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 Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: gun dog]
#613407
02/06/12 05:07 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 13,668
sumoj275
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Junk Yard Dog
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I got my rodent9 to take a gerber hatchet and machete out of my bob and save some weight Good or bad experiences?
Men you can't trust, women you can't trust, beasts you can't trust, but Bussekin steel you can trust
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: Evil Spock]
#613408
02/06/12 05:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
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sumoj275
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Junk Yard Dog
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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 At the moment this is the blade load out that I have in my bag: B-11 on pack with a Kabar 3 blade folder pocket knife that I have had for 30 years a custom little knife that is part of a eating kit that does small jobs Victorinox multi-tool for all kinds of stuff generally a folder or BM42 in pocket.
Men you can't trust, women you can't trust, beasts you can't trust, but Bussekin steel you can trust
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: RN]
#613409
02/06/12 05:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
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sumoj275
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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. ![[Linked Image from i432.photobucket.com]](http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/richneal68/IMG_1767.jpg) Great looking sheaths there. Belt or pack carry?
Men you can't trust, women you can't trust, beasts you can't trust, but Bussekin steel you can trust
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: DogTired]
#613410
02/06/12 05:15 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 13,668
sumoj275
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Junk Yard Dog
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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. 2 things: 1) Your blades are sharp 2) You use and know HOW to use the blades <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Men you can't trust, women you can't trust, beasts you can't trust, but Bussekin steel you can trust
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: SkunkHunter]
#613411
02/06/12 05:17 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
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sumoj275
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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. I appreciate your feedback. I know I have to figure out what works for me, but I also like hearing how others do it too. Never know when others ideas can help out.
Men you can't trust, women you can't trust, beasts you can't trust, but Bussekin steel you can trust
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: Ishikawa]
#613412
02/06/12 05:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 13,668
sumoj275
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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. I did have a little problem with the B-11 at first but after HD put on a convex I have not had any problems. As to the activity dictating the load out I understand too.
Men you can't trust, women you can't trust, beasts you can't trust, but Bussekin steel you can trust
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: sumoj275]
#613413
02/06/12 09:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Endeavour Morse
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I'll always support the "Blade Trifecta" concept:
Small Knife (3-4") = Small Jobs
Medium Knife (5-6") = Most Jobs
Chopper (Around 8+ Inches) = Heavy Jobs
JYD #123 The great one formerly known as Architect.
I am now a fictional British television police officer (currently a Detective Sgt) at Thames Valley Station. My governor is Detective Inspector Fred Thursday and it’s 1969.
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: Endeavour Morse]
#613414
02/06/12 09:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 116,987
SkunkHunter
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I agree with you Arch, but if it is ONLY a two knife proposition I'll go with the small and chopper.
I've got the small and medium lengths covered, and once Dan releases it, the Chopper via the 911!
Last edited by SkunkHunter; 02/06/12 09:54 PM.
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: sumoj275]
#613415
02/06/12 09:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 40
Scrappah
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I think the large blade is simply "good enough"for most situations. I live way the heck up in new hampshire and if im just going on aday hike or out for a walk, theres no way im bringing a hatchet, a saw, a machete, a small knife, a smaller knife, a multi-tool, the kitchen sink etc... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> If you think about the time you are actually using your blade vs. the time you are not, youl find that you are not probably more than 95% of the time. So is it worth it to spend the extra energy lugging that much extra steel wherever you may be going just so if one instance arises, you can handle it perfectly? I agree with the point that while a large "chopper" isn't the BEST at these things, it CAN do all of them. I suppose you could argue it's better to have it and not need it, but thats only logical to a certain point. My overall opinion would be that you should pack differently depending on what you're doing. If you're on a day hike you will probably make it without 15 different cutting implements, but if your going camping for the weekend and will need to process wood, you might pack a hatchet and saw for that. Disclaimer: I am not an expert and have been told i suffer from Lost Marble Syndrome! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
We all go a little crazy every now and then. The difference between you and me is i like it!
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: Scrappah]
#613416
02/06/12 10:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 116,987
SkunkHunter
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Scrappah, I agree with you, if you suspect you might need to be chopping something, take a big knife. I LIKE BIG KNIVES! But my point was if you need a choppa, a machete (in my case the BG parang) if it is thick enough will suffice quite well as a chopper, plus it can also cut grasses and vines (as in thornes) easier than a say 10 inch knife.
If I'm going to go "walking around" I will have AT LEAST my Bulldog with me, and a smaller blade even if all it is is a folder. Hehe, I forgot to say I would probably carry my Parang and my Muppy or Wardog and Just carry the Bulldog If I was only going to be gone a couple hours.
Even if you're just brewing up a cup or tea or coffee, or making some ramen noodles, it'll be easier to cut up some kindling with a 7 plus inch blade.
Last edited by SkunkHunter; 02/07/12 03:22 AM.
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Be a Sheepdog
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: SkunkHunter]
#613417
02/07/12 01:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,466
VoxHog
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That's the thing about a large blade... a. A large chopper doesn't clear vines as well as a machete... but it can clear vines b. it doesn't fell as well as a hatchet or axe... but it can fell c. it doesn't split as well as a wedge... but it can split if you employ a baton d. doesn't filet... but it can filet e. or do small cutting jobs as a smaller blade... but it can do small cutting jobs if you change your grip and hold via the spine A large chopper is a Jack of all Trades tool. I can get by with ONE tool that can clear, fell, split, filet and cut instead of five dedicated tools that will, taken together, do a better job. A large knife is also "fun". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I would rather have the dedicated tools, and when I car camp I do, but if I had to grab ONE and go it would be a larger knife.
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Re: Re-evaluating the roll of a large chopper.
[Re: SkunkHunter]
#613418
02/07/12 03:05 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 25,608
DogTired
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I agree with architect: small, medium, and large. If you are camping close by and can bring all the tools, then great. But a large chopper weighs much less than an axe or a wedge and a sledge. I'd also throw a pocket chainsaw in there to handle and square the bigger stuff. That should cover everything I'd need to handle.
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