Custom Folding Chopper

Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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while out on the trail today, I started becoming a little disenchanted with my Benchmade Skirmish. It's my go-to knife for quick trail hikes where it's nice to have something small which will helps me prune my trails.

The pivot is undersized for this type of use, (no fault of Benchmade's), and the flat handle is kind of uncomfortable. Other than that, it's a pretty strong performer in many regards. The pivot, lock and stop pin are starting to show the effects of the heavy use this knife is seeing, so I know its days are numbered, at least if I keep using it:(

I'm looking for ideas and suggestions on the ultimate folding chopper. Features, materials, shapes and textures, and makers are all important considerations. As is size, and I think that with a maximum of 5.5" for the handle, it should slip into a pocket pretty well while still allowing around 4.5" of blade.

I do not think that there is anything like this out there. I'm hoping that someone will prove me wrong:)

I'll be making a drawing probably in the near future, and I'll post it here.
 
Lorien I do not think chopper and folder really go together

Try a cs Espada they have a strong lock and are big

Here is the mid size one with a 9 1/2 inch blade Bowie for comparison

I still do not suggest a folding chopper my friend

knives091.jpg
 
theamazingdrew said:
benchmade LFK
benchmade-lfk-500x150.jpg
Click to expand...

I have one, it's not a chopper. I'd hardly depend on a liner lock for chopping work. Then again, I wouldn't depend on a folder as a chopper unless it was a last resort.

You need an Extrema ratio RAO.

200909104438041301319815389.jpg


It has a secondary removable locking mechanism to essentially turn it into as much as a fixed blade as a folder can be, and the sheath allows it to be carried folded or fixed.

I'd still much prefer a fixed blade.
 
For something larger and tough as nails I'd suggest a Strider SMF. You'll never have a problem with the pivot and the handle is large enough that if you choke back on it you can actually us it as a chopper (within reason).

Takes up a fair amount of real estate in the pocket though.
 
I know it CAN be done, and eventually it will be:)

The Strider has an enviably huge pivot, but personally I prefer the sleeved pivot that Chris Reeve knives use. I'm sure the stop pin is plenty big too, but you know there just has never been a Strider that has held any appeal for me. For my uses, that huge choil is no help, I want as much edge as possible, and a decent finger guard.

I'm intrigued by some of the Hawk innovations.

Joe, I'm sure you'll understand- I'm not interested in production knives!:D
I have one now which works ok, it's just NOT GOOD ENOUGH:)

Speaking of productions, I appreciate your suggestions guys, but that Benchmade is not tough enough, (and made in China:rolleyes:), and that Extrema Ratio thing is about as butt ugly as I could imagine a knife to be.

I want heavy duty, I want light weight, I want a locking system that will hold up over time, I want elegance, and I want a knife designed for the uses I will be putting it to. Is that too much to ask?:p

This knife by Michael Burch is looking pretty good, just to give and idea;

chopsuey1.jpg
 
i would imagine that burch to get similar mileage as your skirmish. framelock, similar size smal pivots for such huge blades, small stop pins.
 
How about a huge friction folder with a long lever for hanging on to? Simple may work.

Regards

Robin
 
I would try to get a Burch folder if you can find the right one. And as with any knife the locking system may need to be tuned up but i'm sure he's do it for as long as hes doing this.
 
severedthumbs said:
i would imagine that burch to get similar mileage as your skirmish. framelock, similar size smal pivots for such huge blades, small stop pins.
Click to expand...

That one came with a 1/4 inch pivot and 3/16 stop pin. I recently got an older chop suey back in to pretty it back up and was happy to see the lockbar in the same location. These days I pretty much use a 7/32 pivot and a hardened 5/32 stop pin. A rounded tang (for more contact with the stop pin) and carbidizing on the lockbar face keeps them in their place. :D
 
This is the knife I had made by Burch and as you can see it'll chop through just about anything you need it to......:D

I can highly recommend his work!

