Axe or Hatchet

Howard Law

Red Dawn

Wolverines
Site Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Aug 12, 2015
5,743
6,957
113
H Town
Zip code
30228
image.jpg image.jpg

I'm thinking I need to add an axe to my inventory. I'm not sure if a hatchet is the way to go or the axe. I know the ax is able to do more but it's heavier where the hatchet is lighter yet you can only cut smaller wood. Which 1 do you keep with you.
 

madHatter

Marksman
Mar 25, 2015
1,484
661
113
Fuckville
A machete.


But in all seriousness... A gran fours (sp) bruk camp axe is what I would have. As I have it right now, I have a Michigan double bit, and a youth ¾ axe. The youth axe gets more use than the does the double bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Dawn

Red Dawn

Wolverines
Site Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Aug 12, 2015
5,743
6,957
113
H Town
Zip code
30228
I keep a machete but I learned the hard way about chopping hardwood with it. some types of wood you have to have a hatchet or axe. I don't want to carry a saw
 

Dinky Dau

Over Sexed Sr. Citizen
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 12, 2015
515
304
113
Zip code
30513
I have a bush axe that I bought 30 years ago...It still works great, I don't
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Dawn

EugenFJR

An anchor on a ship of fools.
Kalash Klub
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 3, 2015
4,564
16,321
113
Your mom's house
Zip code
90210
I dont have a sheath for it, I have only used it around the house so far. I do know its light & handy, and I would take it to the woods in a heart beat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Dawn

TattooedGunner

Frontiersman
Mar 31, 2015
491
209
113
Cedartown, GA
Zip code
30125
Ask yourself what size wood you would need to cut the majority of the time. If you need to fell trees or cut large logs get an axe. If you are just going camping and picking up dead wood and need to split it or make into more manageable pieces a hatchet is all you need. Let the work you need to do make the choice.
 

madHatter

Marksman
Mar 25, 2015
1,484
661
113
Fuckville
Ask yourself what size wood you would need to cut the majority of the time. If you need to fell trees or cut large logs get an axe. If you are just going camping and picking up dead wood and need to split it or make into more manageable pieces a hatchet is all you need. Let the work you need to do make the choice.
Brilliant post
 

Red Dawn

Wolverines
Site Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Aug 12, 2015
5,743
6,957
113
H Town
Zip code
30228
I'm thinking not quite Viking battle axe but more than a hatchet. 3/4 sized and 2-5 lb axe. If I had to work a 6-8" tree no problem and you can still make kenneling with it.
 

Hayata

Blam-blam-blam-blam-blam-blam-blam-blam-PING!
Kalash Klub
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 5, 2015
6,135
30,134
113
Zip code
30022
Do you think an axe would make too much noise and attract attention?

sog_fasthawk-hatchet-400.jpg


I have the SOG.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Dawn

Red Dawn

Wolverines
Site Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Aug 12, 2015
5,743
6,957
113
H Town
Zip code
30228
Do you think an axe would make too much noise and attract attention?

sog_fasthawk-hatchet-400.jpg


I have the SOG.
My son has been wanting me to get those for a while now. Ever time we go to Academy dad they got these he says. I do like em.
 

Kobayashi

Frontiersman
Mar 25, 2015
412
318
113
Ola
I'm thinking not quite Viking battle axe but more than a hatchet. 3/4 sized and 2-5 lb axe. If I had to work a 6-8" tree no problem and you can still make kenneling with it.
I think you'd find that a hatchet will do most/all of what you need, especially when you consider how much weight a full Axe adds to your pack. For me a hatchet or tomahawk along with a 5" bushcraft knife works best.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Red Dawn

Nicaburns

Hunter
Jul 3, 2015
20
12
18
The trail hawk is very handy but often not as viable for splitting kindling as a 6" bladed camp knife since you can baton the knife through logs.
(I usually have a trail hawk, a 6" camp knife, and a 24" saw blade to build a frame for if need be when camping.)
Never had the need for an axe but most north woods guys swear by them... Husqvarna has a good line of axes that will only cost you half of what a GB will
 
  • Like
Reactions: Patryn and Red Dawn

Patryn

The Prepared Plunderer
Aug 13, 2015
371
330
113
GA
Ask yourself what size wood you would need to cut the majority of the time. If you need to fell trees or cut large logs get an axe. If you are just going camping and picking up dead wood and need to split it or make into more manageable pieces a hatchet is all you need. Let the work you need to do make the choice.

I would 2nd this. I chose a hatchet but there might be a double bit ax in the Honda.
 

Patryn

The Prepared Plunderer
Aug 13, 2015
371
330
113
GA
The trail hawk is very handy but often not as viable for splitting kindling as a 6" bladed camp knife since you can baton the knife through logs.
(I usually have a trail hawk, a 6" camp knife, and a 24" saw blade to build a frame for if need be when camping.)
Never had the need for an axe but most north woods guys swear by them... Husqvarna has a good line of axes that will only cost you half of what a GB will


I would agree but I got a custom tomahawk that has been very viable and even made me stop carrying a machete or a large fixed blade because it served those purposes. Guess it all depends on the amount of time and what your chopping.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nicaburns