Get a Becker or a Hatchet?

[bladescout26]

Anyone who has ever used an axe with a handle shorter than about 26" knows that unless you hit the material perfect every time there is a good chance that axe or hatch head will be buried in your foot or leg while standing. Just as the short arch of a handgun makes it more dangerous in terms of muzzle control, so does the short arc of a short handled axe/ hatchet make it more dangerous to the user. Even more so due to the inertia of the heavy head which makes it almost impossible to stop your follow through.

Which is why most folks who care about safely kneel down when processing wood with short handled axes so the ground ALWAYS catches the head before it can get to your legs. But then again you're perfect, right? You NEVER miss the material you are chopping?

Pretty basic axe safety principles. Especially in true wilderness situations where there is not emergency room nearby.

I prefer a BK9 to hatchet for the sole purpose that the BK9 is going to be in my opinion and experience much more versatile as well as easier to pack and carry.....however I dont see your point above about it being "safer"...each has its place and if used improper becomes dangerous....if used properly each is safe....don't know how a smaller gun would be anymore dangerous than a larger gun...both have a way to be used and when used in the intended way both are "safe" ....SHOTGUN prefers a hatchet and gave his opinion and experience give the guy a break and dont insult him just because your preference/experience is different

To the OP Like someone else has suggested get both try both and determine whats best for you BUT learn how to properly use both tools and then PLEASE share your experience with us

 

[Shotgun]

It's a shame someone even has to point it out to you.

Anyone who has ever used an axe with a handle shorter than about 26" knows that there is a very good chance that unless you hit the material perfect every time there is a good chance that axe or hatch head will be buried in your leg while standing. Just as the short arch of a handgun makes it more dangerous in terms of muzzle control, so does the short arc of a short handled axe/ hatchet make it more dangerous to the user. Even more so due to the inertia of the heavy head.

Which is why most folks who care about safely kneel down when processing wood with short handled axes so the ground ALWAYS catches the head before it can get to your legs. But then again you're perfect, right? You NEVER miss the material you are chopping?

Pretty basic axe safety principles. Especially in true wilderness situations where there is not emergency room nearby.

And BTW, anyone who would claim a 13 ounce GB mini hatchet is superior in ANY way to a BK9 sure as heck has never actually compared the two side by side on wood. I can tell that you have not. I am glad you are in love with your little axes and hatchets. It does not make them better tools than a BK9.

Not sure why you're so nasty but here goes. A hatchet is fine for the things you're talking about. Do you kneel when chopping? We are talking about chopping here right? Because I said in my first post that the knife is faster and safer for splitting. When splitting with a hatchet I kneel just like you say and it goes into the ground when I miss. Actually a piece of wood under it because I don't want to mess up my edge. A 26 inch handle is as dangerous as a hatchet if you want to compare the two. In order to be safe as you think you should get a handle long enough so that it hits the ground when you're STANDING. Why you settled on 26 inches boggles my mind. Unless you're super short. Not to mention how you think a 14" hatchet in a controlled swing is more dangerous as a similar length knife swung for the fences in this regard. There's no difference there. And no, I don't claim that the gb mini is going to "out chop" a 9. I'm saying that it will do all the chopping that 99% of us will ever need. Meaning that axes are more efficient for someone who does anything but car camp. Where weight is a factor. A heavy short sword is dead weight. Of course a pruning saw is a lot wiser then any chopping tool but that's another matter.

 

[jim62]

Not sure why you're so nasty but here goes. A hatchet is fine for the things you're talking about. Do you kneel when chopping? We are talking about chopping here right? Because I said in my first post that the knife is faster and safer for splitting. When splitting with a hatchet I kneel just like you say and it goes into the ground when I miss. Actually a piece of wood under it because I don't want to mess up my edge. A 26 inch handle is as dangerous as a hatchet if you want to compare the two. In order to be safe as you think you should get a handle long enough so that it hits the ground when you're STANDING. Why you settled on 26 inches boggles my mind. Unless you're super short. Not to mention how you think a 14" hatchet in a controlled swing is more dangerous as a similar length knife swung for the fences in this regard. There's no difference there. And no, I don't claim that the gb mini is going to "out chop" a 9. I'm saying that it will do all the chopping that 99% of us will ever need. Meaning that axes are more efficient for someone who does anything but car camp. Where weight is a factor. A heavy short sword is dead weight. Of course a pruning saw is a lot wiser then any chopping tool but that's another matter.

Look, YOU asked for the examples of the safety issues. You refute KNOWN safety issues with short handled axes and then claim someone is being "nasty" merely refuting your opinions? Sigh..

The 26" length minimum handle length is pretty much standard for most average adults in terms of catching overswing with the ground while standing. I actually prefer 30"+ .

