Choppers: Why? Educate me!

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pinnah

Joined
Jul 28, 2011
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I'm a skeptic on the subject of choppers. I don't get them. At all.

Can all you chopper fans out there educate me on the sorts of cutting tasks that you like a chopper (knife) for better than an axe/hatchet or a machete?

Let me set up some guardrails here...

I don't care about the "because it's fun" defense. I get that. It's fun to cut wood with sharp things. When the knife is small, it's called whittling. Chopping firewood with an axe is fun (to a point). If the issue is just "because it's fun", then say so and we can move on. I'm really more interested actual cutting tasks where a chopper knife is superior.

I don't care to get into the morality of cutting stuff in the woods, especially on public lands. It's a real issue and have my thoughts. But, that's another thread and not what I'm asking about.

I don't care about alternative camping techniques and the pros and cons of camping with choppers or not. Again, I have opinions on that. I more want to hear about the cutting tasks themselves where a chopper is better than a 4"-5" woods knife, machete or hatchet.


Thanks,
 
Choppers are better for selling to people who already have 4-5 inch woods knives, machetes, hatchet, etc.
My only knives that I would call a chopper are my corn knife, which cuts corn stalks very well, but it's lousy for everything else, and my meat cleaver, which is good for taking ribs of a back bone. I too would like to know what a chopper would be good for in the woods.
 
If I have a knife large enough odds it might be used for chopping or perhaps not. So what's to be skeptical about? Do you think it doesn't work? Are you looking to debate if a knife is better than an axe at chopping? Not sure I understand what the deal is?
 
In my experience, they're not better at chopping than a machete or an axe, but they are better at chopping than a 4-5" knife (this is simple physics). I carry one when I don't want to carry a machete or an axe. I won't list any other reasons as you've said you don't want to hear about it. Also, I'm thinking you already know the answer to what you're asking based on what you said you didn't want to hear.
 
Woods Walker,

I want to *AVOID* debates on this one. Honest.

I'm wondering what sort of wood processing tasks (or other tasks) they are best at. Or perhaps is a one tool compromise that attempts to do the things that a knife + machete + hatchet will do?


Let me put this way....

There is some to be "processed".

You have a selection of tools to choose from including a 4.5" knife, a machete (or parang or similar), an axe, a hatchet and a big chopper knife.

For what part of the wood processing would one choose the chopper knife?

Or, under what circumstances would you lug the chopper from the barn to the work site instead of the others?
 
lakelly said:
In my experience, they're not better at chopping than a machete or an axe, but they are better at chopping than a 4-5" knife (this is simple physics). I carry one when I don't want to carry a machete or an axe. I won't list any other reasons as you've said you don't want to hear about it. Also, I'm thinking you already know the answer to what you're asking based on what you said you didn't want to hear.
Click to expand...

Lakelly, this is helpful, thanks.

I'm honestly trying to stay as open minded as possible. Just trying to stick as close possible to the actual usage.

Note, I consider the need carry only a 1 compromise tool to the job site as a legitimate part of the actual usage. As in, it might be better to carry a chopper than carrying both a machete and a hatchet.
 
A long knife is better at cutting brambles, grass, and small, whippy branches than an axe.

A long knife is better at slicing than an axe, although I have some axes that slice after a fashion, ulu-like.

Stuff you don't want to discuss aside, it depends on the work to be done.
 
Thomas Linton said:
A long knife is better at cutting brambles, grass, and small, whippy branches than an axe.

A long knife is better at slicing than an axe, although I have some axes that slice after a fashion, ulu-like.
Click to expand...

Thomas, in your experience, is a large chopper knife better at either of these than a machete?

Can you describe why you would choose a chopper over a machete for these tasks?
 
It is just another tool in the tool box. I personally prefer a large knife to a hatchet, it's more versatile. But, it depends on what I want to do. BTW, I noticed I have a variety of screwdrivers too...is that a bad thing?

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
It is just another tool in the tool box. I personally prefer a large knife to a hatchet, it's more versatile. But, it depends on what I want to do. BTW, I noticed I have a variety of screwdrivers too...is that a bad thing?

n2s
Click to expand...
I guess the OP would like details. Like- WHAT would you want to do? Come to think of it, I, too, would like to learn from those who know more about it than I.
 
pinnah said:
Thomas, in your experience, is a large chopper knife better at either of these than a machete?

