hatchet vs. big chopper?

3

3wolves

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Dec 28, 2007
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I was wondering which one you would rather carry if you could pick one. A hatchet, or a big chopper like the dogfather or kershaw outcast. When you comare the two they seem like the same weight and you can use a large knife for other camp chores like food prep etc. but the hatchet is only good for splitting wood and using as a hammer (unless you have one of the flat one piece ones.) So if you could carry only one, which would you carry? name the make and model. Im still looking for the perfect woods carry. (4-6 inch fixed blade, folder, multitool and chopper or hatchet.)
thanks
 
I'd carry a hatchet. I have seen people use a hatchet to skin game and clean fish. Hatchets can be very practical tool, even for some woodcraft. There's a lot you can do with them. I've carried many. My favorite thus far is a copy of the Kershaw camp ax that I picked up at a local hardware store. I believe it is called The Explorer. It was only $5 less than the Kershaw, but is very good quality and I think I just got lucky.
 
I sometimes carry a chopper I sometimes carry an axe but if I had to choose just one it'be an axe ergonomically better for chopping (especially in winter) if I were choosing a combo for mild weather it'd be a sak a chopper and a folding saw...
 
Ideally both should be carried but if I were limited to just one it would be a chopper....that is in my current location, this might change if I were in another part of the world !
 
Chopper! A hatchet is limited besides chopping. Go try and clean a fish or clean a rabbit with a hatchet...It can be done but not easily. Most survival would not require a hatchet or axe, it is not like you are going to build a cabin. A chopper is more than capable of building a lean to(sp?).
 
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Now this is a touchy subject that has gotten really ugly in the past. If everyone explains why they like their choice without making ridiculous disparagements of others contrary choices, then maybe it won't turn into a playground of insults. :)


I've got a few hawks that I enjoy. As much for throwing and tac-type usage as anything. I do have a pre-order in for an gorgeous Lee Reeves double-bit axe. (Thanks, tarmix!)

I've found my usage works best with a chopper. Maybe I'm just an axe moron, but I can get more power and precision out of a good sized chopper than a small axe. Possibly my technique but that's how it worked out.

I've got several ;) fixed blades that get pretty frequent use but the best all around camp/chopper has been my Swamp Rat Ratweiler.

For awesome chopping power, the David Wesner KC has been remarkable.

Good luck!


Lee Reeves
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Ratweiler
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David Wesner
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I'm still torn on the subject, after being swayed to both sides. They both are capable of doing a lot. Hatchets often get short changes, in my opinion, and are much more versatile than just 'splitting and hammering'. My Fiskars is one of my favorite camp tools, for anything from getting firewood, to food prep, to carving, to general slicing. It does tons more than it's shape would imply.

My kabar heavy bowie is a great tool too though, but lacks such thorough testing. It's been very smooth for batoning (especially those big pieces), still chops well, slices great, and can still do things like clear brush.

Personal location, comfort level, and past tools all make the decision a very personal one: there is no one right decision on this one.

Use both as often as you can and find which suits your personal needs the best.


Either way, a trio of sorts is the way I always go. I'm never without a reliable belt knife in the 3.5" to 4" range, or a good pocket knife (currently and likely for a long time my Vic Farmer). Past that, it all seems like gravy.
 
I'll happily swap between my golok and GB Wildlife Hatchet and back depending on conditions. But then I often take the feet off rabbits and build hides with pruning shears so what do I know.
 
I only have one hatchet, and it is too dull to work with, and I do not have sufficient drive or equipment to get it sharp enough to care about (it would take a grinder). I do really like my dog father (it is the only real chopper that I own), and if I had to take one I'd take the dog father in a heart beat. I'd hate to have to skin a rabbit with it, or clean a fish, or even dress a deer for that matter. But, I like that it has a long blade with a HUGE sweet spot which partially makes up for less than stellar aim. It really bites deep into moderately sized limbs and logs. I made it through a 4" hichory in about 5 swings. Probably not the best tool for large rounds, but neither is a hatchet. I'd like to have a equally quality hatchet to do some comparisons with, but don't have the need for one right now. My experience says that: sharp dog father >> dull wallyworld hatchet.
 
One tool only? It would definatly be a Chopper. If combined with a smaller knife, it would be a chopper or axe depending on the environment.
 
I cant do searches unfortunately.:( Another advantage for the chopper I thought of is more area for you to strike with so its harder to miss. Its also easier to carry? And spookypistelero, how do you do food prep with a hatchet?
 
The Fiskars is really quite comfy to choke up on and use like an ulu. Works this way as a cleaver or a dicer fore stews. Slices fine, too.
 
in most cases i carry a hatchet when out camping. if i'm car camping i usually take a big chopper either my outcast or my HI Khuk (havent had a chance to seriously test the RTAK-II yet), in combination with a hatchet or axe. If i'm out trekking and need to keep an eye on my weight i usually carry a gerber sport hatchet.
 
imaginefj said:
Chopper! A hatchet is limited besides chopping. Go try and clean a fish or clean a rabbit with a hatchet...It can be done but not easily.
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Have you tried it? I have wasted a lot of my time with big bowie blades. I don't see them as effective for chopping as I do a hatchet. I found it easier to clean with a hatchet than "12 of blade. By choking up on the hatchet I have a lot more control. Just my preference. My ideal survival choice would be a hatchet, 4 to 5 inch fixed blade and a couple folders.
 
I prefer something like the FFBM. But I sure enjoyed my Gransfors Bruks Wild Life Hatchet!

The axe/hatchet seems to get wedged more often for me where as I can keep batonning my FFBM until it splits a log. But I'd chalk this up to operator error. :D

So, again, I'd say a chopper for me mostly because I am more used to it.
 
Morablades said:
Have you tried it? I have wasted a lot of my time with big bowie blades. I don't see them as effective for chopping as I do a hatchet. I found it easier to clean with a hatchet than "12 of blade. By choking up on the hatchet I have a lot more control. Just my preference. My ideal survival choice would be a hatchet, 4 to 5 inch fixed blade and a couple folders.
Click to expand...

dont forget a SAK! :D
 
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