I'm a big knife guy that's starting to be drawn to the idea of a small axe or hatchet

[thunderstick]

I agree with everything in your first paragraph. And no where did I say anything different. As for snarky. I assume that was my one dimensional comment. It was not meant as an offense,. It was meant as a comment about the nature of this forum. Some of the forums I hang out in are one dimensional as well. But I have to ask, why did you not answer your own forum members when they made the following ridiculous statements(in red). Oh and by the way, a camp knife is not a tactical knife. there is a difference. A tactical knife does not normally make a good camp knife.







I have and use hatchets and axes. I have no problem with them at all. My comments have been strictly directed at the characterization of someone who carries knives as a Rambo type. This is not something I would expect from someone who frequents a knife forum. Not a good attitude to have in a knife forum in my opinion.

Not sure why you are taking offense at my comments. I didn't say it was "my" or "our perception of long knives on this forum." I said it was a perception that I thought would be prevalent among campers and backpackers. That is based upon comments I've heard when people carry long knives. You can justify a long knife however you please, but that may not change the perception of others. Whether their perceptions are important to you or not is your choice.

 

[LostViking]

Not sure if the OP is still in the hunt,


But I have been trying this combination out recently. I find it covers a lot of my bases.



All three add up to a relatively small package in both weigh and volume. They cross well, and seem to work well as a team.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Not sure if the OP is still in the hunt,


But I have been trying this combination out recently. I find it covers a lot of my bases.



All three add up to a relatively small package in both weigh and volume. They cross well, and seem to work well as a team.

Now that's the way to go ( not a fan of the Swedish axes, but that's just me ) I really dig that opinel saw, how much did it cost ? And that knife looks like a classic design, what is it ?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Check out the Opinel line, Knifecenter seems to have them all. Hawkbills, mushroom knife, kitchen knives, modern styles.

By my own experience, the saw is very effective. I had a project clearing low-hanging pine branches, which gunks up the teeth. It still got the job done nicely.

 

[LostViking]

Now that's the way to go ( not a fan of the Swedish axes, but that's just me ) I really dig that opinel saw, how much did it cost ? And that knife looks like a classic design, what is it ?

The Opinel is a #12 Saw they run around $30-35 dollars. I have just recently dove into the Opinel Pond. So far so good. They also make a larger #18 that I have no experience with, yet.

The knife is a Hess Muley,



From last weekend,



I have been heading in a more traditional direction lately.

I have been up and down the path. With big knives, even bigger knives, and a myriad of other tools.

I don't claim any to be superior to others. But At 56 after a lifetime in the woods. I do have a handle on what works for me, where I live, and for what I do.

Ironically, this set-up is amazingly close to what I carried as a kid. Small knife, roofer's hatchet, and a small hand saw.

Maybe that is where my comfort level with them comes from.

I didn't post to wave to Sweedish banner. Although I like this axe. But more for the size and functionality of the set. I spent a long time trying to locate and adapt to the "One Tool" mantra.

It works. But not well. At least not for me. Again, I have no intent to say what works for others. Or what should work for others. Only what works for me.

The axe fills the role of limber, chopper and batoner. The saw sections wood down to whatever size I need. The axe splits, and even feathers if need be. It will take hair off my arm, and can handle heavy slicing.


Leaving me the sharp, thin knife for more delicate knife type chores. It makes scary fine feathersticks and curls. Slices onions better than any knife I own, and shaves walnuts so thin, you can almost read through them.

That is a nutshell (no pun intended) is what I am liking about this three tool set up, its versatility.


I don't wander up to the axe section all that much. At least not to post. I do read a lot here. So it is not my intention to ruffle feathers discussing a knife. But, I think it fits well with the choice of an axe involved.

Quality axes or hatchets seem to be hard to come by in this size class. Karesaundo makes a nice little pocket axe. But again it is Scandinavian.

Helko has a larger one that I am thinking about trying. German made. It is called the Journeyman. More of a Classic American style pack axe. it also has my attention.

My favored philosophy with this stuff is. There is not right or wrong, just different. I like different, it keeps the world interesting.

 

[LostViking]

One last thing I like about this set-up, is how it fits in my Mountainsmith Lumbar Packs.

It all fits with room left for water, food, beer, FAK, 5x7 tarp and other goddies.

 

[Hickory n steel]

One last thing I like about this set-up, is how it fits in my Mountainsmith Lumbar Packs.

It all fits with room left for water, food, beer, FAK, 5x7 tarp and other goddies.

Nothing wrong with that, no 1 tool can do it all and a 3 tool pair seems to be a great way to go. ( the big knife may not be as efficient as the hatchet, the hatchet may not carve or prep food as well as the smaller belt knife, and neither one can do what the saw will do )

 

[David Martin]

Lost, thanks for this post. Seems like a useful set of tools. I took a similar threesome on a wilderness river trip last Spring. A Estwing hatchet, Buck-lite folder which has about the same length blade as your Hess and Buck's T handle saw. A 3 days and nights trip. This was enough tools for the trip and I didn't feel under prepared. DM

 

[Hickory n steel]

Here's my setup

The saw is a black and decker that I got a few years ago for 4$ and it cuts surprisingly well ( it had this little hook blade at the end that I cut off, but I think I've seen one with the full length of saw instead of the blade at the end )