Hatchet VS Folding saw/ Knife.

[Bushleague270]

This knife is great, and it was even a factory second too.
I was under the impression that their folders must be very high quality If a knife this well done didn't even meet their QC standards.
I've had the knife for 4 or 5 years at this point too.

Good to hear, a couple questions about it if you would. How is the edge retention compared to Buck, Case etc? The edge retention on my Grohmanns is superior to Buck 420HC, but IIRC they use different steel on their folders.

Too, how does the handle size/ feel compare to a Case Trapper or Buck 112? Seems like it would be more comfortable than a Trapper, not so good as a 112, a tad smaller than either which may or may not effect comfort.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Good to hear, a couple questions about it if you would. How is the edge retention compared to Buck, Case etc? The edge retention on my Grohmanns is superior to Buck 420HC, but IIRC they use different steel on their folders.

Too, how does the handle size/ feel compare to a Case Trapper or Buck 112? Seems like it would be more comfortable than a Trapper, not so good as a 112, a tad smaller than either which may or may not effect comfort.

I don't own a 112 and am not a fan of trappers, but I can tell you that it feels great in hand.

As far as edge retention it seems better than case SS and a tad better than Buck , but it has a much thicker edge.
It can get plenty sharp, but doesn't quite cut nearly as well as a Buck or full hollow ground Case.

 

[AJ]

Just wondering what people would prefer, and what one should consider when making such a decision?

If I've got room I generally just bring an axe, but for backpacking/ snowshoeing/ day trip type stuff I've always brought a good sized fixed blade knife and a folding saw. I've recently been trying to determine if replacing those two items with a good hatchet would make sense. In my area both birch bark and spruce are pretty common, so I usually dont need to do much splitting just to get a cookfire going. If I do need to do a little splitting I pick my battles sensibly, not really into beating the hell out of a knife just for fun. I also wonder, if I was to use big enough timber to make splitting actually necessary, if the hatchet would really be able to handle the job efficiently?

Anyhow, I defer to those with more hatchet experience, let me know what you think.

In general, with 55 years of outdoor experience (incl. camping in very remote areas, etc., as a hunter, Scout, etc.) I have never had to employ an axe or hatchet. I have a nice folding saw to cut fallen timber into manageable logs for fires and wind-breaks. Less exertion on my part, and safer to boot. YMMD.

 

[Bushleague270]

I picked up a Fiskars x7 yesterday, spent a little time in the woods with it. First impressions, while not so efficient as a saw it did work quite well. I enjoyed working with it, more so than a saw, it felt like I was developing a skill rather than performing a monotonous task... entirely likely this impression will fade with time. Lastly, splitting up smallish, ragged ended rounds on a makeshift block felt much more controlled than doing the same job with a two handed axe.

I'll likely keep using it for the rest of the winter, and maybe pick up a nicer hatchet if it seems like something I'll stick with. In the long term I'm not 100% sure that I wont end up going back to a saw, but I could for sure see the hatchet permanently replacing a fixed blade knife in my pack.

 

[marchone]

Fiskars axes are great. I will buy an X25 Splitting Axe. Meanwhile for smaller hand tools a CPK Basic 5, Council Tool Flying Fox 16 and a Corona Razor Tooth Saw all work well for my uses. YMMV.

 

[The Old Dog]

I'm an old guy (76) that likes to call coyotes and deer hunt here in northern Wisconsin. I live in the Nicolet national forest and enjoy the hell out of it. I carry a folding saw as it weighs nothing and is usefull. I always carried a hatchet, but have recently built a 2lb sb with a 22" handle that works much better for me. I sometimes need to chop larger trees out of my way and the extra handle length and head weight make it a lot easier. I carry it on my pack out of my way. I always carry a Leatherman and a folding knife, a lifelong habit. Dog

 

[marchone]

Age 72 here so stuck in my ways too. A multi-tool and a folder are basic urban EDC for me. A multi-tool is usually a SAK in town, and an original Leatherman Wave on the farm. That thing came in useful numerous times. I never saw the need to upgrade it.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I picked up a Fiskars x7 yesterday, spent a little time in the woods with it. First impressions, while not so efficient as a saw it did work quite well. I enjoyed working with it, more so than a saw, it felt like I was developing a skill rather than performing a monotonous task... entirely likely this impression will fade with time. Lastly, splitting up smallish, ragged ended rounds on a makeshift block felt much more controlled than doing the same job with a two handed axe.

I'll likely keep using it for the rest of the winter, and maybe pick up a nicer hatchet if it seems like something I'll stick with. In the long term I'm not 100% sure that I wont end up going back to a saw, but I could for sure see the hatchet permanently replacing a fixed blade knife in my pack.

What you're describing is what I love about hatchets.
There's a lot of capability in that simple tool if you have the skill to use it.
I was camping one time and I'd forgotten a general cooking utensil.
I carved a spatula out of a log in about 10-15 minutes with a hatchet.

People bring up safety concerns, but it's like people forget that learning to use any tool safely is a critical and unavoidable step.
A saw is just easier to use safely. Hatchets require more mindfulness.

 

[Bushleague270]

What you're describing is what I love about hatchets.
There's a lot of capability in that simple tool if you have the skill to use it.
I was camping one time and I'd forgotten a general cooking utensil.
I carved a spatula out of a log in about 10-15 minutes with a hatchet.

People bring up safety concerns, but it's like people forget that learning to use any tool safely is a critical and unavoidable step.
A saw is just easier to use safely. Hatchets require more mindfulness.

Yeah, I've had it out several more times since and I'm still digging it. Efficiency is getting better with more experience. Yesterday I lit a fire, warmed up a can of beans, and carved a spoon to eat them with... the only tasks the hatchet didnt do was open the can and carve the bowl of the spoon.

I'm actually quite taken with how well even the rather crude looking Fiskars can carve and whittle. The geometry allows for me to better rest the piece on a block, which I think gives better controll for fairly delicate work, as well the ability to easily hog off great big chunks if desired. Between the hatchet and my SAK Farmer I rather doubt I'd run across too many back country jobs that I cant handle, right up to quartering a moose if needed.

 

[Astrogator]

What you're describing is what I love about hatchets.
There's a lot of capability in that simple tool if you have the skill to use it.
I was camping one time and I'd forgotten a general cooking utensil.
I carved a spatula out of a log in about 10-15 minutes with a hatchet.

People bring up safety concerns, but it's like people forget that learning to use any tool safely is a critical and unavoidable step.
A saw is just easier to use safely. Hatchets require more mindfulness.

All sharp tools require concentration and care when they are being used , much more so when one is tired or cold.
There is no such thing as a completely "safe" tool.

 

[Bushleague270]

All sharp tools require concentration and care when they are being used , much more so when one is tired or cold.
There is no such thing as a completely "safe" tool.

Yeah, I too had a fear of short axes for much of my life, likely instilled by my elders as a child. Eventually a hunting partner pointed out that I regularly run a chainsaw.... in snowshoes! If I can learn to do that safely then my waryness of short axes/ hatchets does seem rather laughable. Hard to argue with that logic.

I still am not crazy about short axes, not because I'm scared of them but I just find them awkward and ineficient compared to a "boys axe", while at the same time still not very convenient to pack around. I'm learning that hatchets are a completly different animal though.