And there IS a difference between the knife vs the hatchet of the same length.. The concentrated weight of the axe head ENCOURAGES overswing. No way in heck you can stop it yourself before it hits your body if you are chopping. The head weight of most Hatchets is the same as an Entire BK9. That same weight concentration in the head that makes it a better pure chopper makes it much harder to stop once it is swung. Which is why controlling the arc of the follow through with any axe or hatchet matters.

As to your comment about a pruning or folding saw being a wiser choice than any chopper- that is something we CAN agree on for wood cross cutting tasks.

 

[jim62]

don't know how a smaller gun would be anymore dangerous than a larger gun...

Like I said, it's about controlling the Muzzle arc. Due to their short barrel length, its a LOT easier to get a handgun pointed at yourself or something else you don't want to shoot than it is a long gun.

Ask any certified firearms safety instructor. They will show you.

 

[bladescout26]

Like I said, it's about controlling the Muzzle arc. Due to their short barrel length, its a LOT easier to get a handgun pointed at yourself or something else you don't want to shoot than it is a long gun.

Ask any certified firearms safety instructor. They will show you.

as to not turn this into a gun related discussion....I will just back you up and say I would wholeheartedly choose the BK9 over a hatchet

 

[Shotgun]

Look, YOU asked for the examples of the safety issues. You refute KNOWN safety issues with short handled axes and then claim someone is being "nasty" merely refuting your opinions? Sigh..

The 26" length minimum handle length is pretty much standard for most average adults in terms of catching overswing with the ground while standing. I actually prefer 30"+ .

And there IS a difference between the knife vs the hatchet of the same length.. The concentrated weight of the axe head ENCOURAGES overswing. No way in heck you can stop it yourself before it hits your body if you are chopping. The head weight of most Hatchets is the same as an Entire BK9. That same weight concentration in the head that makes it a better pure chopper makes it much harder to stop once it is swung. Which is why controlling the arc of the follow through with any axe or hatchet matters.

As to your comment about a pruning or folding saw being more efficient and safer than any chopper- that is something we CAN agree on.

I asked for clarification because all you had to offer was a "you're wrong." That's hardly a convincing argument. And I refute nothing. There is a safety issue with sharp...anythings which is why I employ safe practices with all my cutting tools. Maybe I swing my hatchet different then you. I hardly think it's any less safe then watching these guys swing there 9's. Swing away from the body and when splitting have a back drop for it to go into. The difference is the amount of control. With a chopper you're swinging fast and hard. With a hatchet I use the weight of the tool and swing it almost leisurely. I swing it slower then a hammer if that gives you a frame of reference. I can tell you I have a LOT more control over a slow moving hatchet then I do a chopper knife swung as fast as I can move it. Which is what you have to do for a chopper knife to "outchop" a hatchet.

 

[jim62]

I don't claim that the gb mini is going to "out chop" a 9. I'm saying that it will do all the chopping that 99% of us will ever need. Meaning that axes are more efficient for someone who does anything but car camp. Where weight is a factor. A heavy short sword is dead weight.

So now you backtrack on the GB being a better chopper than BK 9 and THEN come up with that jewel?

HOW is ANY decent axe or hatchet at 2lbs+ going to "out perform" a BK9 at 17 ounces in terms of performance to weigh ratio?

How is a light axe going to be better for all around chopping, skinning ,carving ,battoning ,thrusting etc etc than a BK9???

A small axe like your GB mini is a specialize TOY compared to a good 1 lb fixed blade knife.

Your "short sword" comment shows your ignorance and bias about large bladed knives and your "car camper" comment would be offensive if one did not consider it's source.

 

[Zuluninja]

why don't you ask the mole? he will tell you which scared him the most, the hatchet or the knife...

 

[Shotgun]

So now you backtrack on the GB being a better chopper than BK 9 and THEN come up with that jewel?

HOW is ANY decent axe or hatchet at 2lbs+ of all up weight going to "out perform" a BK9 at 17 ounces ?

How is ANY axe going to be better for chopping, skinning ,carving ,battoning ,thrusting etc etc than a BK9???

A small axe like your GB mini is a specialize TOY compared to a good 1lbs fixed blade knife.

Your "short sword" comment shows your ignorance and bias about large bladed knives and your "car camper" comment would be offensive if one did not consider it's source.

I give up man. After arguing medicine with a guy who uses divining rods and the 5 essentials with a guy who uses supplements to get more sensitive to ghosts, I give up. This site has seriously gone down the shitter. If I didn't make my point clearly then I apologize but life is too short to argue with a-holes.

 

[stabman]

. Due to their short barrel length, its a LOT easier to get a handgun pointed at yourself or something else you don't want to shoot than it is a long gun.

Anyone who cannot keep from pointing a handgun at themself or others by accident shouldn't be allowed near a gun, long or short.
Probably shouldn't let them near an axe either.

