Get a Becker or a Hatchet?

[K9-Handler]

I think we've evolved this argument into apples and oranges. Maybe to make their case, the "big knife" folks have skewed the argument to only using tiny toy hatchets, such as the GBs. Remember the OP didn't put a length limit on his choice. Put something larger in the picture and the argument goes away really quickly.
I got my first hatchet, oh, something like 54 years ago. Long time. Only started using big knives for about a year now (other than machetes). For the DuraCoat durability thread I started a few weeks ago I chopped a 7" maple log with a sharp BK-9. Took me a good long time, with blisters on my dominant hand as proof. From about the 1/3 point I kept wishing I had an axe to finish the job.
Several months ago I invested in a Gransfors Bruks "small forest axe" at 19 inches. The first log I ever used it on I could not believe the difference between that and the Eastwings and Collins and all those others that had gone through my hands in the last half century. It went through the hardwood like a hot knife through butter. Faster than a -9? What a joke. I'll bet the Bruks would be through that 7" maple in a third the time. And at only 19" it wouldn't take up much room at all.
All this nay-saying about axes being dangerous. Jeez. I've been cut by knives more times than I can remember, but the only axe injury I got was when I walked up behind Dad while he was felling a tree when I was 4. On his backswing he got me right in the mouth. Had a scar for years on my lower lip. Of course, he felt like a piece of crap, when it was really all my fault! Anybody can get hurt with any tool -- and you don't necessarily have to be using it wrong. Shyt happens.
If I were going camping and I knew there would be lots of firewood processing to be done, I'd take a good small axe AND a knife for other chores, probably a BK-7 over a -9, 'cause I'm a pointy-knife fan. In an emergency the -9 is a decent chopper [added, "for a knife"] and I would use one. But allowed time to plan, the axe wins.

 

[clich]

Here's a pic of my hawk taking down a tree. the chop isn't pretty but it required no risky up chops, something I forgot to mention before. for wilderness "survival", and I use the term loosely but its become the description of basic minimalist camping, pretty cuts don't build the shelter any faster. a hair past half through and a push and she fell. took 5-6 chops if I remember ccorrectly. And it was my first time out with it and I don't think I had the sweet spot down pat yet.

 

[SaturatedShadow]

I know that my trail hawk outchops my BK-9, but I also miss a lot more with the hawk. I have never missed what I'm chopping with a 9 inch blade.

I started a thread detailing some advantages of knives in comparison to tomahawks, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/933318-Knife-vs-Hawk?, in which I tended to prefer the hawk.

However, as spring came and the undergrowth started growing, I have found myself going back to the BK-9 because it is much better at clearing the trail of green, leafy, springy, viny stuff.

So for me, if I have a good small knife to pair with it, any good chopping tool will do.

 

[DJG097]

Here's a pic of my hawk taking down a tree. the chop isn't pretty but it required no risky up chops, something I forgot to mention before. for wilderness "survival", and I use the term loosely but its become the description of basic minimalist camping, pretty cuts don't build the shelter any faster. a hair past half through and a push and she fell. took 5-6 chops if I remember ccorrectly. And it was my first time out with it and I don't think I had the sweet spot down pat yet.

Every time I see that hawk I want one. I live about an hour from John too. Is it worth the money though?

 

[stabman]

Remember the OP didn't put a length limit on his choice. Put something larger in the picture and the argument goes away really quickly.

Several months ago I invested in a Gransfors Bruks "small forest axe" at 19 inches.

Although a length limit was not specified, the GB is called a Small Forest Axe, not a hatchet.
It's a short axe, not a long hatchet.
And it chops like, well, like an axe, albeit a small one.

 

[thrillbilly]

Im pretty sure that is a hatchet...but whatever it is technically...its gonna get tested against the 9

 

[stabman]

Im pretty sure that is a hatchet...but whatever it is technically...its gonna get tested against the 9

Make sure it's nice and sharp for a fair comparison.
The edges I've seen on many people's axes and hatchets make me sad.

 

[medcommander]

I'm excited about this thread! I know these topics annoy some people because they usually end up as shouting matches, but I have come to love them. By the way guys, there is enough knife haters out there without us being mean to each other. We all like sharp pointy things, whether it's on a stick or not shouldn't really be that big a deal...

Being a poor knife lover buying both really isn't an option for me. I've personally been stuck between a large knife/small machete or an axe for a really long time, and have done alot of research into both. This is what I've learned so far...

A large knife/small machete excells in its versatility. It's ability to serve in a multitude of roles while still retaining low weight makes it very beneficial to carry. It is best suited to chopping through small brush and limbs, but if it posesses a thickness of 1/8in. or greater will also be able to preform splitting tasks. This versatility makes it an ideal carry for anyone who lives in a tropical-temperate climate. The large knife/small machete's only weakness is it's cross cutting and chopping ability, which is due to the lightness of the blade and the lack of mechanical advantage. Also safety can be a concern for the elongated edge and the often close proximity it has to your hands makes it relatively easy to cut yourself through simple neglagence. Often it is paired with a saw of some sort so to negate its poor cross cutting abilities.

