Design a small chopper

Shotgun

Shotgun

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Feb 3, 2006
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I've been thinking about my gear and although I'm completely kitted out a few times over on cutlery I'm just not really satisfied. I think I may never be satisfied but that's a whole other conversation.:D

So at this moment I'm lacking a chopper knife and I've been thinking about some but none of them really fill the bill. I seem to be drawn to knives in the 6 inch length but that's generally not a good length for chopping. I was wondering if you guys could give me ideas on a knife design from what you've learned from choppers over the years. What kind of geometry could maximize a 6 inch blade to be a chopping machine? I was thinking something between a kukri and a WSK type knife with a wide ~2" blade. Any ideas?
 
Have you tried a cleaver?
I think That a narrower version of a cleaver could be interesting.

This is what I did when I was looking for a light chopper:
bonmachetecomposed2.jpg


I was thinking of alightweight, short, heavy-headed machete. And it works!
 
Shotgun said:
I've been thinking about my gear and although I'm completely kitted out a few times over on cutlery I'm just not really satisfied. I think I may never be satisfied but that's a whole other conversation.:D

So at this moment I'm lacking a chopper knife and I've been thinking about some but none of them really fill the bill. I seem to be drawn to knives in the 6 inch length but that's generally not a good length for chopping. I was wondering if you guys could give me ideas on a knife design from what you've learned from choppers over the years. What kind of geometry could maximize a 6 inch blade to be a chopping machine? I was thinking something between a kukri and a WSK type knife with a wide ~2" blade. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

What kind of blade length and overall length were you thinking ?
 
bushcleaver.jpg

This is my answer to that, I call it my Bushcleaver, forged 1084 3/16" thick and just under 2" wide. Blade is over 5.5" and handle is a touch over 6". Allows you to get back and chop or choke up and carve.
 
tohubohu said:
Have you tried a cleaver?
I think That a narrower version of a cleaver could be interesting.

This is what I did when I was looking for a light chopper:
bonmachetecomposed2.jpg


I was thinking of alightweight, short, heavy-headed machete. And it works!
Click to expand...

Pretty much along the lines of what I was going to suggest. A cleaver is going to give you the most chop per inch. When you can't increase the chopping ability by making it longer, you have three other options--1: make it thicker 2: make it wider 3: do both. Do both long enough and you end up with...a mini hatchet. :p
 
How about something like this: 5.25" blade, 11.75" overall. JK Knatchet. Too bad he does not make these anymore.


IMG_0031.jpg


133-3400_IMG.jpg


Pitdog might have a Bushway to post that is sort of similar.
 
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Booshway and Mini Booshway.....I think the Mini Booshway looks more like a Mini Knatchet, give it a 6" handle and bring the edge all the way back then you'd have one heck of a chopper in a small package !

p2210008x.jpg

By pitdog2010 at 2011-02-21
 
Mark Wohlwends version of the Knatchet pictured with a Booshway and Magnum Booshway~

2011-06-09_19-47-16_759.jpg
 
The Puma White Hunter @ 6" is a passable chopper, as is the Randall Fireman @ 4". Maybe not big tree choppers, but limb and sapling loppers. And they're both narrow enough that their utility for other chores is minimally compromised.
 
pitdog said:
What kind of blade length and overall length were you thinking ?
Click to expand...

I was thinking 6 inch blade and about 10-11 inces overall.

So what about a forward angle like a kuk? Any advantage with that or is a straight cleaver style optimum?
 
Shotgun said:
I was thinking 6 inch blade and about 10-11 inces overall.

So what about a forward angle like a kuk? Any advantage with that or is a straight cleaver style optimum?
Click to expand...

If you want it to chop I'd go with a wide blade about 4" long and dedicate the rest of the length to the handle.
 
Since you mentioned khukuri, I have a great small chopper. It a 12.5" OAL hybrid Himalayan Imports Ganga Ram/Bonecutter. It has a full tang, 3/8" spine at the bolster, and chpps like a pocket chainsaw. It weighs 16 ounces and carries so easily. The grip is a we bit short, but I just use bolster space. The blade shape works great and should be easy for a knifemaker to replicate IMHO. I also always figured it would be good for flipping pancakes at the campsite:). Anyway, here's a crappy in-hand pic. Take care.

GRSBChand005.jpg
 
pitdog said:
If you want it to chop I'd go with a wide blade about 4" long and dedicate the rest of the length to the handle.
Click to expand...

That's it. I also think the most important think is a long handle.
fiskars.jpg

That's my modified fiskars: long handle, short, wide, thin blade = excellent chopper.

As for the kuktri style, I think the only "problem" could be the sharpening. But the forward angle IS an advantage. That's why I included a forward angle in the light machete posted above
 
thick, very weight-forward balance, flat ground, lightweight handle (must be very comfortable though), convex edge.
 
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