Axe size and weight

D

delbert ealy

Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
979
I see many small axes(hatchets) and full size axes, but very few in the midsize range. I am working on an axe that is 18"-24" for packing.
My question is what would be the max weight you would carry for an axe that size. Also, how many of you would be interested in an axe that size.
Thanks,
Del
 
I prefer a mid-sized axe. Small hatchets don't have much advantage over a big knife. I'd rather carry the knife for the smaller stuff.
 
19'' handle is good for my uses,
i am not really sure about head weight though, maybe I'll go find a scale....
 
19 inches - GFB Small Forest Axe is the winner for the price. Large enough to fell, split, chop, without being over wieght.
 
I second the GB Small Forest. 19" and 1.5lb head. It fits in my big packs as well as my day packs.
 
An excellent question, delbert. I've been looking for axes in exactly this size range.

I'm not overly fond of hatchets because I prefer to chop with two hands. Full-sized axes are too heavy for summer packing. My ideal compromise axe would have am approximately 1.75 lb head and a 20-24 inch handle. That way, it'd be heavy enough to chop well without weighing me down and the handle would allow for a two-handed swing.

Now that I think about it, my ideal arrangement would be a take-down design so I could carry it on my belt with a 15", hatchet-sized head and pack a 24-inch handle for serious wood work in the campsite. I'm firmly devoted to carrying a survival tool of some sort on my belt when out in the wilderness, whether it be a large, stout fixed-blade knife or a hatchet. Thus far, I've opted for the knife's versatility. A two-handle solution for the axe, kinda like our political parties, only less expensive :D seems ideal to me.
 
+4 on the GB small forest ax for camping. But I wouldn't take an ax backpacking. At the end of a day backpacking 10 miles or so I'm too tired to use it safely.
 
+5 on the Small Forest Axe, have one, like it a lot. Good allrounder, does nothing really excellent, except beeing excellently versatile.
 
I don't really care for hatchets in the size range mentioned.

I own a GB Hunters axe which is the same size as the SFA I think???

It is too big for me to really use efficiently with 1 hand and too small for me to use with both hands well:thumbdn:

Also it is too heavy to carry in a backpack unless I'm going to hike a only a few miles. I would never take it on a long backpacking trip.

The GB Wildlife which is 14" and around 22 oz I would consider marginal for backpacking due to the weight. However I consider it one of the finest most agressive chopping hatchets I have ever run into.

Now if it was dead winter and I was really wanting a huge fire I MIGHT consider the Wildlife, but I might just take the extra weight in clothes or sleeping bag, since the fire isn't going to warm you that much in a tent.

On the other hand if I was only hiking say 10 miles total in and out I wouldn't care how heavy it was.

For me something in the 12" range like the Reeves with 1 lb weight is perfect for me. The GB Mini is also great when hiking a long way. I've taken both of these in summer and fall and never felt I needed more hatchet;) Have hiked long mileage carrying both and never thought I should have left them home.


In the discussion somebody said:

Small hatchets don't have much advantage over a big knife.
Click to expand...

Everybodies experience is difft but in mine a small hatchet OF THE SAME WEIGHT will outchop a knife of the same weight hands down.

I've tried a GB mini against one of the original Swamp Rat Camp Tramps and against an 12" Ang Khola khuk and against a 12" Pen Knife Khuk (these are all a similar weight)and the mini outchops them all. Now the knifes are better at brush cutting than the hatchet but chopping only I have never run into a big knife that outchopped a hatchet.
 
I too prefer the mid size for a chopper to be carried on my back in a canoe. If you like a more modern style, both Fiskars (Splitting Axe - 17 in. or 23.5 in.) and Gerber (Camp Axe - 17.5 in.) make axes with syntetic handles in the that size range.
 
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For hiking I like the G.B.wildlife hatchet.I doubt I'll be building a cabin with it.For firewood or temporary shelter making it'll manage.
 
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