Saws & Axes info.

[carcajou garou]

I have tried to find some info on this forum on the use of axes or hatchets and who if any use them on any regular basis.
I have carried a canoe ax for years when hunting or on the line or when trekking and find it extremely usefull but I wonder how many today still use axes or have the saws (folding or swede) taken president?

[FVR]

I have two that I may carry every now and then. One is a bag ax, little with a good heft to it. Works well for small wood, pountind stakes, roughing out and tillering a bow.

The second one is a throwing hawk that a Cherokee Indian made me many years ago. Had the long handle on it for the longest time but then when it broke, the new one I cut down. It is alot more versatile now and alot easier to carry on treks. Both are kept razor sharp.

[Sarge47]

I have a small Back-packing hand-axe made by Buck Knives, and a larger axe, just not a full size job, a small & large bow saw, and Gerber's folding hand saw with extra blade.:cool:

[WildGoth]

i have a small boyscout axe that my dad had and i have a hand saw and a wooden axe and they are good for cutting small fire wood

[smokelessfire]

how do you sharpen an extremely dull axe? grinding wheel? or whetstone for hours lol?

[FVR]

File, diamond stone, then leather strap.

Well, that's how I do it.

[Sarge47]

I do not carry an axe.
I do however carry a folding saw, and a machete.
The machete has proven to work very well for me, and is probably the tool i use the most when "out there".

Hmmm, a machete, you & Owl girl might have something in common here.:D

[FVR]

I use to carry a WWII short machete during deer season. Worked great for getting through the thickets, since have traded that in for a pair of pruners. Lot less movement, snip, nip, nice and quiet.

[Fog_Harbor]

I carry a small hand axe in my Jeep, but not generally with me unless I plan to be out for a longer time.

What I DO carry is a Ka Bar Kukri, which is heavy enough to use as a hatchet if one is needed. The only saw I carry is the small one on my Leatherman Core.

[trax]

A small hand axe where ever I go "out there" as volwest put it. I sharpen it with a file. I keep a larger splitting axe in camp, not usually quite as sharp.

Friends usually bring me their axes and knives for sharpening. I use a diamond stone or Arkansas stone on knives, depends on the knife they usually tell me which they prefer. Sharpening is like therapy for me.

[scabbyota]

I have a full size ax, hand ax, small bow saw and machete.

[survivorman.]

I have a hatchet. got it for $35.00, and I must say it works verywell.

[spiritman]

I've got a small older Scout hatchet that i found when I went backpacking that I usually keep with me.

[carcajou garou]

In the last few years I have started to carry a GB hunters ax a bit lighter and smaller than the canoe ax and will do the job in a few strokes more.

[survivorman.]

what do you guys think is the best axe?

[trax]

There's plenty of good ones out there, we could get into that whole "depending on what you're doing" thing again too. The most important thing is to make sure you're using it properly for your own safety and the axe's and those nearby. Some guys really swear by these new composite/fiberglass handles, I've only used them a couple of times and I think they're ok, but mine are all wood handle except my little hand axe is all steel with a rubber grip.

I avoid getting into name brands, look at the excitement it caused in the knife forum, what I swear by FVR or someone might call crap and vice versa. But like anything else, if you spend a couple of extra bucks you'll probably be glad you did.

[Sarge47]

what do you guys think is the best axe?

That's not gonna have an easy answer, dude. Everybody will have their favorite.:rolleyes:

[survivorman.]

thats true.

[FVR]

I have the best ax. Well, it's not mine it's a good friends.

Custom made weighs in about 1.5lbs. All stell, looks like an 1800's French trade hawk.

This thing is awsome, sharp, can throw it and it chops good also.

It is designed like the military combat hawks.

[trax]

Personally, I think that the tomahawk or trade axe is the best overall designed axe. sounds like a good one FVR

[robneville73]

I'm with volwest and owl girl apparently....I don't carry one. Usually carry a full-sized kukri (like a machete but more versatile IMHO). Makes very quick work of reasonable size wood and doubles as a large fixed-bladed knife and is fairly lightweight. I have a machete too, but for some reason, I'm personally not as proficient with it.

[HOP]

I like axes and think that if the workmanship is there it is hard to beat, I have several swedish axes that are of good quality that I like a lot, some of the CS hawks are interesting with a little modification. I like folding saws also but again they need to be of high quality to work efficently. In camp axes and saws are great but in the survival role a large all purpose knife may be the better choice.

[kufitar]

As a Finn I perfer a traditional Lapland leuku instead of an axe. I usually carry just a puukko knife if I'm out and about for a day trip. For a longer trip I carry a combo of puukko and leuku. Leuku is big enough to use as an axe and with puukko I can do everything else I need to... simple and practical tools in a same sheath!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l135/cloudberrymarket/woodsknife/tupla1.jpg

[Beowulf65]

I got a great Hawk I take everytime I hit the forest, also have a hatchet that works well but don't use it as much as my Hawk.

[mitch.chesney]

Only reason you'd need an ax over a knife, or in addition to a knife, would be if you are trying to fell or manage large chunks of wood. If you are doing some major bushcrafting by building a canoe or permanent structure, yes by all means bring one. But other than that a folding saw will suit most needs.

Hatchet should never be brought unless space is an absolute concern. For each 6" of handle gives about 100lbs or more PSI on the downstroke, not to mention 6" of half-wrist-thick wood doesn't weight much and should never be undermined by a hatchet. Let's put it this way, a 1.5lb head on a hatchet may take you an hour to chop thru a tree. But the same head on an armpit-to-hand length ax handle will do the job in at least half the time, and with less stress on the arms. The weight difference is only the small amount of extra wood you have in the handle.

