Hatchet/Axe talk

thanks guys I downloaded the file thanks. Very Happy

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You're welcome. Smile

I like this next one better than the first, but I had forgotten about it. Cool

Woodsmanship by Bernard Mason

ok thanks I download that as well. Very Happy

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I've got the small gerber pack axe with the knife in the handle.it works great.nice and light

	d wrote:
	I've got the small gerber pack axe with the knife in the handle.it works great.nice and light

Yeah, ive used one of those for a bit. I did some serious work with it back east, we had a few trees come down one year in an Ice storm, work really well. I just hated the feeling of loosing that knife.

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SAR Tech's:
These things we do so that others may live.

I agree,I found that if I was chopping anything thickerthan small branches etc.I just took the knife out and set it aside.nice little knife though handy for food prep

^ I have the same packaxe " d " and i just wrap the bottom with duct tape so the knife cant come out, it works great.
The same piece is on that i wrapped it last summer Cool

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

I am going to wax philosophical here for a moment.

I am a historic reenactor, history professor, student of edged devices and modern woodsman at the same time.

I own a milk crate full of tomahawks in a dozen different styles. They are a historic european axe, developed before the Romans came to power and the standard cutting tool for almost 5,000 years. They were great tools until they got to North America. Our wilderness was too much for them and the first evolution in the axe in 5,000 occurred around the time of our Revolution.

That was when the polled axe/hatchet as we know it today came into use. It gave better balance and cutting ability with minimal effort. More weight in the head and bettter materials and simpler production.

The basic change we are facing today is simply a change in handle material, The tool is still the same. The glass handle is more difficult to break, and more attention can be placed in manufacturing the head. Good wood for handles is getting scarce. I can buy a new Gerber/Fiscars product for the cost of replacing the handle in one of my traditional axes.

If I want to look cool I carry one of my tomahawks. If I need to cut something I carry a polled axe/hatchet. If I have to replace a modern item I buy a Fiscars/Gerber type tool.

Seems like we have faced these decisions before, with knives, guns, vehicles. It took me 25 years to accept the fact that fiberglass was a better gunstock material than wood. I do not ever want to think about how much of my car is plastic.

Just a thought. I love my tomahawks and Gerbers.

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SMILE AND WAVE BOYS, SMILE AND WAVE

	LDS wrote:
	Seems like we have faced these decisions before, with knives, guns, vehicles. It took me 25 years to accept the fact that fiberglass was a better gunstock material than wood. I do not ever want to think about how much of my car is plastic.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I know personally even though I enjoy wood handles, the warmness of them as well as the aesthetics. But, their is just something about the new materials that I find more appealing, gun stocks, knife handles, packs everything, I find new synthetics to be superior in terms of some quality. But then, there is a reason my Mosin Nagant's are still around, eh?

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SAR Tech's:
These things we do so that others may live.

I have to disagree with flash on the graduating to a bigger axe thing... I started with a full size axe, and developed my aim quickly with that, then moved on to double-bladed axes, then mauls. Really I think starting bigger is better, the weight helps you get the axe through softer wood generally in one stroke, and you build chopping muscles using a bigger axe. Starting off with something so small just causes frustration in my opinion, because it takes longer to get the job done. Really all a matter of opinion though Wink

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Limitations are created only in the mind.
Only by ignoring them can one truly be great.

Well, you're a strapping young teenager. Wink

Kim, being the nice little lady that she is, isn't really ready for the full version as a starting point. It's not like she's going to be chopping down trees and splitting firewood everyday anyway.

You are right in the fact that if you have a big job to do, then a big axe is more efficient than a small hatchet.

But....you wouldn't give your 13 year-old a 20 inch machete for his first knife would you? No. You start out small, and teach them the basics. Then as they mature and get more experience you get them something bigger.

A beginner should start out small to get the general idea of the motions involved and get some experience at some light chopping. Then, go bigger if needed.

Just my opinion.

Cheers. Cool

Yeah that's true. Then again, I started out chopping full size logs and cutting down full trees with my dad when I was around 14-15, so I definately started young. As far as survival scenario goes though, I would agree, start with something you can work with, because if you don't already know how to use it, having to learn in a survival situation would be pretty difficult Razz

Not to mention, the smaller axes are MUCH easier to transport, those big ol splitting mauls are pretty heavy.

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Limitations are created only in the mind.
Only by ignoring them can one truly be great.

flash is right small is the right one for me.

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