Hatchet, machete or kukri

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'd say get a Condor Bolo or El Salvador machete in carbon steel. Either is inexpensive and versatile, and have enough heft to take on some pretty heavy targets.

 

[wildmanh]

Right on. Man I was hoping you were going to write something like that :thumbup:

Im the same but lesser scale: I bring along a light axe or machete on hikes to carry out some casual light maintenance. If I'm hiking or backpacking just to enjoy the outdoors I bring just a Mora with plastic handle, only by habit. I dont think edged tools are really necessary for camping/hiking these days.

Thanks! Glad to hear that someone else is prepaired to help maintain the trails. On a campout I always have some edged tools. A folder, Multitool and fixed blade. Then I just add more if I think I'll need it. Recently it's been my 14" Tramontina Bolo machete.

I grew up in Sanpete county in Central Utah and hiked a bunch of trails in the area. Spent 7 years up north and finally moved back in August to finish school. Some of the old trails I used to frequent have not been cleared as well as they used to be. Figure I'd help the Forest Service out by cutting the logs and moving them off the trails. Sure we can step or climb over the logs, but I'd rather get some exersize removing them.

These days edged tools are not nearly as needfull as years past, with packaged foods, stoves and what not. But I still prefer to have some just in case. Might need to do some trail clearing, make a splint or end up wanting to carve something cool while you are in camp one night. I'm sure Mora's are great for that.

 

[kfgk14]

Go with the frontier, for the best chop-to-weight ratio :thumbup:

 

[Dwight McLemore]

I just ordered the Aitihasik model Khukuri from Khukuri House......... will let you know how things work out. The past year has been devoted to working with a smaller contract military verision that came from Atlanta Cutlery. It's inexpensive but the sheath has got some dry rot on it.....it has been on the shelf too many years. I have also just finished 100 drawings and some text on the Khukuri and it's use as a weapon. Have I wasted my time? This study have been very eye-opening and I've found that the Khukuri has as much folk lore and myth about it as the Bowie knife. The surprize was just how many martial systems this weapon is adaptable too. There are almost as many Khukuri experts as there are Bowie experts. To answer the question: I think I would go with the CS Khukuri machete or something similiar.

Best
Dwight

 

[BearKinder]

Cold Steel Frontier hawk edged out my Becker Brute in a side by chop I did this fall. This hawk is light to pack but still has some bite to it. I have a Rifleman also but it's ugly next to the New Frontier. The Rifleman is considerably heavier and bites deeper.

You can also get the pipe hawk which has the same front end as the new frontier, but the weight of a rifleman's without being as butt ugly -- also has the hammer poll.

 

[upnorth]

Go with the frontier, for the best chop-to-weight ratio :thumbup:

I believe you. Hang it on my pack and never even feel it. And quite close to an authentic looking belt axe.

 

[upnorth]

You can also get the pipe hawk which has the same front end as the new frontier, but the weight of a rifleman's without being as butt ugly -- also has the hammer poll.

Yes indeed. I have my eye on the pipe hawk. Might be the next one.:thumbup:

 

[Edwood7]

I like the axe myself, it’s grate as both a tool and weapon. And you will need a weapon when your significant other finds out what you spent on it.

 

[harpers ferry]

I'm a hawk fan, but I find a machete to be more useful than a hawk around the house. Machetes can cut brush and small trees and are easier on the back.

Tramontina's are cheap and can be sharpened to a wicked edge, $14

even an el-cheapo Walmart $7 model will work quite well if sharpened.

 

[Shotgun]

Machete or CS hawk. Be prepared to sharpen the edge though.