Old Hickory butcher knife?

[Frostyfingers]

Would a 14 inch Old Hickory butcher knife make a good chopper? I've used OH in the kitchen for years and once modded their skinner into a nessmuk, but I have no experience with the big butcher-style blades. What do you guys think?

 

[bladefrienzy]

It would have to have a thicker blade than the ones I have seen. Maybe a light machete , as in no hardwoods. Or you could cut it down and make 2 smaller knives from it

 

[CShepherd]

Agreed. They're great butcher/slicers but not real good choppers. They have too thin of steel and no weight to them.

Charlie

 

[udtjim]

I had one hanging in the garage for several years for gardening and you would be surprised at how well it will chop small branches and stuff. I finally did cut it down and made a nessie style knife from it. They have terrific steel in them. I wouldn't buy one as a chopper but if I already had one I would not feel handicapped using it in the field for what ever.

 

[ziptrickhead]

You could probably use it to baton through wood. It's easy enough to sharpen back up too.

 

[CWL]

Agree that it's too thin for use as a designated chopper.

If you want a cheap but dependable chopper, look for the Tramontina brand of machetes -these have been reliably used by millions of people in Latin America.

 

[Fiddleback]

I used to really enjoy playing with those butcher knives.

 

[Horn Dog]

They are good knives and hold a good edge, but they are a bit brittle for chopping hard wood. A $6.00 Tramontina 12" would be better, IMO.