Minimal “chopper” blade length

JG Custom Metal Works

JG Custom Metal Works

Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
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I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I’ve always been a little annoyed when I see knives labeled as a “chopper” and have a 8” or smaller blade. I’ve been seeing blades with 6”-7” blades referred to as a chopper. What gives? Imo to be a chopper a knife needs to have at least a 9” blade, 14”-15” overall length minimum. Preferably 10”+ long blade and 15”+ long over all. I usually make mine right at, or close to bladesports legal. I think anyone who has ever used a chopper knows full well why. Now I’m not talking about axes or hatchets, just knives.

I know, I know, if this is all I have to bitch about, then I’m doing pretty well. Well it’s not “all I have to bitch about.” See my other threads about bent blades and putting logos on handles if you don’t believe me. :D

Seriously though, am I wrong in my assessment of “choppers?”

Of course I’m wrong all the time though according to my wife, so I very well could be in this case. :D
 
Last edited:
i4Marc said:
What if you have an 8" long blade that is 3" tall and 3/8" at the spine?
Click to expand...

Sure, why not. It’s all about whether it works or not. I mean, to be honest, I’m not a big fan of “chopping” with a knife in general. A hatchet or axe is the tool for the job. But yeah, if it chops, then it chops. As long as you don’t have to hold onto the last 2” of the handle to have the weight far enough in front of your hand to get the “chopping” effect.
 
I'm with you. You can chop with a shorter knife (I have a customer who somehow managed to convince his wife that he needed to dismember their Christmas tree with a 6 1/2" blade he had just gotten from me to be able to get it out the door), but your energy will be much more efficiently used chopping with a larger blade.

tannenbaum02 by James Helm, on Flickr

tannenbaum03 by James Helm, on Flickr

I have a mini-parang design with a 9 3/4" blade. Not that much longer, but worlds different in terms of chopping ability.

miniparang3 by James Helm, on Flickr

Balance and leverage are a big part of it, and once you drop below a certain length, you just are not able to chop efficiently.
 
I once saw an obvious chopper. Blade was only around 4 1/2 inches long but wider than 1 1/2 inches, a chisel grind, a round tip, and a long 5-inch handle for better leverage. Good for chopping vegetables and chunks of meat.
 
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