Knives vs. axes - why axes are better!

made2cut

made2cut

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Only got a few minutes here before Deadliest Catch starts but I had a nice thread idea. Why are axes better than knives...

You can lay your axe in the dirt and not feel bad.

You can restore and make your own axe with limited resources and chop down a tree. Really, lets see a knife do that.

Just a fun thread, no bad feeling towards knives (I love em' ;)).
 
You can behead 3 zombies with a single sturdy swing. (Provided you can get your zombies to stand in a line. I'm still working on that.)
 
i like killing my zombies with a machete. i've already killed a few tree zombies with a machete.
i don't like messing up my axe on zombies or trees or tree zombies, you know how messy these things are.
anyway, am i off topic, it's been really hot around here lately and with all the zombies i'm about played out

keep your axe sharp

buzz
 
I am by no means qualified to give an opinion. I know it is a TV show, but two of the guys on mountain men carry an axe into the woods. The guy in Alaska and Wyoming. The other guy is using an axe all the time to process wood. I have yet to see a large knife. The dude in Wyoming has an axe sticking out of a wicker basket he uses as a makeshift backpack, kinda cool. Low tech awesome.
 
I would say a knife is better - IMO

A knife can perform many tasks including those of an axe (depending on the knife)

Wheas an axe is only really good for axe tasks.
 
If an axes only use is splitting kindling and felling saplings then yes, a knife will do just fine.

But consider this, an axe processes game far better than a knife fells a tree.


This is copied from another website but it spells it out so plainly that it deserves repeating.

Edited for spelling/clarity: An axe can clear fields, can process wood for fires, can build a log cabin, can fell trees, can hammer a wood wedge, can buck and hew logs, can limb logs, can peel logs, can process game, break bones, break necks of game for dispatch, can skin game, can flesh a hide, etc.
Click to expand...
 
You can carry a knife just about anywhere. When you need it, it's there.
 
Square_peg said:
If an axes only use is splitting kindling and felling saplings then yes, a knife will do just fine.

But consider this, an axe processes game far better than a knife fells a tree.


This is copied from another website but it spells it out so plainly that it deserves repeating.
Click to expand...

I can do all of those exact same things with a large sturdy knife, with a much lower carry weight and smaller package. I like axes for around the home use or trailer/truck camping trips, but I would never lug a 3+ lb axe in through the out-of-doors, I can carry a good saw, a large fixed blade, a small fixed blade, and a multi-tool for the same or even less weight.
 
Apples and oranges too many varibles to pick one over the other. The basket backpack on the TV show is not makeshift... its called a Adirondacks pack.
 
You can build a cabin with a large fixed blade? You are far more talented than I. Hats off to you.
tiphat.gif
 
Without becoming part of the potential piss match here, I think it would be very interesting to have two "woods knowledgeable" individuals who are well versed in their tool of preference (in this case, one with an axe and the other with a knife) each spend a week in the woods with only their tool of choice and then come back here and tell about their experiences independent of one another. IMO, that would be a cool thread!
 
on_the_edge said:
Without becoming part of the potential piss match here, I think it would be very interesting to have two "woods knowledgeable" individuals who are well versed in their tool of preference (in this case, one with an axe and the other with a knife) each spend a week in the woods with only their tool of choice and then come back here and tell about their experiences independent of one another. IMO, that would be a cool thread!
Click to expand...

it would also be interesting to see the outcome if they switched tools as well and the knife guy took the axe and vise versa
 
Square_peg said:
You can build a cabin with a large fixed blade? You are far more talented than I. Hats off to you.
tiphat.gif
Click to expand...
Sure pegs :rolleyes:
Many books I have read on various eras, it seems that the woodsman will always pick his axe, even over his rifle or knife.

I think I'm going to gather my winters wood supply (7 cords or so) with a knife this year.
:D
 
Square_peg said:
You can build a cabin with a large fixed blade? You are far more talented than I. Hats off to you.
tiphat.gif
Click to expand...


As unrealistic as that particular task may be, yes it can be done, a large 9"+ blade(15"+ OAL), .25" thick or thicker, full-tang construction with high quality steel, it could be done.
 
I'm not sure what the draw is to large knives but they sure seem a lot more popular than axes/hatchets/hawks.

After following several large knife threads I ended up buying a large nife from a very well known brand but ended up being very disapointed. Then shortly after I bought my Frontier Hawk and I was instantly impressed. I sold that big knife and have no intent to ever repeat the mistake.

- A small axe, hatchet or hawk can equal or outperform a large knife in chopping.
- A axes/hatchets/hawks generally cost a LOT less than many popular big knives.
- Your not afraid to lend your axe.
- Sheeple are less afraid of your axes.
- Hatchets and hawks can be thrown fairly accurately and with little practise.
 
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