An axe excells in its sheer chopping and splitting abilities. Using the length of the handle and the weight of the head to create centrifugal force a sharp axe can be a mighty splitter indeed. As you increase the handle length and weight the axe becomes heavier which can make it a burden to carry. This is how the hatchet or small axe came into being, for though it is lighter then it's full sized counterparts it still retains a respectable amount of chopping ability. A sharp axe has proven to be very versatile, if a bit uncomfortable, and if used properly can split the largest logs and chop down trees with ease. If subustandard or left dull an axe is truly a dangerous impliment and should never be used, for it can cause overswinging, rebounding, and a loss of control.

Overall I've been leaning the way of the large knife. I's lighter and I rarely have to process wood that would require an axe. My current method involves a fork in a tree and leverage, and if on my home ground all that I really need is a small Mora. I like large knives because they make the work quicker and more calorie efficient. If I had to process alot of wood ,and it wasn't the small branches which I normally use then I would definitely use an axe.

Honestly one of the gripes I have with large knife people is that they often don't include the weight of their saw when determining the weight of their system. If you use a system then you must consider the weight of the entire system! Don't tell that your knife is lighter than an axe when you also bring along a 2lb. saw!! Sorry for the outburst... but I find it a hilarious notion when people talk about the knife vs axe debate, and suddenly it becomes the knife and saw vs axe debate. A knife by itself is a terrible crosscutter but because of it's versatility and lighter weight is often paired with a saw, but if you do pair it then you must then consider the weight of both items.

In my opinion this really is an apples to oranges arguement. Each has it's own merits and in different situations I would take one or the other. Personally I like the large knives because I've tried small hatchets and I've found them lacking. They simply lack the mechanics which make me prefer an axe, but I will also admit that the axe requires a lifetime of use to gain mastery. On the other hand I have found that large knives are somewhat less complicated and more user friendly which is why I believe you see alot of them cropping up lately.

This is only a fraction of whats out there, and while I tried to keep this relatively succint I'm very sorry if I just put you to sleep.

-MC

 

[DeltaCypher0]

There was a lot of great information in this, and I was hoping to have even more when I saw that I had 40+ replies, but I found a lot of bickering. C'mon, let's stop it folks. But Silverthorn's picture's have pretty much convinced me to get the BK9. That's some badass chopping work.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that a big knife is safer than a hatchet, especially if you're cold and tired.

I used to own a Estwing hatchet and they are quite nice, but give me a 4 or a 9, anytime.

Doc

ETA, a big knife can also be used as a draw knife, a hatchet, not so much.

Wow, did this thread take a turn.

I tried to find some statistics on the net about hatchet injuries but haven't been successful so far, so to qualify my earlier position, a large knife is much safer than a hatchet, for me.

One other thing, I don't dispute that an axe will kick a large knife's butt when it comes chopping, but unfortunately, due to a herniated disc, I can't use an axe, and the thread is about a hatchet in any case.

BTW, why does there seem to be so much animosity in this forum lately? Viagra gone up in price?

Doc

 

[clich]

Wow, did this thread take a turn.

I tried to find some statistics on the net about hatchet injuries but haven't been successful so far, so to qualify my earlier position, a large knife is much safer than a hatchet, for me.

One other thing, I don't dispute that an axe will kick a large knife's butt when it comes chopping, but unfortunately, due to a herniated disc, I can't use an axe, and the thread is about a hatchet in any case.

BTW, why does there seem to be so much animosity in this forum lately? Viagra gone up in price?

Doc

I agree. different folks different strokes. we continue down the path we are on and we will segregate ourselves and end up being the black sheep of this site.

I love beckers but I'm of the school that I want an axe. no disrespect for those with a 9, I just like the way an axe works for me. that's all. I started following nessmuks teaching and found a good axe, a good blade (bk16) and a good folder a sak and I'm all set

 

[Wolf_1989]

One reason I like the tomahawk over a long knife is I can hook things with the beard of the tomahawk. Can't do that with a BK-9.

 

[DeltaCypher0]

Here's a pic of my hawk taking down a tree. the chop isn't pretty but it required no risky up chops, something I forgot to mention before. for wilderness "survival", and I use the term loosely but its become the description of basic minimalist camping, pretty cuts don't build the shelter any faster. a hair past half through and a push and she fell. took 5-6 chops if I remember ccorrectly. And it was my first time out with it and I don't think I had the sweet spot down pat yet.

What kind of hatchet is this? I like that it is a "full tang". I'm not sure what the term would be when it comes to axes and hatchets.

 

[DJG097]

What kind of hatchet is this? I like that it is a "full tang". I'm not sure what the term would be when it comes to axes and hatchets.

Its made by JK handmade knives. He has a subforum on here.

 

[Skimo]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Review-Test-Day-on-the-Farm-*VERY-PIC-HEAVY*
the 7 is lighter then the 9, but just as tough.


