Abstract: The present invention provides a canter chipper head that comprises a rotor suitable for rotation about a rotation axis. The rotor has a lateral side and a frontal side, and includes a first cutting assembly and a second cutting assembly that are each mounted to the rotor. During rotation, the first cutting assembly defines a first lateral cutting surface around the rotation axis, and a first frontal cutting surface that is generally transverse to the rotation axis. The first lateral cutting surface and the first frontal cutting surface perform a primary cut in a log. The second cutting assembly defines a second lateral cutting surface around the rotation axis, and a second frontal cutting surface that is generally transverse to the rotation axis. The second lateral cutting surface and the second frontal cutting surface perform a secondary cut in the log that is deeper than the primary cut.