Now that I've said my peace, the best ax would be multipurpose ax of the length described above. 1.5-2.0lb head is the best, anything more should be put on a longer shaft and be used for felling. The 1.5lb head on a 2-3ft shaft can fell, cut, limb, pound (though I do not recommend ax heads for pounding as it can destroy the eye), etc. Carbon steel, of course, ground to a concaved razor edge using file, stone, leather in that order.

[Beowulf65]

Nope take my Hawk everywhere :D

[eddiec]

I always carry an axe when I'm out camping. Once I forgot it, and had to break all of the fire wood by hand. Needless to say, it was a small pile of wood,(sticks and twigs) and barely got me through the night.

[Sarge47]

I've got a small, Buck Backpacking hand axe as well as a "Boy Scout size Axe. Add one large and one small Bow Saw to the mix and I'm ready for as much firewood as I can handle. If I was going to build a cabin I'd want a chain saw, but lacking that a full-size double-bit axe w/ maul & wedges. Can't be to prepared. I also have a Gerber folding saw that has two blades as well as the smaller ones on my Victorinox Swiss-Army knives.

[dilligaf2u2]

I have a Mini Axe. Pre 1900, 8oz, little thing. It is too light for throwing. It is for cutting. I also carry a folding saw in my pack and TDW(The Dear Wife) has one too. TDW has a Vaughn sounding 8oz hatchet on her BOB and a Estwing Sportsman's hatchet in her pack.

An axe is a great tool and I never thought that throwing one was an option. What if you miss? You just gave someone, with an attitude, a weapon! IMO not a good thing!

I also think knowing the proper way to use one is important. Like any tool it has its uses. It takes skill to use one right. Smacking a tree freely, without thought is dangerous. Like a tool we need to learn how to use it, keep it in good working order and respect it.

Don

[marcraft]

its just my personal preference but i carry a kukuri magnum (18") and think it works way beter then any hatchets i have used (albeit i never bought expensive ones) though it isnt as good for chopping wood i have a great need for its brush clearing skills so depending on where your going (you wont need to clear brush in a camp)try either out for a bit and find which you prefer

[Sarge47]

its just my personal preference but i carry a kukuri magnum (18") and think it works way beter then any hatchets i have used (albeit i never bought expensive ones) though it isnt as good for chopping wood i have a great need for its brush clearing skills so depending on where your going (you wont need to clear brush in a camp)try either out for a bit and find which you prefer

I've been checking out the Cold Steel stuff and they sell 3 Kukri Machetes. !st one for about $20, 2nd one for about $125, and the third one for about $500. which one do you have?

[marcraft]

i have the longest one , i dont think they have it on there sight i got it from SIR for $50 at 75% off , its epoxy coated with a 20'' blade

[Beowulf65]

Good ole hawk is best to me :D
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8825/myhawkey5.th.jpg (http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myhawkey5.jpg)
$175.00 but thats just my choice.

[marcraft]

thats a throwing axe isnt it ?

[Beowulf65]

Yup, also got a camp hatchet but no pick as of yet :( this does the trick every time I use it for other uses though.

[HOP]

Beo thatis a nice looking hawk I have a large book on knife and hawk fighting that is real informative. I take some of the cold steel hawks and modify them to suit my taste for actual utility use iI prefer a hammer poll over a spike but a spike is got cool written all over it.

[MedicineWolf]

Don't let Beowulf fool you guys, he's great with a knife and can make them as well but it takes him like 2 weeks for one knife cause he'a a perfectionist. I still got a skinner he gave me back in 89, looks good and holds a fine edge but as with all his stuff he tends to go traditional or from the 1700s which I'm sure he's ranted on.

[ISHKO]

Nice hawk,Beowulf,although I question the utility of the backspike.I prefer a carpenters hatchet for survival/camp chores.That would be a fine weapon to have at hand once the bullets ran out.

[flandersander]

I've been checking out the Cold Steel stuff and they sell 3 Kukri Machetes. !st one for about $20, 2nd one for about $125, and the third one for about $500. which one do you have?

I Have a Kukri machete also. Mine is a KA-BAR 17" long machete with a 12" blade. I love it for cutting down small trees. Me and my dad had a race who could cut through a tree faster. He had a hatchet and i had the machete. I won! I won because i keep it sooo sharp, you could drop a greasy hair and it would split iut right up the middle.

[Nativedude]

This is the knife I carry. And these are the hatchets and axe I used to build my cabin and furniture. ;)

[marcraft]

wow nativedude thats impressive , how big was the cabin?

[Nativedude]

Thanks Marcraft! ;)

It is 16'x20' with 7 1/2' side walls and 9' ridge beam. I fell the trees in the early summer of '04 and built it in the late spring of '05. I just finished the final touches on the dunne and food cache this past summer. I have lived there full time for the last year and a half.

wow nativedude thats impressive , how big was the cabin?

[Beowulf65]

Quite impressive, good to know someone round here other than WrEagle69 is living off the land :D Will be me in a few years.

[STB]

Possible to get some pictures? Id love to see that cabin sounds nice and warm.

[Nativedude]

Possible to get some pictures? Id love to see that cabin sounds nice and warm.

I will try to dig up some pics. It is the first place that has ever felt like and I have ever truly called "home" in my 43 years.

[dilligaf2u2]

I carry one and was wondering who else carries them. What kinds and how often you use them? I use mine every time I go out. The Sven Saw folds flat and weighs next to nothing. 1&1/2 inch wide and 22 inches long. It has made getting fire wood ready fairly quickly.

Don

[HOP]

I have a folding saw similar to the sven saw and also one that fits in a tube andsets up like a buck saw they both work very well.

[mitch.chesney]

I used to carry one but then I started making my fire with long logs and letting the fire cut them for me. But a folding saw is definitely useful, don't get me wrong.

