Monster chopper advise??

Bobber

Bobber

Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
1,174
Hi guys. Been a while since I posted last, but I have a question for you....
I`m about to start a project to make a Busse FFBM inspired chopper, only beefier lol...
The blade will be 12", with a 5" handel. Bladethickness 10mm and 2,5" high.
Full flat grind with a small drop towards the tip.

The question is: What kind of steel would you guys recomend for this monster?
I`m partial to non-stainless steel so this will be no exception, it has to be carbon steel of some sort...

Hope to get some good advise, and I promise to post pics of the beast.
 
Bobber, I wouldn't go with any other steel than A2. I have heard from several up-and-coming knife makers that A2 is excellent to work with, and is tough as hell. Here is what a steel guru has to say about A2:

"An excellent air-hardening tool steel, it is tougher than D2 and M2, with less wear resistance . As an air-hardening steel, don't expect it to be differentially tempered. Its good toughness makes it a frequent choice for combat knives. Chris Reeve and Phil Hartsfield both use A2."
 
Thanks Spartan, I`ll sertainly look into that, is this easy to heat-treat?
 
Snwbrdr airhardening sounds good, I`ll look into that too, thanks
 
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Bump, anyone haveing any thoughts/advise on the overall execution/style/proportions of this beast, I`m listening.
Would be cool to see pictures, or even have more people getting in on the making. Maybe we could get some different makers in on this, and have a informell photo contest going on this topic?
 
I would say S7. Rediculous toughness, couldn't find a steel more suited for chopping monsters.
 
Thank you for all the suggestions, I will talk to the guys at "Uddeholm" (our local steeldealer in Oslo Norway) tomorrow to see what they have, or what they have to match these suggestions.
The knife has been drawn up on paper now, and the blade will be something between the Battle Mistress and the Crowell Barker Comp Chopper.
Handle will be some kind of combination of the ESEE Junglas and the Crow/Bark Chopper.. (I THINK...)
Sertainly a monster zombie whacker that will evolve during the prosess, LOL

Please if you have more ideas or suggestions, feel free to call in...
 
I had this one made from 1/4 thick 5160. It has a 10 X 2.5 blade. Bill Siegle uses 5160 for all his choppers and I never see anyone complain. That is what I would use for a chopper.

DSCN6978.jpg
 
I'll second the recommendation for 5160 steel.
Himalayan Imports uses it exclusively and produces some monster choppers that will hold their own with any and all comers.
Fairly easy to work steel and fairly simple to heat treat.
 
I third 5160. It's good sword (so it can handle shock!) steel, cheap, and easy to work with from what I understand.
 
5160 sounds like something worth looking more into then, just don`t know what equals that in Norway. I think we have other steel-types or atleast call them other things up here.
Thank you all, and keep the advices comming.

Shaving sharp: That is one fine looking blade you got there..
 
Bobber said:
5160 sounds like something worth looking more into then, just don`t know what equals that in Norway. I think we have other steel-types or atleast call them other things up here.
Thank you all, and keep the advices comming.

Shaving sharp: That is one fine looking blade you got there..
Click to expand...

You should be able to find some good 5160 steel in the rear leaf springs of Mercedes, Tata and other heavy duty commercial trucks and buses. No need to buy new steel even. Be kind to mother earth and recycle. :D :thumbup:
 
From all i can see, 5160 is the best choice if you are on a budget. if there really isn't a budget, then i would go with L-6. I remember a knifemaker saying that he made a knife for an arctic team a while ago. they had had several knives and they had broken them all chopping frozen meat and the like. he made their knife out of L6 and they have had no complaints. it doesn't get much tougher than that.

On a side note, i have a similar chopper planned for one of my next knives, and it will be 5160. i'm just saying.
 
S7 is the absolute best if you can actually get ahold of it

Do some research on it and you'll see why

Heck even on bf's steel ratings thread, s7 is the very top
 
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