Axe-noob here. Hatchet for backpacking?

I'll throw in a plug for the Wetterlings fine forester's axe here. it's a light head on a longer (~24-25") handle. very versatile. not *great* at anything, but if I only had one axe available, and needed it to be light, that'd make my top five for sure.

-ben
 
bjp said:
I'll throw in a plug for the Wetterlings fine forester's axe here. it's a light head on a longer (~24-25") handle. very versatile. not *great* at anything, but if I only had one axe available, and needed it to be light, that'd make my top five for sure.

-ben
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alternately, you could pick up a good hatchet head and mount it on a boy's axe handle. still lighter than a boy's axe, but you get the versatility of the near-full-length handle. of course, this assumes you'd like the option of chopping something at some point, instead of just small work that normal length hatchets would be the best choice for.
 
sideways said:
As for would I carry an axe when backpacking that depends. Any axe is heavy and a saw gets most of what I need to do done for less weight. If I am hiking long distance I will probably not carry one. .
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+1. I use a stove for most cooking and if I want a fire, well, in the areas where I go there is plenty of wood laying around that doesnt require "processing" beyond shavings with a knife.
 
I also am a stove user. My Emberlyte burns hot on small twigs, pin cones, etc. no need for batonning at all, just gather some twigs. Boils a quart of water in 10 minutes, weighs 6 oz, folds flat.
I've carried a hatchet at times but no longer do so based on my camping style today. I like my folding Emberlite stove so no need for giant bonfires. Car camping I'll bring a hatchet but not for backpacking. There are some nice light hand saws out there for guys who want to build a log cabin or maybe an Ark.

That said, use the right tool. Hatchets are great. I just don't find a need for one generally.
 
For real backpacking ... where you'd like to use/enjoy a fire (for comfort or high-tech cooking) ... maybe a new $20 Mora (take yer pick) and a Bahco folding saw. It's all anyone really needs, unless you're trying to emulate Dick Proenekke.

Which, for most mortals, would be very hard to do ...

The pound that you saved could be better-used for really expensive chocolate (that you'd never consider in The Real World), or Bailey's Irish Cream:)

As the earlier fellow said, hatchets make more wood-chips than they make far-wood.

And they do not mix well with beer/whatever.

Ron
 
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In my experience, my Fiskars hatchet does a good job cutting down larger lumber with less effort then most saws, and I can keep it sharp. Once a camp saw starts to dull, it becomes sheer drudgery. Have to agree with some of the sentiments re not needing much more than a belt knife to feed the fire etc. If I'm going out at the beginning of the season, not much of an issue. Those Fall trips to places that are known and not too tough to reach are when being able to make use of the bigger wood comes in handy - most of the smaller stuff is long gone.
 
It depends on what 'backpacking' means to you. If it means going ultralite and passing through the landscape as quickly as possible then you don't want a hatchet at all. But that fact that the OP is asking tells me that he wants to spend some time camping and/or bushcrafting along the way. For this a small axe or hatchet is a good idea. A riggers axe is handy for this. Or a simple boy scout hatchet. If you want to be able to chop some logs then move up to a boy's axe.

I use a claw hatchet for this role. Good for wood carving and bushcrafting. Splits kindling well. Handy for driving stakes, pegs or nails. Plus you can pull the nails on your way out of camp (leave no trace). Nails are handy in camp.

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Square_peg said:
...I use a claw hatchet for this role. Good for wood carving and bushcrafting. Splits kindling well. Handy for driving stakes, pegs or nails. Plus you can pull the nails on your way out of camp (leave no trace). Nails are handy in camp.

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Gransfors Bruk used to make this same pattern of axe, in three sizes, according to The Axe Book (which is not The Ax Book), page 27. They called it the "American Claw Hatchet" or "Packing Axe".

Looks like Helko (from Germany) currently makes a less attractive version of this, in two sizes:
http://www.world-of-axes.com/products.php?PID=1
 
Carry what you want, there's no telling if you like a
Machete, bow saw, pruning saw, hatchet, tomahawk, axe or a chainsaw chain with hand grips until you try them out properly sharpened and in the case of the striking tools, enough experience to know if you prefer them or not.

Pair up a striking tool with a sawing tool and go to town... Errr the woods. :)
 
Steve Tall said:
Gransfors Bruk used to make this same pattern of axe, in three sizes, according to The Axe Book (which is not The Ax Book), page 27. They called it the "American Claw Hatchet" or "Packing Axe".

Looks like Helko (from Germany) currently makes a less attractive version of this, in two sizes:
http://www.world-of-axes.com/products.php?PID=1
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Nice tool for the purpose, and a very old design. I know one of these, identical design, was found along with other abandoned camp hardware when digging up an 1864 Union infantry encampment from the Atlanta campaign. Very old, unchanged design.
 
Over at BackpackingLight.com there is a guy with specs and photos of ultralight backpacking saws (doh) made of regular pruning saws he has variously trimmed and drilled-out to minimize weight. Anyone can DIY what he's done if you like the idea.Pretty light final weights.
He also posts cut times for his various makes of pruning saw cutting through a pine 4x4. On average, 40-45 seconds. I've never tried a pruning saw on lumber so I'm impressed.
 
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Square_peg said:
A Silky or Tajima saw does an impressive job on lumber as well as doing great camp or trail duty.
I'll have to go check that forum you mentioned. Thanks.
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Nice forum. They have a Used Gear Swap section and a Deals section, mostly cottage industry crafters, and a DIY section. Good site.
 
Apologies if it's already been gone over, but the best reason to carry a small axe or hatchet is to split damp wood so that you can get it to burn. I know it's possible to split wood using a saw (or to baton with a knife), but it's a lot more work.

If you're camping in the fall or early spring (not to mention winter) in a colder climate, you're going to want to be able to have a fire (even if you don't actually have one) and if it's damp that's going to be a lot easier if you're carrying an axe or hatchet.

At least that's how it looks with my very limited experience.
 
I agree with what some people are saying, answers relate to what the OP means by camping and where is he going to be camping. Does he mean 'bushcrafting', in which case yeah bring an axe. Other than for fun I cannot think of a good reason to bring an axe. I think there are better ways to keep warm, dry and to enjoy the wilderness. And I'm not talking about ultralight. Myself, I like campfires when I camp and if its dry enough to make one then a little knife for shavings is enough. Or if its raining real bad or otherwise wet, then live without a fire. It can be done and you can enjoy yourself while its raining and you wont die without the axe.
 
my friend and I were out camping this weekend and he brought his Fiskars X7. We were cutting firewood and the head came flying right off the handle. We had to finish the weekend with my vintage Plumb boys hatchet & Collins Hudson Bay. Something to be said about that old North American made steel.
 
WJC01 said:
Or consider a tomahawk. . .
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belt_axe.jpgCamp_closeup.jpgMedCamp.jpg
The first picture is an H & B Forge belt ax with a handmade handle. It is wedged like a typical ax. The others are H & B camp axes with polls. They are all lifetime guaranteed. www.hbforge.com The camp ax comes in 3 sizes. The medium is a perfect belt axe for camping, firemaking, etc.
Mary
 
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