Chopper Axe, anyone seen or used?

barrabas74

barrabas74

Joined
Jul 27, 2005
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My brother brought to my attention the "Chopper Axe" because I chop my own wood and like doing it. I usually use a Maul and a Wedge like most people that do not own an electric or gas powered splitter. The principle is intriguing there is a set of arms that when splitting open up upon contact with the media. Those arms get reset after the split. The arms cause the wood to push wood away from the working edge pushing the two halves apart and in theory you should never get your axe stuck.

I have not bought one but for $89 I am tempted to at least try it if for nothing else than to add a new gimmick to my collection and perhaps if it functions right make my job a little easier.

So has anyone ever seen or used one? The site does not specify steel but then again many dont.

Here is the link:https://chopper1axe.com/

 
These things first came out about 30-40 years ago. I'm surprised they're still on the market. The moving parts are prone to breakage and I have no idea of how easy they are to fix or where you'd get parts.
 
barrabas74 said:
My brother brought to my attention the "Chopper Axe" because I chop my own wood and like doing it. I usually use a Maul and a Wedge like most people that do not own an electric or gas powered splitter. The principle is intriguing there is a set of arms that when splitting open up upon contact with the media. Those arms get reset after the split. The arms cause the wood to push wood away from the working edge pushing the two halves apart and in theory you should never get your axe stuck.

I have not bought one but for $89 I am tempted to at least try it if for nothing else than to add a new gimmick to my collection and perhaps if it functions right make my job a little easier.

So has anyone ever seen or used one? The site does not specify steel but then again many dont.

Here is the link:https://chopper1axe.com/

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This is the only axe/maul, I know, designed not to last. I have run into few of those and there is always something cracked or missing.
 
Ok I am glad to hear your all's thoughts. I had no idea they were that old, that they flung wood that far and as mentioned prone to breakage. There replacement parts are available on the same page as the axe so that might be saying something.
 
The geometry is so thick that it doesn't matter if the moving parts bust. I've heard from folks who have used them that they actually work better without the little spring arms, as they found it split just as well without them and didn't fling the wood so far so collecting the split pieces was easier. In short, completely unnecessary, and of no tangible benefit over a conventional splitting axe or light maul.
 
300Six said:
These things first came out about 30-40 years ago. I'm surprised they're still on the market. The moving parts are prone to breakage and I have no idea of how easy they are to fix or where you'd get parts.
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The guy who invented it only recently started to produce them again.
 
Hickory n steel said:
The guy who invented it only recently started to produce them again.
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Interestingly enough my local Home Hardware (in Manotick, Ontario) still stocks parts for Chopper 1s. The packages have become worn and faded and the supply is diminishing but there still were some on display a few weeks ago when I was poking around enough to accidentally notice.
 
Kevin Houtzager said:
Actually just 2 moving parts: The springs and the retainer bars. You can use just about any other spring in a hurry though, and you can make the retainer bars from of piece of welding wire.



They are thick and heavy (original ones are about 6 or 7 pounds, rockaway pattern). They do work better with the springs though, as without them they would hit the parts where the hammers are fixed to the shafts. I do know there are a lot of chinese knock-off around. But I was fortunate enough to get a hold of one of the earliest ones. The guy who has it is still smiling until this day. Sold it for €10,-- including shipping (€7,-- ) because it was somebody that really wanted one and he supplies me some wood from time to time. So yeah, it does fling them quite a bit, bit it is relatively light work compaired to a normal splitting axe or maul. The reall gnarly twisty stuff can be a hassle though, as it would be with any axe for that matter.
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The head weighs 6-1/2 lbs. I'd rather use my 5.5lb maul, thanks. :)
 
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