For all you Axe vs. Khukri vs. Chopper guys, I did my own testing

A khukuri is not the right knife to shave some tinders, that why you have a karda with it :)
 
I agree that a decent hatchet would be better than a khukuri for big chopping jobs and definitely better for the way I like to split kindling wood.

I like to split thinner branches for kindling by laying them flat while holding the end of them in my left hand. I then swing a hatchet in my right hand. Because the blade is only about four inches long, and because it is right at the end of a long handle, this is a relatively safe way to split sticks. The shape and configuration of the khukuri blade makes it too dangerous to use in the same way.

When I go trapping I carry a small knife for skinning and odd jobs, but I also like to have a chopper of some sort. I've carried different hatchets and a small tomahawk that I made. They were certainly useful. I might need to cut a bit of scrubby material to clear a trap run or to make a barrier. I also sometimes need to chop a pole to set a snare on....or I might want to remove smaller side branches from a main tree branch that I want to set a snare on. The hatchet can also be used to drive pegs and nails, and it can be used as a club to despatch trapped animals.

I recently bought a couple of Himalayan Imports Ang Khola khukuris to try on the trap line.....a heavy 15-incher (overall length) and a 12-incher. I've also got a Tora 'British Service Issue' which is a lighter blade, but still very effective.

I've taken all of these khuks with me while setting and checking traps, and frankly - for the tasks I've mentioned - I prefer any of these khukuris as versatile trapline tools compared to my hatchets and tomahawk. They are relatively easy to carry, they seem to be much better for chopping standing saplings and scrub....plus they would be much better as a 'weapon' because they can be used for thrusting as well as chopping. I haven't used a khukuri for 'sticking' yet....but occasionally I do encounter larger animals when I'm out hunting and sometimes it is more appropriate to finish them with a knife rather than firing a shot (I may not even have a rifle at times).

A khukuri seems to be able to make a decent cut even if you cant build up much of a 'swing'. This makes it good for trimming branches on a live tree where other branches get in the way....or when working in thick scrub.

If I needed to cut thicker saplings or drive pegs frequently, I'd pick my 15" Ang Khola. However it is fairly darn heavy, so I find that I mostly pick up the 12 inch model, and this smaller khuk has amazed me with what it can do. A short time back I used the back of it to drive some heavy nails that were protruding from some wharf decking. It is no trouble to carry. If I had a lot of lighter scrub to cope with at my sets, and if there was a chance that I'd have a bigger animal to despatch, I'd grab my British Service issue. Although the base of the handle is nearly at 45 degrees from the end of the blade, the blade shape lends itself well to the allotted tasks....plus it is a relatively light knife for its length. All the khuks are good, but the simple 12" Ang Khola would probably be my pick for most trapping work because it is so light and convenient (plus it was relatively inexpensive). I should note that so far I've had to do a lot of walking around my trap lines, so I have to consider the weight and utility of each item of my gear.

However, there is nothing wrong with the hatchets I've used...and I don't even own any of those very attractive and efficient-looking hatchets I've seen pictured on this forum. Mine are mainly old heads that I've scrounged, re-handled, and sharpened. And like I said...for dedicated log chopping and firewood splitting, an axe or hatchet is probably going to be better for the task than a khukuri.

Unfortunately it seems that we'll never have just one blade that does everything well. But it is great to have a choice.

Heres the H.I. 12" (overall length) Ang Khola khukuri:

12AngKhola.jpg
 
Listen to Tom Krein, he's a smart guy - Gransfors Bruks! http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

Get one - you won't regret it.

I have the Small Forest Axe and the first time I used it, I seriously considered ditching all my larger knives. This thing can chop down a small tree and sharpen a pencil!

OK OK, I kept my knives, but seriously - the GB line is awesome.

Not sure whether the SFA or the Wildlife is the better bet though. The SFA can be used one or double handed, whereas the Wildlife Hatchet is pretty much a one hand number.

Get both! I plan to... one day.

BTW I prefer a kukri on soft vegetation. I live in a sub-tropical climate that results in a lot of over-growth of leafy plants and my CS mini-kukri is perfect for that kind of action.

For batoning, I use a CRK Project I - its good and thick so its splits wood very effectively.
 
I think the old wisdom of Nessmuch still prevails. Best for wilderness, whether civlian endeavors or military has always been IMHO, a Camp type Axe (I prefer GB), a small fixed knife or a large style lockable folder, and some type of multi-tool (like a SAK or Leatherman). If in a jungle type environment, I would take a Thinner bladed Khukuri or a Machete to use maybe in addition to, or in place of a Axe.

Excellent Review and testing!!!! Good read. Thanks.!!
 
