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Hatchet Versus Big Knife Tests! (Not an opinion thread)
- Thread starter Brian Andrews
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2007
- Messages
- 610
Chris, Dr Thor hit it on the head. Scales are a PITA to clean out of the pivots.
Brian, your clarification helps - that's same way I came to prefer machetes. I'd take out different stuff with me, but the machete was always the go-to. Sometimes I'll still take the saw because it's so lightweight. The hatchet stays at home though, hence my intent to mod it...(and because I'm almost out of other knife blanks!)
I'll be interested to see where your preference lands and why.
Brian, your clarification helps - that's same way I came to prefer machetes. I'd take out different stuff with me, but the machete was always the go-to. Sometimes I'll still take the saw because it's so lightweight. The hatchet stays at home though, hence my intent to mod it...(and because I'm almost out of other knife blanks!)
I'll be interested to see where your preference lands and why.
Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Ax vs Big knife. Could you describe the knife? I'm a fan of the Khukuri. Used mine fishing also. Fills the role of a hatchet for me as well. My Fiskers ax is a better chopper though. I'm not familer with the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Ax how big is it? Is carry convienience a factor?
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
- Messages
- 1,659
Here is the link to Gransfor's website. It does not allow me to link to exact pages, so you will have to poke around for to find the small forest ax.
My current big knife of choice is the Busse Fusion Battle Mistress. I was trying to leave brands out, because there are a lot of opinions, assumptions, and all that. I am not a brand loyal type of person. I like results.
I do not put too much weight into just chopping. I know a lot of people talk about that. In my opinion, either a big knife or a hatchet is designed to chop wrist sized pieces or smaller. Any bigger, and a folding bow saw (such as the sawvivor) is a better choice. Sure they will do it, but it is a better choice. With that thought in mind, I have already ruled out the Khukuri. This is just personal preference, but for me, firestarting is high on the priority list. I have not been as successful batoning with a khukuri as I have been with a big knife, or splitting as well for a hatchet. So, I know a lot of people out there like them. But, that is the whole point of starting this thread. I am trying to avoid opinions. Come up with tests, find what works best for the majority of those.
Of course, it is probably mostly going to come down to what I will carry the most. It took me a long time to come up with a rig to carry the battle mistress that is comfortable enough to not leave it back at camp. I will more than likely have to do the same for the ax.
Of course, my same experiment, conducted in a different area, would probably yield different results, even if done by me! A lot is going to depend on the area and types of wood around. So, I don't mean to put down the kuk at all. If it works for you, where you are at, then that is excellent. I am just saying that in my previous decision I was not as objective as I should have been, and now I am trying to put some structure around my choice. Kind of anal I know. But hey.....we are here to talk about sharp things
My current big knife of choice is the Busse Fusion Battle Mistress. I was trying to leave brands out, because there are a lot of opinions, assumptions, and all that. I am not a brand loyal type of person. I like results.
I do not put too much weight into just chopping. I know a lot of people talk about that. In my opinion, either a big knife or a hatchet is designed to chop wrist sized pieces or smaller. Any bigger, and a folding bow saw (such as the sawvivor) is a better choice. Sure they will do it, but it is a better choice. With that thought in mind, I have already ruled out the Khukuri. This is just personal preference, but for me, firestarting is high on the priority list. I have not been as successful batoning with a khukuri as I have been with a big knife, or splitting as well for a hatchet. So, I know a lot of people out there like them. But, that is the whole point of starting this thread. I am trying to avoid opinions. Come up with tests, find what works best for the majority of those.
Of course, it is probably mostly going to come down to what I will carry the most. It took me a long time to come up with a rig to carry the battle mistress that is comfortable enough to not leave it back at camp. I will more than likely have to do the same for the ax.
Of course, my same experiment, conducted in a different area, would probably yield different results, even if done by me! A lot is going to depend on the area and types of wood around. So, I don't mean to put down the kuk at all. If it works for you, where you are at, then that is excellent. I am just saying that in my previous decision I was not as objective as I should have been, and now I am trying to put some structure around my choice. Kind of anal I know. But hey.....we are here to talk about sharp things
19" hickory handle with a 3.25" edge weighing 1.5 lbs. I take it the 19" dimension is from the bottom of the head, so overall would be around 22.25"? I'm thinking its gonna have a big leverage advantage, I dont know the dimensions of the "Big Knife" 
though. The ability to draw and use, and put away securely are important. Quick is also important and one handed is also a factor. Try to draw and use, and put away securely one handed both the knife and the ax. I'm thinking somthing like you're Hanging somthing from a tree and you want to cut some excess rope in order to tie it off. I think some one else mentioned making some kind of trap a figure 4 maybe, the ability to do that would seem important
though. The ability to draw and use, and put away securely are important. Quick is also important and one handed is also a factor. Try to draw and use, and put away securely one handed both the knife and the ax. I'm thinking somthing like you're Hanging somthing from a tree and you want to cut some excess rope in order to tie it off. I think some one else mentioned making some kind of trap a figure 4 maybe, the ability to do that would seem important 
- Joined
- May 5, 2006
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- 1,265
looking forward to your review:thumbup:
it'd be nice if you post the weight of both your tools being tested since a long hike could 'cause a person to choose the lighter of the two, all other things being equal or nearly equal
it'd be nice if you post the weight of both your tools being tested since a long hike could 'cause a person to choose the lighter of the two, all other things being equal or nearly equal
I think that is the key.
