Get me to Da Choppa !

P

PatriotX

Joined
Jul 6, 2020
Messages
345
Hi folks,

I‘m old, might as well start there, lol.
I grew up on Buck, Case, Schrade…had a dalliance with Camillus...but not widely-versed in the ways of the custom or semi-custom blades.
Now I’m looking for a large chopper and/or Kukri, and would like to ask for some direction, since there seem to be very few factory offerings.

Criteria:
1) USA-made.
2) Under $500.
3) Durable over pretty. Sharpened prybars ok. ;)
4)No Strider, for reasons of my own.

Thanks Bladeforums, I appreciate the help !
 
I would really like a BRKT Canadian Camp 2 3V. I don't have any big knives ATM, just a golok and three parangs. Those can chop too tough.
 
If you truly want a chopper (and not a knife that can chop), you WANT this:

TOPS El Chete.

It checks all your boxes, and quite honestly this was in my top-5 out-of-the-box with regards to factory sharpness. It's an incredible beast.

AW9bwTo.jpg
 
Richard338 said:
I recently bought a khukuri but was a little disappointed with chopping performance.
My best chopper is one I made myself out of 3/16" CPM 3V with stall matt handle.
Total length is 18" (13" blade).
OaxT56y.jpg
Click to expand...
how did you attach the handle. i.tried this once and it was difficult to secure.

looks good
 
A 13-inch blade is just about always going to chop better than a 10” blade, which is what you get with most “big choppa” knives. The exception is Skrama, whose 19” OAL allows its 9” blade to chop almost like a 13-incher.
Unfortunately for you, it is made in Finland. The Condors I would suggest are made in El Salvador. But since you have $500 to spend, you may be able to find out if the excellent steel you get with a Busse or CPK will translate into superior chopping performance.
 
For 500 or less, definitely consider a custom. Another vote for Bill Siegle. Differentially treated 5160 with great chopping ergos.
 
tinfoil hat timmy said:
how did you attach the handle. i.tried this once and it was difficult to secure.

looks good
Click to expand...
The build thread is here. Lots of discussion and additional information.

Large Chopper Advice / finished, photos added

I'm making a large chopper and have roughed out a profile but could use some advice on a few points. (This project is my apology to my grinder for recently making small cheese knives...). I started with a piece of CPM 3V, 18" x 2" x 3/16". I want to hack bushes and small tree limbs in the yard...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Questions that need answering
Length preference?
Balance point location?
Steels?
Weight?
Sheath? this may not seem big but it is if you intended to carry it.
 
PatriotX said:
Hi folks,

I‘m old, might as well start there, lol.
I grew up on Buck, Case, Schrade…had a dalliance with Camillus...but not widely-versed in the ways of the custom or semi-custom blades.
Now I’m looking for a large chopper and/or Kukri, and would like to ask for some direction, since there seem to be very few factory offerings.

Criteria:
1) USA-made.
2) Under $500.
3) Durable over pretty. Sharpened prybars ok. ;)
4)No Strider, for reasons of my own.

Thanks Bladeforums, I appreciate the help !
Click to expand...


Here is one of the toughest options on the planet. It is a Swamprat 1/4 inch thick sabre ground Mountainmandu made of SR77/S7, which is one of the all time toughest steels on the planet. You can find users like this in the low $300 range sometimes. You can baton, chop, take a car apart, whatever with this knife. This one hits and passes all your criteria.

mi6MxTt.jpg
 
Cobalt said:
Here is one of the toughest options on the planet. It is a Swamprat 1/4 inch thick sabre ground Mountainmandu made of SR77/S7, which is one of the all time toughest steels on the planet. You can find users like this in the low $300 range sometimes. You can baton, chop, take a car apart, whatever with this knife. This one hits and passes all your criteria.

mi6MxTt.jpg
Click to expand...

Agreed! S7 is “jackhammer bit” steel! Tough stuff!
 
If you're looking for something unconventional, there's always the Tops Bestia! Pictured alongside a Manix 2 for scale.
afMlnWf.jpg


And a picture of the handle too, just because I think it's interesting and cool.
qHlUFRU.jpg
 
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