Standard (Medium) Chopper or Lightweight: Which and Why?

HDMC vs MC

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PolRoger said:
I expect that these two new choppers design will not be in "collab" with L.A. but a "pure" CPK design like the HDMC and the Behemother.

The OG LC had a 9-7/8" blade and slightly different handle/scales than the OG 10" MC.

These two new choppers will both be 10" and will most likely have the same appearance/design but just different stock thickness.

They should also have the same scale design (interchangeable) as that of the OG MC and BC.
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This sounds like the intel I was looking for but hoping not so Roger. :/ wahhh

The original LC has a unique handle config only interchangeable with the proto (not production) BC as I recall.
 
Wheelhouse said:
The new Light Chopper was originally called "Medium Light" because it would now have same profile as the Medium, but with a thinner blade; the combining made for calling it "Medium Light".

When Nathan realized they had enough material to offer the Medium again, they decided to -- and the former "Light Chopper", which had become the "Medium Light Chopper" became again the "Light Chopper", and the formerly "Medium Chopper" is still a "Medium Chopper" but now the "Standard Chopper".

It's all very simple really. 😋
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Here’s my two cents;

I have both the OG LC, and MC.

I’ve mentioned it in numerous posts, but having become a fan of Large Camp Knives in the 9-10” blade range decades ago, the MC is my favorite CPK of them all, and is the one I pair with a Silky saw for heading into the boonies. I always carry at least 1 pocket knife as well, so I have a 3-4” blade if needed for finer work, but I’ve field dressed a deer and rabbit with a Cold Steel Trailmaster (used to be my LCK of choice, before getting the MC), and usually use a 240-270mm Gyuto in the kitchen, so I’m used to using bigger blades.

I still have the OG LC, because I like the leaf-shaped blade, having done Filipino MA with barongs. The lighter LC also works better for brush and lighter branches, as it’s easier to get the speed needed, but if I’m using something extensively for brush, I tend to prefer a longer blade.

A good old Tramontina machete in the 20-24” blade range works well for that use (and with brush and smaller saplings etc. the cheap steel is fine). While the MC can be used for brush, the heavier swing weight is a noticeable disadvantage for that particular use, vs the LC.

Between the LC and MC, though, I find the overall weight difference to be minimal enough that it’s not something to consider as far as the carried weight goes (i.e. on a belt, or strapped to a pack, I’d be hard pressed to notice a difference in the weight while hiking several miles).

What IS a noticeable factor, is the better chopping ability/power of the MC, as well as the advantage in batoning/splitting wood. The steeper belly near the tip is also handy for some woodcraft uses.

The reason I’m going to be in for another MC, is because I regretted not getting a spare MC, just in case something happened to mine (eg. Lost or stolen. I’m not worried about it breaking). Yeah, I like the MC that much.
 
bluemax_1 said:
Here’s my two cents;

I have both the OG LC, and MC.

I’ve mentioned it in numerous posts, but having become a fan of Large Camp Knives in the 9-10” blade range decades ago, the MC is my favorite CPK of them all, and is the one I pair with a Silky saw for heading into the boonies. I always carry at least 1 pocket knife as well, so I have a 3-4” blade if needed for finer work, but I’ve field dressed a deer and rabbit with a Cold Steel Trailmaster (used to be my LCK of choice, before getting the MC), and usually use a 240-270mm Gyuto in the kitchen, so I’m used to using bigger blades.

I still have the OG LC, because I like the leaf-shaped blade, having done Filipino MA with barongs. The lighter LC also works better for brush and lighter branches, as it’s easier to get the speed needed, but if I’m using something extensively for brush, I tend to prefer a longer blade.

A good old Tramontina machete in the 20-24” blade range works well for that use (and with brush and smaller saplings etc. the cheap steel is fine). While the MC can be used for brush, the heavier swing weight is a noticeable disadvantage for that particular use, vs the LC.

Between the LC and MC, though, I find the overall weight difference to be minimal enough that it’s not something to consider as far as the carried weight goes (i.e. on a belt, or strapped to a pack, I’d be hard pressed to notice a difference in the weight while hiking several miles).

What IS a noticeable factor, is the better chopping ability/power of the MC, as well as the advantage in batoning/splitting wood. The steeper belly near the tip is also handy for some woodcraft uses.

The reason I’m going to be in for another MC, is because I regretted not getting a spare MC, just in case something happened to mine (eg. Lost or stolen. I’m not worried about it breaking). Yeah, I like the MC that much.
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Excellent info! Now I feel like I need two of each🤪
 
bluemax_1 said:
LaughHere’s my two cents;

I have both the OG LC, and MC.

