Light and fast choppers, opinions?

pialia

pialia

Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
494
Sooooooooooo...

I've found myself using my hatchets and axes more and more lately, mainly because I just can't justify carrying a 1kg+ knife when I'm going to be traveling by foot. But I still can't really get over the fascination with big blades, so I figured I might try and find some sort of compromise blade. Instead of a whopping 38oz chopper I was thinking I could maybe find something light and fast that still packs a decent punch when chopping. Does such a blade exist or are you just sacrificing a hell of a lot of performance for the weightloss?

What's sort of moving me toward axes is: lower weight, ease of maintenance(usually a pretty small surface to sharpen), two-handed use, sheeple friendliness and of course price - even high quality axes tend to be less than half the price of a good carbon steel chopper.

If you've found a knife that sort of fits the bill, feel free to post a pic or two. I'm curious to see what designs pop up. I'm not against getting something custom made, but I want to be absolutely sure the design is a winner before I bite the bullet.

Thanks!
 
Machetes machetes machetes! Tons of excellent choices out there.
 
And, if you want it to do specific things, you can modify them !!! Like i did. My Ontario 12" machete with D-handle removed, Bowie tip, 2 finger choil, thumb jimping, & a fire steel flat spot.

100_1170.jpg
 
When I think of machetes I just think 'flimsy', perhaps that is a stupid prejudice and I need to open my eyes!

Do they actually have weight enough to compete with a hatchet? I would think they'd do okay batonning, but when it comes to chopping?
 
pialia said:
When I think of machetes I just think 'flimsy', perhaps that is a stupid prejudice and I need to open my eyes!

Do they actually have weight enough to compete with a hatchet? I would think they'd do okay batonning, but when it comes to chopping?
Click to expand...

I believe you think "flimsy" when you think of machetes because you haven't experienced quality ones. Choose a "heavier" pattern and they'll compete with a hatchet. They'll baton fine as long as they're stiff enough, but obviously you'll have to hit it a few more times to knock it through. Go with something like a Condor 15" Bolo and I think you'll be very pleased. Once you get the technique down it'll hit like a ton of bricks. If you don't mind going longer go with an Imacasa 20" panga or Condor Viking.

CIMG8360.jpg
 
pialia said:
When I think of machetes I just think 'flimsy', perhaps that is a stupid prejudice and I need to open my eyes!

Do they actually have weight enough to compete with a hatchet? I would think they'd do okay batonning, but when it comes to chopping?
Click to expand...

Depends on what you're chopping more than ANYTHING else

NO large knife can compete with an axe for raw chopping power unless the knife is a LOT heavier than the axe/hatchet--and even then it's a struggle for the knife to compare.

I have tested 100's of knives and if what you are chopping is HARD(like Mesquite wood) then an axe is the way to go..if you are looking for effectiveness per strike.

However--I enjoy large knives and love to chop with them.

A thicker blade will outchop a thinner blade if the same blade shape and grind is the same- in almost every situation.

However---if what your chopping or cutting "MOVES" when your trying to cut it(Think Jungle or Thick Scrub Brush--then a thicker knife is LESS effective than a thinner knife because you can not move it fast enough to cut clean through your target.

If the target your cutting is heavy or can not move(Tree) then in almost all respects a thicker blade will outshop a thinner one.

However--Chopping with a 15" Blade of 1/4" thick steel will get you tired WAY faster than a 15" Machete of 1/8" Steel.You do more work with each chop--but you will not be chopping long.

If you plan to do a LOT of chopping your needs will be different than if you only plan to chop now and then...

Try a Machete as the others have suggested--then of you need more chopping power increase the thickness to 3/16--and go up from there.

There are a LOT of choices you will have to determine what one best suits your needs

What I or another member likes might be PERFECT for you--or Not even close..

Try as many as you can--and see what works best for you and your area

Dr.Bill
 
If you want light and good, do as 42 suggested and get a 15" Condor bolo. I have one, and it is one of my favorite production choppers. Not heavy, but a great chopping blade for the weight. Very effective blade.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
Depends on what you're chopping more than ANYTHING else

NO large knife can compete with an axe for raw chopping power unless the knife is a LOT heavier than the axe/hatchet--and even then it's a struggle for the knife to compare.

I have tested 100's of knives and if what you are chopping is HARD(like Mesquite wood) then an axe is the way to go..if you are looking for effectiveness per strike.

However--I enjoy large knives and love to chop with them.

A thicker blade will outchop a thinner blade if the same blade shape and grind is the same- in almost every situation.

However---if what your chopping or cutting "MOVES" when your trying to cut it(Think Jungle or Thick Scrub Brush--then a thicker knife is LESS effective than a thinner knife because you can not move it fast enough to cut clean through your target.

If the target your cutting is heavy or can not move(Tree) then in almost all respects a thicker blade will outshop a thinner one.

However--Chopping with a 15" Blade of 1/4" thick steel will get you tired WAY faster than a 15" Machete of 1/8" Steel.You do more work with each chop--but you will not be chopping long.

If you plan to do a LOT of chopping your needs will be different than if you only plan to chop now and then...

Try a Machete as the others have suggested--then of you need more chopping power increase the thickness to 3/16--and go up from there.

There are a LOT of choices you will have to determine what one best suits your needs

What I or another member likes might be PERFECT for you--or Not even close..

Try as many as you can--and see what works best for you and your area

Dr.Bill
Click to expand...

Rather than increasing thickness I suggest increasing blade width. Thicker blades cause a certain amount of increased energy loss due to increased matter displacement. Keep the machete 1/8" and increase the width of the blade and you get a greater increase in depth of cut per ounce than if those ounces were added to the thickness.
 
Well, this thread has certainly swayed me in favor of trying out a machete.

I'm still kind of curious of like a competition-like chopper but with a very slim profile to reduce weight, does anyone have any experience of this kind of knife? Something compact, that isn't a 5/8" 36oz beast. That machete pictured above is quite a bit larger than what I'd want to tote around :D
 
Good Machetes ROCK !!! They are like the ugly stepchild of knives. Nobody really wants to talk about them in a serious manner. You would be amazed at what a good machete is capable of. I have chopped up trees while clearing atv trails after a storm. It was a good 8-10" thick. Took awhile but it did it. With machetes, it's all about the steel & the heat treat. Thin is in & speed matters.

100_1364.jpg


Take a close look at the tip of my 12" modified Ontario machete. It is quite deflected to the left. I was batoning a particularly knotted & twisted up piece of black walnut. Yet after i was done, it went right back to perfectly straight. Good steel & good heat treat.

100_1366.jpg
 
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