So I want to film some chop-off video with a variety of tools - a Waki, a Reg, a 911 (hopefully soon), an Estwing camp hatchet, a Silky folding saw - just to find out how long it takes to get the job done.

I wondered if there is any particular technique when it comes to chopping that works the quickest? Do you go for a V-notch ESPN Lumberjack competition-style, or just go straight down on the cut the whole time? In this scenario I'm thinking about a 3-inch diameter branch would be a good test.

(My money is on the Silky - these things throw out insane wood chips per stroke on a cut)

I'm with the saw. With a knife you have to v cut it. But 3 " you might break with a couple hits. I would try a 6" pice.

From experience a wide v cut works best for speed

As far as saws go, I really like my 15-inch D-handle Fiskars Woodzig. It cuts aggressively on the backstroke (reducing blade binding -- actually, eliminating it if you cut from the top so that the weight of a weakened limb doesn't pinch the blade). I bought mine at Home Depot. Fiskars makes a smaller folding Woodzig model, but I don't have any experience with it.

I've used my 15-incher a lot, along with a Fiskars pole saw/pruner -- they've saved me a lot of money over having my trees trimmed. I don't like heights, so climbing up a ladder isn't a viable option. The key to using a pole saw is simply to extend it far enough that you're standing out from under where the limb will fall -- my pole saw also uses a Woodzig blade.

I've never used a Silky, but it really wouldn't surprise me if it out-cut all of the choppers. The big advantage for heavy blades is when it come to splitting or shaping wood.

Go with the V-cut...
Looking forward to the results!

At the blade sports chopping competition at blade this year most of the guys used the V technique with 2 chops on one side then 2 chops on the other.

don't forget the occasional down stroke too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I tend to use what I would think of as half of a "V". Multiple strokes at an angle with some perpendicular strikes mixed in. Watch the wood fly with the perpendicular strikes!

Definately a v cut

http://youtu.be/z_sUgzHieHQ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Remember that the V needs to be wide enough so the knife can chop all the way through in a V fashion. A narrow V on a thick or large diameter tree/limb/branch will be frustrating since the knife may end up only being able to go strait in and have no ability to remove chips.

Chop away and have fun

Dan

Very true, I wonder if there is a ( width of v cut to thickness of log) equation.

In most cases I generally try to make the V about the same width as the truck/log width.