found the perfect combo

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
3,164
I bought a $6 chinese hatchet. since I am starting to make fire bows and lean-to's. A hatchet and a leatherman multi-tool with a 4" blade is the perfect combo for me in the wilderness.

I am passing up large knives. I am sure next year I will sing a different tune.

My type of backcountry survival has changed drmatically this year. before living here I was an urban warrior who went out for trips and had an urban survival plan and backup modern supplies. I pretty much worked in that realm for 7-8 years. now that I am in a more rural location I can work on lean-tos and firedrills in my back yard this has brought me to a new level(which I am just starting out) making primitive tools and such. what fun! but now I feel the hatchet is more essential than a large knife.

so many advantages:

Sharpenability, it is very easy and with the leatherman file

Weight distribution, with the weight of the cutting edge towards the top gives a bit more accuracy in cutting.

plus you can always carve a new handle if yours breaks.


I think I will move up to the CS nordic ax for $24 down the road.

I want to see how long this $6 one lasts?

I am so glad I finally found the right tools for me in this environment.
 
<i>Sharpenability, it is very easy and with the leatherman file
</i>

I think this is a great point.

Rather than carrying Yet Another Knife in your emergency/survival supplies, having some sharpening technology on-hand is well worth-while.
 
Congratulations! I am glad you found a combo to meet your needs. I, on the otherhand have not:( Right now including the Terzuola ATCF I carry on my person, I have three knives for my BOB. I have a Leatherman supertool, and a CS Trailmaster. These will work for now but I will be on the quest for the "perfect combo" for quie some time.

Dan Huff
 
When backpacking, I carry:

(1) Leatherman Wave - has a great file, saw, and plain & serrated blades...all openable without folding the tool.

(1) Ontario Machete - in hard scabbard (lashed to right-side of pack)

(1) CRK Project II - with DoneRight Military Match firestarter, Wetfire tinder, 3" round diamond file, and a small (14mm) button compass in the handle.

I guess this is my "perfect trio"

*Of course, I also carry other gear (map compass, first aid kit, "pocket" survival kit, etc...) But these are the only edged tools I have ever needed.


BTW, I made a custom 5" drop attachment for my belt out of 3-ply, black, 2" ballistic nylon webbing for the P2 so that I could wear it on my belt without it interfering with my pack's waistbelt (McHale Super SARC).

Drop belt:

I made it by taking a 3-foot (aprox.) piece of webbing and finding its center. Then, I fold the ends towards the center so that they both lay 90 degrees perpendicular in the same direction - still leaving about 2" of strap between them (this is accomplished with a 45 degree fold)...this section is where the knife will eventually attach. *(*Note, I used about 10 med. binder clips to clamp the webbing in place while I worked.) Then, I fold the ends back towards the center portion of the webbing (in the opposite direction of the first folds). The fold for my set up was about 5" from the top of the knife attachment point (to make room for my pack belt). Next, fold the straps over the original folds so that the ends are facing one another. Cut the strap so that the ends meet flush with each other in the center of the attachment point. Take two extra end pieces and insert in the vertical loops of the hanger to make it 3-ply like the rest of the setup (leave room for your belt on top). Once you have practiced this enough to get it the right shape (should be “U” shaped), use some Outdoorsman’s Goop to glue the strap together and clamp it for about 24 hours before use. The Goop will cure to be somewhat flexible, and shouldn't crack in cold weather. P.S. – I have used the original one that I made for over 3 years with no problems…
 
You should be able to get your CS Norse Hawk for about 1/2 that price. I paid $10 or 12 from Onestop :) It carries nicely in that loop between the shoulder straps on my daypack. Wasn't that loop originally for an ice ax, before it evolved into a carry/hanging handle?
Yes hawks are handy, but I still like my folding SvenSaw.
 
i am glad you are in a location you can practice your primative skills, and part of that is finding tools that are right for you.

i have gone the same route that you have as i am sure others on this board have. my suggestion to you is to buy the best you can afford, even if it means waiting for a while.

i have tried the hawks at various times, the gransfors-bruks hunters axe is just so much better tool for me, i would reccomend that you try one. skip the hawks, mine are in my knife box, the axe is with my gear. sharp as a razor out of the box, with a leather sheath. you could get by with just this tool if you needed to.

as far as a large knife, i have a becker brute, it is a wonderfull survival knife if you want to go that way. i have heard good things about the other becker tools, if they are like the brute thay are all well made tools.

have fun,

alex
 
Ebbtide,
Does putting your ax in the ice axe loops do any harm to the pack?

Alco141,
I wish I can wait but unfortunately it will be way too long. so I'll have to slowly up grade. Who knows we'll see!
 
Chris,
I glad your happy with your new combo. I grew up in the midwest and was very happy with a sheath knife (for self defense, Chicago and it's environs are notoriously handgun unfriendly), tomahawk, and SAK or equivalent. This combo worked well for all of my woods wanderings needs. A hatchet is better in some ways, (poll head for hammering, better for spliting) and worse in others (difficult to replace the handle in the field, can't be easily thrown).

Here in the NW, the hawk/hatchet is optional for most situations, and a machete is an absolute requirement for any cross country work.
It all depends on your needs.

Patrick

PS Jimbo had a good article on his web page about the cheapie hatchets:
http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/hatchet.html
and axes more generally:
http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/axes.html

P.
 
I have a Gerber Pac Ax and find it very useful for all sorts of camp needs. I still carry a large knife, but the ax gets more use.

S.
 
I agree with your assessment of the hatchet. It
seems to be the one belt-portable tool that becomes
essential in basic camping/survival scenarios.
The axe does most everything better but it is not
what I would consider "belt-portable" and hence may
not always be available.
My favorite at the moment is a roofing-type hatchet
made by "Vaughn". It cuts well and has the hammer
head on the opposite side. they're about $20 at
Home-Depot and American made. One day I'll have to
splurge and try one of the Swedish ones I see people
talking about.
I still carry a sheath knife.
 
but has anyone used the estwing steel hatchet?

is it good?

If I only could have one tool it would be a large heavy knife like a busse bm or bk&t brute. but as a combo an hatchet is great.
 
Since I live in the city, the hawk doesn't get to ride on the pack all that much :(
Just a couple of winter hikes, so it didn't do much of anything. I guess if you carried it that way all day, everyday, it'd be different.
:D
 
I have an Estwing steel hatchet, and to be honest, I never thought about putting it in my B.O.B! I have a Becker Campanion in my bag at the moment. The Estwing is one fine tool, and I truly mean TOOL. I trimmed the brush off a 100' hedgerow of dead Honeysuckle (HARD stuff!), and with a few strokes of the file, it' was ready again. I can't recommend them enough. I would truly trust my life to that little hatchet. I guess it's time for it to come out of the tool box.
 
another good thing about a hatchet is it is so people friendly. most people don't think twice about a hatchet in the corner of the living room. even my nieghbors don't even give it a second look. when I was wandering around my yard doing some work. If I were carrying a big black knife around though. too bad :eek: :eek:
 
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