9ozMiniHatchetBit and Trail hawk bit: Splitting and combining with the Knife

[Scottman]

I decided to take some pics while messing around today. I should the mini hatchet here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-Chopping-Down-A-Tree?highlight=mini+hatchet And how it's quite a handy piece if kit size restrictions limit you. It outperforms some "choppers" with an expedient handle, is about 5/8 inch thick. It combines with the blade IMHO for splitting, keeping a long knife of less weight that is quicker in hand and often of longer reach then similar weighing more thick knives, and it chops if necessary- with great geometry that ejects the chips.

Tram 14 inch bolo: reach without too high of weight penalty. Very quick. Mechanical advantage on splitting wood isn't high obviously with the thin stock.

Sometimes it needs a little help in my opinion. You have to drive a thin blade like that a far ways down for the wood to pry away far enough to insert a fabricated wedge. The 7ozMHB can help, both using a baton.

The Mini on it's own with a baton

Combo: the long blade is cutting through splinters that are holding the two pieces of wood together, the mini at 5/8 started a nice split.

The mini and Vector's Little Chill knife

The Mini and the Large Kabar Heavy Bowie

That's what happens when you combine a .240 knife with the Mini

Using scrap lumber with a quick fab wedge for more Mechanical Advantage.

Mechanical Advange kicks butt!!!! Especially when you didn't have to carry a weighty piece of steel to provide it!

5/8 is quite effective on seasoned wood.

 

[Scottman]

Why I love the geometry of the mini. The front bevels are at a wider angle, the gentle sloping to the widest point of the socket, and the back tapers off. This leaves an opening to insert a fabricated wood wedge, with just the mini driven in on it's own with a baton.

Wood wedge inserted.

And the wood is split no problem.

The trail hawk. You get to this point and the energy needed to split is in many cases too great to be overcome with a baton. No place to put a wood wedge in from the top if it's a piece about the thickness of the bit. The trail hawk isn't obviously as effiecent splitting profile as the mini, but with the large socket a much stronger handle connection obviously.

However, since this wood is quite seasoned and dry a nice split started, so inserting it into the side works.

This branch is thicker then any knife blade I've ever seen...

 

[Scottman]

Tram and Trail Hawk combo-ing.

Look at the thin blade bend around the curvature of the grain.

 

[dogstar]

I enjoyed this food for thought.

 

[Shotgun]

Nice. Yep the trail hawk sucks at splitting large rounds like that. Still, it's my go to chopper but that's because in the woods I don't have large rounds like that to split. You have more info on the Vec knife?

 

[Scottman]

I enjoyed this food for thought.

Thanks.

Nice. Yep the trail hawk sucks at splitting large rounds like that. Still, it's my go to chopper but that's because in the woods I don't have large rounds like that to split. You have more info on the Vec knife?

Do ya carry a saw?
"If the tree can be encircled with the thumb and the middle fingers of both hands then it is too small to stay dry in a prolonged rain" (Bushcraft, page 35)

In my area, birch and cedar are present. But I still like the knowledge and capabilities. That's about a 7 inch diameter tree with my hands to Mors description.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-At-The-Little-Chill-)?highlight=little+chill

 

[Shotgun]

Funny it didn't turn up in my search. Especially since I posted in that thread! Ha!

No saw. Not to take anything away from Mors but I'm skeptical of that statement and think it's probably situationally specific. Are we talking the far north where he does his thing, is this in conjunction with a shelter, are we talking staying warm while starting out dry or staying warm while already wet, what time of year etc...

 

[Scottman]

haha

today it rained cats and dogs http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/868926-Wet-Weather-And-Out-With-The-Hoodlum-Knife

Different types of trees give ya different possibilities. Waterproofed resin clumps/fat wood split up gives ya good options, birch and cedar and good to get quick intensity.
Possible 40-50 degree temps in the day, raining all day, night is approaching, you managed to stay dry by using your trash bag that's part of your edc, but with night time coming temps are falling. etc.

Saws, saw blades, etc are really good, even if they are supplemental. They are also low weight, and outperform on large wood with little energy compared to a "chopper". I feel much safer handing out saws to a person with limited experience. Most are already carrying the line that could have a saw blade for very little weight penalty- a knife/machete sheath, backpack etc. A pocket chainsaw/folding saw can be edc. My primary is my SAK trekker- got to love the saw.

A small bit is nice because it can be part of your lightweigt edc. It's all about kit layers.