GA Firing Line

Axe or Hatchet

Red Dawn

Wolverines
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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
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.
 

Red Dawn

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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
 

EugenFJR

An anchor on a ship of fools.
Kalash Klub
Lifetime Supporter
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.
 

TattooedGunner

Frontiersman
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
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

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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
Do you think an axe would make too much noise and attract attention?

sog_fasthawk-hatchet-400.jpg


I have the SOG.
 

Red Dawn

Wolverines
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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
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.
 
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Nicaburns

Hunter
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
 

Patryn

The Prepared Plunderer
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
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.
 
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