Puzzle Description:

Competition Chopper

#1: Ga Hendrick (GaHendrick) on Jul 15, 2018

Another nice puzzle ... good use of two colors. Thanks.

i have one that looks similar :)

I did not know what a Competition Chopper is, so I did a web search.

According to this thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/forgedinfireshow/comments/8bdn97/competition_chopper/

"A competition cutter or chopper is a knife designed for cutting competitions. In short, no point, some extra weight near the tip, convex grind on edge, flat grind on bevels, utilitarian handle material and design, etc... It's just a blade designed for cutting/chopping."

Then I did a web search for cutting competitions, which I also had not heard of, but that only led to a discussion of some kind of horse race, which I think must be something else entirely.

Brian, do you participate in cutting competitions? Just curious!

They are also good for hacking a path through rougher spots where a traditional machete isn't going to cut it. It can get through larger branches but will still have the width to clear smaller stuff in broader sweeps than a hatchet. Of course, carrying both a machete and a hatchet works better for larger projects, but just a quick clear of a limited area, these work great!

I'm a big fan of the TV show so I kind of an armchair forger. I talk to the screen. "He should be using more flux" "Don't try to peel the Damascus cannister, just grind it away!" "That is not up to quench temperature. The blade will probably break."

I would like to take lessons in welding and forging then actually make a blade. I can't find anyone around here who gives lessons.

David, do you ever need a machete to clear a path? Just curious! If you do, your life is very different from mine!

Brian, I did not know there was a TV show about it, but that would make sense.

I had a friend whose dad was a blacksmith. I wonder if he would have been the kind of person who gives the kind of lessons you are thinking of.

It has been a handful of years. I used to do it a lot when I was a kid. The last time my machete got a work out, about 5 years ago, I was just clearing an overgrown corner of my backyard...woods encroaching about 30 feet further than I wanted. Machete goes in first then my chainsaw :) I kind of miss it to be honest. This new house has much more pedestrian yard maintenance :)

Your back yard sounds delightfully woodsy! I dream of a yard like that.

Once I took out those 30' it WAS delightfully woodsy! The leading edge had just gotten out of hand. I left plenty of serene woodiness behind it :) back yard I have now doesn't have nearly as much wooded area on the property, but it backs up to a large wooded area with a large ravine if you explore a little ways back. I get a lot of animals in my yard because of it. Deer that cross my yard and the street to get to the creek, occasional bobcat or coyote on the prowl and your normal snakes, moles, rabbits, etc. I've rescued a crawfish that was trying to cross my road and I've heard a light knocking on my front door only to find that it was a box turtle with bright yellow markings banging against the bottom with its shell. Sometimes it feels less "woodsy" and more "zooey" :P

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