Cute Little Sucker! Small Camper's Axe

Brian Andrews

Brian Andrews

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
1,659
I figured since I already have a couple of axes from Snow and Nealley, and I would give their smaller axe a try.

It is called the "Young Camper's Belt Axe" but heck, I don't consider myself young and I want one!

Here it is:

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Next to the Pen Bay for a size comparison:

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Of course, you know I couldn't leave well enough alone and keep it stock! I am glad to say that the head geometry allowed me to make all my usual modifications.

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The head profile has two things that I like. It does not have the overly small handle/eye like the Vaughn does. And yet, it does not have the overly large, super concave head ramps of the GB Mini (which IMO just ruins that axe).

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I have played with it a bit, but would really love to give it a good workout. We went from getting dumped on with tons of snow, to rain today!

As soon as it is done raining, I hope to get some more in use pics.

B
 
Great work Brian! Only two more days and I can give a report on mine. I'm getting impatient to chop something.
 
i looked at those while i was buying my bigger axe, but decided that i already have the Fiskars to fill that size role for the time being...i was really lacking a big powerhouse.

they are good looking little hatchets though :thumbup:
 
siguy said:
i looked at those while i was buying my bigger axe, but decided that i already have the Fiskars to fill that size role for the time being...i was really lacking a big powerhouse.

they are good looking little hatchets though :thumbup:
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It is so cool that you have a local place to touch, feel and play with these!

B
 
I have a Gerber's pocket ax and I use it all the time. My only complaint is that the handle is way short. Although I am certainly not young. I will probably replace it with the young campers axe.

These are great wilderness/survival tools. Running the risk of raising all sorts of ire, I think that they are more useful than a bushcraft knife. I use mine to chop up limbs and split up kindling. I baton it for larger chunks of wood. Hold it close to the ax head and use it like an ulu. I need a bit more practice, but I can see that you could get good enough to make a fuzz stick with it. It is a great food prep chopper. It can handle all sorts of rough use, including digging, chopping out roots and prying up rocks. Take a small file or a honing stick and you can freshen up the edge in the field. The back end makes a great hammer. It will cut all sorts of rope and cordage. It will sharpen a stick to make shelter pegs. Some guys use them to dress out game.
 
Not to derail the thread, but what specific mods did you make to the head and how? I'd love to do that to a few axes I have lying around. :)
 
Geez Brian, will you please stop posting here?? I don't have enough money to keep up. :D Seriously, that looks really cool. I've had a hankering for a small axe lately for some reason. HD is gonna send me a small GB to play with, with some other knives (and Bryan even offered to lend me his!!) so that should quell the urges!
 
Alberta Ed said:
Nice... my Snow & Nealley Hudson's Bay ax is my first choice for a survival blade.
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I was looking at the full line of Snow & Neallys at a local store that carries them. I think the 24" Hudson's Bay Camper Axe is the one I want too.
 
valcas1 said:
Brian,

What is the differance in weight between the two axes that you show?
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I do not have a way to weigh these. But the Pen Bay (larger one) is supposed to have a 1 3/4 lb head and the Young Camper's is supposed to have a 1 1/4 pound head. Of course there is quite a bit less wood in the handle, which has to account for something too.


Foilist said:
I was looking at the full line of Snow & Neallys at a local store that carries them. I think the 24" Hudson's Bay Camper Axe is the one I want too.
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Yes, the 24" is my all time favorite, excluding a full size axe, of course. It is barely any heavier than the 18" Pen Bay, or 19" Gransfors, and the extra length is almost not noticeable to carry around. Yet, it is by far a much more capable axe than either of the previously mentioned ones.

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B
 
MBTull said:
Running the risk of raising all sorts of ire, I think that they are more useful than a bushcraft knife.
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A lot of the old-time woodsmen and mountain men agree with you.

If I was in the north, I'd agree.
Only thing that makes it less than perfect here is I have as much soft vegetation as hard, woody stuff.

briangandrews said:
Yes, the 24" is my all time favorite, excluding a full size axe, of course. It is barely any heavier than the 18" Pen Bay, or 19" Gransfors, and the extra length is almost not noticeable to carry around. Yet, it is by far a much more capable axe than either of the previously mentioned ones.
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IMO the only reason to pick the Pen Bay is it fits IN a backpack better. The only real difference is 6" of wood, which weighs nothing compared to the head.

BTW. . .when are you going to do a "treatment" on an S&N double bit? :D
 
I dont have an axe. I want one.

How efficiant is a small axe? I just keep thinking it wouldnt be worth it, when I could just saw and baton. I really need to get one from you brian.
 
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