Hello everyone I'am new here and thought this might be an interesting topic because I'am torn which to take backpacking. The title says it all which would you take backpacking and why I'am trying to debate which has the upper hand and why. Which chops better? I know the hatchet will have more weight but could the thinner blade of a tomahawk aid in chopping performance? I know hatchets will split better for the most part. Also any good hatchets out there? I'am looking to get a Gransfors Bruks wildlife hatchet but I'am open to others as well thanks for your time.
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hatchet vs tomahawk
- Thread starter kissmyaxe
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I'd take a hatchet. I think I have a better and more comfortable grip then on a smooth tapering handle of a tomahawk if some serious chopping or splitting is to be done.
Gransfors makes good tools, but there are other options. I also have an old Wetterlings Wildlife it is very nice, but both of these are kinda pricey if you comparison shop.Estwings are good and tough.
But i also have some old yardsale, flea market and electric aution hatchet that are nice and very functional.
But if you want a GB Wildlife, it is a good choice.
Gransfors makes good tools, but there are other options. I also have an old Wetterlings Wildlife it is very nice, but both of these are kinda pricey if you comparison shop.Estwings are good and tough.
But i also have some old yardsale, flea market and electric aution hatchet that are nice and very functional.
But if you want a GB Wildlife, it is a good choice.
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Hatchet hands down. The only tomahawk I would use would have been modified from a hatchet anyways 
Saws work well too.
Saws work well too.Gransfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet. Tomahawk are great, but most use backpacking is just splitting light wood and maybe making a pot suspender. You could even get away with the GB mini belt axe.
A good tomahawk would do the job, but is less efficient at splitting and wood processing than the hatchet.
A good tomahawk would do the job, but is less efficient at splitting and wood processing than the hatchet.
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Welcome! What part of CA are you from?
Hawk v. Hatchet
Sounds like you have your mind made up already, hatchets chop, split, and hold nicer than hawks for work. But hawks are easier to rehaft in the field with any semi-round branch. Most people here like to recommend a slightly bigger axe for packing, something like a 2# boys axe, or something in the 18-22" range. Some don't like them. You ask 20 people what to choose and you will get 40 answers!
Welcome to BFC!
-Xander
Hawk v. Hatchet
Sounds like you have your mind made up already, hatchets chop, split, and hold nicer than hawks for work. But hawks are easier to rehaft in the field with any semi-round branch. Most people here like to recommend a slightly bigger axe for packing, something like a 2# boys axe, or something in the 18-22" range. Some don't like them. You ask 20 people what to choose and you will get 40 answers!
Welcome to BFC!
-Xander
Square_peg
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I like the idea a claw hatchet because it's good for driving stakes and nails and will also pull them back out. Right now I'm using a Tommy Axe which is similar to a claw hatchet but a bit heavier. Soon as I get a rountuit and hang a claw hatchet I will try making the switch.
The weight of a backpacking axe depends on whether you're going solo or with a group. If going solo then weight is a dominant factor (consider a Fiskars). But in a group of 3 or more it's nice to have at least a boy's axe along.
But enough of hatchets,, let's get to the important stuff. What flavor of bourbon are you bringing?
The weight of a backpacking axe depends on whether you're going solo or with a group. If going solo then weight is a dominant factor (consider a Fiskars). But in a group of 3 or more it's nice to have at least a boy's axe along.
But enough of hatchets,, let's get to the important stuff. What flavor of bourbon are you bringing?
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I like hatchets, but a longer haft can offer more power and reach. Yet, more care must be taken when swinging, you can hit your legs if not careful. I recently got myself a Council Tools Velvicut Hudson Bay and a GB Small Forest Axe. I like the idea of having a one or two handed option. The HB is a 2# head while the GB SFA has a 1.5# head, and is shorter.
I haven't had the time to really test them, the only wood I have to chop is very seasoned Black Locust(hard to chop). Either one would do for backpacking, both have longer handles than hatchets, both the 19" and 24" handles are somewhat shorter once hafted. These are meant for limbing, maybe taking down a small tree, but nothing too serious. That's where it's nice to also have a folding saw, I got a Silky Gomboy for my backpacking trips. If you can cut your rounds, then split them with a hatchet or small axe, you've already saved yourself lots of calories. I suspect the weight of this type of saw is so low that you won't notice it in your pack.
I also just got a Camp Axe from Dan Winkler, but it's more of a hatchet/tomahawk in size. It's total weight is 24oz and it's 13.5" long. It's a full tapered tang, so all the weight is in the head and top of handle. It's not an Eswing, a traditional hawk, nor a typical hatchet. I like the fact that the handle is full length, it's very comfortable at the top. I expect it to carve or shave well with it's knife like edge.
The Camp Axe is in the middle....
I haven't had the time to really test them, the only wood I have to chop is very seasoned Black Locust(hard to chop). Either one would do for backpacking, both have longer handles than hatchets, both the 19" and 24" handles are somewhat shorter once hafted. These are meant for limbing, maybe taking down a small tree, but nothing too serious. That's where it's nice to also have a folding saw, I got a Silky Gomboy for my backpacking trips. If you can cut your rounds, then split them with a hatchet or small axe, you've already saved yourself lots of calories. I suspect the weight of this type of saw is so low that you won't notice it in your pack.
I also just got a Camp Axe from Dan Winkler, but it's more of a hatchet/tomahawk in size. It's total weight is 24oz and it's 13.5" long. It's a full tapered tang, so all the weight is in the head and top of handle. It's not an Eswing, a traditional hawk, nor a typical hatchet. I like the fact that the handle is full length, it's very comfortable at the top. I expect it to carve or shave well with it's knife like edge.