Can you describe why you would choose a chopper over a machete for these tasks?
Click to expand...

"A long knife,,,."

A heavy long knife is a better axe substitute but less surperior in cutting brambles, etc.

I think how a knife slices is a function of geometry, not weight.

The heavier an axe is, the less likely you will have it in the woods.

Oh. A long knife is also better for splitting lanrger wood.

The heavier a knife is, the less likely I will have it in the woods.
 
pinnah said:
I'm a skeptic on the subject of choppers. I don't get them. At all.

Can all you chopper fans out there educate me on the sorts of cutting tasks that you like a chopper (knife) for better than an axe/hatchet or a machete?

Let me set up some guardrails here...

I don't care about the "because it's fun" defense. I get that. It's fun to cut wood with sharp things. When the knife is small, it's called whittling. Chopping firewood with an axe is fun (to a point). If the issue is just "because it's fun", then say so and we can move on. I'm really more interested actual cutting tasks where a chopper knife is superior.

I don't care to get into the morality of cutting stuff in the woods, especially on public lands. It's a real issue and have my thoughts. But, that's another thread and not what I'm asking about.

I don't care about alternative camping techniques and the pros and cons of camping with choppers or not. Again, I have opinions on that. I more want to hear about the cutting tasks themselves where a chopper is better than a 4"-5" woods knife, machete or hatchet.


Thanks,
Click to expand...

You don't get it. A chainsaw and a log splitter work great for processing wood. But I wouldn't want to carry either to the top of a mountain. You settle for the lightest thing that will reasonably get the job done. Period.
 
I used to believe in the saying of the deeper in the woods you are, the bigger the knife should be. I loved choppers, had many different ones from various makers, and lugged them all over the place. I realized for me though, it just wasn't practical or necessary. People in other regions may have much more of a use for them though. I also have zero need for an axe. (I basically frequent desert type terrain)
 
Mike-Mike said:
You don't get it. A chainsaw and a log splitter work great for processing wood. But I wouldn't want to carry either to the top of a mountain. You settle for the lightest thing that will reasonably get the job done. Period.
Click to expand...

I don't get it and was hoping you and others could illuminate the subject in more specifics.

I do get that there's a range of "wood processing". My cousin has land that is actively harvested. We hunt here.
Vermont Clear Cut by Pinnah, on Flickr

"Pincher" style harvesters and big delimbers... I get that. I know what they're used for.

I get hatchets and machetes. I own both and know when to grab which one from the barn.

What I don't get is the utility of a large chopper knife. Based in your experience, what specific wood processing tasks (or other tasks) do you prefer a big chopper knife over the alternatives?
 
Mike-Mike said:
You settle for the lightest thing that will reasonably get the job done. Period.
Click to expand...

I think the OP is not looking for anyone to illustrate this concept about using the lightest tool that will reasonably get the job done (horrifically obvious statement, no?), as much as he is looking for someone to illustrate where and when and how a big chopper knife would flourish over all other tool options.
 
pinnah said:
Based in your experience, what specific wood processing tasks (or other tasks) do you prefer a big chopper knife over the alternatives?
Click to expand...

None. It's advantage is it's handiness. No one would go to battle with a pistol. But it's a lot better than nothing when carrying a rifle is unrealistic. If you need to do some light chopping 4 miles deep in the woods I might bring a big knife and a small saw.
 
pjackst said:
I think the OP is not looking for anyone to illustrate this concept about using the lightest tool that will reasonably get the job done (horrifically obvious statement, no?), as much as he is looking for someone to illustrate where and when and how a big chopper knife would flourish over all other tool options.
Click to expand...

It doesn't.
 
pinnah said:
Thomas, in your experience, is a large chopper knife better at either of these than a machete?

Can you describe why you would choose a chopper over a machete for these tasks?
Click to expand...

IMHO, choppers do not make good replacements for machetes. They are too short, too heavy, and much too expensive. The machete is usually an inexpensive tool designed to take abuse. Machete work tends to happen close to the ground and with an obstructed view, so it is common to come into contact with rocks, masonry, pipes and other hard damaging materials.

n2s
 
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