In the market for chopper

[resinguy]

Search for threads here started by Horn Dog. He has done several chopper views. I'm happy with my Condor Golok, great value.

Although they are more expensive, you may consider the ESEE Junglas, and the Bark River Golok. My Barkie has an amazing edge.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

Search for threads here started by Horn Dog. He has done several chopper views. I'm happy with my Condor Golok, great value.

Although they are more expensive, you may consider the ESEE Junglas, and the Bark River Golok. My Barkie has an amazing edge.

Although the Bark River is small in comparison it is a great chopper! I regret letting mine go, from time to time. It was the prettiest chopper I ever owned, thats for sure!
I havnt tried the Junglas yet, although I have owned other RAT/ ESEE stuff and it all worked great for me...I just ended up moving toward a different theme in my collection. Although, anything ESEE is worth taking a look at..great US company.:thumbup:

 

[WJC01]

My Condors held up fine! I've done some heavy chopping with it.

 

[machete4thewin]

I haven't tried the other two, but I would really hold off on getting a Martindale No. 2 unless you have ready access to a belt sander. Saying the edge on the one I got from loink.com "needs work" is the understatement of the century; it's like it's not even there. Seems like a good design, though.

And for those who suggested the BK9.... while I have one and it's a great long knife, it comes nowhere NEAR the mass of a golok-like chopper. It's like someone coming in here asking for a good machete and you guys suggesting an ESEE-4.

I bought one of them just to refinish the blade and handle but hot Damn it's a ton of work in the end though you have an amazing piece of steel and in my case a micarta handle to boot

 

[Swampdog]

I have had a Woodsman's Pal for over ten years... to be honest, it's OK, but I get more use out of a U.S. Military (Ontario) machete with the same results. The machete is longer and a lot cheaper too.
If I want to do some serious chopping I break out my BK&T Brute. It depends on how big the material is you plan to chop, if it's 2" diameter or smaller, get a machete; bigger than that, look into the BK-9.

 

[me2]

You'll have a wide range of work if you want to go from wood processing to cutting brambles. How big is the stuff you want to process? What easily handles 4-6" diameter wood is probably going to be tiring to swing with speed to cut wild roses or other springy brambles. I'd also want more reach than a 9-10 inch blade provides. A machete will definitely handle the brambles, but finding one heavy enough for decent wood cutting is tricky. Dig around for maybe a hand made blade in the 3/16" range with a full flat grind. Gavko on youtube makes some nice ones, as do others. Without the size restriction of competition, a real chopper doesn't start until you have at least a foot of blade. Of course, if you only want to handle the occasional branch up to 3" or so, and 1-2" branches regularly, a machete of 3/32" stock may work fine. I use my Panga for such work and don't have too much trouble, though it's due a good rebeveling to maximize it's cutting ability.

 

[upnorth]

I also really like my GB Wildlife hatchet, for anything...great tool.

I am infatuated with it also buddy. It can help get a fire going quickly without the bulk of a machete.
There have been many good suggestions here for an inexpensive chopper, and probably every one of them is viable. I have 3-4 Condor machete type cutting tools also and another option is the Barong. It has a beefy blade but it isn't heavy. I find it to be a better wood processor than my thinner machetes for splitting, but you have to work on the edge first for chopping. I prefer it over my Parang.