[survivalhike]

I love my folding saw. I didn't even buy the best one out there either. Mine is a Coghlans sierra saw, and it really tears through logs. I like it because cutting a log is safer than trying to break one by hand, and there is something nice about having fresh cut firewood for your fire. It's really light too.

[swampyankee]

I carry the Sawvivor (available from Campmor.com). It's pretty rugged and collapses into a small package. There's also a bone saw blade available for it if you needed it for quartering game.

[trax]

I used to carry one but then I started making my fire with long logs and letting the fire cut them for me. But a folding saw is definitely useful, don't get me wrong.

Yep, what he said.

[Beowulf65]

Carry a hatchet so no need for a folding saw. Then again I find wood the size I need to I don't to cut as much.

[HOP]

A saw can be so much more in the woods . It can keep pointy stick ups down and cutting slots for frames and things you want to have a good fit a lot of uses for a saw even if it is on your swiss army knife.

[survivalhike]

I don't mind letting the fire cut the logs but it seems like I need to watch it more when the wood is hanging out of the fire ring. I know it can't travel that fast but it makes me feel better knowing that every piece of wood is inside the rocks and less likely to travel.

[Rick]

I prefer to carry a modified Ghurka over a hatchet. It's pretty light, inexpensive, tough and works pretty well for chopping. Saves my straight blade, too. Of course, I'm not building a cabin out there, either. But for a debris shelters and such it works just fine. I posted some pictures and a write up on:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1034&page=2

Post #30 if you're interested.

[FVR]

Okay, three pages in I'll tell ya, I carry one full size custom hawk the Danny made me. It is a copy of my H&B that was given to me by an old friend who won it in Friendship. Donny's hawk is made of steel horseshoes, razor sharp and I decor. the handle. Good for chopping, throwing, and fighting.

The second is a little bag ax, it has a little pole on the back of it, and it is also razor sharp.

[FVR]

Here is a pic of my large hawk and my bag ax.

http://http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-002S-2.jpg


And, you can shave with either one of them.

[Nativedude]

I see posts all the time where people state that their knives and axes are "shaving sharp", why would anyone try to shave with a knife or axe? One slip and you're the headless horseman!! :D

I have a straight razor that I use (when I used to shave.) Now that I keep "razor sharp", but my knives, axes, & hatchets are sharp enough to shave bark off of a tree, but if I slip shaving a tree I don't have to worry about bleeding to death or being the headless horseman!! :eek:

[FVR]

It's an expression. You've been out of the woods too long.

[Jay]

I have two small hand axes. Whether I carry one or not depends on where I'm going and for how long I plan to stay out. I carry it on my belt.

[FVR]

One of my favorite throwers.

It's really a nice backpack ax/hawk. It's flat, sharp, has a hammer back, up-sweep tip and very good weight. Good for throwing, chopping, pounding, and fighting.

http://http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-033S.jpg

Unfortunately, it's not mine. LOL. Good friend lent it to me, I did track down the maker and he will be making me one soon. He sells them for a whole 50 bucks, not a bad deal.

I'm going to have him make it with the back part of the handle that is steel, made to be able to use as a striker with flint.

[Nativedude]

One of my favorite throwers.

It's really a nice backpack ax/hawk. It's flat, sharp, has a hammer back, up-sweep tip and very good weight. Good for throwing, chopping, pounding, and fighting.

http://http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-033S.jpg

Unfortunately, it's not mine. LOL. Good friend lent it to me, I did track down the maker and he will be making me one soon. He sells them for a whole 50 bucks, not a bad deal.

I'm going to have him make it with the back part of the handle that is steel, made to be able to use as a striker with flint.

Nice lookin' tool FVR!! :D ;)

[bladefrenzy]

I do have an axe, a trail hawk and a couple of hatchets as well. But for most stuff I find a nice saw works faster and easier for what I need. For long term survival and axe would probably be a necessity . But for short term a stout large knife, modified machete, and saw are plenty for me.

BTW get familiar with using an axe before you "have" to use it. One bad swing is all it takes for a serious injury. Kinda like using a chainsaw for the first time. A lot of people don't take the time it takes to master an axe, I am only decent with one. I know others who are pros and can do anything quickly and smoothly with one. Including wood carvings and such.

Nice pair ya there FVR.

[richard]

hey guys, new to the forum and was just wondering if anyone has tried out the atax tool. i'm sorta excited to buy and try it out but also weighing up cost and shipping to ireland.

[mbarnatl]

I never used it or even heard of it. I did a search and checked it out. Here (http://www.survival.com/atax.htm) is the site I found on it. The blade kind of is exposed for most of the uses of it... that really bothers me. If you look at the first pic on the page you notice the three bloody knuckles... all in a nice stright line with the blade. You would have to add a protection to the blade if not using it for some things. The other thing that bothered me was the $200 price tag.

[richard]

thanks for feed back. yea saw those knuckles, great advertisment !

[Rick]

This looks like a modification to the ULU knife. I own one but don't use it much. As mbarnatl said, the blade is exposed and I am more comfortable with a "standard" knife. The up side to the $200 price tag is it comes with a DVD.:rolleyes:

http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/supergal/ung/ung00/ung0014-33.htm

[Sarge47]

Welcome! Now get over to the "introductions" thread and tell us more about you. Give us an idea as to your age, what you do, whereabouts you live, etc.:cool:

[canid]

why it's a swiss army ulu!

[richard]

born dublin ireland '72.left at 17 and backpacked around b.c.canada,eventualy got caught and opted to go yo the u.s. spent the best part of 10 years checking out washington, arizona and the nice bits of ca.built a house south of seattle, got married, lived abit of the americian dream then left everything to bum around northern india for half a year.now back in ireland wondering what i'll be when i grow up:)

[richard]

i like to survive, so i work on my kit.hennessey hammock,sog seal elite,ontario short & heavy machette, still and fire kit are my basics.

