GB Wildlife Hatchet, Small Splitting Axe, plus WHAT?

Vemund

Vemund

Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Messages
231
I purchased my first GB axe a while ago. It was a Swedish Carving axe and I loved it. I didn't use it as often as I thought I would - I am mostly out of doors and the Carving Axe is not suitable for outdoor work. I sold it (bad move, right) and bought a GB Wildlife Hatchet. A while after that I bought a GB small splitting axe (great size) for processing wood. I am looking to complete a camping set with a larger axe. Was thinking that the small forest axe would be a great all-a-round choice, but the Scandinavian Forest axe is calling me as well. Any advice? I am going to take these things mostly car camping but I will likely pack the Wildlife Hatchet and the "new axe" in to campsites and on hiking trips. I'm conflicted. Is the small forest axe really "just as good" for most tasks as the larger Scandinavian forest axe?
 
My advice would be to not have multiple hundreds of dollars invested in a couple of axes for car camping. Also, I personally wouldn't bring a full sized axe car camping. Wood splitting tends to be done close to the fire, where is where the people also tend to hand out. In my case at least, depending on who I'm going with there tend to be children or drinking adults around the fire so I'm not thrilled with anyone, myself included, swinging an axe around. For camping I would say you are already fine. As for hiking, you will never bring a full sized axe. I would recommend the small axe that you already have plus a nice folding saw.
 
I think a full size axe and a good hand saw (crosscut, bow or pull saw) are appropriate for car camping. Just keep the designated splittiing area away from people and the fire. And handsaws are so much more peaceful in the woods than chainsaws.

Lastly, most foresters now recommend that you either gather or buy wood locally near your campsite. Don't bring wood from other areas and risk importing forest pests and disease.
 
Thanks, Square_peg! I totally agree. Hand saw is the way to go and I am always vigilant about bugs in the wood!
 
Thanks for the advice, jblyttle. I think you're spot on. I already have experience with a Silky Sugoi hand saw (about 1.5 feet long, non-folding, but wow does it slice like butter) for work around the house. I was a believer in the folding saw too, but had been disenchanted in recent years. I have a SVEN saw! Looks like I'm all set, and have been. Sometimes it's just right to stick with what you have instead of looking elsewhere. Thanks for reminding me.
 
my camping kit has a Wetterlings 19 inch ax, and a 15 inch Sven saw. That pretty much covers anything I need done so far as firewood goes.
 
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