Chopper Vs. Big knife, My own testing.

They sell out pretty quick which sounds a bit naff but that's what adds to their value !
I paid $112 Canadian for my Mutt and they were going for $130 American on the for sale site here before I had even recieved it !
One went for $280 on e-bay the other day !!!!!
If you become a member on the Forum other members will often help you out as regards getting a knife !
 
Its too bad they wearn't easier to get, thats somewhat of a turn off. But I'll look, hopfully I can find one.
 
Fonly said:
Its too bad they wearn't easier to get, thats somewhat of a turn off. But I'll look, hopfully I can find one.
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They are easy but you have to keep checking the site forum that's all... you usually get 24hrs notice before they go sale !
 
I think you will always get more utility for the weight with a large knife than a hatchet. I do think a hatchet is better (and more appropriate) for chopping and splitting, so the question to me is: do you want to carry a knife and a hatchet?

As the the short Gerber/Fiskar axes, I think they sell more to hunters for big game butchering than bushcraft. I got one of the Fiskars with a 14" handle and it only weighs a couple ounces more than the shorter version and makes for a far better tool. I haven't done anything with it, but that 14" hollow handle would hold a lot of PSK gear too.

Getting down to the nitty-gritty, in a survival situation how much emphasis should be put on splitting vs. cutting small diameter wood-- branches and saplings? IMHO, a saw will get you shelter and firewood faster than a knife or a hatchet for less weight, space, and cost, and is safer to use.
 
That's interesting. I have a lot of khukuris which chop great but I have never had a khukuri or a big knife that would out chop a hatchet of the same weight.
 
When I went camping on May 24, the gerber hatchet saw NO action what so ever. Limped out branches with the seal2000, and the main trunk was zipped through with the folding saw. My spydie completes the cycle for shaving.

One advantage of the gerber is cost. I got mine about 10 years ago for 25 bucks.

Always looking forward to your reviews Fonly.
 
DaleW said:
I think you will always get more utility for the weight with a large knife than a hatchet. I do think a hatchet is better (and more appropriate) for chopping and splitting, so the question to me is: do you want to carry a knife and a hatchet?

As the the short Gerber/Fiskar axes, I think they sell more to hunters for big game butchering than bushcraft. I got one of the Fiskars with a 14" handle and it only weighs a couple ounces more than the shorter version and makes for a far better tool. I haven't done anything with it, but that 14" hollow handle would hold a lot of PSK gear too.

Getting down to the nitty-gritty, in a survival situation how much emphasis should be put on splitting vs. cutting small diameter wood-- branches and saplings? IMHO, a saw will get you shelter and firewood faster than a knife or a hatchet for less weight, space, and cost, and is safer to use.
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Most of my woods time is deer hunting so I don't venture as far as some of you guys. I started carrying a Gerber folding saw, a CS Master Hunter, SAK Huntsman w/saw, and folding knife usually an Endura. I think all those together weigh less than my Gerber hatchet and I have some redundancy if I lose one. I also thought it would be safer and require less energy to build a shelter with a saw. I couldn't think of a reason I would have to split logs with a big knife or hatchet and the saw works better on rib cage and pelvis of deer than a hatchet in my experience.
 
I tend to think that the axe only really outdistances other bladed tools in serious cold, or serious wet.


In my experience, if you are out in the bush and it's twenty below, which of course describes most of my country, six months a year, the amount of wood you will need is far beyond the capabilities of a knife, but within range of a small axe - although probably not a hatchet.

If you are somewhere very wet, like the North Coast of BC, the amount of wood you need to stay warm is also fairly intimidating, and furthermore in my experience a fair bit of dry heartwood may be neccesary to start a good fire - again difficult to get at with a knife or small hatchet, but not completely unreasonable for a small axe.

In a temperate climate, in comfortable seasons, I don't think there is a huge necessity for an axe. I am often out in the bush in fairly cold weather, fifteen or twenty degrees below zero, and occasionally in severe cold - more than forty below. I would not consider being without an axe under those conditions.

