- Joined
- May 16, 2010
- Messages
- 9,347
(Distal taper chopper....say that ten times fast 
)
For a while Id been having a hankering for a chopper for my minimalist hiking/camping trips.
I didnt want a big super chopper but more of a compact chopper for clearing brush for tarp, tent or hammock.
On several outings Ive been giving a Becker #9 a good workout. I like Becker knives and have one myself. Seems like good affordable quality. Becker has a great concept. How ever, the #9 handle just doesnt agree with my hand .....or vice versa. I plain didnt like using it. I realize the #9 has a big place in the hearts of most Beckerheads and its most likely just a fluke on my part. Again, I have a Becker and like it (just not a #9). Nothing against the Beckers.
That caveat aside.
Anyway in early 2014 I asked my knifemaker buddy Lars (Larsmj) to make me a chopper.
Id done quite a bit of research and picked features from different choppers here and there. I didnt want a spear or clip point. I wanted a certain length and sturdyness and most of all, I wanted a handle, which would fit me with a slight swell in the middle of the handle and a flare at the end, so the chopper would not be so slippery when wet.
I also specified a sabre grip at a slight downard sloping angle, as I find that I like that and that it works far better for me (YMMV). Lars of course also contributed with elements and made the chopper with input according to his knifemaking ideas. When he builds me a blade, its always with a lot of back and forth, which is nice. No stone is unturned hence (hopefully) no negative surprises.
The chopper was done around August '14 and I immediately took it out for a workout and have been beating the snot out of it ever since.
I wasnt sure, if I would repeat the experince that Id had with other choppers; that I beat my hand up and at some point just quit chopping in disgust.
My doubts how ever were quickly put to shame; this chopper is the best thing since sliced...or chopped...bread!!!!
Im totally over the moon with it and have grasped every oppertunity to use it, which have presented itself since I got it.
IMO the succesful design of this chopper is measured in the fact, that I dont want to quit chopping, when Im (supposed to be) done
I immediately look around for something else to chop! Its simply not tiring to use the chopper. A most succesful design (for me at least).
I guess, that a pretty good lithmus test of when one has gone overboard in ones knife/blade interest "Let not sit around, lets go CHOP some dead trees and make firewood for a rainy day!"
In short, to say I am pleased with this thing would be a gross understatement.
Its fits on the side of my rucksack and doesnt weigh much, so its often brought along and irt does steller service.
There is not an iota about it that I would change.
The chopper simply works fine for my use. Its exactly what I asked for. Thats about all one can ask for, when having a custom chopper made, I guess.
The specs:
Steel: Forged 80 CrV 2.
OAL 14.5 inches
Chopping edge 9 inches.
Handle micarta w blood red liner.
Leather sheath. I made the sheath myself with both straps and rings for a multitude of carrying modes. The chopper sheath can be worn on the belt or with straps attached to it. Mostly its carried strapped to a rucksack via MOLLE or simply stuffed in the rucksack. I deliberately asked for a compact size chopper, so it would fit into my current favorite rucksack or at least not extend beyond my backpack and also because of the nature of the tasks it would be called to do. Rather the compact chopper, that Id want to carry for a distance, than an even bigger heavier chopper, that Id consider leaving at home. Of course also because it mostly does lighter work clearing brush, clearing camp, making kindling and clearing lanes around a blind. The following pics of a log being chopped was just because the chopper (and I
) could
Would a bigger chopper chop more/bigger items...? Yes. Would I be outchopped by pro chopping masters with their dedicated chopping tools in a competition.....? Yes, with a high degree of certainty. But I dont have a need for a bigger chopper. For my use, this one is very close to perfect in an imperfect world and its a testament to the excellent design and execution of the chopper, that I dont tire of chopping with it.
To the pics: The tree log below was a toppled dead tree but still plenty hard wood. No live trees were harmed in this test
Thanks for reading - all comments welcome. Have a great X-Mas. I hope y'all got to chop your own Christmas trees with your favorite chopper
Strap used over chopper
...or simply looped through a ring. Strap is not strictly necessary but great for a peace of mind.
Measurements
Handle fits my hand just as well as one could wish for. Incredibly nice and downright comfortable in my hand as compared to other choppers, that Ive tried
Distal taper. Difficult to discern in the pic, but its there
Above pics tweaked slightly in regards to making them a lighter tone. Apart from that not shopped. What little daylight there was, was fading fast when I took the pics.
The following Q and D pics of the chopper in action at an earlier occasion are phone pics, so please excuse the quality of those (also).
Chopping a decent sized trunk, I was surprised (and childishly pleased
) to see big chips flying every which way. Ill admit, its fun.
The chopper went through this in no time flat and with no need for long pauses. I just felt like chopping more instead of feeling like I was punishing myself, as Ive felt before with other choppers with a different design.
Again, not something this chopper is usually being called to do at any large scale, but for the testing of the blade and for knowing, how the chopper can perform, its fun to do.
Okay, Ill admit it - I wasnt responsible for this one; a decent sized storm passed through and toppled a LOT of trees
A smaller branch - very effective and quickly dispatched.
The handle fits my hand perfectly. As I asked for, there is a bit of room to shift the grip or use another hand hold, if needed.
