Chopping tool, a question

C

Caseless

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May 16, 2002
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I slowly outfitting myself with some proper tools for the outdoors (hiking, camping, possible survival, bear-wrestling ;), etc). Eventually, I intend to get everything sharp and pointy under the sun, but for now, due to budget constraints, I want to buy one good, all-around thing.

I have a folder, a multi-tool (though it needs upgrading, that's a different matter) and a medium/large knife (a BK7). What I'm looking for is a chopping tool.

So far, the following are all options: hatchet/small axe (granfors bruks, i think), machete (ontario looks good), tomahawk (ATC, probably), woodsman's pal (thanks to that recent post) or khukri (himalayan imports).

I live in Chicago, have family/grew up in Boston and visit the Rockies on occasion, so I'd be dealing with the woods/environment in those three areas.

I camped extensively as a child (using my parents' equipment), but, now 25, haven't been out in about seven years. As much as I love concrete and highrises, I'm itching for woods again, so I need gear. Plus, I'm a knife-knut who wants to own sharp objects. :)

Looking for advice/recommendations. I want the one tool that can do the most best (i.e. an axe may cut down a tree the best, a machete handles brush best, but which is best overall?). If anyone has recommendations for specific models/manufacturers/etc, that'd be handy too.

Thanks,
-caseless
 
Cutting and chopping requires two different blade profiles...

A good chopper is not a good cutter. A good cutter is not a good chopper.

Even if you're not on a budget, A Swedish Army utility knife ($10) and a hand axe under 20 bucks will serve you better than any one large knife costing an arm and a leg.

Start there...
 
you will need some of each of the tools, an axe, a machete, a hawk,a kukuri. the real question you are asking is which do you want to get first. depending on what you are anticipating as the tasks that you need to accomplish you change tools. some guys swear by the imported kukuris, some think they twist on striking a log. the axe will split your firewood, and chop down poles to make your shelter as will the hawk the woodsmans pal, kukri. so think about what you would need. some guys carry a sharpened cold steel shovel and use that to dig and chop with. since they arent real expensive you might as well add one of those to your list. you will buy things and try them and not like them, another guy may think that same tool is the best thing since sliced bread.

i am a hunter, i tend to buy things that are related to hunting type tasks. other guys are hikers and backpackers, campers, so their needs are different. i need tools to break down big animals, make camp, dig a latreene, so my choices wont be your choices.

alex
 
Personal preference and budget will dictate what you like best.

Machetes are made for clearing brush. They will chop wood, but you run the risk of shortening the life of the tool.

Tomahawks are light axes that are are balanced for throwing. These qualities make them desirable for those looking for versatile light combat weapon/tool. The will not out chop an ax or a Khukuri. Axes are optimized for chopping wood. They are generally heavier than tomahawks of the same size. If you get an Ax or Tomahawk, you can carry it with the multi-tool and folder. You don't need the small hatchet, as you BK7 can fill that role (with a lot more swings).

Khukuris are combinations between large knives, axes, and hammers. The fit and finish of these knives are not as nice as the tools that are made in the US. But the Khuks are really something. Some khuks are made from 1/2" thick 5160 spring steel. These knives will chop and pry like you would believe. There are dedicated choppers models like the Ang Khola - heavy like an Ax, but they are not really as comfortable to tote around like a tomahawk. They do make lighter models, but they do not chop as well. A good compromise would be the WWII. It is a weapon/tool that is lighter than the dedicated choppers. The Khuks chop a bit more efficiently than the Ax because of the larger effective edge. Khukuri's are not exactly cheap, but they are not multi-hundred dollar survival knives either.

If you get a khuk, you can carry it with the multi-tool and leave the rest in the car.
 
A Valiant Golok will handle light vegetation and thick soft woods well, it may have problems on hard woods and seasoned or deadwood.

A khukuri will in general be heavier in hand and while cutting the light materials well, be less efficient than the Golok, but will have no durability problems on the harder woods, and will split and bind less in sap woods.

A quality hatchet (Gransfors Bruks) will split better than the khukuri and bind even less in thick sapwoods and outchop it on large woods, much larger than shelter or fire building there though. The axe also has some utility advantages being easier to cut with than the khukuri for many cases, though it lacks the point profile, it also makes a better hammer.

A long knife, bowie class, can match the above raw chopping power on small woods (2-4" say), but lacks reach for general brush work. The knife however is in general better as most precision cutting chores.

A machete is generally only the best option if you are working in very dirty material where the edge is getting dinged constantly.

A quality folding saw (recent thread for example) can make felling much easier and is very nice for any extended bucking as well as preserving the edge on the chopping tools from harder knots.

Quality chopping tools in general cut very well as chopping is a form of cutting. All of the above blades when crafted optimally will have edge angles of 15 degrees or less per side, the Golok is actually close to 10. A quality cutting blade is made into a quality chopping blade mainly by a proper balance and mass.

-Cliff
 
The early frontiersmen often carried hatchets or tomahawks when traveling light. I'd probably lean toward that. But that is like saying "one knife".
I have 3 axes, 3 hatchets,... but I didn't get them all at once. So get one this year. Another next year....etc.
For normal camping, hunting, etc. I like roofing type hatchet with hammer head. Most of the state parks down here have laws against chopping down the vegetation, so camp stuff is normally just driving stakes and minor splitting on precut firewood, etc.
 
Yup. Did the same thing started with a folder, SAK and multitool. Then got a Swamp Rat.
Now I have a Gransfor Bruks Ax, a Khukuri, and a Tomahawk.

Going to get a custom made machete.
 
You've already gotten some great advice here.

What you buy is not the problem, it is what you carry that always ends up being a compromise. To hear soem guys talk you would think they hired a caddy to take whith them on a camping trip to handle all their cutting needs.

Look seriously at the vegitattion where you plan to be and determine what would be the best thing to cut it doing the things you are most likely to do.

Machetes are used most often for travel through thich fleshy plants and tangled vines. Here in Brazil you can't MOVE without one. Once you make camp a small axe would sometimes come in handy but really who wants to carry one just "to come in handy". We just press the machete into service for heavy chopping and if it gets beat-up so be it. They are looked upon as a comsumable commodity like boot soles.

I can think of places I have been in North America where I woiuld have liked to carry a machete and actually have on occasion searching for pot gardens. Most of the time it is not necessary to chop your way forward in North American wilderness. A hatchet or small axe is best. The farther north you go the truer this gets. Mac
 
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