Big Knives or Handaxes?

A

adc5

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Jun 4, 2013
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Ok, so don't beat me down for asking this, but is there really an advantage to using a big knife for chopping vs. a handaxe. I don't mean machetes, for those obviously have their uses, but I mean a big KNIFE, like an ESEE Junglas, a BK9, or a Busse Battle Mistress. I like my knives better than most, but if I'm going into the woods and the weight counts (can't bring both), do big choppers come out on top or small axes?

I ask because I don't have any big knives yet (and am trying to justify the point of buying one), but I DO have a Wetterlings 12.5" handaxe, which cost me ~$55 and has a very nice steel edge hardened to ~57-58RC (and no, it doesn't chip).

So what do you guys think, and what are your favorites in both categories?
 
If one is cutting brush and smaller trees the machete is a better choice. For larger trees often an axe is better. Its a matter of using the right tool for the job.
 
No, there's no advantage to using a big knife vs. a hatchet for chopping.A good hatchet will outchop a knife any day if you use it properly. Mind you that there won't be any noticeable difference between the two in branches less than 2" in diameter and a knife will do better with very thin sticks. But if you're talking logs the hatchet will win. Also, if you're planning on cutting brush, the knife will win because it's more like a machete, which is the proper tool for that job.

So the short version, if all you care about is chopping, the hatchet is the better choice; the trade-off is that the knife can do more jobs, the hatchet only does one.
 
GWashington1732 said:
No, there's no advantage to using a big knife vs. a hatchet for chopping.A good hatchet will outchop a knife any day if you use it properly. Mind you that there won't be any noticeable difference between the two in branches less than 2" in diameter and a knife will do better with very thin sticks. But if you're talking logs the hatchet will win. Also, if you're planning on cutting brush, the knife will win because it's more like a machete, which is the proper tool for that job.

So the short version, if all you care about is chopping, the hatchet is the better choice; the trade-off is that the knife can do more jobs, the hatchet only does one.
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So... my handaxe/small knife (Izula) combo isn't far from ideal.
 
I don't have a big knife yet but I use this small forest axe when I'm camping and love it! Like mentioned above, I would need to get something else to get through heavy brush or thickets.
 
adc5 said:
So... my handaxe/small knife (Izula) combo isn't far from ideal.
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Yep that's a great setup. An axe and a small knife(even a folder) will get the job done. If you read Kephart and Nessmuk you'll see that they seem to use the hatchet the most, then the pocket knife, and the belt knife the least. I get the impression that the belt knife was only used for food prep/game dressing.
 
IMO, if you can chop through it with a single blow with a knife the knife is better if you can't then a small handaxe is better.

Sure, if need be and it's the only cutting tool you have a large knife can be used to hack larger things apart but if having both is an option then I'd use the axe.
 
Well... I may be rolling back towards the axes now... I've always wanted a gransfers... :D

But yes, that makes solid sense. The only place I can see the big blades really coming in handy is on the multitude of pesky wild grape vines we keep trying to cut back behind the house.
 
I haven't used a bk9 or jungles, but I have a battle mistress (nmfbm). The only hatchet I can compare it to is a fiskars. The nmfbm beats the fiskars hands down for chopping, regardless of diameter. I've used mine in combination with a take down buck saw to process large diameter (9-10") tress for firewood. I've used it for clearing property, lots of pine with diameter of 6" or less, that also had to be limbed. I've also used it for trail clearing for mountian bike trials, works great for limbing trees, and clearing brush. I also used it to split 2 foot logs lengthwise to make planks for a bridge. For all of those jobs the knife blows the hatchet out of the water. The fiskars hatchet pretty much never gets used now.

On the other hand, the knife can't hold a candle to my fiskars 26" chopping axe. It just can't compete with the ability to use 2 hands effectively.
 
I originally loved the "idea" of big knives but quickly realized I don't use them when I go camping. When I hit the woods, I take a folder, fixed blade & axe/hatchet. That being said, I have got rid of my beckers cause they were collecting dust.
 
I use a hatchet more out of habit than because it is truly superior. The NutnFancy videos have shown me the utility of a big knife when managing wood, but I still think a hatchet or axe is better for actually felling a tree. I grew up in Scouting and learned my way around an axe, hatchet and saw but we weren't allowed to use big knives. My current camping gear includes a BK9, an Estwing hatchet and an assortment of quality multi-tools, SAKs, folders and smaller fixed blades. I also have a Bob's Quick Buck Saw that is wonderfully efficient and packable. I prefer to have the full "arsenal" available so I can use the tool best suited for the job, but I would be comfortable using any or all of the above.
 
It really boils down to how long you plan on using the tool. Like Tim709 said, a bigger knife can often outchop a hatchet. The thing is, though, that the hatchet does more of the work on it's own. You have to swing a knife hard to get it to work hard. The hatchet has all the weight out on the end of a long handle, so it takes less effort. Just let gravity do its thing, and help it along a bit. For short work, take a big knife. But if you plan on doing a lot of cutting and chopping, your arms will thank you for taking an axe/hatchet.
 
If you are interested in big blades, you're gonna have to try one out. Me, I'm a hatchet/hawk guy. They get the job done well enough for me, and don't cost very much. Not really that interested in big blades.

If you are purely interested in chopping power/weight ratio, I'd vote for the one with all the steel concentrated at the end of the tool.

As for "the knife can do more jobs, the hatchet only does one," I'd have to disagree. A well designed, sharp hatchet can chop, carve, shave, butcher, notch, etc. Of course, it will not be the same as a knife, but the converse is true, too.

I'm surprised the "batoning is safer" argument hasn't been used yet. That usually gets echoed in a thread like this. You can baton an axe, too, if you feel the situation requires it. Axes may have a steeper learning curve, but they are worth the time.
 
You might consider a kukri. being more weight forward takes some of the wrist strain out of chopping I find. Also lighter than a hatchet. My typical bush kit is a kukri with a BK-15 strapped to it's sheath.
 
How much does your kukri weigh? My Fiskars hatchet weighs 19 oz with a cover for the bit.
 
dogstar said:
How much does your kukri weigh? My Fiskars hatchet weighs 19 oz with a cover for the bit.
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The common ones can be anywhere from 20 to 50 ounces depending on how big you get them...

The big 16 inch blade Ang Khola khuks will out chop any hatchet that exists though, so the extra couple pounds has it's worth ;)
 
immolatus said:
You might consider a kukri. being more weight forward takes some of the wrist strain out of chopping I find. Also lighter than a hatchet. My typical bush kit is a kukri with a BK-15 strapped to it's sheath.
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I'm played with a kukri before, but it had an inferior heat-treat (soft, much softer than my hard use axes) that deformed quite fast under chopping If I saw a Reinhardt khukri or something made by a regular knife company I might pick it up, but I don't much trust the "native" novelty ones. Unless you guys can recommend some reputable sellers, of course.
 
My personal opinion is that I would rather use a stiff machete than a hatchet or large knife for routine cutting chores. I would only use a knife if that is all I have with me. The big difference in cutting ability comes with axes where you traditionally use two hands and as a result can apply greater force at the cut. I would rather have a hatchet where I needed to pound anything into the ground such as tent stakes. One short term task does not push the balance to hatchet versus knife. Two.... maybe if the task lasts very long. As with most things, it depends and it depends on which tool you tend to be more comfortable using for the task.

It is much like using the little mini-tillers to dig or cultivate soil in the garden. The mini-tillers take longer and often don't dig as deep, but is it worth spending two or three times (or more) the price for a couple hours difference in use time over an entire year? For me, no.
 
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