At another (more rainy) outing
In good company. Disregard the Beam...., I have NO idea how that got there.....
)For a while Id been having a hankering for a chopper for my minimalist hiking/camping trips.
I didnt want a big super chopper but more of a compact chopper for clearing brush for tarp, tent or hammock.
On several outings Ive been giving a Becker #9 a good workout. I like Becker knives and have one myself. Seems like good affordable quality. Becker has a great concept. How ever, the #9 handle just doesnt agree with my hand .....or vice versa. I plain didnt like using it. I realize the #9 has a big place in the hearts of most Beckerheads and its most likely just a fluke on my part. Again, I have a Becker and like it (just not a #9). Nothing against the Beckers.
That caveat aside.
Anyway in early 2014 I asked my knifemaker buddy Lars (Larsmj) to make me a chopper.
Id done quite a bit of research and picked features from different choppers here and there. I didnt want a spear or clip point. I wanted a certain length and sturdyness and most of all, I wanted a handle, which would fit me with a slight swell in the middle of the handle and a flare at the end, so the chopper would not be so slippery when wet.
I also specified a sabre grip at a slight downard sloping angle, as I find that I like that and that it works far better for me (YMMV). Lars of course also contributed with elements and made the chopper with input according to his knifemaking ideas. When he builds me a blade, its always with a lot of back and forth, which is nice. No stone is unturned hence (hopefully) no negative surprises.
The chopper was done around August '14 and I immediately took it out for a workout and have been beating the snot out of it ever since.
I wasnt sure, if I would repeat the experince that Id had with other choppers; that I beat my hand up and at some point just quit chopping in disgust.
My doubts how ever were quickly put to shame; this chopper is the best thing since sliced...or chopped...bread!!!!
Im totally over the moon with it and have grasped every oppertunity to use it, which have presented itself since I got it.
IMO the succesful design of this chopper is measured in the fact, that I dont want to quit chopping, when Im (supposed to be) done
I immediately look around for something else to chop! Its simply not tiring to use the chopper. A most succesful design (for me at least).
I guess, that a pretty good lithmus test of when one has gone overboard in ones knife/blade interest
"Let not sit around, lets go CHOP some dead trees and make firewood for a rainy day!"In short, to say I am pleased with this thing would be a gross understatement.
Its fits on the side of my rucksack and doesnt weigh much, so its often brought along and irt does steller service.
There is not an iota about it that I would change.
The chopper simply works fine for my use. Its exactly what I asked for. Thats about all one can ask for, when having a custom chopper made, I guess.
The specs:
Steel: Forged 80 CrV 2.
OAL 14.5 inches
Chopping edge 9 inches.
Handle micarta w blood red liner.
Leather sheath. I made the sheath myself with both straps and rings for a multitude of carrying modes. The chopper sheath can be worn on the belt or with straps attached to it. Mostly its carried strapped to a rucksack via MOLLE or simply stuffed in the rucksack. I deliberately asked for a compact size chopper, so it would fit into my current favorite rucksack or at least not extend beyond my backpack and also because of the nature of the tasks it would be called to do. Rather the compact chopper, that Id want to carry for a distance, than an even bigger heavier chopper, that Id consider leaving at home. Of course also because it mostly does lighter work clearing brush, clearing camp, making kindling and clearing lanes around a blind. The following pics of a log being chopped was just because the chopper (and I
) could Would a bigger chopper chop more/bigger items...? Yes. Would I be outchopped by pro chopping masters with their dedicated chopping tools in a competition.....? Yes, with a high degree of certainty. But I dont have a need for a bigger chopper. For my use, this one is very close to perfect in an imperfect world and its a testament to the excellent design and execution of the chopper, that I dont tire of chopping with it.
To the pics: The tree log below was a toppled dead tree but still plenty hard wood. No live trees were harmed in this test
Thanks for reading - all comments welcome. Have a great X-Mas. I hope y'all got to chop your own Christmas trees with your favorite chopper
Strap used over chopper
...or simply looped through a ring. Strap is not strictly necessary but great for a peace of mind.
Measurements
Handle fits my hand just as well as one could wish for. Incredibly nice and downright comfortable in my hand as compared to other choppers, that Ive tried
Distal taper. Difficult to discern in the pic, but its there
Above pics tweaked slightly in regards to making them a lighter tone. Apart from that not shopped. What little daylight there was, was fading fast when I took the pics.
The following Q and D pics of the chopper in action at an earlier occasion are phone pics, so please excuse the quality of those (also).
Chopping a decent sized trunk, I was surprised (and childishly pleased
) to see big chips flying every which way. Ill admit, its fun.
The chopper went through this in no time flat and with no need for long pauses. I just felt like chopping more instead of feeling like I was punishing myself, as Ive felt before with other choppers with a different design.
Again, not something this chopper is usually being called to do at any large scale, but for the testing of the blade and for knowing, how the chopper can perform, its fun to do.
Okay, Ill admit it - I wasnt responsible for this one; a decent sized storm passed through and toppled a LOT of trees
A smaller branch - very effective and quickly dispatched.
The handle fits my hand perfectly. As I asked for, there is a bit of room to shift the grip or use another hand hold, if needed.
At another (more rainy) outing
In good company. Disregard the Beam...., I have NO idea how that got there.....
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