First Chopping Excercise

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Willieboy

Joined
Jul 4, 2002
Messages
1,237
I bought a "chopping block", well actually a section of a recently cut oak tree trunk. Today, I took my Bark River Golok and Sgt Khadka Ang Khola out and started chopping on the new block. My objective was to cut a V in one edge of the block. The good news is that after the chopping, neither blade showed any damage. No chips and no rolled edges. The bad news, very little chopping resulted. Chips were flying hither and yon but I was surprised at how little deep chopping took place. The CAK bit from time -to-time sinking in about 1.5 inches. Th golok actually bounced off the oak many times and rarely bite at all. Both knives certainly seemed sharp before I started and after I quit. Kind of disappointing.

Any thoughts? Could this be a technique problem? Should I take my new chopping block back and claim it is defective and that I want a new one?
 
you might not want to mention other products by name so much here .... just sayin'... that might constitute a review, then antics occur...

that said, chopping into the face of a log is harder than sideways...

it's probably a technique thing. you've gone for the big job before learning your craft... take some 1 inch sticks, put them on the face... chop them with a quick snap of the wrist using the sweet spot, more wrist than arm or shoulder. you should be able to betwixt them in two easily.

use lighter chops, make Vs. go for 2 inches, see what you can do. 4 inches. remember your safety, and watch out for deflections.

then whittle away :) end grain is tough, that's a big log, and it's going to take time. consider a saw :)

bladite
 
yah definitely start small

when I first got my CAK I Went after something big and was a little disappointed... but once I spent some time with the smaller stuff and getting my technique and learning the knife I went back to the bigger log and was much more impressed
 
Perhaps you just need to work on your Khukuri swinging. Its not so simple in truth.
 
There is a big difference in the tools. The Golok is a high speed light *cutter* while the khukuri is a slower speed *chopper*, neither of which is designed for the work you describe. I have both and they are great at their designed purposes.

Try felling a tree or sectioning limbs with the khukuri and see how it goes, and then trim with the Golok. They are complimentary.

I've had much conversation With Mike at Bark River...he understands the differences well. I need both types of tools.
 
Let me make sure I understand:

You have a big section of tree and you are trying to cut with the grain not across it??
 
Don't be discourage...

OAK...it a very tough wood to use as a test for your first chopping experience. Even a chain saw would have a problem! Try other woods to gain experience using the tools then take the oak challenge.
 
Willieboy..
I had similar experiences just a month ago..

Perhaps try: smaller pieces of wood, softer wood, chop along with other knives to compare and get a feel for the khuk.

When I got my first HI, a 15" BAS about a month ago.. i grabbed a big piece of hardwood.. took a swing, hit with the tip of the belly.. ::SHOCK:: Ouch! that hurt my palm! Then i learned to hit with the edge between the belly tip and right where it recurves.. "sweet spot" for me.. ymmv.

Of course softer woods are more forgiving.

My other chopper (10" bowie blade, res-c rubber handle).. would still Shock my hand if i hit with certain part of blade on hardwood.. but was more forgiving than the BAS' wood handle while chopping hardwoods. The khuk had a more finicky sweet spot.

That 1st day of chopping gave me some Major arm pump! my forearms were SORE for Days after! i'm not wimpy.. can bench ~225 lbs ..so at first i was kinda Pissed! was gonna take a sander to thin down my BAS' handle and remove the handle Ring.

But after mulling over a few days.. reading here about khuk handle ring.. and how the khuk will "teach me".. I decided against major handle revision.

On subsequent chopping trips.. my forearms don't get so Sore like that first time! so i think my khuk is teaching me.. forearms prolly getting stronger too.. bonus.

Khukuri's were a new experience for me too.
Anyways, happy chopping.. and keep us posted on further chopping experiences!
 
Thanks guys. Sorry about referring to the BRKT Golok. Didn't intend to cause angst or "antics."

Hollowdweller, I'm cutting into the end of the log. The partial tree trunk is standing on end like a drum.

Everyone else, thanks for your suggestions. I do have some smaller pieces I can cut up.

I did notice noone suggest I return the chopping block as being defective. I guess I'll have to take responsibility for this one.
 
A chopping block is generally a large flat section of tree that you chop ON not into.

If you want to chop a V into the block try using a steeper angle and work your way in.
 
Practice will improve your technique. The sharpness of your blade can make a big difference too.
 
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