Before I Go Ahead And "Checkout"

A

Animatronic Fireman

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Sep 16, 2011
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I want a smaller axe that I can take with me backpacking, I'm trying to plan a big hike for this summer (75 km). I was thinking of getting the GB Scandinavian Forest Axe along with the Best Made Carry Bag for the Hudson Bay Axe. I love the shape of the Hudson Bay blade and wish the SF was closer to that shape but oh well.

http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/frontpage/products/canvas-axe-case

Is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks!
 
Never needed an axe while backpacking. Are you planning on making shelter? Maybe a folding saw but I have never needed one of those either.

Especially in summer it just seems like too much weight. The wilderness and survival skills sub-forum would be a good place for this post.
 
It depends on how many people go. If it is just me or me and the gf I won't need the axe as we'll cook our food with a little stove, if 1 or 2 more couples go then we might want to get a fire some nights just to have fun and sit around. If there is 6 of of us we'll be able to distribute the load better and so a small/medium sized axe wouldn't be terrible.
 
If you are planning to get the best made HB pouch and like th HB pattern, why not get the best made HB axe? Or the Velvecut or even the standard Council HB axe? The standard HB is quite good for the money, IME.
 
I agree with Scouter. A HB of any flavor can never be bad.... if you find it necessary to carry and axe. I'm biased but thats ok. Go with an HB!
 
The paint job has no effect on the hands, at least the one I have.

Money is something you will have to weigh out - and if you want the bag or not. But they are quality axes, at least the Dayton is that I have. I use it all the time.
 
isn't bestmade just painting and re-branding council velvicuts?
 
I'm pretty sure that is the case daizee

I like the mill scale look of the GB heads but I must admit there are some pretty snazzy paint jobs with the BM.
 
daizee said:
isn't bestmade just painting and re-branding council velvicuts?
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Animatronic Fireman said:
I'm pretty sure that is the case daizee

I like the mill scale look of the GB heads but I must admit there are some pretty snazzy paint jobs with the BM.
Click to expand...

No. They are made by Council Tool for BMC, but not Velvicut per se. Nick from BMC lurks on here, he has had to describe the operation before, he can give you a better outlook.
 
If it was me, I would hit ebay and find a good head made by Plumb. The one I am thinking of looks like a cedar pattern. The poll on these look like a rafting axe and seem to be made for strikeing. Seems to be a hardened poll. Why they are not more popular for camping I don't know. The couple that I have worked with are very good.
 
Operator1975 said:
No. They are made by Council Tool for BMC, but not Velvicut per se. Nick from BMC lurks on here, he has had to describe the operation before, he can give you a better outlook.
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Thanks for the hat tip Op. I have been lurking lately. Lots of projects flying around the ol' brain box.

We at Best Made Company helped develop our axes, which are very similar to the Velvicut line but not the same, with Council a few years ago. We invested time and money into the operation as a partnership. Our heads are forged exclusively for us, and our handles meet our quality specifications. We do all the packaging, painting, branding, etc in our workshop in New York City. And to cut a few of the inevitable comments off at the pass, we sell a lot of our unfinished axes to people who actually use them. Operator has had one for quite a while now, and has been a great advocate for us, as is Cooperhill. I handle all incoming questions from customers regarding our axes. So if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Additionally, I'm hoping to crop up here on the forum more often after the holidays. It's a bit crazy here at the moment.
 
Animatronic Fireman said:
I'm pretty sure that is the case daizee

I like the mill scale look of the GB heads but I must admit there are some pretty snazzy paint jobs with the BM.
Click to expand...

Nick has already chimed in, but you do know that you can get a Best Made Hudson Bay for just slightly more than a Velvicut if you get the "unfinished" model, right? It's got a slightly longer handle, and (IIRC) better steel.
 
For backpacking I'd be looking at Fiskars. They're the lightest. A hatchet can be a fun and handy tool to have along on a hike. But as RUNIT mentioned it isn't strictly necessary.

An ultra lightweight backpacker would shudder at the thought of carrying the added weight of a hatchet. But their mindset is different from mine. Ultra-light is about moving quickly through the woods. I prefer to move more slowly, set up nice multi-night camps and maybe do a little bushcrafting. I'm there to enjoy being in the woods not just to pass through them as quickly as possible.

If you're hiking with a large group and can spread the weight around then a Hudson's Bay or even a boy's axe would be great to have along. A Tajima or Silky saw is nice to have along, too.
 
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