ESEE Junglas vs. Bark River Scagel Camp Ax??

[HikingIsLife]

It's been argued so many times...but I can't figure out what to pair with my Swamprat RMD for wood work/camp chores. To be honest I can do most anything "needed" with the RMD be it batoning/carving/notching...but I can't use it to chop (it just won't bite well). I was thinking about the ESEE Junglas due to it's sheer size and weight. I have an IZULA II and know the quality of their product. I have used a hatchet in the past...but wondering as to whether the Junglas would do all. Has anyone used the Scagel designed Bark River Camp Ax? If so, experience with the tool? Same for Junglas users!? I would love your input before my next purchase!

Thanks!

 

[Vertebrae]

I don't have any experience with the Camp Ax, but I have a Junglas. In my experience, an axe of similar weight and size compared to a large knife will almost always be better at chopping and splitting.

A big knife is very versatile. I generally carry my big knives along with a small neck knife or folder. The big knife can generally do all tasks on an acceptable level, but for processing small animals and really fine work, I prefer a small blade, something under 2". I use the big knives for everything else, even chopping and batoning wood if I need to.

A medium fixed blade like the Ratmandu would probably benefit more from being paired with an axe. The axe is going to chop and split everything, but fall short on most other more knife-like tasks, so that's where the 4-6" blade on a medium sized fixed blade knife would come in handy to round it out more.

 

[sumoj275]

I usually pair my DFLE, B11, or M9 with a smaller blade. I just am now getting into the hawk/axe arena. For that I have a Cold Creek Forge hammer-hawk and usually have a 4-5" blade with it. YMMV, but like said above, a heavy hawk or axe will chop better by far.