A knife blade for a chopper rotor is made in at least two members that are coupled together by a web disposed at the bottom of the slot, wherein the slot is configured to receive and pass therethrough a stationary blade that extends perpendicular to the rotational axis of the chopper rotor, the knife blade having a second edge with co-linear portions on each of the at least 2 members, wherein the co-linear portions are disposed generally at a right angle to the slot, and wherein the co-linear portions are configured to cut against a longitudinally extending knife blade (152) that extends generally parallel to the rotational axis of the chopper rotor.