Gerber Camp Axe for Backpacking?

D

Dave568

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May 24, 2005
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118
I'm thinking about getting a smallish axe for backpacking. I was looking at the Gerber Camp Axe which is pretty inexpensive, but it looks pretty solid for my needs. I want something mostly for splitting wood, but something that can take down a small tree every now and then as well. Is this a wise decision?
 
I have two of these (the 14" models). I reprofiled the edge on one so that it was much thinner, this seemed to help it cut, but it would stick when trying to split with it, as the unprofiled hatchet would split better. These little hatchets are amazingly strong, I dare say stronger than hickory, and the heads are very hard (I mean very!) and hold a edge as well as my wetterlings. I have taken it hiking several times, I would recommend a different sheath though, such as the one that comes on the gerber hatchets (same hatchet, different price). these little guys are very strond and reliable, but I think they are much more suited for chopping and limbing than splitting.
 
I also have a 14" Gerber camp axe. It has seen a lot of use over the last 6 years or so. Until this year, the Gerber was on every camping trip. It was primarily used to split wood, and I always found it to work well. I highly recommend it.
 
I have one of the pac Axes and like it very much. I have used it several times and it works great. It chops good and also batons really well. I bought a Becker Brute that seems to work good enough that it will probably replace the ax though.

KR
 
kr1 said:
I have one of the pac Axes and like it very much. I have used it several times and it works great. It chops good and also batons really well. I bought a Becker Brute that seems to work good enough that it will probably replace the ax though.

KR
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KR1, which of the 'pack axes' do you have? Is it the short handled Gerber'Back Paxe Axe w/ ballastic sheath'? or one of the Gator combos?

And what's this Becker Brute?
 
Here is the Gerber Back Paxe I am talking about. It is the one with the short handle and the ballistic sheath.

Back-Paxe-large-5912.gif



Here is a picture of the Becker Brute BK1

bk1.jpg


Both are excellant in my opinion. I have been able to do as much if not more with the Becker Brute so I will probably start carrying this on my backpacking trips instead of the Gerber axe. I have used the axe for a while and it works great. I just think overall I'll get more use from the Brute.
 
I have the longer gerber with the saw blade built in the haft. Great little axe.
 
You should check out the fiskars X7 14 inch hatchet. Theres great reviews on it out there and its only about $27.00 with a great lifetime warranty.
 
mitchmartens said:
Does anyone know what steel Gerber uses on the axes? I've looked around and have found nothing.
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The Gerbers are re-branded Fiskars so that might help you with your search. Fiskars says their axes are made in Finland but who knows what that really means.
 
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