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Q:
Axe- Yes or No?
I have read a lot of pros and cons on one of the most useful tools to man ever invented, the axe. Most of the cons are either based on lack of skill, or misinformation, or just plain fear of something sharp and potentially dangerous to the careless or unskilled user. I have used axes in various configurations for a lot longer than I care to remember, and have it boiled down to four basic models. How many of you still use an axe, and what for? For the purpose of this question, hatchets can be discussed, but they are a different tool than an axe, for a different purpose. Go for it!
Question by crm3006. Uploaded on April 18, 2010
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Answers (20)
When i go hunting i usually don carry a axe i usually carry my KA BAR which is basically a hatchet because it is is as tough as an ox. But for chores around are cabin i usually carry my estwing 16 IN axe because it is not to big or not to small and it has a fixed head so it is very safe. Have a nice day crm
An ax is very useful .
An axe is always in my gear.As well as a hatchet.The axe is very useful around camp.From splitting wood,pounding tent stakes,blazing trails.Even quartering big game.A must have in my camp gear.
I have a Gransfors Bruks Hunters Axe. Just used it yesterday. It is a high quality forged and very sharp tool. It stays in camp or in the vehicle. It has come in very handy for clearing downed trees from the road and general camp chores but I have never taken it with me while hunting. I have a folding saw in my pack - they work very well and are light and compact.
The chance of injuring oneself while swinging an axe, especially if very cold, is always a concern since it will likely be a serious injury. Just takes a momentary slip of mind or muscle. But if I was packing into a remote area I would still make room for it.
Crm3006---Sounds like you and I have traveled similar paths. When I was a teenager I swung an axe to make money two summers by clearing brush under a government program. Cut the crap out of my knee, once, too. A full size 3.5.lb. axe is a standard fixture in the back of my Jeep, but I don't do many things that require the use of an axe. If I camped more, I'm sure I'd get more use out of one. Splitting lighterwood for kindling is mostly what I use one for now.
I carry a hand ax in my truck and seldom have to reach for it but, when needed, it certainly earned its keep. I couldn't tell you what brand it is; I bought it 30+ years ago and the brand decal or sticker has long since disappeared, but it has provided it's share of wood for the campfire, hammered more than a few tent pegs, and I 'm glad it's available. I don't carry it in my pack because it's dead weight, but I keep it in the truck or back at camp.
This is proof positive that F&S could save a lot of server space by dumping their message boards. You got three times the response to this question in one day than the same question got in a month on the Survival School Message Boards.
I keep a hatchet under the rear seat of my truck and a double-bit axe in the storage bin of my camper. I just finished a belt sheath for my trapper axe. At a pound and a half it is hard to find a reason not to carry it on treks longer than day hikes.
I use the Estwing long handle, narrow blade axe and have developed a healthy respect for this tool. It has it's own sheath and holder on my John Deere and is in use at least a couple of times a week. The blade holds an edge very well.
Sourdough Dave-
I used the search engine before I posted the question, but either overlooked your question or didn't find it. I agree the message boards are underused, I wish they would add a face book type thing for a lot of these questions with an automatic dump.
I always have an axe and a hatchet at camp both are very usefull. They are usefull for more than just splitting fire wood. And i would use and axe over a maul anyday.
An ax can be a life saver. Ask a fireman.
I only use an ax when a chainsaw won't work. :) Actually I like a good ax. I have an old Sager double bit that I picked up a few years back. Put a new handle on it and a nice sharp edge. I also wrapped about four inches of the handle next to the head with some innertube and electrical tape. Makes it last a lot longer.
I have use an axe often and have several, my favorite is Gerbers Sport axe.
In my opinion, nobody makes a finer axe and hatchet than Gransfors Bruks..They are VERY expensive but you'll never need to buy another one the rest of your life. Here's a link to their web site:
http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html
I have an old Fox Brand Ax that belonged to my father-in-law since before WWII. I use it to split wood and other lighter duty cutting that I don't want to use the Stihl Farm Boss for.
Used an axe camping in the snow this winter, and was quite glad to have it. Took a tiny hatchet on the trip I'm just back from now (one night only). I'd probably have been nearly as well off without it, but at least it was light.
Axes are like carrying a landing net. You don't need them for most instances, but they're surprisingly useful when the time comes.
I take both when I go hunting and I'm out in the wood for a week or so. The axe to split the wood for the stove and the hatchet to split smaller pieces into kindling to start the fire.
I usually use a hatchet for splitting kindling, but it can also cut saplings too if you need to. A full size ax would be my choice if I was staying in one place for at least a week.
axes are great for the things that they are designed for. When I can afford the weight in my load then I will carry an axe or hatchet. If you are carrying all of your equipment for an extended trip away from a vehicle or mule, then check into a small folding saw or the larger sven saw, or trailblazer take-down buck saw.