 

[clich]

Ive started carrying my CTH from jk knives, a bk16 or HRLM or 311, and a SAK. I like the hawk for dropping small trees for building. I also had a bk9 and like moose said it buries DEEP on each and every swing, but for me a hawk removes more wood with less effort (liek others said i swing the hawk at 75% or less and it takes wood off the tree, as opposed to biting deep into which results in a second chop to remove the wedge not to mention effort to pull out a stuck knife) . Sorry guys i gotta say hatchet on this one. When it comes to straight chopping, which is a huge energy draining activity, i want large chunks of wood removed each time so in the end it takes less swings to topple it. I dont care much about the weight on my back, since when it comes time to make camp, the extra ounces save me swings.

HOWEVER, if you are looking at a ONE knife scenario, or one that can do MORE activities then a bk9 is my choice.

 

[stabman]

I chopped down a tree with a hatchet.
I chopped down a tree with a Junglas (okay, not a 9, but similar enough)

It took alot less time and effort with the Junglas.

Big knife>hatchet.
Big axe>big knife.
Gun>slingshot.

Any questions?

 

[thrillbilly]

I chopped down a tree with a hatchet.
I chopped down a tree with a Junglas (okay, not a 9, but similar enough)

It took alot less time and effort with the Junglas.

Big knife>hatchet.
Big axe>big knife.
Gun>slingshot.

Any questions?

What about blowgun vs BBgun? bbgun>blowgun or bbgun<blowgun?

 

[stabman]

What about blowgun vs BBgun? bbgun>blowgun or bbgun<blowgun?

In Canada, BB gun>Blow-gun...because you'll go to jail for the blow-gun.

 

[Zuluninja]

yea, I've got a question...what hapn with the friggin' mole??????

 

[thrillbilly]

yea, I've got a question...what hapn with the friggin' mole??????

Im curious about the mole myself




also, blow guns are illegal in Canada? seriously??




I am adding my Plumb hatchet to my chop test, we shall see which chops better, or easier. I also agree that the hatchet/short axe is more dangerous to use then a large knife. But I am willing to risk life and limb to answer some questions. I hope y'all appreciate that...

 

[stabman]

also, blow guns are illegal in Canada? seriously??

Yep.
.500 S&W okay, 8.5" barrel 12 gauge okay, but blow-gun is illegal.
Seriously, life is weirder than anything I could make up.

 

[Silverthorn]

@Shotgun dont sweat the debate. We all know your a good guy.
I will actually be trying your hatchet swing myself, because with short axes, hawks and hatchets, I was trying essentialy a snap cut with a lot of speed and force.
That makes me nervous with the heavy head, especially when I am tired. I think your method sounds much safer and energy efficient. I will report back here or in the axe and hatchet forum, if it improves my comfort and efficiency.
So far, My BK-9 out chopped my 2 small hatchet/hawks but that may be a technique issue, or an edge geometry issue or something. Or my BK-9 may just be that bad ass.

6 inch thick branch? Sure why not?

 

[Shotgun]

Ive started carrying my CTH from jk knives, a bk16 or HRLM or 311, and a SAK. I like the hawk for dropping small trees for building. I also had a bk9 and like moose said it buries DEEP on each and every swing, but for me a hawk removes more wood with less effort (liek others said i swing the hawk at 75% or less and it takes wood off the tree, as opposed to biting deep into which results in a second chop to remove the wedge not to mention effort to pull out a stuck knife) . Sorry guys i gotta say hatchet on this one. When it comes to straight chopping, which is a huge energy draining activity, i want large chunks of wood removed each time so in the end it takes less swings to topple it. I dont care much about the weight on my back, since when it comes time to make camp, the extra ounces save me swings.

HOWEVER, if you are looking at a ONE knife scenario, or one that can do MORE activities then a bk9 is my choice.

My point. Thanks.

Jim, on my way out google what a hatchet is. Your 3/4 axe is not one. I should think you would know that, being the expert and all.

 

[Shotgun]

@Shotgun dont sweat the debate. We all know your a good guy.
I will actually be trying your hatchet swing myself, because with short axes, hawks and hatchets, I was trying essentialy a snap cut with a lot of speed and force.
That makes me nervous with the heavy head, especially when I am tired. I think your method sounds much safer and energy efficient. I will report back here or in the axe and hatchet forum, if it improves my comfort and efficiency.
So far, My BK-9 out chopped my 2 small hatchet/hawks but that may be a technique issue, or an edge geometry issue or something. Or my BK-9 may just be that bad ass.

6 inch thick branch? Sure why not?

I appreciate it and there are a bunch of great people on here but I seem to be wrapped in arguments all the time. I accept that it's partly my fault but this site is just putting me in a negative place as of late. I can't come back. Maybe I'll check out the next gathering. See you guys later.