DSCF1546.JPG


DSCF1541.JPG
 
I'll jump in on the Burch folding chopper thing......here's mine and, yes, that's a full-size HK USP .45 and an AR15 with a 30rd. PMAG for size reference. :cool:

standard.jpg
 
you guys must like Hummers :)

wow, those folders are HUGE, and the Burchtrees are really nice.

I wouldn't chop with folders tho'...the folder may/will develop bladeplay overtime, I don't think they're really designed for heavy chopping work.
 
I am not sure WHY you NEED a folding chopper, but you would know that Lorien.

When I was doing a lot of mountain biking and needed to carry something with me for trail clearing, what worked BEST was a folding pruning saw. The one I have is a Hi-Point. It is light weight and about 10" long closed. Cutting limbs up to about 6" in diameter takes no time at all.

It doesn't fit the criteria you stated, but I find it FAR more useful than a knife for trail maintenance tasks.

It fits easily in my Camelback and cost about $15. I also carry it in my day pack when hiking and have cut MANY limbs and burls with it. I also carry a fixed blade knife, but the saw gets MUCH more use.

Peter
 
thanks guys for posting those Burchtrees:thumbup:

Michael, it looks to me like you're the go to guy for this project. I figured as much about a year ago when I first contacted you, but this thread is cementing that impression. I'll be in touch with you again shortly. That is, if you're up for the challenge!

I'm curious, have you ever used the backspacer for your folders as the blade stop? I'm thinking it might take a heavier load, and also remove the hotspots that having only standoffs causes.

This knife wouldn't really be used for chopping large branches or lumber. The largest diameter stem it would be used to cut would be about 3" max, but mostly for stuff about to about an inch in diameter. This is still pretty abusive, but not like putting on the hockey mask and chopping a cinder block in two, batoning it with a sledgehammer:rolleyes:

I thought about the idea of using a friction folding mechanism with a long lever, as that design would certainly survive impact if done correctly, but there are two reasons why it won't work. The first is that I want to keep this knife in my pocket, and a lever sticking out the top of my pocket would just be dangerous when I'm jumping around through the forest. The second reason is that when you use a short knife for chopping anything that takes multiple hits to get through, you need to be able to hold the butt of the handle in your palm to maximize the weight of the knife and your leverage in the swing. A self-locking blade will keep your fingers from getting cut off when you're holding the knife like this.

I really like carbon steel, too. And a nice hamon never hurts!

This is the knife I currently use for this task, (not my picture, by the way);

skirmish.jpg
 
Please do not try and discourage me. It's no use:)

peterinct said:
I am not sure WHY you NEED a folding chopper, but you would know that Lorien.

When I was doing a lot of mountain biking and needed to carry something with me for trail clearing, what worked BEST was a folding pruning saw. The one I have is a Hi-Point. It is light weight and about 10" long closed. Cutting limbs up to about 6" in diameter takes no time at all.

It doesn't fit the criteria you stated, but I find it FAR more useful than a knife for trail maintenance tasks.

It fits easily in my Camelback and cost about $15. I also carry it in my day pack when hiking and have cut MANY limbs and burls with it. I also carry a fixed blade knife, but the saw gets MUCH more use.

Peter
Click to expand...

This is not a discussion about whether a folding chopper is a NEEDFUL thing. All we need to know in the context of this thread is that, for me, it would be a USEFUL thing:D
 
The Burchtree's look amazing. I have never handled one myself, but from what I've read/seen they appear to be as tough a folder you can wish for. I own a Strider SMF myself, but I would not recommend it as a chopper. I love the knife, but the bladeshape and over all design does not lend itself to chopping. Ive tried:p The bladeshape of the Chop Suey from Burchtree looks spot on if you ask me.
 
I use my mini dao for a little chopping. Its not a folder but its folder size, kinda. So I would get a folder with a similar blade.
 
The Cold STeel Rajah with TriAD Lock held over 2000 inch pounds at the pivot.

There isn't a custom knife made (unless you get a Demko who designed it) that can hold up to those kind of forces.

The large Spyderco Lockbacks and ball lock are also brute strong.
 
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