What do you consider a chopper?

Guyon

Guyon

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Because runningboar has expressed such an interest in this topic, I thought I'd pose a question that I sometimes ponder in the intervals between chopping one log and the next.

What is a "chopper" in your opinion? Here, I'm talking knives and not motorcycles. Some folks consider a chopper as anything over the 7" range. Others need a 10" or 12" knife/machete before they'll call it a chopper.

Is it about the knife's design mainly, or do you think of an inch total when you whip out the "chopper" name?

Also, please feel free to jump on the axe bandwagon in this thread as I feel it's almost mandatory in any thread that mentions a chopper.
 
Forward balanced 7-12 inch blade profiled for chopping. As for the wood, most blade chopping is done on 3-4 inch diameter wood or less.

Skam
 
to me a chopper (knife) is something over 10 inch blade or longer...now 7"-9" blades can make a decent chopping blade but IMO 10" or bigger is best. I have a RTAK II that is a great chopper & RAT 7 or BK7 that are just great camp knives with chopping abilities.
 
I have a knife with a 7" blade that equals or outchops my GB wildlife hatchet on wood up to about 3" diameter. as long as there is space for a full swing, anyway. Plus, of course, its useful for other tasks as well.
 
Good question Guyon. I don't know. I think it has to do with a combination of weight and length but not sure how.
 
hollowdweller said:
Good question Guyon. I don't know. I think it has to do with a combination of weight and length but not sure how.
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skammer mentions some good considerations besides length, such as balance and profile.
 
I am not sure about the length criteria. My RD-4 does a damn good job.

It has to be defined by its function. Can a particular knife actually chop? if the answer is yes, then there you go, you have a choper.

My small 1" wide CRKT Hammond can not chop a thin privet branch. Wider flat ground blades can chop better.
 
skammer said:
Forward balanced 7-12 inch blade profiled for chopping. As for the wood, most blade chopping is done on 3-4 inch diameter wood or less.

Skam
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I don't own one, so my opinion isn't a very good one. I'd have to agree with Skammer though (twice in one year... wow;):D)

My vision of a good chopper is this blatantly ripped off picture.:D

GuyonsBusse.jpg
 
I own a lot of choppers. That one, actually, is my favorite.
 
skammer said:
Like what?

List

Skam
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Damn your bossy.

Like this.

506303e1.jpg


chop·per (chpr)
n.
1. One that chops: a vegetable chopper.
2. Archaeology A crudely flaked core tool, especially one of the early Paleolithic Period.
3. A device that interrupts an electric current or a beam of radiation.
4. Informal A helicopter.
5. choppers Slang Teeth, especially a set of false teeth.
6. Informal A motorcycle, especially one that is customized.
 
I am very impressed with my Tora Khukri,13.5 inch blade and the ability to limb out 3 inch branches with little effort.
 
ilbruche said:
A knife that is so large that it is useless for small tasks.
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Just interested in knowing what a large blade cant do. Granted a large knife makes fine tasks harder it is possible in my experience. Yes, I do carry a sak but only for convenience not for the utility.

Skam
 
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