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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
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Looking to purchase a chopper
- Thread starter sfrigon1
- Start date
Yeah, a typical 6-7in of blade isn't going to give you a knife that chops well.
To be clear, you "will" be able to chop with it, but it will be noticeably less effective than a longer tool. Basically, you'll notice that many "chopping" tools tend to have vaguely similar dimensions/weights. Most knives don't chop very well until they get roughly into "hatchet" sizes. A 6-7in knife will be somewhere in the ~11-12in overall length range (with an average sized handle). Most 12in hatchets don't chop all that well, but they at least have most of the weight at the end to help with chopping. The mass of a knife is more evenly distributed along its length, which generally means that they aren't as effective at chopping as a hatchet of the same size.
Most "chopping" style knives start in the 8-9in blade range, and somewhere around 15-16in of overall length. IIRC, the Skrama has a 7in blade, but a much longer handle, making it a bit of both, so it would likely be a good choice.
Personally, I've been happy with my Becker BK9. It is a good chopper (there are better chopping knives/tools, but most are larger), but my favorite aspect of the BK9, is that I find it easy to control for most small tasks. Its obviously not my favorite fine carving knife, but I've found it easy to do normal camping tasks like making tent pegs, carving feathersticks with. It is also quite a bit under your budget (~$90-100 nowadays). I've not used most of this knives competition (Skrama, Junglas, Moonshiner, Busse, etc), but I feel like any properly designed/executed knife of this size category, could be put to similar use. I just happened upon my BK9 first.
Another option that I've found I like, is a bit smaller knife, and then a folding saw. I find sawing to be MUCH faster/safer/less tiring to chop through most wood crossgrain. Then if I need to split the wood, I use the knife to baton. In that case a 4-6in knife that is relatively robust is a great partner for the saw. For this type of use, I like knives similar to these, which are roughly in ascending order of size (Becker Bk16, ESEE4 HM, Tops BoB, Bark River Bravo 1, Becker BK10, ESSE 6, Becker BK12). Oh, and its worth noting that a folding saw costs much less than most knives discussed so far.
Good luck finding something that works for you
.
To be clear, you "will" be able to chop with it, but it will be noticeably less effective than a longer tool. Basically, you'll notice that many "chopping" tools tend to have vaguely similar dimensions/weights. Most knives don't chop very well until they get roughly into "hatchet" sizes. A 6-7in knife will be somewhere in the ~11-12in overall length range (with an average sized handle). Most 12in hatchets don't chop all that well, but they at least have most of the weight at the end to help with chopping. The mass of a knife is more evenly distributed along its length, which generally means that they aren't as effective at chopping as a hatchet of the same size.
Most "chopping" style knives start in the 8-9in blade range, and somewhere around 15-16in of overall length. IIRC, the Skrama has a 7in blade, but a much longer handle, making it a bit of both, so it would likely be a good choice.
Personally, I've been happy with my Becker BK9. It is a good chopper (there are better chopping knives/tools, but most are larger), but my favorite aspect of the BK9, is that I find it easy to control for most small tasks. Its obviously not my favorite fine carving knife, but I've found it easy to do normal camping tasks like making tent pegs, carving feathersticks with. It is also quite a bit under your budget (~$90-100 nowadays). I've not used most of this knives competition (Skrama, Junglas, Moonshiner, Busse, etc), but I feel like any properly designed/executed knife of this size category, could be put to similar use. I just happened upon my BK9 first.
Another option that I've found I like, is a bit smaller knife, and then a folding saw. I find sawing to be MUCH faster/safer/less tiring to chop through most wood crossgrain. Then if I need to split the wood, I use the knife to baton. In that case a 4-6in knife that is relatively robust is a great partner for the saw. For this type of use, I like knives similar to these, which are roughly in ascending order of size (Becker Bk16, ESEE4 HM, Tops BoB, Bark River Bravo 1, Becker BK10, ESSE 6, Becker BK12). Oh, and its worth noting that a folding saw costs much less than most knives discussed so far.
Good luck finding something that works for you
.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2014
- Messages
- 3,747
In my opinion, most knives in the 7 to 8 inch range will fall into the "jack of all trades's, master of none" category. Most that I've handled in that size are not particularly good at fine work, and generally don't have enough mass to be effective choppers. Your mileage may vary
OP,
Yikes! IMHO, no need to spend anywhere near $250.00 on a "Chopper". You might consider something like this :
http://ralph1396.com/NCHlambSCREWSreNICE1.JPG
The trick is to search HARD & OFTEN the likes of "Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Thrift Shops, Estate Sales, etc.
A LOT of the cool stuff I've acquired come from these sources.
