Do you prefer to split wood with a hatchet or a knife

[CarpScot]

I always use an axe.

 

[jw2n]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I interpreted his question as being on the trail. I have found that each method has it's positive, and negative points. With a hatchet, once the head goes below the top of the piece being split, there is nothing to baton on due to the "shortness" of it's design. Whereas, a large knife protrudes from the piece enough that you can baton fore or aft of the piece being split. Yes, I know this is dependent on the diameter of the wood being split.

As for carrying weight, if I carry a hatchet, this off-set by the very small fixed blade I carry. If I do not carry a hatchet, then I carry a large knife. Pretty much six or half-dozen when it comes to bulk and weight.

IME the hatchet can perform a far wider range of tasks over a knife. I also will subject the hatchet to performing duties that I would not want the fine edge on my knife to do.

All I know for sure, is that the hatchet/knife combination is what I have settled on as what works the best for me. I keep my splitting of anything to an absolute minimum. I also avoid cutting wood into fire length, and simply feed in long pieces. Lazy bastard!

 

[Mistwalker]

regarding lugging the hatchet around, i can totally agree with you when weight is a big issue. One large knife, with enough skill, can satisfy the needs/uses of multiple tools. One can, split wood by batonning, perform limbing tasks, clear a camp site as well as perform delicate work.

Big knives for me have a place in my kit when im moving about on a regular basis, that is, if i am constantly on the move and setting up camp in different locations.


If its one of those situations where i hike into an area to camp, i like the joys of having a hatchet. The main reason is because the hatchet is a marvelous tool for carving. i will generally have a small fire going which doesnt require alot of splitting so the hatchet (in this case my gb wildlife hatchet) will serve adequate in all functions.


If there was snow on the ground i'd probably take my gb small forest axe as a good axe in winter time can be a crucial bit of kit.

I agree there. When I drive in or ride in I like having an axe or hatchet though it is more of a just in case thing.

Mainly I think this is because I am in the south east U.S. so I have little need of larger chopping and splitting work here. Were I in the northern parts of the country I'm sure I would look much more kindly on my wooden handled chopping friends

 

[pimpnugget]

axe for me

 

[sawgrass7]

always a hatchet. no contest.

 

[mymindisamob]

Camping + Sober = Knife
Camping + Drinking = Hatchet
Camping + Drunk = OUCH!

 

[Joben]

Splitting small stuff smaller I would definitely rather do with a baton and knife.
It actually seems safer to me, the sharp object isn't being swung around, it's almost stationary. And the dead pine limbs I've been starting a lot of my fires with lately don't like standing up very much, so doing it with a hatchet is problematic.

I know you can split small stuff from the side with an axe but I haven't mastered that yet...

 

[mcjhrobinson]

i dont own a hatchet or axe......my knives sure are fun to baton....most good dried wood (depending on the wood) only needs one good whack and a twist. but i would like to some day own a good axe MAYBE a hatchet.

so i use a knife

 

[Bumppo]

I like splitting with a froe as well, and enjoy experimenting with various field mods to knives to find the best way to makeshift a froe handle onto a knife. Good fun.
But I have to admit of the two, Hatchet or knife, it is more fun to use the hatchet for me.

 

[hiwa]

When given the choice, always the right tool for the job : An axe.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I like the axe/hatchet/tomahawk.

 

[shangchi108]

Axe if I'm serious about it. Knife if it's just for amusement, or if it's all I have.