Competition Chopper M4, 3V, or Z-Wear

Robert Amato

Robert Amato

Joined
Feb 10, 2018
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72
Recommendations for a competition chopper M4, 3V, or Z-Wear? Pros, cons or personal experience. Seen a lot of threads but none specifically comparing these three.

Thanks
 
Of those 3 I think there are far more M4 choppers in use than either of the others. I don't have vast experience with any of the three, but have used all three, and would lean towards M4 as being tough enough with superior wear resistance to the other two.
 
3v will be toughest with the least edge holding. M4 will be the least tough with the best wear resistance. Z-wear will be in the middle of the two. I make a lot of z-wear knives, and for me it’s the best balance between toughness and wear resistance. 4v is another option half way between z-wear and M4.
 
kuraki said:
Knife or Death? 3V
Bladesports? CPM M4

:D
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I could probably make z-wear survive knife or death, with 1925f austerities, and low temper. Last week the competitor with the rex 121 blade damaged his blade, which was fine for “normal” chopping.
 
A guy ran with 121? :confused: I've only seen 3 episodes, was that the 4th? I thought T15 was risky (ep3).
 
kuraki said:
Where did you get Z-Wear in those thicknesses? I've only seen it under .200" and would love some 1/4".
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I order it straight from the factory.
Zapp will supposedly be discontinuing Z-Wear in 3/8”. 1/4” and I believe 5/16” will still be available. 1/4” for sure.
 
M4 is still strong in Bladesports but 4V is starting to take over. Personally, I'd go with 4V.
Scott
 
I run my 4V comp knife at 63 rc and the edge at 0.011. It holds up on the hardest douglas fir boards and oak dowels.
Scott
 
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James Clifton current world champion uses T15 and runs it at 65 rc. It cuts 2" rope like a light saber. He cut through 2" rope at the Peters HT Meadville cut last August and the rope barely moved.
Scott
 
Gossman Knives said:
James Clifton current world champion uses T15 and runs it at 65 rc. It cuts 2" rope like a light saber. He cut through 2" rope at the Peters HT Meadville cut last August and the rope barely moved.
Scott
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I peaked a bit into T15, looked pretty interesting. And I’ve seen James’s perform very nicely!! I will put a bit of research time into 4V
 
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