Dilemma! 10.5" knife vs medium axe...

[NRaiano]

I am a couple of days away from paying for a busse BWM and I suddenly realised, I have a really nice $90 Swedish axe back in the UK that will probably outperform the BWM for the tasks that I have in mind. Do I want to go ahead!? F$#^%*CK!!!

I am planning on making an Ideal combo for woodland survival and the way I see it is that as much as I know A BWM would be great fun and very VERY aesthetically pleasing the axe that I have will most likely perform much better for the skills that I'm planning to hone(Carving being a very important one). I've just noticed, how often do you see a survival expert on TV (Ray Mears or Bear Grills etc) Using a 10"+ knife to carve a canoe paddle!!! The reason being that it's most probably more difficult, the axe has been the number one carving tool in the past for quite literally THOUSANDS of years.

Has anybody had any experience carving with a big knife, how does it compare to an axe?
Which do you prefer?
which would you recommend?

I will have to pay in about 3 days for the knife and I really don't know if I want to anymore. I'd much rather have a couple of little custom high carbon knives to go along with my axe and sven saw.

Thanks a lot for the swift, and wise responses that I know you will send

Gabriel.

 

[wildmike]

I have used my Kukri to carve all manner of stuff in the hills, including a really fine throwing stick.

I have use my 10" campknives to carve quite a few items as well.

Canoe paddle the axe may or may not be easier to use. Different techniques with a different tool.

Simple fact is most of my use of any kind of blade in the wilderness is processing wood for a fire (and I mainly use stoves which use small chunks of wood). Food processing, and shelter/camp building. For those things a knife will work just fine. But so will an axe except the food prep. Generaly I have a smaller knife along for any fine work anyway.

If you want the BWM then buy it. But the combination of an axe and a knife will acomplish the same ends. But don't let the fact you haven't seen any so called experts on film etc using a large knife desuade you. They are using what they are more familiar with and generaly what they have the most skill with.

Get what YOU want. Then go out and use the tar out of it and get your own experience.

As for me I love my large knives and especialy my M-43 Kukri. I regularly choose it over an axe due it's greater utility. But then I have put in thousands of hours using it too.

 

[Frostyfingers]

As a personal choice, I'd take a small axe over a large blade any day. But that's just because I'm comfortable with axes and like them. I believe that they are the optimal tool for the job, as well. If you like a big knife, then go ahead, by all means....but I wouldn't choose that for myself.

 

[sambo.]

personally, i don't really use knive much longer than about 6" with the sole exception of my 10" "Pumpkin/Watermelon Knife" in the kitchen.

for pretty much any job that "needs" a big blade, an axe is probably a better tool for the job.

i'd take 3" and 5" knives with a smallish axe over a thumping great 9" chopper any day.

 

[NRaiano]

Thanks everyone, you've all been very helpful. My mind's made up...
I can see myself getting much more pleasure out of one of these than a BWM
so I'm going to have my axe from England sent off for the chrome/beeswax treatment if the guy who made this is up for the job.
Have a look at this beauty!!! http://backyardbushman.com/?page_id=161

 

[NRaiano]

I have used my Kukri to carve all manner of stuff in the hills, including a really fine throwing stick.

I have use my 10" campknives to carve quite a few items as well.

Canoe paddle the axe may or may not be easier to use. Different techniques with a different tool.

Simple fact is most of my use of any kind of blade in the wilderness is processing wood for a fire (and I mainly use stoves which use small chunks of wood). Food processing, and shelter/camp building. For those things a knife will work just fine. But so will an axe except the food prep. Generaly I have a smaller knife along for any fine work anyway.

If you want the BWM then buy it. But the combination of an axe and a knife will acomplish the same ends. But don't let the fact you haven't seen any so called experts on film etc using a large knife desuade you. They are using what they are more familiar with and generaly what they have the most skill with.

Get what YOU want. Then go out and use the tar out of it and get your own experience.

As for me I love my large knives and especialy my M-43 Kukri. I regularly choose it over an axe due it's greater utility. But then I have put in thousands of hours using it too.

Thanks for the wise words Mike.
Appreciate it,
Gabriel.