[canid]

rock on with the camping hammock. i just use a parachutte nylon amazonas but it's nice being able to sleep off of the ground [not having to find level ground, not having to avoid watershed, etc] in areas with sufficient purchase to hang it. and all for a mere 6oz.

[richard]

the hammock i got is cool,pretty watertight .was used to using gortex sleeping system (u.s.army type)but humping it around was tiresome ,especially as my kit got more larger and fine tuned.

[Rick]

canid - Do you use the mosquito traveler? If not, how do you combat the mosquitoes and black flys in the summer?

richard - I've looked at those hammocks a hundred times over. One of these days I'm going to just get one. I use a tarp and build a diamond tent but that hammock sure looks comfortable.

[canid]

they're not much a problem down here in cali. in Wa/Id smoke does it fine for the squitters but i have a couple yards of netting around somewhere. i haven't needed to bring it out since i bought it.

in Ak, nothing keeps them at bay, looking back, it almost seems i forget to remember them, so to speek.

[RobertRogers]

Ouch! Those freshly skinned knuckles are great advertisements!

[richard]

a couple of months back i dragged a buddy to a local national pk. for a break from the kids, after setting up camp ,fire and grub i climbed in the hammock .its got a no see-um net, starrs were out and about 30 deer came out to check us out.took out my red lense kit and lay silently awe struck as 30 pair of deer eyes reflected back ,spooky but crazy. they hung out for about half hour ,the young were curious but then they scattered as my buddy started snoring:mad:
that one night with the stars and the deer was well worth the $ i spent.

[flandersander]

its a cool gadget but in survival you need something that will get er dun not some toy that will break and wreck on you right away!

[richard]

yea kinda given up on the atax job,it is gimicky

[Rick]

I looked at the list of things you could do with it and a lot of the stuff I can do without carrying anything. A couple of sticks in the ground will tell me the time and direction for example. The rest I can do with equipment I have on me already and I don't have to spend the $200. Of course, there is that DVD. :rolleyes:

Cool gadgets are okay if they buy you something. Lord knows I've bought my fair share that sit in the back of the closet and collect dust. If that's what you want and your heart it set on it, then go for it. Just let us know how good it is and whether you inherent knuckles like in the picture. (I'm with RR. Wouldn't you think they'd have taken a picture with some squeeky clean hands or maybe some ladies hands to show how easy it is to use? But bloody knuckles, crikey!).

Ooops. We posted at the same time.

[Sarge47]

$200?:eek: Now I know how he was able to buy the Humvee! He probably skis in the alps with Ranger Rick!:rolleyes: Oh well, it's still cheaper than Bear Grylls' knife!;)

[mbarnatl]

LOL @ Sarge

[Rick]

And Bears doesn't come with a DVD!:mad:

[Ole WV Coot]

$200 ??? That's about the dumbest thing I have seen since the Capt. Midnight decoder ring. If anyone I know whipped one of those things out he would be laughed out of the state. If that actually sells he can buy a lodge in the Alps, or maybe he will just use the darn thing to build one.

[Proud American]

Why whats Bear's Knife and what does it cost:eek:. Is it like that one blog were that one guy had that titanium 1k knife!:D

[Sarge47]

Why whats Bear's Knife and what does it cost:eek:. Is it like that one blog were that one guy had that titanium 1k knife!:D

A bit over $700 American!!! Want one?:rolleyes:

[Sarge47]

Here it is, you can click on "convert" to get the American Dollars.:rolleyes:

http://www.bayleyknife.com/bear.htm

[Rick]

Am I really a terrible person for wanting to see what would happen if that crusty lava stuff he's standing on would give way? (Can you say computer generated? I knew you could).

[canid]

you'd be a bad person if you didn't...

[disclaimer: in all seriousness, i wish no harm on any person, even if they are bear grylles]

[FVR]

Yeh, I'm going to pay 200 bucks for a weird kind of knife that is going to lose all those fancy blade markings. Oh, oh, better yet, pay 700 bucks for a knife that is promoted by some faker.

LOL!

[Sarge47]

Yeh, I'm going to pay 200 bucks for a weird kind of knife that is going to lose all those fancy blade markings. Oh, oh, better yet, pay 700 bucks for a knife that is promoted by some faker.

LOL!

I gotta watch I'll sell you; It's a gen-you-wine Rolex...or was that Rol-a dex?:rolleyes:

[Proud American]

That knife dosent even look special:eek: It dosent even say its titanium or somthin cool like that its just a regular knife that comes with a print of Bear's signature for 700:p I think that the titanium knife was better at least it sounded like it was special:D

[canid]

no no: bear grylles personaly chopped down a coast redwood with each one, and hand carved it into a ballista to hunt elk.

[FVR]

When the show first came out, wasn't he using a Gerber? I remember my wife saying that his folder looked just like mine.

He saw me stripping muscadines in the mountains with my knife and copied me. Not only is he a faker, he's a copy cat.

[LarryB]

Yup, I havta agree with Survivalhike on the Sierra Saw as a real cool little woodsman's tool. Handy dandy, light, small and very efficient. Oh, and cheap (under $10) to boot.:cool:

[pgvoutdoors]

I carry the Sawvivor (available from Campmor.com). It's pretty rugged and collapses into a small package. There's also a bone saw blade available for it if you needed it for quartering game.

http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/products/list/showcase/?id=24

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=49364&memberId=12500226

This has been my go-to saw for years. Very light and durable!!!!

[Rick]

I just ordered a couple of Gerber sports saws. We'll see how they do.

[pgvoutdoors]

I just ordered a couple of Gerber sports saws. We'll see how they do.