The Camp Axe is in the middle....
Square_peg
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Those are powerful little suckers aren't they?
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TOMAHAWK !!!! im a back packer...its lighter, its longer, its more repairable, and its good enough....camping out the trunk of a car is another story..then ill have both; however, I get the sense here that the discussion is more about making the hard choice.....if we were in this situation, the type of hand axe has room for much compromise for the sake of other weight...think harder about why you would need to make the choice, I promise there will be other important things to pack ..hand axe stays home....tomahawk is the sensible compromise.....any takers on this theory?
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Now I get it. I was wondering why it looked like you filled your water bottle in a mud hole
I like the idea a claw hatchet because it's good for driving stakes and nails and will also pull them back out. Right now I'm using a Tommy Axe which is similar to a claw hatchet but a bit heavier. Soon as I get a rountuit and hang a claw hatchet I will try making the switch.
The weight of a backpacking axe depends on whether you're going solo or with a group. If going solo then weight is a dominant factor (consider a Fiskars). But in a group of 3 or more it's nice to have at least a boy's axe along.
But enough of hatchets,, let's get to the important stuff. What flavor of bourbon are you bringing?
Now I get it. I was wondering why it looked like you filled your water bottle in a mud hole
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Some part of this is the AO and type of wood each of us has to deal with. I've been on trips where I can just break up some wood for a fire. Last backpacking trip, all the wood on the ground was wet. I had to limb a downed tree, then crosscut a few rounds, all I took was a 12.5" chopper/larger knife. It worked, but I wish I had the folding saw and/or a small axe.
How much wood will be on the ground where you go? What size will it be, how wet, how hard is the wood, etc.. These factors can help decide what tools are best for each trip.
And yeah, Square Peg, those Silky's are powerful. I CAN chop that Black Locust wood with an axe, lots of effort and sweat. SO, I used my Silky Bigboy last time I had a downed limb, melted through it with way less effort and no sweat.
How much wood will be on the ground where you go? What size will it be, how wet, how hard is the wood, etc.. These factors can help decide what tools are best for each trip.
And yeah, Square Peg, those Silky's are powerful. I CAN chop that Black Locust wood with an axe, lots of effort and sweat. SO, I used my Silky Bigboy last time I had a downed limb, melted through it with way less effort and no sweat.
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I was wondering what city, if your close I could let you try out a hawk and such to help you decide. I have a whole pile of fire wood your welcome to split and test the usefullness of each...;-)
-Xander
Oh sorry about that around Sacramento. I have a pipe hawk from cold steel I got to test the other week and while it did pretty good I was wondering how a quality hatchet would perform. I only have an Estwing hatchet as of right now and it's seen better days have had it for years and its only decent at best. So I'am looking to pick up a gransfors bruks or a wetterlings hatchet.
Square_peg
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Good post.
On summer backpacking trips you'll probably find all the dry wood you need still hanging on the trees or on the ground. But the saw/axe combo will keep you warm and cooking even in wet weather (like here in the Great Northwet). A hiker in the Sonoran desert has vastly different needs than I have.
Assuming your firewood needs are met you may still want to have an axe or hatchet along for bushcrafting. I'm not out there to simply pass through the woods as quickly as I can like an ultralight backpacker. I want to take some time to interact with the woods - do some bushcrafting, chop some wood, build a nice camp or three. Do I need an axe to survive? Of course not. But I'm not there to survive, I'm there to LIVE!
Square_peg
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If you're not throwing it then it's very unlikely that it will need to be repaired. And an axe handle can be made with just an axe head and a rock or stick as a bludgeon. The pioneers had their choice of an axe or a 'hawk. They chose the axe handsdown. Hawks are fun. Hawks are cool. But when you need a tool then you're better off with an axe.
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hey Square-peg, your post about being in the woods to live is dead on...I must agree, there must be some consideration for the axe. in fact, if I were to have intensions to build, I would bring my long handle estwing (hatchet/axe)....im telling ya, that bad boy has broke down some big ass logs....to this day, I switch that off with my full size axe frequently while chopping wood for the o'l stove...application must always be considered,,you are also very accurate about the throwing being the main reason for the breakage, but if your "living" it up in the woods, maybe you would indeed be throwing it( unless your doing more work ofcourse ) spot on!
but....I regret to tell you that one of the reasons the hawk made its way to the backwoods is the lightness of the head..frontiersman OFTEN picked the hawk for previous mentioned reasons..The hawk has a very rich history in being the SOLE wedge trusted on expeditions ...dont get me wrong, should I "dip off the grid", and need to build me a cabin, even a savy frontiersman would say "hey bud, gimme the axe head" but the hawk is nasty too ( for chopping ), just doesnt pack twice the ass (like a heavy axe head would give you )i only contest that one claim about the frontiersman..even he considered the hawk Very seriously
but....I regret to tell you that one of the reasons the hawk made its way to the backwoods is the lightness of the head..frontiersman OFTEN picked the hawk for previous mentioned reasons..The hawk has a very rich history in being the SOLE wedge trusted on expeditions ...dont get me wrong, should I "dip off the grid", and need to build me a cabin, even a savy frontiersman would say "hey bud, gimme the axe head" but the hawk is nasty too ( for chopping ), just doesnt pack twice the ass (like a heavy axe head would give you )i only contest that one claim about the frontiersman..even he considered the hawk Very seriously
Square_peg
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You make a good point about the lighter weight of the 'hawk. And throwing definitely falls into the 'living' category. Good post. I'm still gonna pick a hatchet for myself but I can't say that another is wrong for choosing a hawk.