Lil Chete

The Lil Chete delivers true chopper performance in a smaller size. Built for bushcrafters, campers, overlanders, and hunters, this knife takes the hard-use DNA of El Chete and trims it down into a more mobile, more practical field tool that still hits with authority. Pick it up and the urge is immediate; this thing wants to work.

Designed for chopping, splitting, and clearing, the Lil Chete solves the only complaint people had about the original, size and weight. With an 8.38-inch blade and full .25-inch thickness, it stays beefy where it matters while feeling lighter and more controllable in hand. Fire prep goes faster, brush disappears quicker, and processing wood down to kindling becomes efficient instead of exhausting.

Why the Lil Chete earns its spot on your belt

• Shortened blade and refined profile: makes it easier to carry deeper into the woods without giving up chopping power
• Full quarter inch 1095 steel: adds mass and momentum so every swing bites harder into wood
• High grind and wide blade geometry: split cleanly while still clearing chips fast
• Long, well-contoured Micarta handle: supports multiple grip positions for comfort when swinging hard
• Balanced weight: keeps control high and fatigue lower during extended fire prep

Born from the success of El Chete and designed by Leo Espinoza, the Lil Chete exists because one size doesn’t always fit all. This version keeps the blade shape that made the original a legend, but packages it in a form that more users can carry for prolonged outdoor work. It is compact yet still aggressive, and unapologetically built to chop, process, and clear with confidence.

Running 1095 carbon steel heat treated to RC 56-58, this knife is made for toughness and easy field maintenance. A light coat of oil after use will keep the steel protected and ready for the next trip. The black Kydex sheath with a leather dangler keeps it secure and accessible whether it’s riding on your hip or your pack.

If you want a compact chopper that still demolishes wood like a much larger blade, the Lil Chete is ready.