I have the Browning version of that saw. Very nice, wickedly sharp!!! They both have the same style blades, a sorta offset barracuda tooth with very sharp points plus a bone blade. Nice for light duty work.

Let us know how you like it.

[Rick]

I haven't owned one before so I'm curious to see how it holds up. I ordered them last week so should arrive this week. The blade slides back in the handle, which I like and it's pretty light overall. About 3.4 oz. from what I've read.

[pgvoutdoors]

I haven't owned one before so I'm curious to see how it holds up. I ordered them last week so should arrive this week. The blade slides back in the handle, which I like and it's pretty light overall. About 3.4 oz. from what I've read.

The Browning version I have is a folding lock-blade. Good for small limbs, 1-2 inches in diameter. Many of the hunters I know like it.

[Rick]

I think everyone agrees the little survival saws with the pressed on finger pulls are pretty cheesy. Yes, I have them in my kit just like you. Does anyone own/use Chain Saw in a Can? It looks pretty hefty although the two "handles" look like they could be easily lost since you have to attach them. Thoughts?

[Beowulf65]

Actually I don't have a chain type saw, I use my hatchet/hawk for everything when in camp and take it everytime I go out. Yes I got a new hawk handle but my son seems to have taken it over, got a new hawk now.

[mitch.chesney]

I was tempted to throw a chain saw-blade wire saw into my pack but a friend talked me out of it for various reasons.

Just to clarify the various wire saw uses for people thinking about getting one:
* The fine-toothed default "survival wire saw" will cut hardwoods fairly easy but because of the tiny teeth it'll take you a long time. Don't even bother with resinous woods like pine.
* The larger toothed wire saws are multipurpose. simple
* The chain saw-toothed wire saws are the best for resinous woods but the multipurpose middle-toothed wire saw actually beats in on hardwoods.

[carcajou garou]

One of the flaws with the chain saw blade style, as advertised is that if you wrap it around a standing tree and pull stroke the saw towards yourself, your hand are attached in the loops of some models. When you come close to the end, the tree can close on the hinge and jam the saw. Worse is that if it goes through, the tree can end up butt stroking you in the kisser as it kicks back and being tied to it, you got nowheres to go.
Most peoples would just do the one cut across, rather than also putting in a felling notch.

[carcajou garou]

In my hunt pack I carry the Gerber folding saw with extra blades in the case. In the canoe I carry a 21" swede saw with extra bolts and blades in a tool roll along with an ax, small shovel, pik/matock and a decrating tool.

[Rick]

That's a really great safety observation Carcajou and it does happen. Several years ago a friend I and were removing a tree and he wrapped his safety around the tree about 30 feet up. Unfortunately, he forgot to back cut the top and when the tree went over the bark ran down the back side of the tree taking the safety with it. A real rookie mistake and he knew better but just forgot. It sucked him up tight against the tree until the bark broke. I was working on the ground and turned around just in time to see the action. I thought for sure it killed him but he turned out okay. Damned Lucky.

[RobertRogers]

Never been too impressed with them. I usually can just break or baton wood instead.

[Rick]

I had thought about tossing one in the truck and using it if I needed to remove a downed limb or two to get past.

[Gray Wolf]

The ATAX was designed by Ron Hood, and made by Tops Knives from 1095 steel.

[Gray Wolf]

I bought and have used many times around the house or campsite, Ultimate Survival Technologies SaberCut Saw. It works great for taking down large or small tree limbs. It's the best one I've used, but, it's heavy to trek around the wilderness with. It's made well.

http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/product_view.cfm?product_line_ID=160

[Rick]

Well, now don't I feel stupid? That's one of my suppliers. Thanks for the link. That's what I'll go with.:(

[Gray Wolf]

Rick, I would rather use that than my gas powered one. No smell, No noise, No $ for gas, and it doesn't take much longer to do the job!!! I don't think any of the Co's that make these hand saws, expect you to be cutting down large trees.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

tried them few times but the ones I had were the very cheap flimsy type and broke in short order, do most my stuff with hatchet and knife

[Gray Wolf]

tried them few times but the ones I had were the very cheap flimsy type and broke in short order, do most my stuff with hatchet and knife

Check out the link. This saw is far from flimsy, the web loop handles are bar tacked securely to custom designed steel clips that help prevent the chain from twisting while you cut. The saw blade has bi-directional, self-cleaning cutting teeth.

[Rick]

Everything that company sells is top quality in my book. That's why I carry them. I'm with you as well on the chain saw. I just wanted something fast and easy to get where I'm going if a limb was in the way. We have a nasty little phenomenon around here called a tornado and trying to make it through the streets after one can be pretty hairy. Once you make it home (if it's still there) you can grab the chain saw but you need something to get you there first if you were gone when it hit. It would also make a nice background saw to get down a fire trail.

[Gray Wolf]

Everything that company sells is top quality in my book.

I completely agree. Their Wetfire tab's has saved my butt twice!!!


Their SaberCut Saw came with a nylon carry case for your belt.

[bladefrenzy]

I have a "Pocket Chainsaw" (I think that's the brand) seems to be stout enough, I've used it a few times. Can be sharpened with a chain saw file, or small diamond rod.

[canid]

depending on conditions, i have a cheapy machete, a cross-cut bow saw, a small tooth keyhole type cross-cut saw with a 10 inch blade and an estwing hatchet.

i'd like to have a full sized axe again but don't have one atm.

[RBB]

I have tried to find some info on this forum on the use of axes or hatchets and who if any use them on any regular basis.
I have carried a canoe ax for years when hunting or on the line or when trekking and find it extremely usefull but I wonder how many today still use axes or have the saws (folding or swede) taken president?

