General camp tool?

N

Nikx

Joined
Sep 1, 2008
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Hey all. Wasn't exactly sure where to post this, but since it has 2 knives and 1 hatchet, i went with the knife forum :p

I'm looking for a bit of advise about different kinds of bladed tools for general camp use. Specifically to weigh the pros and cons of:

-Large fixed blade knife (example: Fallkniven A1)
-Hatchet (example: Estwing Camper's axe)
-Kukri (example: WWII)

Would primarily be used for chopping small-medium branches/logs, splitting wood, general "bigger" type stuff, etc. I'm getting a small benchmade folder for the little work.

I know that each has their own advantages/disadvantages, and it's impossible to strictly say that one is *better* than another, I'm just looking for some opinions :cool:
 
Nikx said:
Would primarily be used for chopping small-medium branches/logs, splitting wood, general "bigger" type stuff, etc. I'm getting a small benchmade folder for the little work.
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Given your choices include an expensive knife, why not get the best axe money can buy - a Gransfur bruks for $120. I recommend the small forest axe model.
 
Well the examples were more just the first thing that came to mind, I would be spending roughly the same regardless of which type, I'm looking for more like the pros&cons of the different types, sans price.
 
I camp a lot and prefer a 10" blade for heavy stuff (splitting, chopping, delimbing) and a small blade for food prep. and the like (mabye 3.5-4", folder or fixed), and a camp saw (I like the Gerber folding saw) for cutting, not a hatchet (they are to slow and to much work).

If you take a mid size knife for everything (5-8") you will find that it works, but it doesn't work well for just about everything (it is either too big or too small for the task).
 
Really tough to say and depends on your skill level. People who are really good with a small axe can do many knife-like chores including carving, skinning, filleting a fish etc.

A big knife like the A1 can be used to baton and split wood, but its larger length and thickness tends to reduce its effectivness at fine cutting chores. Again skill level can compensate for this.

If you are chopping down a standing tree - nothing beats an a good axe.
If you are cutting through rope - your big knife will kick ass compared to an axe.

I don't have much experience with Kukri's.
 
"Camping" can mean so many different things, depending on who you ask. Are you planning on driving your truck to a campground and setting up the RV, or are you referring to a stay in the boonies after a six day hike? I ask because it make a difference.

Situation A: bring ALL of them, and good ones you like, you don't need to worry about weight or space, nor should you truly need to worry about ruining any particular piece. Do it for fun.

Situation B: Cheap $7.00 hatchet from hardware store, a *Sandvik bow saw, a solid but still affordable fixed blade. (I suggest fixed because... well, it is fixed, no hassle if you need to draw it quickly, not pivot to get sand in, it is tougher). When you are in the bush, these things are merely tools, and you need to consider the possibility of breakage, losing one in the snow or down a cliff (yeah i have had it happen), dropping it in the drink, that sort of thing.

Make your own adjustments between scenarios A & B, but basically, the more "survivalist" you get in whatever you call "camping", the less likely you will want a super expensive blade or collectors item. Kinda stands to reason.

* This is one spot where you want the good stuff, the Sandvik saw is worth the few extra bucks.
 
Hatchets are great for splitting kindling but you'd have to be a masochist to hack through a tree trunk with one. Get a pruner with sheath or a folding pruner. They're a little slower to use than a bow saw but are better in tight spaces and depth of cut is not limited by the bow. Also, once you get a twist in the bow it will never cut straight

I've been disappointed with the Sandviks I've owned and personally prefer the "cut-on-pull" only handsaws like the Barnel Z14 (which I used for 2 years for contract pruning on eucalypt plantations) - very aggressive tooth pattern and the 'SK4 Samurai' steel is incredible. I've had my saw bent almost 90º and it's still straight. Don't know who your local supplier is but this site is pretty comprehensive

http://www.forestrytools.com.au/Saws.htm

You can also check out the saws with Jap pattern teeth - these give a finer cut but aren't as tough as the Barnel and the one I had snapped 3 teeth on the first day I used it.
 
Nikx said:
Would primarily be used for chopping small-medium branches/logs, splitting wood, general "bigger" type stuff, etc. I'm getting a small benchmade folder for the little work.
Click to expand...
In general conditions, I would rate them as Axe, Kukri, large Knife, with the axe the best choice by far for chopping and splitting. If size or weight becomes a concern, you could "step down" the list, but recognize that you are trading off utility for ease of carrying.

In terms of specific choices, for an axe (and I prefer a small axe to an actual hatchet), I personally don't care for the one-piece, steel hafted hatchets and axes. It seems like the steel hafts transmit more of the shock of each chop to your hands than wood or synthetic hafts do, making them less comfortable for long term use. :(

If cost is a concern Gerber makes a nice line of syntetic handled axes (their Camp Axe is a nice choice between size and utility) that are well liked by the outdoors set. If you prefer a more traditional wood handled axe, the Wetterlings "Swedish Axe" could be a nice choice, and if price is really no object the Gransfors Bruks "Hunters Axe" is about the best you can buy, short of an actual custom axe maker. ;)
 
Hatchet or a real axe. You can really beat on them, and they're much easier to sharpen than a large knife.