Both of the vintage "Lamb Splitters" I own were found from the likes of the aforementioned. One is a vintage NICHOLS BROS. like pictured in link (note the screws in Slabs are not original to Splitter)
the original has pins. The O.A.L. of this (and I suspect most) "Lamb Splitter's" are about 18" with blades about 12" long. Weight is just a tad over 19 ounces. I am presently having my second
"Lamb Splitter" (almost identical to Nichols Bros. but marking wore off) was purchased at Flea Market here in Maine for eight dollars. This "Splitter" is currently being re-handled as the slabs were missing.
Once re-handled and sharpened (by Jarrod of H&B Forge) I believe this "Splitter" is going to be a good performer in the Woods. I wanted this type of "cutting tool" for emergency Shelter building. Oooh, check out this cool ol' "Field and Stream" link another BF member posted from another thread (you might have to page up to find Lamb Splitter) :
https://books.google.com/books?id=a...0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=lamb splitter&f=false
Oooh, the money you save going this route, you could also buy yourself an awesome 3.5" to 5" fixed blade Belt Knife, a Silky Pocket Boy Saw, a Glock E-Tool and a Hatchet!
Best of luck.
HARDBALL
Yikes! IMHO, no need to spend anywhere near $250.00 on a "Chopper". You might consider something like this :
http://ralph1396.com/NCHlambSCREWSreNICE1.JPG
The trick is to search HARD & OFTEN the likes of "Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Thrift Shops, Estate Sales, etc.
A LOT of the cool stuff I've acquired come from these sources.
Both of the vintage "Lamb Splitters" I own were found from the likes of the aforementioned. One is a vintage NICHOLS BROS. like pictured in link (note the screws in Slabs are not original to Splitter)
the original has pins. The O.A.L. of this (and I suspect most) "Lamb Splitter's" are about 18" with blades about 12" long. Weight is just a tad over 19 ounces. I am presently having my second
"Lamb Splitter" (almost identical to Nichols Bros. but marking wore off) was purchased at Flea Market here in Maine for eight dollars. This "Splitter" is currently being re-handled as the slabs were missing.
Once re-handled and sharpened (by Jarrod of H&B Forge) I believe this "Splitter" is going to be a good performer in the Woods. I wanted this type of "cutting tool" for emergency Shelter building. Oooh, check out this cool ol' "Field and Stream" link another BF member posted from another thread (you might have to page up to find Lamb Splitter) :
https://books.google.com/books?id=a...0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=lamb splitter&f=false
Oooh, the money you save going this route, you could also buy yourself an awesome 3.5" to 5" fixed blade Belt Knife, a Silky Pocket Boy Saw, a Glock E-Tool and a Hatchet!
Best of luck.
HARDBALL
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 26,285
8 and 3/8" blade. 
Ummmm, I've often wondered.....where do I go to find a nice Spatula ?
SPATULA CITY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XbCWmY0eqY
HARDBALL
SPATULA CITY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XbCWmY0eqY
HARDBALL
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2010
- Messages
- 13,423
You could certainly part a mans hair with that one !8 and 3/8" blade.
[URL=http://s1201.photobucket.com/user/blackhorse71/media/d46c7119f17bd6e77f89b6e8f120a182_zpsegxh94f4.jpg.html]
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- 9,347
Lionsteel have a good reputation and makes some great knives. Good luck with it.
Dont forget to post your first impression + a test report.
The M7 looks efficient.
SALTY
Gold Member
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- Mar 19, 2000
- Messages
- 5,809
While I like 6 and 7-inch blades, they do tend to be, as stated, a Jack of All Trades and Master of None.
For chopping I like the Becker BK4, BK9 or BK20. The 4 has been discontinued but is still available here and there. The 20 was a limited production run but pop up on the trading post now and again. The 9 is a great chopper, splitter heavy-duty camp knife. Though not generally considered a copper, the BK5 (also discontinued) punches (cops) way above its weight while slicing and dicing like nobody's business.
TM Hunt make s a cool chopper but I cannot remember the actual model number at this moment.
Also, as stated by others, Busse and kin have some good chopping models.
For chopping I like the Becker BK4, BK9 or BK20. The 4 has been discontinued but is still available here and there. The 20 was a limited production run but pop up on the trading post now and again. The 9 is a great chopper, splitter heavy-duty camp knife. Though not generally considered a copper, the BK5 (also discontinued) punches (cops) way above its weight while slicing and dicing like nobody's business.
TM Hunt make s a cool chopper but I cannot remember the actual model number at this moment.
Also, as stated by others, Busse and kin have some good chopping models.
91bravo
Gold Member
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I think you're talking about the TM Hunt M18
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The 1311 is indeed the best chopper I've wielded. The OP wanted a 6"-7" knife, so I suggested the FB Camp Knife.
The 1311 in all its glory after a major fatwood harvest!
Hey, Please talk to me about that saw. Is it a Sven saw? If so, I would like your opinion.