Tree chopper

Thanks Logan, I guess I want a large knife to do the job. They don't pay me to chop/ cut trees so I might as well have fun doing it. I would like to chop the trees and clear the road just so I won't have to stand by them and wait for public works. Chopping with a nice blade is better then sawing.
 
If we are talking about trimming of branches of up to max 6 inches thick , ideally much smaller, and we are not processing the cuttings just a quick out the van, cut to clear,so road / path is passable, leave arrisings on the verge for tree guys to arrive with chipper and relevent chainsaws to do a complete tidy up etc . I would carry POCKET FOLDING SAW IE SILKY OR FELCO AND A BOW SAW IE BAHCO or the like. Faron.
 
Bob W said:
Small hatchet is probably the most durable and versatile.

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+1 on hatchet +2 on pic i ABSOLUTELY love estwing!!!had the same axe for years!!
 
if you really are a cop, why not carry a small gas chainsaw in the back of your cruiser? In fact, why not let the road crew take care of it?
 
I'd use a cheap mid size axe. The cheap Chinese ones with plastic handles are indestructable.This is simply a get the job done scenario .
That and a bush saw/bow saw. Not folding saw.These can sit in the boot of the car for ages until you need them.
To me that would appear more professional & less scary for bystanders than hacking it up with a large knife.
 
eccvets said:
if you really are a cop, why not carry a small gas chainsaw in the back of your cruiser? In fact, why not let the road crew take care of it?
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yeah. its not really your job is it? if its that remote where you live how much traffic is there?
 
Probably because if he's first to the scene and it's a small enough tree it's easier for him to just do it himself instead of waiting for the road crew.
 
timw1 said:
I've heard about Becker and done a lot of reading on the Beckerhead forum. What would be s good fit for chopping 6" 12" diameter trees" After 12" I might as well wait for the public works guys.
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Here ya go. You want a Becker BK9...

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Though - in all honesty, an ax may be a better tool if your *only* concern is chopping.

Alternatively, the BK2 will also chop - though not nearly as well as the BK9. It's quite a bit less conspicuous, if that's of any interest to you. It will get the job done (admittedly with more effort on your part than a BK9 would require)...

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Beckerhead #42
 
My 2 cents is that the longer, the better. More momentum, and better cut, with less effort.
While a 9" knife can certainly get the job done in a pinch, it's no match for a heavy chopper that's twice as long.
I use a Condor Parang with a 17" blade for such activity.
Even a regular machete will out-chop these 9" knives. A regular machete can do a lot. A parang is like a machete-shaped axe.
 
I would recommend keeping a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe in your rig.They are top shelf and would work through trees up to 12" in diameter with minimal sweat.I'd get a BK9 anyway too,it's a great blade.
 
For logs 6-12in thick, you could use the BK9, but IMO it would be more effort than it would be worth. Ethan Becker mentioned that he designed the BK9 for taking down shelter building size logs (wrist to forearm size thickness) very efficiently, and it does great for that. I've taken out larger wood with mine, it just gets much more time consuming when you get over 5-6in.

If it were me, I would be looking at say... the Condor golok, KaBar cutlass machete, large Kuhk or something like that.

Good luck man.
 
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If you are planning to keep the tool on your vehicle, given your occupation and area stationed, then a proper axe is your answer I think. Long handle, heavy duty.
Go for razor sharpness like GB Felling Axe, or one made in the USA, hickory handle, the real deal.
There are so many things to do with an axe on a rural environment, from forced entries on old country houses (and not only) in cases of emergencies, to clearing back-roads from reasonably sized fallen logs/trees and making repairs etc.
Now I have the bk9, and it is an excellent chopper for general use in camping/outdoor activities and if this is what you want, go for it. A monster of a knife. But this is what it is. A big knife.
I would go for a proper axe, and EDC a razor sharp small 4" fixed hunting blade, like a Bark River beauty, witch I would take off me only when I went to sleep. You will use it for everything. And it will look fantastic, hanging next to a 9mm.
 
twl said:
My 2 cents is that the longer, the better. More momentum, and better cut, with less effort.
While a 9" knife can certainly get the job done in a pinch, it's no match for a heavy chopper that's twice as long.
I use a Condor Parang with a 17" blade for such activity.
Even a regular machete will out-chop these 9" knives. A regular machete can do a lot. A parang is like a machete-shaped axe.
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Yup. A machete will outclass a knife in pretty much every respect when it come to that kind of work. Even a 14" model.
 
Nobody mentions a Kukri ? A military pattern kukri like my 24 oz one is capable of cutting some serious stuff !! Anything bigger than 6" you need a saw.
 
Axes are fun too. More effective and safer. Also a folding saw.
 
timw1 said:
I can carry whatever I want, there is no restriction.
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Giorgos said:
If you are planning to keep the tool on your vehicle, given your occupation and area stationed, then a proper axe is your answer I think. Long handle, heavy duty.
Go for razor sharpness like GB Felling Axe, or one made in the USA, hickory handle, the real deal.
There are so many things to do with an axe on a rural environment, from forced entries on old country houses (and not only) in cases of emergencies, to clearing back-roads from reasonably sized fallen logs/trees and making repairs etc.
Now I have the bk9, and it is an excellent chopper for general use in camping/outdoor activities and if this is what you want, go for it. A monster of a knife. But this is what it is. A big knife.
I would go for a proper axe, and EDC a razor sharp small 4" fixed hunting blade, like a Bark River beauty, witch I would take off me only when I went to sleep. You will use it for everything. And it will look fantastic, hanging next to a 9mm.
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This is pretty darn good advice if you don't want to get a chainsaw (which is what I could recommend). There's a reason those roadcrews use them and not big knives. Don't get me wrong, I love big knives, but at the end of the day they are all tools to me. I pick the right tool for the right job.

A chainsaw and a small hatchet (for limbing up and hauling off the cut down sections) is hard to beat.
 
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