what size for a chopper knife?

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
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Got back from my survival training weekend on sun it was awesome....an interesting thing was that no-one used an axe the entire time...all the chopping was done with large knives.... I typically use a 12 inch ontario machete... I was wondering what other people use I'd like something small enough that it could do double duty on other tasks if I need it to, and large enough that I could batton confidently and chop small limbs etc... looking for reccomedations as well, the bk-9 seems probaqbly perfect, but it'll be hard to find for a while....
 
I always take my 12" oal or 15" oal HI Khukuri. The 12 " oal is very compact but outchops most things that I own. Something like an axe excluded. It will outchop my tomahawk and does pretty well with knife tasks too.

top to bottom: Tak-1, 12" HI Khuk, Becker Crewman

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I've got a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp that I like a lot. I've found that it is about the smallest knife I'd consider as a chopper. The blade is only 7.5" but the balance is a little blade forward due to the resprine handle. It chops well and the length is very manageable for other chores. I'll pack the Tramp instead of a hatchet sometimes but I'll still bring a small fixed blade or folder to handle the things small blades just do better.

Stephen
 
Only one that I have that could be used for chopping is my MOD4 Survival but how about a Ranger RD9 if your liking the BK9 ?
 
The 12" Ontario is a great tool, however if you plan to batton and do some serious chopping, it may not be the best choice. I've heard good things about Kershaw's Outcast D2 chopper, however I don't like rubber grips for extended chopping. I have an original Livesay RTAK, but Ontario's version should be a good alternative for heavy tasks.

On the high end, I really like Siegle's Hoodlum II. I only like a Khukuri when I'm around hard wood...they're a little heavy (speaking of the Ang Khola models) for light vegetation, vines, etc. The RTAK is a great compromise, thick enough to batton, but no so thick as to be heavy for whacking at light vegetation and vines.

ROCK6
 
I've used a BK7 for lots of chopping. I chopped through a
tree once (that had fallen) that was about a foot in diameter.
Not a problem whatsoever. I just got a Browning Crowell-Barker 10" chopper
that should do even better. Really nice knife.... no real field testing yet.

I really like knives for chopping because they offer more versatility
(like when you are cutting) and control then a hatchet. Obviously
if you really need to do a lot of chopping you can optimize
by using an appropriately sized axe. But I never have done
that much chopping in the wilderness to justify carrying one.
 
The 12 inch Ontario is a super tool to use in the wilderness and gives decent chopping ability on a wide variety of woods etc. The most superb chopper I have ever used was a reprofiled 18 inch machete with a high carbon blade. I have a few examples of older GI machetes that are excellent for brush clearing, two of them being Ontarios. The 18 inch length allows for a high-speed swing which cuts amazingly well, even in hard wood. A lot of people prefer the 18 inch machete as the ulitmate survival tool, and I include myself in that list. The merits of such a knife are many.
 
I have that Ontario Spec Plus saw back Heavy duty Machete. Its a bit heavy but when you chop something with it, it stays chopped.
 
6-9 depending on blade balance. I compromise and use 7.5. Its a weight function tradeoff.

Many dont get large blades till they see them in action and being used properly and then the lightbulb goes off.

Will be watching the lights go on this weekend with a bunch of students.

Skam
 
I think my MOD4 is about 7" and it chops pretty well but I think this is about the minimum you could go !!!
JohnDean087.jpg
 
Hey Guys...

RR...

A Big chopper is the way to go.....
with a big knife you can split wood easier than with a hatchet..

A few of my favorites are my BM-E and Ranger RD7-9

Awesome knives!!

Get some!!

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
My favorite to date... Fusion Battle Mistress 2007 Special Edition.

10" blade:

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Kershaw Outcast is not a bad knife. I've only done a bit of heavy dry wood chopping with my buddy's totally dull and chipped one and it worked pretty good for being in such a bad way.

Khukuris are really awesome and outchop any knife of a similar weight and length that has a more or less traditional profile, ie; point in line with butt of handle. I have lots of them of different weights and lengths for all my chopping needs, from huge dry wood, to light vegetation. The convex edge is very tough and clears chips like none other.

A knife designed for chopping should have a full convex or flat/convex edge profile in my opinion. Hollow ground is not as good for this application.
 
Sookie said:
Kershaw Outcast is not a bad knife.

Khukuris are really awesome and outchop any knife of a similar weight and length that has a more or less traditional profile, ie; point in line with butt of handle. I have lots of them of different weights and lengths for all my chopping needs, from huge dry wood, to light vegetation. The convex edge is very tough and clears chips like none other.
Click to expand...

Some good choppers there. :thumbup: I got one of each. Both blades are 9" or so.

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For the price I've been very impressed with the Outcast. It comes shaving sharp and cuts like crazy. My khuk is a 14" BDC (Bura dui chirra). Dui chirra means "two fullers". It also cuts like a demon.

My Becker BK7 and campanion chop pretty well for their size, especially the campanion.
 
I like my CGFBM, I also like the HI's, Becker 9, Ranger 9, RTAK and I have a bunch of custom choppers

I really like em to be 9 or bigger, but 6-8 works good too
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But have used smaller knives like the Scrapper6 in a pinch


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