Man.... it's so tempting to get a GB to try out. Honestly though I've read a number of reviews that say there's only a slight increase over a Fiskars.
 
i'd like to see a picture of the edges of the three tools lined up. maybe a villager khukri would have beaten the hatchet. my villager has a thinner edge than the 3-4" utility knives i have from him imp (sarge, sgian dhu) but i never put it up against a hatchet. i'll give it a shot one of these days.
 
This was nice to read. I'm fairly new into my knife obsession, so I have a somewhat odd variety of knives ranging in size. So, I'm still trying to decide what all to take. I have a few knives of the different size ranges (3,5,7 inches), some saws, some hatches, and some machetes. I'm nearly done with school, and I'm really looking forward to testing them all out and finding what works best for me. I like having a 7+ knife, but at the same time, I like a 3" and machete/saw/hatchet.

So, I appreciate your thoughts, and lookout trees!
 
One place that a large chopper outshines a good hatchet is with splitting. With a baton log, you can split smaller logs all day long with relative ease. When I'm building fires, I find these split pieces useful as part of the middle stage. (1. tinder and small sticks/grass/etc. 2. small split pieces 3. smaller logs 4. larger logs) YMMV.
 
Hatchet is better but heavier.

I'm still trying to find an axe at about 500g (1lbs).

I've tried the GB French Hawk, but head is very roughly fitted on a "mushroom" handle, with no wedge of any sort, to the point it will often slide down. It may be historically accurate but not too practical. I did tried to rehandle it but it is pretty complicated because head eye is not straight, rather sort of conical.

this one has caught my attention recently:
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?s=JapanWoodworker&pf_id=15.351.2&dept_id=12654
 
My new fiskars hatchet is around the 500gram mark. Not too traditional looking though
 
i've got an rd-9 and fiskars

my fiskars is my best chopper.i dont think any knife can compare to a hatchet/axe as far as chopping goes.

the rd-9 holds a good edge and for what its worth a knife can stab/puncture and pry and batton better than the fiskars.

i've done very similar tests and came to the same conclusion....my fiskars out chopped them all but im still parsial to my ranger...all of them.

khuks are mighty choppers but also have their limitations......as to which one to carry....
...its an ongoing debate i hve with myself.

thanks for the evail.
 
The Fiskars is a good little axe, but they are not in the same league as the GFB in my opinion.

Wish you were closer I would invite you over and let you play with my GFB hatchets I have 3 of them. Another good performer that is largely over looked are the hatchets by Estwing!!

Tom
 
Ravaillac said:
I've tried the GB French Hawk, but head is very roughly fitted on a "mushroom" handle, with no wedge of any sort, to the point it will often slide down. It may be historically accurate but not too practical. I did tried to rehandle it but it is pretty complicated because head eye is not straight, rather sort of conical.
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You still got it? Got pics? I've got one of these on my wish list, so if you find you don't need it... shoot me a PM or email. We'll chat. I'd like to know a little more about it from someone who's used it. ;):thumbup::)

P.S. As far as this thread is concerned, I'm a huge believer in the axe/hatchet/tomahawk as a superior piece of field equipment. I've carried one since I found my dad's old hatchet in the garage many many years ago (and that thing was UGLY). Now I've got a bit more of a selection (but trust me, not a big enough of one!).

n513239053_150306_4587.jpg


Edited: I just checked out the hatchet from JWW, Ravaillac, and I LIKE that head shape/design! Darn you for posting that!
 
Guyon said:
One place that a large chopper outshines a good hatchet is with splitting. With a baton log, you can split smaller logs all day long with relative ease. When I'm building fires, I find these split pieces useful as part of the middle stage. (1. tinder and small sticks/grass/etc. 2. small split pieces 3. smaller logs 4. larger logs) YMMV.
Click to expand...


While I think Guyon has a valid point, we must remember that technique is everything. I actually have an easier time splitting with a small hatchet, with less physical excursion by placing the cutting edge on top of the log/wood, and holding everything together slamming the bottom end of the log down on a hard surface. But thats just what I was taught, and what I'm used to.

There is more than one way to skin a cat, and all work well depending on your technique.
 
Ravaillac.... I bought a couple of cheap Chinese hatchets. The handles are fairly crappy, but the heads weighed only about a pound and they look pretty good. I have come to appreciate these little tools. The steel may be a bit harder than some hatchets, but I've had no trouble. They have a 'conventional' modern eye where the handle is driven in from the bottom and wedges are inserted at the top.

Something like this may be all a man needs.

I have quite enjoyed making new hatchet handles to fit to older heads. I use a local native wood called kanuka, but there should be a decent equivalent available in your area.

While I'd like to own some of those beautiful 'brand name' axes and hatchets, I find that these very cheap versions work just fine. I also have a few other hatchet heads that came from junk sales etc. Sometimes these can sell at a very low price because once the handle is broken or loose, the average owner might see very little utility or value in them.
 
Buffalohump,,, what did you think of the mini hatchet?? To small ?? have you had the mini in your hand; it has a good write up looks easier carry???
 
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