I’ve mentioned it in numerous posts, but having become a fan of Large Camp Knives in the 9-10” blade range decades ago, the MC is my favorite CPK of them all, and is the one I pair with a Silky saw for heading into the boonies. I always carry at least 1 pocket knife as well, so I have a 3-4” blade if needed for finer work, but I’ve field dressed a deer and rabbit with a Cold Steel Trailmaster (used to be my LCK of choice, before getting the MC), and usually use a 240-270mm Gyuto in the kitchen, so I’m used to using bigger blades.

I still have the OG LC, because I like the leaf-shaped blade, having done Filipino MA with barongs. The lighter LC also works better for brush and lighter branches, as it’s easier to get the speed needed, but if I’m using something extensively for brush, I tend to prefer a longer blade.

A good old Tramontina machete in the 20-24” blade range works well for that use (and with brush and smaller saplings etc. the cheap steel is fine). While the MC can be used for brush, the heavier swing weight is a noticeable disadvantage for that particular use, vs the LC.

Between the LC and MC, though, I find the overall weight difference to be minimal enough that it’s not something to consider as far as the carried weight goes (i.e. on a belt, or strapped to a pack, I’d be hard pressed to notice a difference in the weight while hiking several miles).

What IS a noticeable factor, is the better chopping ability/power of the MC, as well as the advantage in batoning/splitting wood. The steeper belly near the tip is also handy for some woodcraft uses.

The reason I’m going to be in for another MC, is because I regretted not getting a spare MC, just in case something happened to mine (eg. Lost or stolen. I’m not worried about it breaking). Yeah, I like the MC that much.
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I share a lot of your same sentiments. I just didn’t want to type it all out. 😂

Another HDMC vs MC pic

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drop-point606 said:
Excellent info! Now I feel like I need two of each🤪
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To be perfectly honest, if you can swing it, getting at least one of each is a no-brainer. You can easily check them out yourself, see if you have a personal preference, and based on what we’ve seen, sell the other one without losing any money (some fans also buy multiples specifically to have trade fodder for acquiring other CPKs 😅, and that’s not counting the folks who just like getting multiples of each).
 
bluemax_1 said:
To be perfectly honest, if you can swing it, getting at least one of each is a no-brainer. You can easily check them out yourself, see if you have a personal preference, and based on what we’ve seen, sell the other one without losing any money (some fans also buy multiples specifically to have trade fodder for acquiring other CPKs 😅, and that’s not counting the folks who just like getting multiples of each).
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And then you have the flippers….
 
91bravo said:
I owned a LC at one time and currently own a medium chopper and heavy duty medium chopper. The LC is light and nimble, the MC is light and nimble, and the HDMC is a beast, but not light and nimble. Of the 3, the MC would have to be my favorite. It’s a perfect camp knife that you can chop and baton with. At the same time, if feels more like a large knife in hand instead of a chopper. It’s a perfectly balanced knife IMO.
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bluemax_1 said:
Here’s my two cents;

I have both the OG LC, and MC.

I’ve mentioned it in numerous posts, but having become a fan of Large Camp Knives in the 9-10” blade range decades ago, the MC is my favorite CPK of them all, and is the one I pair with a Silky saw for heading into the boonies. I always carry at least 1 pocket knife as well, so I have a 3-4” blade if needed for finer work, but I’ve field dressed a deer and rabbit with a Cold Steel Trailmaster (used to be my LCK of choice, before getting the MC), and usually use a 240-270mm Gyuto in the kitchen, so I’m used to using bigger blades.

I still have the OG LC, because I like the leaf-shaped blade, having done Filipino MA with barongs. The lighter LC also works better for brush and lighter branches, as it’s easier to get the speed needed, but if I’m using something extensively for brush, I tend to prefer a longer blade.

A good old Tramontina machete in the 20-24” blade range works well for that use (and with brush and smaller saplings etc. the cheap steel is fine). While the MC can be used for brush, the heavier swing weight is a noticeable disadvantage for that particular use, vs the LC.

Between the LC and MC, though, I find the overall weight difference to be minimal enough that it’s not something to consider as far as the carried weight goes (i.e. on a belt, or strapped to a pack, I’d be hard pressed to notice a difference in the weight while hiking several miles).

What IS a noticeable factor, is the better chopping ability/power of the MC, as well as the advantage in batoning/splitting wood. The steeper belly near the tip is also handy for some woodcraft uses.

The reason I’m going to be in for another MC, is because I regretted not getting a spare MC, just in case something happened to mine (eg. Lost or stolen. I’m not worried about it breaking). Yeah, I like the MC that much.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the insights, fellas.

I don't have an abundance of choppers as I typically take a smaller belt knife and an axe when I go out. But I do like them and the chopper I got from Jonny years ago has been my go-to (a Becker BK20) - I've beat the hell out of that thing (as have my daughter, and my brother, etc.)

I do not have a CPK big 'un yet and I can't justify getting both options so the experiences you guys shared affirmed the direction I was going with regards to my choice. I will be looking to get a MC. That will round out my CPK assortment rather nicely, I think.
 
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