Knife, Saw, Axe...Your Thoughts

[sabre cat]

Hi Everyone,

I just noticed a comment about a knife, saw, and axe trio in another post and figured it might be fun to do a thread here in General Knife Discussion.

Budget or high end. What do you use? What have you tried? What works and what sucks? What do you want, etc...

If I had a all three, I would be tempted to add in a multi-tool of some sort. Feel free give your opinion on that too.

Thanks,

Sabre Cat

 

[gazz98]

I'm admittedly a truck camper. I tend to drive my truck somewhere, make a camp (tent + fire pit), and enjoy a day or two with the Mrs.

I tend to carry a fixed blade on my belt and a $15 Corona folding saw in my backpack. I have an old Estwing hatchet that is probably 20+ years old that lives in the back of the truck.

Fixed blade. I currently have a Gerber Strongarm (which was a good buy when they were $45, now they're $70 ... pass), ESEE 6, Ontario RD6, Moras HD, and Bark River Bravo 1.25 . The ESEE and BR get carried the most. I always have a Mora HD as a food prep/back up fixed blade in my backpack.

Folding Saw. I was late to game for this item compared to most. I had a Bahco Laplander at one time. I traded it and replaced it the Corona. The Corona does just fine for about 33% cheaper.

Axe. Another item I never carried on my person while hiking. I've touted a few hatchets around tho. Never anything too expensive. I'm too cheap to splurge for a Gransfors Bruks.

PS. I always thought a hatchet needed one hand to use, an axe needed two. That is what I'm going by above. If that is incorrect, feel free to correct me. Most of the hatchets I've used were 14"-18" in length. Something you could easily hang on a backpack and not have it sticking out a foot.

PSS. I'm a strict budget person. I never spend too much on a my toys. I don't buy crap (ESEE and Bark Rivers aren't crap I don't think) but I would never spend $$ to get a Busse fixed blade.

Sorry for the long arse post

 

[Hickory n steel]

I've got a 14" garden bow saw, whatever knife is on me and this would probably be the axe of choice.

It's an unknown vintage American pack axe, essentially a slightly larger hatchet head on a 20" haft.
I could add my bow saw to this trio and be all set.

I've never actually handled one of the expensive swedish offerings, but I know how thin their bits are and the convex cheeks on this axe are definitely an advantage.

 

[afishhunter]

I'm all for it.
"The right tool for the job" and all that.

I don't have an axe at this time.
For the saw, I have a choice of a 36 inch and 48 inch chainsaw chain with rings added to the ends, and a 24 inch "U" limb saw.
My "woods knife" is nothing fancy or "special", just a Buck 110, or Mora classic number 1 on my belt, and a large stockman in my pocket.
I don't baton my knives.
Many years ago I learned finesse beats brute strength, and to use the proper tool for a task/job.
A knife isn't the proper tool to fell a tree, for example.
For splitting wood, I use a wedge. (even if I have to whittle the wedge from a piece a wood)

 

[Alberta Ed]

I have a Snow & Neally 3/4 size Hudson Bay single bit that weighs just over two pounds, light enough for backpacking. No saw at the moment but plan to add one to the truck kit. Preferred knife at the moment is a Benchmade 200 puukko.

 

[sabre cat]

I have a Snow & Neally 3/4 size Hudson Bay single bit that weighs just over two pounds, light enough for backpacking. No saw at the moment but plan to add one to the truck kit. Preferred knife at the moment is a Benchmade 200 puukko.

I have never understood the interest in Puukko style knives.
I have never even held one in my hand so my comment does not really mean much.

 

[sabre cat]

I guess I should chime in with a little info.

I have a couple of different knives that could work for me.
A Benchmade 162 or a OKC Ranger Falcon.

A saw was given to me this last summer. A twenty-one inch Sven saw. I like it quite a bit. The blade stays protected when not in use and it is very compact when when not set up. Cuts nicely too.

I guess my saw is taken care of.

Now for an axe that I probably will never use.

 

[comis]

It really does depend on your use and need, here are some that I do like for outdoor/camping use:

Axe:
Estwing Sportsmans Axe Cheap entry level axe, indestructible and handy
Gransfors Burk Wildlife Hatchet Love this one, especially after the Estwing, I really do appreciate the wooden handle for shock absorption
Gerber Fiskars Freescape 14" and 17.5" Great modern axe, handle is lightweight and durable

Saw:
Silky and Laplender folding saw This is what I will carry with me for a quick hike, it's enough to cut down limp size tree trunks. Lightweight and really handy.

Knife: Few fixed blade to choose from, usually I prefer around 4"-5" in length, but it may varies depending on location.

 

[Old Biker]

Sawvivor 15 inch saw. Vaughan sportsman sub zero 1/2 lb. hatchet. JK knives mighty mouse .

All are light weight, compact tools, that will actually do work.

O.B.

 

[Astrogator]

I like to keep things small , light and effective.

Saw :- I have a cheap no name light garden folding pruning saw about 10 inches long , it works.

Knife :- Either an Opinel No. 9 or a Mora Companion , they work.

Axe :- Well actually a small Hatchet , a Gerber Back-Paxe , it works and actually punches WAY above its weight division.

Cheers.