Looking for a good chopper...

absolutindian

absolutindian

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Feb 25, 2008
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I'm in the market for a good quality chopper... I don't think I'll be going for an axe or hatchet, as I'll probably be using whatever I end up buying for clearing as well. Looking for something such as a Woodsman's Pal or a good quality machete. I don't really know what size I'm looking for... I would say a 12" blade is the minimum. Something fairly easy to sharpen and maintain would be great, too. The Woodsman's Pal is somewhat expensive (about $70 I think), so something a bit cheaper than that if a workhorse exists for less. Give me some suggestions, and links or pictures would be helpful as well! Thanks lads!
 
Consider the Gerber Brush Thinner. I have three and they chop and clear brush and limbs better than any other big knife or machette I have and I have most of them. It will not pry! It is big and long and funny looking. Fairly light with a long handle. Not a bad price. I got mine for around $40.
Ron Athay
 
Tramontina Machetes.

People I have seen the power. The things we did with machetes and the things we saw the locals do in the jungle has convinced me that they are true tools. I see them as workhorses. I use machetes for the things people use their Busse, Tops, Swamp Rats and any other $200 knives and hatchets for. If you break one after years of work spend $6 more bucks on another Tramontina. I don't mean to start a big chopper debate becouse those are ridiculus and there are hundreds already.

Just ask pict or anyone who uses a machete all the time.
Tram 18"
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Tram Bolo
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I would normally recommend an O-company's machetes, but they are ont he not so good list. Trams are good as well.
Another option (albeit much more than $6) is a Himalayan Imports sirupate or kobra kukri. The sirupate and especially the kobra are the long, light versions of their heavy choppers and supposedly clear brush quite well.

But to be honest, if the vast majority of what you are going to do is clear light vegetation, it's impossible to beat the bang-for-buck of a machete. There's a reason they are the go-to tool in the tropics. As for size, I prefer machetes to have a 22" length, but 18" would be acceptable.

Question on the Tramontina machetes: which holds up better, the hardwood or plastic handles?
 
+1 on a Tramontina. Inexpensive. Easy to sharpen. Easy to mod. Great brush clearing tool. Also does well at chopping with good technique.

However, you may eventually want to get a more durable chopper (thicker stock) like a HI CAK, a Ranger RD-9, or something similar. Maybe even a Swamp Rat or Busse.

This picture is pretty old, but you can see I'm fond of large chopping knives.

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Still, try a Tramontina first and go from there.

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Have a thrift / junk store nearby? I picked up a Martindale machete 1945 for four bucks.
 
I have the 14 inch Tramontina shown in the last picture on Bearthedog's post. Awesome performance, cheap (bought it ages ago from SMKW ), and easy to resharpen. I used it just yesterday to clean adhesive off some recycled 2 by 4's. When I am done, 5 passes thru a carbide V knife sharpener makes it shaving sharp again, then wipe with wd 40 and hang in my workshop. It clears brush better than you would expect due to the heavy tip.
 
veryquietdude said:
I have the 14 inch Tramontina shown in the last picture on Bearthedog's post. Awesome performance, cheap (bought it ages ago from SMKW ), and easy to resharpen. I used it just yesterday to clean adhesive off some recycled 2 by 4's. When I am done, 5 passes thru a carbide V knife sharpener makes it shaving sharp again, then wipe with wd 40 and hang in my workshop. It clears brush better than you would expect due to the heavy tip.
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Tram bolo 14"=beast
The back is good to use clearing dead branches off down dried trees. It saves the edge. I like to use the hump for chopping/digging into tree stumps for goodies.
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The hump on the back of the spine is a good place to baton. Good energy transfer.
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Check out ColdSteel's Machete Lineup , I have the Khukuri Machete & this thing is a real chopper ! Also check into getting yourself a real Khukuri (if you don't mind the weight) khukurihouseonlin.com & HI here on blade forums.
 
I have Battle Mistresses, RTAKs, Kukris, Beckers, and all kinds of choppers. I like them. But I'd say get a machete if you really want a versatile tool. Those big choppers chop and split wood fine, but they are heavy and useless as clearing tools. A 12" machete from Ontario or Cold Steel or Tramontina will get the job done and still chop wood well enough. They are cheap, too.
 
The 14 inch Tramontina bolo is my hands down favorite machete. It is just plain handy and cuts very well.

My only complaint is that all these leather workers here don't make sheaths for it. In fact I can't find the bolo model for sale in my area. I bought one here a long time ago and it has served me well. I like this one enough that I plan to order a few of them once I'm back in the States (ironic huh?) to bring back with me. I can do up my own leather sheaths to my specs for use with my course so that won't be a problem.

Whatever else you pick up, add a 14 inch bolo to the order and you won't be disapponted. Six dollars is about what I spend on my kid at McDonalds. Personally I'd rather he go hungry and see him swing a new Bolo (kidding, I do feed the boy).

As to the plastic or wood handles. I don't buy the ones with the plastic handles but its just a preference. The handles on a Tramontina will loosen up a bit if you do alot of bending and flexing of the blade, but that is abnormal wear on the machete. Under normal use I have had them hold up for years. They are as tight as the day I bought them. Keep in mind that my machetes pass through alot of hands and are used by lots of folks with little experience.

The edges don't seem to chip when the edge strikes a rock but rather the metal will roll or crush into a ding. I just file them out and go back to chopping. I don't have loads of experience with other brands of machetes (Saico and Ontario are the only others I own) but after ten years of solid use, Tramontina has earned my confidence. Mac
 
I've owned a Tram bolo for a long time and it gets beat up all summer long every year with no problems. I did buy a CS kukri machete last year, but haven't used it. I am sure it has been asked before, but what is the word on the CS machetes?
 
That Tram Bolo looks pretty nice... maybe I'll pick up one of those... Cant go wrong for 6 bucks as far as I can see!
 
They are popular and sometimes smokeyMKW has them and sometimes they are out. Make the first two inches near the choil area real sharp for whittling or trap carving.
 
Well...thanks to this thread I just ordered 3 12 inch tramotinas to play with....than I went on a shopping spree across the net an bought a bunch of orange paracord...
 
RescueRiley,

Thanks to this thread I went to SMKW and bought a 12" and 18" tram, a 12" sheath..... I think its mostly Pict & Bear's fault, they keep posting machetes....
 
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