How sharp do you keep your junglas? (or other choppers)

CrimsonTideShooter

CrimsonTideShooter

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Oct 23, 2010
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I keep my choppers pretty sharp, probably unecessarily sharp. My 5 and my junglas both shave hair and push cut paper easily. I was thinking that this is probably not need given what we use them for.


So, how sharp do you guys keep your big knives?
 
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I disagree with the notion that chopper knives don't need to be as sharp as any other knife. My Gransfors Bruks Hatchet is scary sharp, and so is my Junglas. The sharper the better, even for chopping.

JGON
 
I don't have a Junglas but my CGDF hasn't been sharpened yet.
I have "steeled" some rolls out but that is it.
It's has batoned and chopped alot of back yard fire wood.
You can see in the bottom, left of center, the edge has some nicks.
On the other end buy the finger choil it still shaves hair.
DSC00846.jpg
 
Pretty sharp. I don't care about slicing\shaving paper. I use the Sharpmaker with the recommended 20 strokes each, or as needed. On the edge of the medium stick, on the flat of the stick, then 20 on the edge of the fine stick. I don't bother with the final super fine edge brought on by the last passes on the flat of the white ceramic, unless it's a folder. My FB's are more than sharp enough to do the job.:thumbup::)
 
I've had my Junglas since before they were released, I've used the hell out of it for chopping and jungle whacking and the like and have yet to sharpen it. A good testiment to Rowen's heat treat but more so a testiment to how little concern I have for the edges on a chopper.
 
I'd say it depends. If I was to carry a dedicated chopper it need not be stupid-sharp. But if I am carrying a big knife that serves chopping AND other camp duties, I would maintain a reasonable edge for the tasks I need it to perform.
 
My Junglas and Wetterlings axe are as sharp as any of the knives I have.

If all you're doing is chopping up seasoned wood a hair popping edge may not show much advantage, but when doing greener wood or, especially with the Junglas, foliage/grasses, the very sharp edge helps a ton.

It also makes a difference if all you're doing is chopping or if you are going to be using a big chopper for other things, such as carving, food prep, game processing (it can be done) etc. For that it's much better to keep a sharp edge.
 
shotgunner11 said:
I've had my Junglas since before they were released, I've used the hell out of it for chopping and jungle whacking and the like and have yet to sharpen it. A good testiment to Rowen's heat treat but more so a testiment to how little concern I have for the edges on a chopper.
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How sharp would you say it is? Shaving? Push paper?
 
All my machetes/larger knives or actually any knife I take into the bush for a few days must cut paper before I make the trek, or I'll sharpen it until it does.. but that's me.. after that I'll use them for misc. without concern of the edge retention until I take them out again..
 
My BWM is sharp enough to slice paper but not shaving sharp. Seems to work for me, especially since I'm not great at sharpening. If I was, I'd want it shaving sharp before every camping trip.
 
the junglas is so easy to get it shaving sharp (as are all my 1095 knives) so i get it that way before every hike. it only takes a few minutes with the sharpmaker especially with the ultra-fine stones.
 
My Junglas came sharp enough to shave and slice standing leaves like a laser. I keep it that way. I found out years ago when using machetes, that a good sharp one makes work easier.
 
Like some others I haven't sharpened it yet-got it just about 6 months ago and it's only used on camp trips so that may be why.
 
I just strop it a little after every use(end of the day) and I haven't had to sharpen any of my choppers for more then 5 minutes because of that.
 
After my Junglas arrived, I stropped it. Every knife I own is kept SHARP that way the task goes much easier.
 
I like to keep all my blades shaving sharp, including my hatchet and axe. The only exception is my garden machette because it spends half its time in the dirt. At home with the judicious use of a belt sander and or paper wheels its as easy as falling off a log to keep them shaving. It would take a little more work in the field but not so much. And like the other poster said I notice more benefit on the green stuff.
Josh
 
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