Smaller knife + compact hatchet vs. chopper: which & why

BOSS1

BOSS1

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Greetings,

Throw this one out to stir the brain pool a bit.

See the photo--> you are going to (hike, hunt, camp, etc. You fill in the blank--the more the better).

You'd pick the knife/hatchet on the left because (explain) or the chopper on the right because (explain).

Note: Try to not make this a brand war...ie, try to justify your explaination/decision beyond customer loyalty. Shooting for a thoughtful discussion/spirited debate/intellectual exchange here.

So what say you good forumites?
 
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Small hatchets usually dont chop nearly as well as a good heavy chopper knife and there is little a larger knife cant do vs a smaller knife.

Personally id take the chopper.
 
Chopper over a hatchet and a small knife in rainforest. A dedicated axe for big tree.
 
Hatcher combo. Wouldn't be killing up the edge on the knife or possibly hitting something to damage the edge. Also I find a smaller knife to be more useful and maneuverable than a huge knife. Hatchets have more weight in the head also. If they were comparable in weight, why not?
 
If the hatchet was a bit chunkier/longer, I'd definitely go for that combo, but with the options shown it's gotta be the chopper for me hands down. It will certainly outchop a hatchet that small, and there really isn't much you can't do with it. I personally carry a sizable kukri style chopper and a smaller utility knife on backpacking trips.
 
Now that a few folks have contributed, here's my general thoughts.

Which would I choose? As with everything, it would depends. In most cases I'd take the knife/hatchet combo over the Chopper. Here's why...and I'm normally operating in a mountain/forest type setting...

Generally speaking, I'd anticipate most of my cutting to more routine stuff, where the smaller knife would offer better control and be less fatiguing...I don't see myself need to self-extricate out of a downed aircraft or similar, so not really needing the moster chopper there. It's also obviously much more compact and easier to carry on the belt. The hatchet, this particular model, is pretty flat and compact--it would carry easily in the pack (chuxwan, FWIW, they do a make a longer version of this hatchet that you might like). Next, sanitation...the hatchet could handle 'dirty' tasks while the knife could be reserved for cleaner things, food prep, etc. Edge retention...as has been pointed out, save the knife egde for cutting, use the hatchet for chopping. Also, FWIW, this is a VERY sharp little hatchet...it came from the factory probably at least 80% as sharp as most knives...I am sure with a little effort on a stone, it could be brought up even sharper and be used as a secondary knife. There's also security...if you loose one blade, you've got another. Lastly, I chopping is tough work, I tend to try to keep it to a minimum...so I would hope this hatchet would fill most of my needs, and I'd probably try and keep the fire wood small enough where it would only take a few swings to get through to break or just burn longer pieces.

I'd take the chopper when I was more limited in my carrying assets (not taking along a bigger back) and/or anticipating needing the extra power over the general utility. I also normally carry a small folder/multi-tool with me, so that would supplement the big boy. Also, if I were anticipating a more hostile environment, would probably move to the top of the list.

So those are my general thoughts...YMMV

BOSS
 
Off topic, but I opt for a 3-4" blade and a folding saw. Even the little saw blade in my Vic Farmer works better for me than a chopper or hatchet for most jobs. I was fishing/hiking last weekend and got into rougher country than expected. I used the saw to cut a walking stick. Would have been faster if I'd taken my Opinal or Buck folding saw.
 
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