Choppers!!!

I also bought a Zombie Tools Marauder a month ago. I didn't think it would arrive until November but it arrives at my house on Thursday. Unfortunately I left today to travel around and won't be back until November
 
The Kabar Becker BK9 is an absolutely perfect chopper, I have spent literally all day clearing brush and limbing smaller downed trees after storms and such with zero need for more knife. For bigger stuff I use a shortened 22inch Ontario machete, I just cut it off straight and chisel ground the tip and extensively changed the handle both in shape and material. It will cut a 2 inch green maple limb in one swing. Also I greatly enjoy my Busse Combat CGFBM it's a true classic.
 
I break my choppers into two categories, the big knives, with blades around 10”, and the chopper machetes, with blades at 13-14”. The only big knives I own are the BK9 and the Skrama 240 (I have some pretty big knives, but none with blades as long as 10”). The Skrama with only a 9” blade, gets an advantage from its long handle, which allows it to generate head speeds comparable to a 13” blade (OAL for both is around 19”). The Skrama chops better for me in the short run, but the handle of the Becker feels like It would let me work longer without discomfort.

Neither of these chops as well as my Condor Golok or bushcraft parang. Based on relatively limited observation, the parang seems to have an edge on green and softer woods, while the more obtuse ax-like grind of the Golok works better on harder wood, throwing chips rather than cutting deeply.

The question I have been unable to answer is whether the more acute grinds presumably permitted by the more expensive steel on the premium brands like Carothers, Busse and the like allows these knives to perform appreciably better than their counterparts made from supposedly lesser steel.
Nothing conclusive or scientific here, but rather anecdotal and based upon my admittedly limited observation.
 
Thank you all for the suggestions. I will try to get most of the blades you have recommended. I will buy more and more big blades and choppers while I'm traveling around. I'll start with all the big knives and choppers I already have - which is a decent amount - and try to sell and buy different blades along the way. I'm excited to get started doing this.
 
kobold said:
I just realized I didn't wrote the full name there - it's Bushraft Parang. Pic w/ the cat :)

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What's your thoughts on the Bushcraft Parang? Worth it even with the increased price?
 
I haven't used it at all yet. I got it back in April and I was in Brazil from May until 2 weeks ago. It's back at my house right now. I'll be traveling around for the next 6 weeks but I brought 4 other choppers to use the first 6 weeks. I'll make sure to bring it with me when I get back. I had very good feelings about the Bestia for chopping. I was thinking it would end up being one of my favorites. I also like the idea of comparing a lot of knives exactly how I received them, unused and then comparing them after they're broken in and resharpened a couple times.
 
If I can make some suggestions for your testing, since I'm very interested:
- Chop the same 2x4 with each blade, both to see what the results are in 4 or 6 chops and also total chops to get through. Make notes on each blade r.e. comfort/feel/controllability, right after using each one so you don't forget, and don't chop once you notice any tiring since that will affect the outcome.
- same for chopping through branches of various thickness, or other media.
- add a real kukhri to the mix!
 
fishface5 said:
If I can make some suggestions for your testing, since I'm very interested:
- Chop the same 2x4 with each blade, both to see what the results are in 4 or 6 chops and also total chops to get through. Make notes on each blade r.e. comfort/feel/controllability, right after using each one so you don't forget, and don't chop once you notice any tiring since that will affect the outcome.
- same for chopping through branches of various thickness, or other media.
- add a real kukhri to the mix!
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I greatly appreciate your suggestions and I'll be sure to do those. They all make sense and definitely are the best way to keep things fair and prevent my not so great memory haha.

I'm definitely interested in a good kuhkri. Any suggestions?
 
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