- Joined
- Apr 15, 2014
- Messages
- 3,747
First and foremost, I don't think there's a "best" chopper out there, its far too subjective to decide. I do however think there are some attributes that lend a knife to being a good chopper.
After reprofiling my Scrapyard 1111 to a Full height convex grind, with a screaming sharp edge and fairly similar geometry to my new ASHBM, I was sure it would either match it, or outperform it even.
First I took 10 swings into this fallen pine, the ASHBM went first, biting nice and deep. The 1111 went next, and although was doing just awesome, it was a little behind the Mistress.
One hard whack into the log for each blade, as you can see the Mistress bites hard and deep. The 1111 bites in, but either either my technique (wrist rolling in), or the convex grind caused it to curve into the wood, rather then travel straight in. Side note: I find myself hitting further back with the Busse than the 1111, I'm not sure if this is good or bad yet..
More evidence of the curving, but both still biting impressively deep.
Now before you think I'm not impressed with the regrind, let me tell you, this knife is at its optimal performance. It swings fast, and bites deep. I won't be making any more modifications to it, its really great.
I think in the case of these two, although they had similar geometry, the mass of the mistress carried it deeper into the wood. I could swing the 1111 faster, but needed to do so to get it to bite as deep as the Mistress had.
So maybe you could say:
>geometry (acute flat ground/convex/sabre)
>mass (weight)
>velocity (users strength)
>leverage (blade length/balance)
are what contribute to a knife being a good chopper.
Now, different combinations of all of these will often lead to a good performer.
For instance, the 1311, which is often thought as one of the top in its category, has a relatively thin blade stock at 3/16", and a height of 1.75"(very similar to a Ratmandu), but its 13" blade length makes up enough velocity and leverage to slam that thin saber grind into the wood with little effort.
The MOAB at a .4" or .375" thickness, with a Full flat grind, and 14" blade, will rattle the earth with each swing and bite deep,, but your arm probably won't last long.
This all goes back to personal preferences. Guys a lot bigger than me could probably swing the MOAB all day long, but for me, the ASHBM is where I max out for extended use.
Some prefer a saber grind, as they seem to be more effective at battoning, and add some lateral strength. I however, rarely baton, so I'll take the performance of a FFG.
All in all, its pretty impressive that Busse and Kin have produced the wide variety of choppers, in all shapes, sizes, and even colors for us nuts to choose from. I highly recommend trying as many as you can get your hands on, and find that sweet spot for you.
Happy Chopping Hogs
After reprofiling my Scrapyard 1111 to a Full height convex grind, with a screaming sharp edge and fairly similar geometry to my new ASHBM, I was sure it would either match it, or outperform it even.
First I took 10 swings into this fallen pine, the ASHBM went first, biting nice and deep. The 1111 went next, and although was doing just awesome, it was a little behind the Mistress.
One hard whack into the log for each blade, as you can see the Mistress bites hard and deep. The 1111 bites in, but either either my technique (wrist rolling in), or the convex grind caused it to curve into the wood, rather then travel straight in. Side note: I find myself hitting further back with the Busse than the 1111, I'm not sure if this is good or bad yet..
More evidence of the curving, but both still biting impressively deep.
Now before you think I'm not impressed with the regrind, let me tell you, this knife is at its optimal performance. It swings fast, and bites deep. I won't be making any more modifications to it, its really great.
I think in the case of these two, although they had similar geometry, the mass of the mistress carried it deeper into the wood. I could swing the 1111 faster, but needed to do so to get it to bite as deep as the Mistress had.
So maybe you could say:
>geometry (acute flat ground/convex/sabre)
>mass (weight)
>velocity (users strength)
>leverage (blade length/balance)
are what contribute to a knife being a good chopper.
Now, different combinations of all of these will often lead to a good performer.
For instance, the 1311, which is often thought as one of the top in its category, has a relatively thin blade stock at 3/16", and a height of 1.75"(very similar to a Ratmandu), but its 13" blade length makes up enough velocity and leverage to slam that thin saber grind into the wood with little effort.
The MOAB at a .4" or .375" thickness, with a Full flat grind, and 14" blade, will rattle the earth with each swing and bite deep,, but your arm probably won't last long.
This all goes back to personal preferences. Guys a lot bigger than me could probably swing the MOAB all day long, but for me, the ASHBM is where I max out for extended use.
Some prefer a saber grind, as they seem to be more effective at battoning, and add some lateral strength. I however, rarely baton, so I'll take the performance of a FFG.
All in all, its pretty impressive that Busse and Kin have produced the wide variety of choppers, in all shapes, sizes, and even colors for us nuts to choose from. I highly recommend trying as many as you can get your hands on, and find that sweet spot for you.
Happy Chopping Hogs