Yes to axes-My Gransfors large splitting maul receives a lot of use each year and I also keep a cheap splitting maul around to loan to friends who want to try splitting wood. Additionally I have a Gransfors Scandinavian Forest axe, which was designed for limbing. I prefer a chainsaw for limbing, or a longer handle axe than the Forest axe when I'm not using a chainsaw. The Forest axe is nice for camping and very sharp-I can easily whittle fuzz sticks with it, but I am considering giving it up for a smaller hatchet like I had when I was a kid.
Post an Answer
This is proof positive that F&S could save a lot of server space by dumping their message boards. You got three times the response to this question in one day than the same question got in a month on the Survival School Message Boards.
I keep a hatchet under the rear seat of my truck and a double-bit axe in the storage bin of my camper. I just finished a belt sheath for my trapper axe. At a pound and a half it is hard to find a reason not to carry it on treks longer than day hikes.
Sourdough Dave-
I used the search engine before I posted the question, but either overlooked your question or didn't find it. I agree the message boards are underused, I wish they would add a face book type thing for a lot of these questions with an automatic dump.
Axes are like carrying a landing net. You don't need them for most instances, but they're surprisingly useful when the time comes.
I have a Gransfors Bruks Hunters Axe. Just used it yesterday. It is a high quality forged and very sharp tool. It stays in camp or in the vehicle. It has come in very handy for clearing downed trees from the road and general camp chores but I have never taken it with me while hunting. I have a folding saw in my pack - they work very well and are light and compact.
The chance of injuring oneself while swinging an axe, especially if very cold, is always a concern since it will likely be a serious injury. Just takes a momentary slip of mind or muscle. But if I was packing into a remote area I would still make room for it.
Crm3006---Sounds like you and I have traveled similar paths. When I was a teenager I swung an axe to make money two summers by clearing brush under a government program. Cut the crap out of my knee, once, too. A full size 3.5.lb. axe is a standard fixture in the back of my Jeep, but I don't do many things that require the use of an axe. If I camped more, I'm sure I'd get more use out of one. Splitting lighterwood for kindling is mostly what I use one for now.
I carry a hand ax in my truck and seldom have to reach for it but, when needed, it certainly earned its keep. I couldn't tell you what brand it is; I bought it 30+ years ago and the brand decal or sticker has long since disappeared, but it has provided it's share of wood for the campfire, hammered more than a few tent pegs, and I 'm glad it's available. I don't carry it in my pack because it's dead weight, but I keep it in the truck or back at camp.
I use the Estwing long handle, narrow blade axe and have developed a healthy respect for this tool. It has it's own sheath and holder on my John Deere and is in use at least a couple of times a week. The blade holds an edge very well.
I have an old Fox Brand Ax that belonged to my father-in-law since before WWII. I use it to split wood and other lighter duty cutting that I don't want to use the Stihl Farm Boss for.
I take both when I go hunting and I'm out in the wood for a week or so. The axe to split the wood for the stove and the hatchet to split smaller pieces into kindling to start the fire.
I usually use a hatchet for splitting kindling, but it can also cut saplings too if you need to. A full size ax would be my choice if I was staying in one place for at least a week.
When i go hunting i usually don carry a axe i usually carry my KA BAR which is basically a hatchet because it is is as tough as an ox. But for chores around are cabin i usually carry my estwing 16 IN axe because it is not to big or not to small and it has a fixed head so it is very safe. Have a nice day crm
An ax is very useful .
An axe is always in my gear.As well as a hatchet.The axe is very useful around camp.From splitting wood,pounding tent stakes,blazing trails.Even quartering big game.A must have in my camp gear.
I always have an axe and a hatchet at camp both are very usefull. They are usefull for more than just splitting fire wood. And i would use and axe over a maul anyday.
An ax can be a life saver. Ask a fireman.
I only use an ax when a chainsaw won't work. :) Actually I like a good ax. I have an old Sager double bit that I picked up a few years back. Put a new handle on it and a nice sharp edge. I also wrapped about four inches of the handle next to the head with some innertube and electrical tape. Makes it last a lot longer.
I have use an axe often and have several, my favorite is Gerbers Sport axe.
In my opinion, nobody makes a finer axe and hatchet than Gransfors Bruks..They are VERY expensive but you'll never need to buy another one the rest of your life. Here's a link to their web site:
http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html
Used an axe camping in the snow this winter, and was quite glad to have it. Took a tiny hatchet on the trip I'm just back from now (one night only). I'd probably have been nearly as well off without it, but at least it was light.
axes are great for the things that they are designed for. When I can afford the weight in my load then I will carry an axe or hatchet. If you are carrying all of your equipment for an extended trip away from a vehicle or mule, then check into a small folding saw or the larger sven saw, or trailblazer take-down buck saw.
Yes to axes-My Gransfors large splitting maul receives a lot of use each year and I also keep a cheap splitting maul around to loan to friends who want to try splitting wood. Additionally I have a Gransfors Scandinavian Forest axe, which was designed for limbing. I prefer a chainsaw for limbing, or a longer handle axe than the Forest axe when I'm not using a chainsaw. The Forest axe is nice for camping and very sharp-I can easily whittle fuzz sticks with it, but I am considering giving it up for a smaller hatchet like I had when I was a kid.
Post an Answer