A different spin on the Hatchet vs Chopper debate: Do you also carry a saw?

Noshtero

Noshtero

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Oct 10, 2002
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I got to thinking... people always have opinions on hatchet vs. chopper. Do you all carry saws too? Do you see the hatchet/chopper as simply a splitting tool because you have a fixed blade for cutting and a saw for limbing?

I ask because I landed on Hatchet as the better tool because it was easier for me to section wood. Sectioning was hell with the chopper though because there wasn't much weight behind it. The splitting was a wash for me. With a folding saw, however, I've reduced the hatchet/chopper to a splitting tool, which they both do well, and so weight becomes my primary concern.

Could you split with a saw if you had a big enough one? Does anyone carry ONLY a saw?
 
If I'm hiking, then I just keep a fixed blade and a Fiskars saw, as a 'just in case'. When camping, what I bring varies by my extremely fickle mood. Sometimes it's a hatchet, sometimes a hawk, sometime a large fixed blade, sometimes nothing.

But it seems that I most often have my kabar heavy bowie and the fiskars with me. If it looks like something is too thick to quickly chop, I use the saw (or more likely, just drag it to the fire and burn it by sections).

When I have these sorts of questions, I usually try to answer them by heading out for an overnight and bringing nothing but a ~4" blade, and the item in question. If I feel like I got by just fine (without want) then the item is pretty much good to go. If it didn't get used or wasn't enough, I'll likely not keep it around.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
When I have these sorts of questions, I usually try to answer them by heading out for an overnight and bringing nothing but a ~4" blade, and the item in question. If I feel like I got by just fine (without want) then the item is pretty much good to go. If it didn't get used or wasn't enough, I'll likely not keep it around.
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You're not helping my "talk myself out of buying a Silky saw" conversation here spooky. :)
 
Haha, man, you're at the wrong place if you're looking to get talked out of stuff. :eek: I've almost had to open new credit card accounts based on the WSS.
 
I'm really curious about those who don't carry a splitting device, and still build fires. I don't for sure know if I MUST split the wood first, I just always have.
 
I carry a saw and a big knife for all my cutting and splitting needs. When Im at home or in camp I use a mini maul the most to split stuff. Just buy a Silky already. You will find yourself exerting alot less energy with one. I own a couple Silkys.

If you cut small enough wood you wont have to split it.

silk3.jpg
 
grrr.... Ok if you were picking 1 Silky for me to carry as my only means of cutting wood, what would you pick? Pocketboy 130? 170? Super Accel? And where do you like to get them from? I've heard there are places that have them cheaper than others.
 
I think you could get away with just the silky saw. I agree 100% that the hatchet/ chopper is a spliting tool when you have the saw with you.
 
My 'trio' has evolved into a Silky Saw, Becker CU 7 and some smaller knife 3-4" folding or fixed, just depending on the mood. Silky handles all the big cutting chores, the Becker does the splitting and trimming, and the small knife does food prep, kindling prep, etc.
 
I think a saw is a much more efficient cutting tool when compared to a ax or hatchet. The axe/hatchet main advantage is spliting but if you have a big knife you could use it to baton through. Don't get me wrong I still think axes and hatchets are very useful outdoors, I have one on order right now.

My current saw is a pocket chainsaw. It cut extremely fast and is very small when stowed.
DSC02674.JPG
 
If I want to feel fully prepared on a hunt, hike or backpacking trip, I'll carry the Silky 170 with large teeth and a bushcraft knife with about a 4" blade. An axe, hatchet or chopper would be reserved for campground use. Don't get me wrong, I love hatchets and choppers, but I use them more around the house than I do in the field.
 
in addition to a lockback sak with a usable saw I also carry an opinel folding saw in the cargo pocket of my pants.
 
if i have a huge space constraint i'll carry a pocket chainsaw and a fiskars hatchet. if i'm in an area where i need to do some medium wood to heavy wood work.

but if i have a little more room i'd carry my 21inch fiskars bow saw and my gb small forest axe for most/all wood work.

i dont really baton as much anymore unless i am in the field with my small fiskars retractable pruning saw and a fixed blade.

i would have to say its dependent on where and when im travelling but out of the three combinations i like carrying the 21inch bow saw and my gb sfa the best for wood work.

cheers
 
+1 for the pocket chainsaw. They really are as fast as you see in the videos. I take that to cut long logs into more manageable chunks, and then use a fixed blade to baton them into pieces that burn better. I used to take a hatchet, but after several hours of backpacking, I'd rather be swinging a baton than a hatchet in case I miss because of exhaustion. :)
 
I usually carry a Kershaw/Bahco Laplander saw along with my other gear. On camping trips, especially getting to fall, where larger pieces of wood get left by others, I have used a pocket chainsaw. With two people, when they hit their rhythm, it's awesome.
 
Noshtero said:
grrr.... Ok if you were picking 1 Silky for me to carry as my only means of cutting wood, what would you pick? Pocketboy 130? 170? Super Accel? And where do you like to get them from? I've heard there are places that have them cheaper than others.
Click to expand...

I really have grown to like the smaller folding saws (Kershaw/Bahco and now Silky), they're handy and small of course. I actually like to cut smaller branches for a straight edge to stand and batton on (not a necessity, but easier). They give you a little more efficiency if you need to get flush cuts to make shelters, traps, etc. I know there's techniques to cut saplings with a short bladed knife, but a small folding saw is safer and as fast and also give you a cleaner cut.

Between the 130 or 170 Silky, I use the 130 for day hikes and will either take my Kershaw or 170 for overnighters.

ROCK6
 
I bring them all.

EDC002.jpg


The knife, multi-tool, and P60 stay with me and the saw and hatchet go in a side pocket on my pack.

I could use my RW for splitting and have many times but I like the hatchet to much to leave it behind plus it makes a better hammer if I need one.

Helle
 
Good thread!

In general I find I do less and less chopping. I think I would go on pretty long camping trips now with a small saw and my Aurora. In the past, I always brought my Wetterlings large hunter. I love that little axe, and I would take it on a hunting trip if I were after something big, just to quarter the thing up, or if I had a moving base camp. For normal hiking with 1-3 people where the fires will be small and there is not going to be a great need to cook I probably would not bother with a chopper much anymore.

Of course, I guess that's also because the areas I have been spending my time for the last couple of years have a good supply of small, relatively dry wood. If I were camping for any length of time on the North Coast again - picture coastal Alaska - I would absolutely take the axe. They are critical in wet climates.

Also, I would never for any reason set up a base camp in the forest without an axe. They are the single most important tool for dealing with the northern forests (in my experience.)
 
One nice thing about saws is that they're relatively quiet, sometimes a plus when you want to be low key. I'll use one occasionally out hunting when a little trimming is in order and it's definitely an advantage not to be banging away with the hatchet. The fact that they are very efficient as well is an added bonus. Right now I carry an Opinel folding saw but those Silkys are tempting...
 
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