How have you guys been doing lately, busy as all get out on my end with little time to stay caught up in the Yard or out and about. Sad thing is the weather we have been having in Oklahoma lately is like spring but I can't get out and enjoy it--just hope that this doesn't meant that the spring will be like summer and summer like HELL on Earth <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, I have been thinking a lot lately about the roll of a large chopper/blade (8" and up). I have used one for about everything from fun, chopping, and clearing but is it the right tool? A large chopper doesn't clear vines as well as a machete, it doesn't fell as well as a hatchet or axe, it doesn't split as well as a wedge, doesn't filet or do small cutting jobs as a smaller blade, and it weighs a lot on a pack or belt. To be honest the SODLE that I have has done just about as good as the larger chopper blades.

I am wanting to hear your thoughts for or against carrying a large blade compared to a more specific tasked combo such as a machete and 3" blade, axe/hatchet and small blade, etc.

Take care and look forward to the discussion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I have a few large choppers. I wouldn't want to use the bigger ones, like my Rat Daddy and HI ASTK , for machete work. I think my Basic 11 and CS Gurkha Kukri are light enough for clearing vines but still heavy enough to use for chopping. They are definitely a compromise, but I'm okay with that.

Oh, and my SS4 and CABS make good companion blades.

I'm taking my CGDF out of my BOB and replacing it with the 7-11.

I hope the 9-11 will be much lighter than the CGDF.

What kind of ax or hatchet are you using and whats the weight?


MM

I got my rodent9 to take a gerber hatchet and machete out of my bob and save some weight

It's an interesting question sumo. Would you really and truly be willing to go with just a single blade to do all tasks? I wouldn't. I can't imagine having anything less on me than all of the following:

machete/small axe
medium-sized knife like RMD/511
small knife like Scrapivore (since it weighs practically nothing)
multi-tool

Since I got this sweet sheath for my Battle Rat, I'm into the chopper a lot more. It's so much lighter to carry now I'm getting it out more and it's making my Tramp feel like 2'nd fiddle. Had the BR out on a hike today and it helped clear a tree at one of my fishing spots- easy schmeezy! I tend to think a big chopper is a better fit for the woods of the North East than a machete.

Large chopper and a smaller back up blade for the small jobs

Well, I would rather have a combo. I love large blades just because they are so dange cool <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> That said, a large blade, as you noted doesn't do any job particularly well, but it CAN do all of the above. If I had to have just ONE tool, it would probably be my Chopweiler, my DSSF, my Rodent 9, or my Dogfather (probably in that order). Although that kind of gets to your "blades over 8 inches" point, seeing as how the first two blades are 8" or under <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I can routinely split wood faster with one of my larger knives than the scouts in my son's troop (or their fathers) can with a hatchet. I can generally out chop them too.

I have no scientific basis, no "been there done that" woods "bushcraft or survival experience, but here goes my 2 cents.

I feel that for the majority of us a larger machete type blade would work rather well, as long as it is AT LEAST 1/8 inch thick, like the BG Parang, which MIGHT be a little over 1/8, but plenty stout for camp or "survival" use. It will chop down trees (common sense here) and clear grasses, cattails, cane and vines. NO it will not do these things as well as a REAL machete (18-24 inch blade) but good enough. Don't get me wrong, I LIKE choppers, but for most of the use we put them to something else would work just as well if not better. I WILL always have some kind of chopper, if for no other reason than they perform that roll so well.

And I feel a companion blade in the 3-5 inch range for more delicate tasks is called for. And DO NOT forget a sharpener. I am once again touting the Eze-lap model M sharpening rod. Personally I prefer flat diamond hones, but for "Bush blades" a round rod just makes more sense to me for some reason.

I hope this makes some sense and maybe will help you make up your own mind, something EACH OF US needs to do, no matter what others say.

Cool post, Sumo.

As RN said, it may not make sense for all geographies. I had difficulty with my B-11 getting through thick briars / brush where I hunt pigs...as it's not really intended for that job. Problem is, I rarely need to chop down trees / limbs of any serious magnitude. So, I opted to get a 12" Machete from Fiddleback to replace the B-11 on my pack. Paired with a 4" and a pocket saw...I feel prepared to take on most tasks.

I'll pack a 4" of choosing...my SS4, B4, or Arete will get the call.

For me, I'll also have my Gene Ingram #1 with me...for processing animals. The 4" will get all other duties.

The activity also governs the loadout:

Camping trip: The 7-11 will replace the Machete paired with a Bushcrafter (Basic 04 or Arete).
Hiking / Hunting: The Machete gets the call paired with the SS4.

Currently I have a B-11 strapped to my bag and I found it to be useable for all things that I have asked from it thus far. Being in Oklahoma I don't chop much except for when I want to for fun. Now if I were living in the PNW or the NE part of the States I could see a need for chopping more. The stuff that I have needed to chop while out and about can and has been handled by the SODLE.

Your thought is kinda what I am thinking of doing with the SODLE and a 3-4" blade. I already have a folder in pocket and a small Gerber saw in the pack. As to the axe/hatchet I have a Cold Creek Forge Hawk that was forged out of a jackhammer bit and a GB Small Forrest Axe.