For the smaller stuff, which for me at least is most of what will be done, bring a small fixed blade. Much better than a folder in terms of durability and ergonomics.
 
Things I always take with me to the woods: The weight, depends on the mode of travel. Light for hiking/backpacking, or heavier if on the ATV or in a truck....

Leatherman multi-tool...original (small and light!) or a bigger one depending on whether I am traveling light or heavy.

Fallkniven F1 traveling light, or the S1 if I am traveling heavier.

Gerber Sport, Camp, or fill size Axe...depending on how light I am traveling.

Glock spade.

Emerson CQC-12 clipped on my pocket!
 
antonio_luiz said:
I've been disappointed with the Sandviks I've owned and personally prefer the "cut-on-pull" only handsaws like the Barnel Z14 (which I used for 2 years for contract pruning on eucalypt plantations) - very aggressive tooth pattern and the 'SK4 Samurai' steel is incredible. I've had my saw bent almost 90º and it's still straight. Don't know who your local supplier is but this site is pretty comprehensive

http://www.forestrytools.com.au/Saws.htm

You can also check out the saws with Jap pattern teeth - these give a finer cut but aren't as tough as the Barnel and the one I had snapped 3 teeth on the first day I used it.
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I guess it depends on how you use it, but the Sandvik bow saw, while only a few bucks more than the generic hardware store brand, is twice the saw, and since you get them at the same place, go for the better one, heheh. I find that of the cheap saws, the sandvik is the one that doesn't bite in wet wood, and the blades are very memory retentive and don't discontort (I mean, we are talking $19.00 for Sandvik as opposed to $15.00 for generic, not even getting into the $40.00+ range). I have never found the need to use a more expensive saw personally, although it would be worth a try I suppose. For myself, the pull stroke is not for cutting, but instead for etching a groove, then go for the cut on the power stroke. Personal taste I guess, but for this reason, I can't just lean into a folding saw and get that 1.5 inch deep cut in one stroke like with the bow saw.
 
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I guess it depends on the type of camping you do, the time of year, the duration of your trip, and how much and what size firewood you plan to burn.

I carry a small (3.5-5") fixed-blade knife on my belt and a 15" Wetterlings axe. Combined with a Swiss Army Knife or multi-tool in my pack, that covers a short trip.

If some serious firewood cutting will need to be done, I bring along a packable buck saw; a 24" Trailblazer is the one I like. http://cutleryscience.com/reviews/trailblazer.html

If you bring a saw, you can also substitute one large, heavy fixed blade (like a Busse ASH-1) for the belt knife and axe. Or you can just bring the big knife and make it work for all your needs.

I think it ends up being a pretty personal thing. With camping in general, there are lots of ways to go and the only way to find out what's best for you is to try different things. Some folks are of the "ultra-light" school while others prefer the "primitive" approach. Others love to use their edged tools and camping is an excuse to pack as many as they can carry.

Enjoy your time in the outdoors,
desmobob
 
The REAL Commander said:
That Trailblazer is a pretty neat saw! I have never used one before, but I like how it folds up, that is quite handy indeed!
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There are some interesting folding buck saws out there, but one thing you have to think about is capacity. The Trailblazer can buck a decent-sized log, while others are limited to small-diameter wood. As a big game hunter, I also like the ability to pack along a bone blade in the tube.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I vote for the Khukuri, having just got one myself. Go over to the himalayan imports subforum and check out some of the threads there to get an idea of the utility of the khuk. I got the WWII, and it rocks (so far, I haven't abused it very much yet, but I can already tell it's a good investment). As a camp tool, it excels. I don't mind the little extra weight either if it's on my belt/pack for hiking (I normally carry a pocket chainsaw in addition to fixed blade and leatherman wave). If you're not worried about weight, you could go with a larger khuk as a dedicated camp chopper. Definitely worth looking into the khukuri for a camp tool.
 
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My Flat Axe is a Browning Competition Chopper - very good bang for the buck:

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desmobob said:
There are some interesting folding buck saws out there, but one thing you have to think about is capacity. The Trailblazer can buck a decent-sized log, while others are limited to small-diameter wood. As a big game hunter, I also like the ability to pack along a bone blade in the tube.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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That is indeed one thing I like about bow saws, is the ability to really chew through large diameter logs in a big hurry. Sometimes I go up a mountain for a couple weeks at a time (getting old, it takes longer than it used to) and I often find myself wanting to construc a solid makeshift cabin that will stand up to a winter or two with no upkeep. This way I can store things like empty bottles, tarps, tools, containers etc so that I don't need to haul them up every time I go to the same spot. I bow saw lets me do this no problem.
 
The four tools I rely on to build camp each fall are as follows:
1. Knife - Falkniven F1
2. Hatchet - Granford Bruks Mini Hatchet
3. Saw - Bahico Laplander
4. Shovel - Cold Steel Special Forces

I have found each of these tools to be of high quality. However, since I pack in on horses, space and weight are a big concern. The listed manufacturers all make larger tools (except shovel) which might be more appropriate for someone car camping.
 
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