The hand axe I carry most often is a small hammer-poll axe made by Joe de la Ronde. I've found this to be an excellent camping axe, useful for pounding in tent pegs as well as spitting firewood.

My newest folding saw is:

http://www.duluthpack.com/product_de...=Folding%20Saw

[Rick]

Dead link, RBB

[cyc79]

I always carry an axe.Other than being able to make fire it's the most important tool to have in the bush,especially in winter.

[dscrick]

I got this handy little Gerber for Christmas, the small saw stows in the axe handle and is kept there by a rare earth magnet. You've probably seen the smaller one that has a small fixed blade knife in the handle, but this one with the saw is pretty new. The little saw is double ground and pretty darn effective. Total weight is about 24 ozs. with sheath. Not going to build a cabin with it but it works pretty well.

[BatCat]

I have a Hunters Axe, a Small Forest Axe and a Scandinavian Forest Axe, all made by Gransfors. All of them are literally shaving sharp and well made



BatCat

[Lost Lebowski]

I had a marbles safety axe for boy scouts. I broke the thing my first time using it. It was a toy in my opinion cost 80 bucks too! I have a working tomahawk that's light and has a hammer pall on the back for driving stakes etc from fortturner.com. Handle is bomber hickory. Ive beat the heck out of it and it's still going the steel leafs are begining to delaminate from using it like a wedge to split logs cuz it's smithed by hand but it was only like 35. My favorite axes are the snow and neally hudson bay camp axe it's like 50 bucks with a lifetime warantee and a 1.75 lb head perfect for camping and hunting but not so tiny you can easily spilit fire wood. I like the folding Silky brand saws best they are like the cadillac of folding saws all these products can be found on line.

[awfoxden]

I got this handy little Gerber for Christmas, the small saw stows in the axe handle and is kept there by a rare earth magnet. You've probably seen the smaller one that has a small fixed blade knife in the handle, but this one with the saw is pretty new. The little saw is double ground and pretty darn effective. Total weight is about 24 ozs. with sheath. Not going to build a cabin with it but it works pretty well.

i have one of the gerber pax that has the small knife in the end. its a great size for packing but the handle is tiney. the knife is also very soft metal - it doesn't take much cutting to dull it.

i just got a wetterlings 13" hatchet in the mail today. i'm anxious to try it out. apears to be a good quality hatchet and for less than $30.00 including shipping. comparable from all of the reviews i read while deciding what to buy to the gransfors burk hatchet less $100.00's.

with working with the boy scouts - they don't want the boys carying fixed bladed knifes (not that i agree). so i leave my cold steel srk at home and carry a leatherman wave, swiss army sprotsmans knife and a small hatchet as part of my survival kit when i'm with them. i also always have my kershaw scallion in my pocket regardless where i'm at.

[awfoxden]

i forgot -

as for a saw - i pack a take down "trail blazer" bow saw. you can use a wood saw blade or a fine tooth saw blade for cutting bone type material. it folds into its handle and weighs somthing like 16-24 oz.

great little packing saw - and sturdy

[Jason_Montana]

Well, I've gone through different phases and opinions when it comes to axes and hatchets...

When I was a scout, no tree was safe from me and my dull little Wal-Mart camping hatchet. I never went anywhere without one in my backpack. I tried to chop everything. I was lucky that I never chopped off a finger, or ended up with a hatchet buried into my shin or knee.

When I worked for Outward Bound they got me away from my chopper mentality, and I started going light weight on everything and just used a stout knife and small saw to get anything done I needed. They really made me realize how bad of an idea a hatchet or axe can be when they are in the wrong hands in the wilderness. Often times they can be more of a liability than asset- quickly turning a camping trip into a Wilderness emergency situation with one wrong swing. So, I decided to move away from them.

Until, I started working for this Old-Timey Hunting outfitter doing wilderness pack trip/big game hunts. This guy always carried a super sharp axe, and a smaller long handled hatchet on his saddle. He tought me how to swiftley field dress an elk or moose using the axe and hatchet, and how to skin them with the hatchet. It is way easier and faster than using a knife and saw. He also showed me lots of other basic campcraft things that made life and camp chores much easier and turned my opinion back to that if you have the right ones and know how to safely use them, axes and hatchets can be a huge asset.

Now, my mentality is if I am carrying everything on my back...I travel light and just get by with a knife and small saw. But, if I am traveling by dog-team, horseback/ pack string, or canoe/raft I always pack along a Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe, and if I am going to be harvesting large game, I also take a GB Hunters Axe. I keep them sharp with a file, whetstones, and a leather belt.

[BIG TONE]

i have a gerber folding saw and a small fiskars hatchet that looks identical to the gerber pack ax but it was 1/2 the price.just got the hatchet havent used it yet but i love the gerber saw.i broke 1 this winter cutting a branch but the temp. was

[crashdive123]

i have a gerber folding saw and a small fiskars hatchet that looks identical to the gerber pack ax but it was 1/2 the price.just got the hatchet havent used it yet but i love the gerber saw.i broke 1 this winter cutting a branch but the temp. was

Was? Was? Was what? come on......you can't leave us hanging. (see - we really do pay attention sometimes):D

[BIG TONE]

Was? Was? Was what? come on......you can't leave us hanging. (see - we really do pay attention sometimes):D

IT WAS 0 DEGREES OUT MY HYDRATION HOSE ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO THE HIKE.

[BIG TONE]

And Scheels Replaced It For Free

[tipacanoe]

I know that you need to be careful when ever you use anything sharp, but I find that the gerber saw, as great as they are, will get you hurt quicker than anything else I have used. I was icefishing and needing some wood to build a tarp shelter on the ice, was cutting some wood, using my gerber saw, my stance was not the best on the ice as I was stretching at an angle against the shore line, slipped of course and cut my middle finger, thought it was never going to stop bleeding. It was the start of a bad day. I prefer a small axe, as I won't work at a bad angle with that.