In moderate cold, I like my Wetterlings LHA. In severe cold, I like my Agdor Bruks, which is a mid-sized axe with about a 24" handle and a 2-pound bit.

If I am stationary and keeping a camp warm, I will take a full-size axe (usually 36" Iltis oxhead) and a full-size 42" bow saw.
 
Well, thats just it, you have to draw the line somewhere. When hiking, not car camping. I mean, I've never been able to hike with an axe, though when I would take trips across the lake and take an axe, sure along with a sleeping bag, a tent and other provisions. But I see the usefulness in a knife in terms of its weight compared to what its capable of, if you know what I mean.
 
sherlockbonez said:
When I went camping on May 24, the gerber hatchet saw NO action what so ever. Limped out branches with the seal2000, and the main trunk was zipped through with the folding saw. My spydie completes the cycle for shaving.

One advantage of the gerber is cost. I got mine about 10 years ago for 25 bucks.

Always looking forward to your reviews Fonly.
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And thats what happens with me. I take a Wetterlings, but end up using my 7" blade (BK7) for most, and anything larger goes to the Fiskars saw, less weight and just as efficient.
 
hollowdweller said:
That's interesting. I have a lot of khukuris which chop great but I have never had a khukuri or a big knife that would out chop a hatchet of the same weight.
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The best thing I can think of is the fact of the thinness of the BK7's blade, but its also thick enough not to bind, as say a 2-3 mm thick machete would.
 
DaleW said:
Getting down to the nitty-gritty, in a survival situation how much emphasis should be put on splitting vs. cutting small diameter wood-- branches and saplings? IMHO, a saw will get you shelter and firewood faster than a knife or a hatchet for less weight, space, and cost, and is safer to use.
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It sure would. Plain and simple. I love my fiskars saw, that and my BK7 can handle anything. The knife is also need when say you can only find larger branches on the ground (well camped area maybe) and you need to split 4"-5" diameter rounds.
 
hollowdweller said:
That's interesting. I have a lot of khukuris which chop great but I have never had a khukuri or a big knife that would out chop a hatchet of the same weight.
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Note I said a large knife has more utility for the weight-- not chopping better. The knife can cut and chop.

It all comes down to what you like. Some people like big blades-- I leave it between them and their psychologist. Sometimes a knife is just a knife :rolleyes:
 
Nice Test :thumbup:

I have the same gerber hatchet and I put a piece of duct tape over the knife since I never use it anyway. I actually prefer the Fiscars version From the hardware store which has a slightly longer hollow handle.

On a recent trip I was using a small ferro Rod with no handle to start a fire and My Kabar was akward to use well to strike with, I used my gerber hatchet, holding the back of the head, The hand position was very natural and it produced a great shower of sparks.
 
Nice test. I am surprised the Becker did so well. From personal experience I have to mention a couple of things. That gerber hatchet sucks as a chopper. It does chop, but it will wear you out. Like DaleW mentioned, there is a night and day difference between that and the next size up. Next size still weighs slightly more though. The next thing is that a 14oz machete will blow both away in every category. It weighs 1 oz more, but will chop as well or better w/ less effort, baton easily, and still make shavings.
 
I've got the gator axe with the small knife as well. It's the longer "sport" size. You can't go wrong with that combo.
 
Fonly,

I'm interested in that Fiskars folding saw. Can you say which one it is please and dimensions? Thanks.
 
DaleW said:
Note I said a large knife has more utility for the weight-- not chopping better. The knife can cut and chop.
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I'd agree with that.

With a khukuri or large knife you can machete and chop.

When I am going somewhere thick I take a khukuri.

However where I backpack I have no use for a machete and I either use a wood burning backpacking stove or cook over the fire so I use a hatchet a lot.

I also do a lot of food prep and most big knives are no better than a hatchet for any fine work.

So I am kind of in the Nessmuk camp where he took a hatchet and a thin bladed fixed blade knife on his long treks.

At home in my woods I use a khukuri because it's ideal for keeping the trail clear. and I need that dual use.
 
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