Hand Axe/Pukko or Leuku/4" pukko combo???

M

Montgomery

Joined
Dec 19, 2003
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22
OK. What should I Pick?

Scenario: 5-10 day self sufficient hunts. Hiking from camp to camp hunting along the way. Not close to "civiliztion" at all. Small and large game both.

Should I go with:

1. a hand axe/pukko combo?

2. a leuku/pukko combo?

I also carry a folding saw with me on these hunts.

I currently own a CS Trail Hawk and it is the hand axe I had in mind. If you are one of the folks advocating a hand axe/pukko combo, would you recommend the CS Trail Hawk? If not, what DO you recommend in the way of a hand axe?
 
I'd take both. As for a replacement for the trail hawk, I'd go with a Gerber camp axe. Best sized axe I've found for the buck.
 
I love the thin Scandis as cutters, but out at the end of the thin rope, I'd want a stouter blade OR one of my GB axes - no larger than 17" Small Forest Axe.

Given the presence of the saw, if you match the puukko with something 4" or longer and 3/16" thick, and I would be comfortable leaving the axe at home. I could split fire-sized wood with the stout knife even if clumsy with cold.

What you are hunting might change my answer. Axes disassemble bigger game quite well.

I am prejudiced against CS products and have no experience with hawks.
 
I would pick the hand axe (the GB wildlife hatchet or even the Mini) over Leuku. The reason is that the Hatchet has a wider range of tasks, and is able to do many specific tasks better.

For cutting wood to length you can use your saw or break it. The hatchet will split it much better.

I also prefer a small hatchet for shaping wood for use as spoons, tent pegs, etc.

The Leuku has very little chopping ability compared to the hatchet. It splits only decently with a baton, much less efficient that the hatchet. The 7" leuku also lacks reach to use for brush work.

I truly enjoy using nordic knives, however in this case a hatchet is clearly the better tool for the job.

For size comparison, here is a pic. I am sorry it is very large, and may cause some monitors some dreaded scroll.

Picture%20126.jpg


For my uses, this is the set of tools I would take for a North Woods outing:
GrBoX011.jpg


That is a Scandinavian Forest axe.

You can read about it here:
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=137

If you can carry a little more weight, the Small Forest axe will really increase your chopping and splitting capabilities, with a slight loss in fine task work.

One of my favorite outdoors writers, Horace Kephart writes that “[a] woodsman should carry a hatchet . . . The notion that a heavy hunting knife can do the work of a hatchet is a delusion. When it comes to cleaving carcasses, chopping kindling, blazing thick barked trees, driving tent pegs or trap stakes, and keeping up a bivouac fire, the knife never was made that will compare with a good tomahawk.
 
For hunting the Hunter's axe seems ideal for your trip. Same size as the SFA, but flay poll and thinner bit.

Daren Cutsforth of www.cutsforthknives.com has them on sale and he is a great guy to deal with.
 
Given the fact that a leuku doesn't really weigh that much, I'd be inclined to bring both it and the hatchet.
 
They are actually quarter sawn maple.

Here are some bigger pics of the SAK.

I think the original name was the chutemaster or something like that, maybe parachutist.

zsak%20006.jpg

zsak%20007.jpg


Here it is with my often carried Rucksak:
zsak%20002.jpg


This is the excellent work of Blademan13. I don't think he is taking orders for this type of work anymore though, as he has stared making his own forged knives.

You maywant to contact recondoc here on the forums, he made me this one, which is an EDC carry:
Cliff%20009.jpg
 
Dicer- I like the sheath knife in the second image. Can you tell me a little bit about it, manufacturer, size, materials, etc.? Thanks.
 
It is a large Nessmuk style knife from Racquette Forge (Dale Chudziniski).

The official name is the Mooseskinner but this one's name is "Big Orange".

The Mooseskinner developed when Jim Aston wanted a lager style Nessmuk knife. Racquette forge was more than up to that challenge.

To read more about Dale's Nessmuk knives. see this article:

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=114

The handle on this one is Osage Orange, light and strong.

The blade is hand forged 15n20 Swedish Saw steel, which is very similiar to L6.

The balde is 3/32" thick, and cuts like a dream.
 
Dicer, thanks for the specs and the link. Sounds like a real sweetheart of a blade. By the way, beyond the knife article, the outdoors-magazine.com website is really interesting, thanks again!
 
Yes, it is a cool site. Lots of work by Jim Aston, who I really respect.

Dale (Racquette Forge) has a forum on that site too. Eye candy/ knife porn!!
 
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