Fiskars makes some nice hatchets....very light, but pack a wallop. cheap too, get both, try them and see what ya like. The Fiskars are sold at any Big Box Store and runs under 25$

Excellent reply, just what I was thinking!

Depending on what you'll be chopping a Swedish axe might be a good possibility as well.

 

[randori]

Maybe its my location, but I haven't seen a reason to do heavy duty chopping in any of the ridiculous scenarios I've gotten myself. I've always passed on dropping 6 inch + trees, very rarely chop a green tree down, and can make/gather firewood without chopping. I can accuratey and easily break arm thick, long branches by using a fork in a larger tree. But except for trying to get larger firewood, I don't even do that often. Even batoning/splitting is an overrated and overused skill in my book. The only valuable aspect of splitting wood, in my opinion, is fiding a dry core during wet conditions to use for tinder. Being properly equipped and gathering resources as you travel prevents that emergency, right now need. Gathering a bunch of smaller firewood will cost infinitely less calories than chopping 8 inch dead wood into sections then splitting it in order to make...smaller firewood.

More times than not, I encounter scenarios where I'm hacking away at vines, briars, palmettos, and low hanging branches. A 12 inch machete does a great job of that at low cost and low weight. I don't know how the 9 or the Machax stacks up to brush clearing, seeing as how the chopping and splitting get all the attention here. But I know for a fact that swinging a hatchet around trying to clear palmettos would end up a disaster. Wrong tool for the job for sure.

I've heard the saying on this site time and time again. Machetes or big knives down south and hatchets / tomahawks for up north. I'm assuming this has to do with frozen wood in the winter? Our dead wood don't exactly freeze in the swamps, so maybe carrying a hatchet is lost on me for that reason.

I know the mountain men would carry a small knife, a big knife, and an axe of some variety when they took off into the woods. But that was before the time of quality folding saws, multi tools, and specialized knives. Seems like getting a good multi-tool, a folding saw, a machete, and a small fixed blade would cover 99.9% of the every-day hiker/outdoorsman's needs just fine unless you want to building a log cabin or cut up a cord of firewood.

Now don't get me wrong...I'm not knocking anyone's style, preferences, or techniques. If it works for you, you're efficient with the tool/technique, and it hasn't gotten you hurt or killed yet, then I'd say you're doing something right. I just question the efficiency and practicality of using some of the tools for some of the supposed "survival" tasks and maybe limproving my own techniques.

But in reference to the original post, I'd say that a large knife will cover more options and scenarios, while a hatchet will provide better chopping results. Think about what you will encounter most, what you are lacking in, and then make your decision accordingly.

 

[Zuluninja]

I guess the fate of the mole will remain unknown... why don't y'all have a good knife vs axe vs saw vs sak vs fighter vs spoon chop-off?

seriously dudes...c'mon. This is the funniest sub on the site, lots of camaraderie. Let's keep it that way.

 

[CCMI]

Maybe its my location, but I haven't seen a reason to do heavy duty chopping.....

This is kind of how I feel about it. In no way do I claim to be an expert or even as experienced as a lot of you here, but I've yet to need to fell trees when camping/ being outdoors (I'm not even sure it's allowed in the State and National Forests I go to). I just don't see myself needing to chop any trees or large branches that my BK9 cannot handle with relative ease.

For me a saw works better to section pieces of wood and a large knife works well for splitting wood when needed. I have a Estwing hatchet and it doesn't work as well for splitting wood compared to my BK9.

I'm sure a larger hatchet (or small axe) would work much better than my Estwing. I'm also curious to see for myself how much better a higer end hatchet/axe like a Wetterlings or Gransfors Bruks performs.

 

[Catmouth]

I haven't paid much attention to this thread because I didn't really have anything to add, until yesterday. Here's my cents:

I have a couple of Bradford pear trees in my front yard ( thank you ex-wife ) and as everyone knows they love to split. Well for the second time this year a storm brought down 2 branches on the front of my house. I do not own a chainsaw so my only way to remove all the wood was with my BK9, a Trail Hawk that I purchased just last week on a whim and the emergency saw in my Glock shovel from my BOB. Throughout the rain and storm I found myself going back to the 9 over and over. It just worked better. The TH was a bit dull in its defense, but it could never remove the wood like the 9 did. It felt unstable to me and the hickory was very slick in the rain. The 9 felt much safer as my hands got tired out there soaking in the rain. Also found out my "work gloves" are garbage when wet, but that's another story. I did like the hawk for burying in the wood and pulling and striking under some branches that I did not want to be under when they fell. The Glock saw was OK. It worked, but is unwieldy, as expected.

I joked afterwards that I had put a Sven saw in my shopping cart last week at the river store and then added it to the wish list before check out because, "I won't need that before it cools off again and the wife and I can get too the woods" What was I thinking?!? haha

If I could only have one? The BK9 all the way.

 

[Silverthorn]

Bradford Pear is stringy and fibrous too its annoying to cut.