Fiddleback Bow Legged Chopper - Input Needed?

[Brian Andrews]

Hi All,

I am looking for some feedback from folks that have and use the Bow Legged Chopper from Fiddleback. I know the name as "Chopper" in it, but I am interested in feedback in one very specific task. Batoning!!!! To understand why, I want to give some background info.

Cold weather is coming, and that means winter camping Can't wait! It also means some interesting fire starting scenarios. There almost seems no way around having to split wood.

I think everyone knows that I am a huge axe nut. But, one of the things about batoning with a large knife is that it can be done safer by the axe inexperienced, IMO. It is also something that can be done from a seated position, as shown in the next link.

I was thinking of ways to get what I wanted done in the winter, and remembered this SUPER OLD THREAD on winter camping.

The original point of the thread was that the guy had a Recon Scout fail on him. I don't want to dwell on the failure, but rather his deep snow usage method of the RS, which happens in Page 13, which I linked to. Excellent stuff there!

I am getting close to making a point here real soon, promise I figure, if I get a big blade like this, I don't want it to be and "all arounder", I don't want it to chop, I don't want it to shave hair. I want it to be a batoning machine, plain and simple.

I started thinking of designs, features, and shapes that could make that happen. What continues to keep popping in my head is this:

So, what say you guys? How are you liking these beasts, especially for batoning?

Thanks in advance,
B

 

[valcas1]

Brian,

I don't own the knife, but I can tell you that from the first time I saw the knife in design and then the finished product my first impression was... Batoning machine. It looks like a froe with a handle, what more could one want.

Straight spine is very easy to keep moving through the wood that you are spliting, rounded edge of spine so it doesn't beat the snot out of your baton, and that comfy handle makes it perfect to me.

Paul

 

[Brian Andrews]

Hey Paul,

Those were exactly my thoughts as well. Froe with a handle is a good description

B

 

[Joezilla]

You may want to put a handle on a lawn mower blade and sharpen it up. No kidding, it may have the width that you are looking for, and you won't be afraid to punish it.

 

[pitdog]

My SWKW Chopweiler seems to be my best knife to batton and I can't help but wonder if it is because of it's steep sabre grind. It slides in along the grind almost effortlessly and then when it reaches the top of the bevel you hear the wood crack and the jobs almost done. I'm not sure if a convex edge would work as well ?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

But the Fiddleback is cooler!

Seriously, though, the lawnmower blade idea sounds like it would do the trick to me!

 

[mymindisamob]

The BLC is on my list. Camp chopping and battoning will be it's duty.

 

[August West]

Easy to find real froes, why not just buy the real thing? Chris

 

[valcas1]

I think Brian was just asking about the design.

I would venture a guess that a top notch knifemaker like Brian would not be caught in the woods with a lawnmower blade wrapped with duct tape for his spliting knife.

I hope you post pictures of your creation Brian.

 

[Thalestin]

I think Andy's knife would work for battoning fine, but I dont think the blade would need so much body behind it to make it great at batoning. Kinda carrying around a ton of extra weight if you arent going to be using it for chopping. I think id go for something around 10 inch long that is think and full flat ground or full convex. I just wouldnt get such a wide blade.

 

[HornyToad]

I had John K make me a Kephart style knife 5.5" long blade (max legal length in Texas for anywhere carry), 1" high (to save weight) and 5/32" thick (surely strong enough) for batoning. Works for me but I don't look for 6" logs to baton.

 

[pitdog]

The Bow Legged Chopper kinda reminds me of this one by Matt of ML Knives.....

 

[TheGame]

I don't own one, but when I first saw it I thought it would baton very good. And I baton a lot, as I find it a great way to relieve stress after work, or when I need to take out some rage on something. :thumbup:

 

[Classic Chris]

I think you should lock yourself away in a darkened room Brian and come up with a battoning machine of your own design....then send it to me for testing !

 

[Bolt-action bultema]

send me one, I'll give it the full work out for ya

seriously, that looks like a swell batonning machine.

GB makes a froe, if anyone wants to compare

 

[hollowdweller]

I love FB's knives first off.:thumbup:

Second however is if you want to split stuff why not just go ahead and buy a nice froe?? The one below is cheap and would seem nice but you can get about every style and size on ebay also.



http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/product_info.php/products_id/1457

Another alternative that might even suit your purposes more closely IF you are bringing a hatchet or axe also would just be a nice lightweight wood splitting wedge.

This Oregon is only 11 bucks

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001SCO4II

 

[JCavSD]

I took down a small tree a few weeks ago with the BLC. It slapped off 1+" limbs like they were made from butter...the weight of the blade having much to do with this. I used my JK Nexus to baton, not even thinking to use the BLC. To me it just seems like a bunch of unnecessary weight for the task. It is a heavy chunk of chopping steel and I don't think I could hurt it if I tried. I may never use a chainsaw again!