A decent 10" blade is about 2:1 over the Becker. A full size felling axe isn't as far ahead as many people would think. Try to chop a 2x4 in half with one hit with a felling axe for example and then do it with a decent 10" blade. The performance is only about 2-3:1. The real advantage comes on thicker woods where the axe doesn't bog down like a blade will because of the wider contact area.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
A decent 10" blade is about 2:1 over the Becker. A full size felling axe isn't as far ahead as many people would think. Try to chop a 2x4 in half with one hit with a felling axe for example and then do it with a decent 10" blade. The performance is only about 2-3:1. The real advantage comes on thicker woods where the axe doesn't bog down like a blade will because of the wider contact area.
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Thats just it. I see the bonus of the 7" in the sense of its ease of carry. Sure you can carry a 10" blade, but its just a little easier with the BK7.
 
Fonly you are the Man now when it comes to these mini tests.....great pics, great review, what more can I say !!!:thumbup:

I still think you need a Scrapyard knife though and then you can keep me company over on that forum as well !!!:D
 
Nice pics and write up. It's always fun to get out with your gear and play, see what works best, which you like better.
 
Fonly said:
Pitdog how did you get your scrapyard?
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You have to keep looking on the forum bro so you know when a new knife is becoming available.
Other than that you have to buy at a marked up price off someone else !
There is no problem shipping to Canada though !!!!
 
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