[crashdive123]

<note to self - adopt same safety measures that I use with my ax whenever I use my saw>

[dragonjimm]

I have a Snow & Nealley co. Penobscot Bay Kindling Axe that is great. I am also considering a Wetterlings 13" hatchet. But I also find myself carrying my Ontario 18 inch machete a lot more. Besides being lighter I rarely cut any thing thicker then say 2 inches across and have cut bigger stuff with the machete including hardwoods like oak. How ever i live in the Southern part of the U.S. where we have a more brambles and briar's. I keep it just short of shaving sharp.
my only complaint is that the handle was made for longevity instead of comfort
On the Scout trips I carry a Wal Mart limb saw.

[snakeman]

I had one of those gerber hatchets with the mini saw but the saw falls out after a good while of chopping and the handle eventually broke (tree fell on it). I traded it for another one without the saw in it and I love it. I carry that and a bow saw in the woods a lot.

[tonester]

I had one of those gerber hatchets with the mini saw but the saw falls out after a good while of chopping and the handle eventually broke (tree fell on it). I traded it for another one without the saw in it and I love it. I carry that and a bow saw in the woods a lot.

i was researching into getting one of those gerber hatchets, but i think im gonna get the 15" wetterling hunting axe...read a lot of good reviews about them.

[Deer Sniper]

For me:

hiking - aluminum folding bow saw

Conoe trips - above,
and marbles two sided cut on pull saw
( modern Japanese saw )
craftsman limbing axe

hunting - sometimes a small tomahawk

[RobertRogers]

A good axe is one of man's best friends, a trusted companion through thick and thin.

In the bush I carry a hawk, as much for offensive purposes when on the defensive as for cutting wood, digging roots, etc.

[Rick]

RR - What kind of hawk do you carry?

[skunkkiller]

I carry a hawk and a fixed blade knife with thik blade . not building cabin on trek just small shelter so do need big axe all wood for fire can be broke on tree trunk.

[Capt.Canuck]

I use an Estwing camper's axe (26"), an Ontario Survival Machete, and a Gerber folding saw. I'm very satisfied with all of them.

I also have a Cold Steel Latin Machete that is collecting dust. Not all that useful for the heavy brush of Canada, compared to the tools listed above.

[crashdive123]

Sounds like a good selection there CC.

[Deer Sniper]

I use an Estwing camper's axe (26"), an Ontario Survival Machete, and a Gerber folding saw. I'm very satisfied with all of them.

I also have a Cold Steel Latin Machete that is collecting dust. Not all that useful for the heavy brush of Canada, compared to the tools listed above.

I got ta say, East Wing makes good stuff. You'd have a hard time breaking it!

With that marbles draw saw of mine you could build a cabin! I was turned on to that stile of saw by a guy who builds fitted wood beam and pin construction buildings. The thing is, it ways practically nothing. Ill put some pics on later.

[warman87]

does this look like it would do a good job on hard wood? http://davesgarden.com/products/market/view/1569/

[crashdive123]

I've never used one with the "smooth tooth technology" that it describes so I can't say how it performs. My folding saws work well - picked em up at Home Depot for about $10 each.

[Capt.Canuck]

does this look like it would do a good job on hard wood? http://davesgarden.com/products/market/view/1569/

That one looks like the Gerber I have. I'm not a saw expert by any stretch, but I believe the suitability of the blade for a given would have to do with the design and dimensions of the saw blade teeth.

[Rick]

That site may be down. I can't seem to access it. Warman, I use the Gerber Sportsman saw and it does a great job. It's lightweight and built pretty solid for a little guy.

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/46048.html

[Capt.Canuck]

That site may be down. I can't seem to access it. Warman, I use the Gerber Sportsman saw and it does a great job. It's lightweight and built pretty solid for a little guy.

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/46048.html

That's not the same model I have, but the blade appears to be pretty much the same.

Very good deal on your model here:

http://www.knivesplus.com/GB-46048-Gerber.HTML

[Capt.Canuck]

does this look like it would do a good job on hard wood? http://davesgarden.com/products/market/view/1569/

On further investigation, make sure you get one that includes the coarse cut wood blade, as some are sold with the finer bone blade only.

[crashdive123]

This is the one that I carry. Didn't buy it here though. It's a bit heavier than some of the others (9 ounces). http://www.amazon.com/Corona-Clipper-7-Inch-Folding-Razor/dp/B0007LXTPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1219192215&sr=8-1

[sobeit]

Does aney one know any thing about the Firestone Ax looks ok but looks can be deceving.

[crashdive123]

I'm not familiar with them. I noticed when looking them up, at least the ones I was looking at, that the head was made of 440 stainless. I don't care for stainless in my axes. That's just me.

[sobeit]

I'm not familiar with them. I noticed when looking them up, at least the ones I was looking at, that the head was made of 440 stainless. I don't care for stainless in my axes. That's just me.

Aney reason way just worndering

[crashdive123]

While stainless holds an edge better than carbon steel, it will need sharpening. It is easier (for me at least) to put an edge on a carbon steel axe or blade than a stainless one. The carbon steel is also very good at making a spark with a piece of flint.

[sobeit]

that makes sense

[crashdive123]

Some people may prefer stainless if they are using them in very wet environments.

[sobeit]

Would stainless be less likle to chip or nick.

[crashdive123]

There are probably some other members with more knowledge of hardness and how brittle edges are. I don't have the technical knowledge to help you with that one.

[sobeit]

Still you gave me some good infor to thank about.

[crashdive123]

Glad to help. I'm sure others will weigh in, some may agree, some may disagree - it can all be helpful information when you're making a decision.