The large knife will work best for small green springy wood.
As the wood gets larger or more seasoned the axe will start to prevail.
I would like to see what you find as well.
I have the big knife covered and I am thinking of getting a SFA.
I'm thinking I may do the same test- testing a wetterlings wildlife hatchet vs. a BK7 or Brute.
as soon as those are available again that is...
I also think comparing the chopping vs sawing may be interesting - especially on smaller branches like 2 or 3 inches. Compare both time spent and energy used (this will probably be subjective though).
as soon as those are available again that is...
I also think comparing the chopping vs sawing may be interesting - especially on smaller branches like 2 or 3 inches. Compare both time spent and energy used (this will probably be subjective though).
2-6" stuff is usually the type of wood diameter I use 'harvesting' tools on while in the woods. Everything smaller breaks off the knee, placed between two trees or can be broken by stepping on it. For me a folding saw is the best for this task. The folding saw (bahco/kershaw) saws bigger stuff too, but the stuff it can't handle will be placed on the fire and 'burned through'. I never really missed an axe, although having nicely split fire wood is nice, but haven’t ever ’needed’ an axe for this task, with the F1, wedges and a baton I gander I could easily handle 12” rounds (i've done it before).
Just thinking out loud.
Just thinking out loud.
Ebbtide
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 8,011
Here's the Small Forest next to my appx 2500cui pack for size reference.
I like the items for the OPs planned tests.
In the wood splitting/chopping event...split/chop a bunch of wood.
A good sized pile. An evenings worth.
That's when the benefits of one tool over the other will show. I don't think that chunking up 2 or 3 rounds would tell as much.
Otherwise, have at it and take lots of pictures
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
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- 6,214
Awesome stuff! I have the SFA and would like to see a comparison with a BM.
Bear in mind though, you can buy four SFA's for the price of one BM.
Perhaps it would be better to compare it with a knife that costs a little less, like one of the Ontarios or a Becker?
Bear in mind though, you can buy four SFA's for the price of one BM.
Perhaps it would be better to compare it with a knife that costs a little less, like one of the Ontarios or a Becker?
I read through these posts and it feels like the subject changed from: "I have an axe and a saw, which is best for what" to "weird things I can do with an axe".
Gutting a fish can be done with an axe but hardly with a saw
Whatever, it is a fun discussion whatever original subject.
Lets say you should work with/cut/make/whatever to a thing from some millimeters (cutting out a stuck fishhook from someones arm) to something up to half a meter.
The discussion here is not about the small knife (folder, multitool) or the fixed blade (about 10 cm). It is about whether you should bring an axe or a saw or both
The result of the test will be interesting to read.
Cutting 2" wood.
Cutting 3" wood.
Cutting frozen wood.
Cutting this.
Cutting that.
Pounding down a tent peg.
Spreading PB&J.
Cutting sausage.
Good luck and merry christmas from Nicklas.
Gutting a fish can be done with an axe but hardly with a saw
Whatever, it is a fun discussion whatever original subject.
Lets say you should work with/cut/make/whatever to a thing from some millimeters (cutting out a stuck fishhook from someones arm) to something up to half a meter.
The discussion here is not about the small knife (folder, multitool) or the fixed blade (about 10 cm). It is about whether you should bring an axe or a saw or both
The result of the test will be interesting to read.
Cutting 2" wood.
Cutting 3" wood.
Cutting frozen wood.
Cutting this.
Cutting that.
Pounding down a tent peg.
Spreading PB&J.
Cutting sausage.
Good luck and merry christmas from Nicklas.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2005
- Messages
- 3,516
Nodh, I always wanted to sharpen the back edge of a sak saw for filleting fish, never had the guts to do it. It might be touch and go, the saw could close on your hand, but I could rig something out to keep it open.
Back on topic.
No trees up here but I plan on testing my SFA out on the christmas tree sometime in the new year, I don't have a chopper to compare it to though.
Back on topic.
No trees up here but I plan on testing my SFA out on the christmas tree sometime in the new year, I don't have a chopper to compare it to though.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 1,236
I prefer the Wetterlings in the same size, and I find it comfortable on the belt. I consider it a hatchet (although I am a big guy) and have done 30 km (20 mile) days hiking with it on the belt a few times...doesn't bug me at all.
I guess it just depends on the individual.