[Gray Wolf]

While stainless holds an edge better than carbon steel, it will need sharpening. It is easier (for me at least) to put an edge on a carbon steel axe or blade than a stainless one. The carbon steel is also very good at making a spark with a piece of flint.

I agree with crash, I find it much easier to put an edge on a carbon steel axe or blade in the field, then with a stainless one. But to me the best reason is a carbon steel tool is a multi tool, because it is not only good for what it was made for, but also good at making a spark with a piece of natural flint stone or a flint rod.

[Mulga]

Here is my current inventory for bush duty, I have heaps of other hunting, skinning and trade knives but below are my my mainstay:

Martindale Golok #2
Martindale Bolo type 358

Ontario RAT7
RAT RC6 (when it eventually gets here)

Grohmann #1 Origional
Grohmann #4 Survival knife

Scharade 6OT lockback folder (USA made)
Victorinox Swiss army knife
Talyors Eye Witness pk

Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe 35"

[crashdive123]

Here is my current inventory for bush duty, I have heaps of other hunting, skinning and trade knives but below are my my mainstay:

Martindale Golok #2
Martindale Bolo type 358

Ontario RAT7
RAT RC6 (when it eventually gets here)

Grohmann #1 Origional
Grohmann #4 Survival knife

Scharade 6OT lockback folder (USA made)
Victorinox Swiss army knife
Talyors Eye Witness pk

Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe 35"

Nice collection. If it works for you, it works for me.

[RBB]

Dead link, RBB

Folding saw (click on alternate view to see what it folds down to):

http://duluthpack.com/product_detail.aspx?product=Folding%20Saw

My home made folding saw:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/sawphotos009.jpg

Here are some of my hawks. The second from the top is the Joe de la Ronde hammer-poll axe I use most often on the trail:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_7954.jpg

Here are some others that never go to the woods:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9856.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9860.jpg

[chiye tanka]

RBB, love your hawks. Where did you get them?

[crashdive123]

Nice collection of tools and art.

[RBB]

RBB, love your hawks. Where did you get them?

Many places. Three are Joe de la Ronde axes. The bottom one in the first photo is an original found at the site of an 1810 fur post. I have one other original - quite a large axe head - but no photo.

I don't have photos of some of my best "collector" axes. I'm not a person who buys "collector" axes, but my sister-in-law's father was. He watched me druel over them for a few years - then sent several of them to me for Christmas one year. One cost $600.00 when he purchased it, twenty years ago. Unfortunately, the "collector" axes are too nice to take in the woods.

He also collects knives. Here are a few:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9832.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9835.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9843.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9847.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/pjjgirard/Tools%20and%20Camping%20Gear/IMG_9851.jpg

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

I carry a Fiskars hatchet, a folding saw and always 2-3 knives whenever hunting, camping, trekking. To sharpen 1. Go over it with a file, diamond stone, strop keeps mine razor sharp.

[tonester]

I carry a Fiskars hatchet, a folding saw and always 2-3 knives whenever hunting, camping, trekking. To sharpen 1. Go over it with a file, diamond stone, strop keeps mine razor sharp.

how do you like your fiskars hatchet? ive been doing some studying between fiskars and wetterlings, not sure which to chose yet. my stropping bat came in today from JRE industries...man it gets my blades scary sharp!

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

I used to have a Joe De La Ronde,like that one. I traded it for a solengen skinner with elk horn hand grips.

[chiye tanka]

Those are some fine knives, RBB. I met Joe Siska once at the Knifemakers Guild Show in Orlando, he's a first class maker.

[pgvoutdoors]

I carry the Sawvivor (available from Campmor.com). It's pretty rugged and collapses into a small package. There's also a bone saw blade available for it if you needed it for quartering game.

I also use the Sawvivor Saw. it's the best lightweight saw I've found. Being that it's made of aircraft aluminum it's super light but very strong. It's one of my favorite pack tools.

[pgvoutdoors]

I have used a simple hatchet for many years and it has served me well. A few years ago I picked up a Timberland Hatchet. This smaller stainless steel hatchet I carry in my lumbar pack for light duty work.
I've included a picture of a the Sawvivor Saw as well.

[moses]

As you can tell by my avatar i use a nessmuk trinity,double bit axe with different grinds on each edge. ,made by Marbles.

I also use a vintage brades hatchet that belonged to my Grandad and always carry a Draper folding saw.

[Badawg]

I think everyone agrees the little survival saws with the pressed on finger pulls are pretty cheesy. Yes, I have them in my kit just like you. Does anyone own/use Chain Saw in a Can? It looks pretty hefty although the two "handles" look like they could be easily lost since you have to attach them. Thoughts?

I have one of those. It was a gift. I would have never bought it, but it's actually pretty good, and sharp as hell. I took down a 10" Eucalyptus with it as a test. No problem...

For axes, I have an Estwing camp ax with a steel handle and that goes camping with the family. If I'm roughing it, it's just the Kukri.

[Gray Wolf]

The SaberCut Saw by Ultimate Survival Technologies is well built and works great, and only around $25 with nylon belt case, or a hard shell case.

[crashdive123]

I imagine you could make one of those using an old chainsaw blade. Hmmmm - another project for the list.

[Badawg]

I imagine you could make one of those using an old chainsaw blade. Hmmmm - another project for the list.

It's not like an actual chain saw blade. It's only one side... so it's less than an 1/8" thick.

I do have several other very old hatchets that I used to carry, but the Estwing is such a nice little camp axe that the others never come out anymore. I also have a very old Swedish felling axe and a 6LB maul for use around the home. Got the swede for 5 bucks at a garage sale in Calaveras county. Tweeker didn't know what he had... Once I got the nicks out and the rust off, it's been good to have. I don't fell trees, but I could not resist it...