Large Chopper or small ax

LWILLIAMS

LWILLIAMS

Joined
Jul 5, 2010
Messages
181
Currently I have a RTAK II on my pack and am thinking about ditching the big knife and getting a smaller Gransfors Bruks ax to carry on the pack. What does everyone else do or do they carry both. I have a Hest on the pack as well as a Steve Woods hide fighter, then in the pack I have a pack kit with a esee5 in there. I am thinking the RTAK is redundant and an ax might be better served.
 
They both work, each have their pros and cons. Your skill and comfort level are major considerations, as well as the types of wood you have to process.
Seems like there are axe guys, and there are chopper guys. I have used each, and I can have more fun with a big knife.
I have to admit, I have never swung a GB, or other hand forged axe. I've used Estwing's and other "hardware" store brands. Having one that stays sharp, and has a great feel and weight, might change what I carry to the woods.
 
the RTAKII is better for clearing small brush than a small axe, but the axe will be better for splitting wood for making kindling.
you might also consider a 7" folding pull saw (kershaw, bahco, gerber, corona, etc...) and 14" machete/golok.
 
For making lots of firewood, I'm a fan of the axe.

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It's personal preference. I prefer a larger blade, some prefer the axe. It is what you are most comfortable with. Whatever you think would do better for you, whichever you enjoy more.
 
I am as guilty as the next guy here when it comes to carrying an superfluous sufficiency of blades.

MOST of the time, I really prefer a small ax over the 'chopper' though.
 
Unless I know I have to take down a good size tree, I prefer a large blade.
But even then, I prefer a decent pack saw and a knife. It just seems more useful than an axe.
 
-Ranger- said:
Unless I know I have to take down a good size tree, I prefer a large blade.
But even then, I prefer a decent pack saw and a knife. It just seems more useful than an axe.
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I agree. I think you can do more with a large blade and some sort of folding saw. An axe is heavy and it only does one thing well (debatable) and that's chop. The large blade can chop as well as other things. Also, IMO it's safer to baton with a large blade than to swing a heavy axe. You have to balance the wood somehow. When batoning, you can use the knife to balance the wood for you. Something to consider. And if you have to tackle a job too big for the blade, you have the considerably lighter saw.

My $.02
 
i started carrying both my junglas/lite machete and gransfors bruks scandinavian axe. i figure just like any survival skills, it's good to be proficient with as many ways of doing the same thing so i'm learning how to use an axe now.
 
Softwood for me it's a big knife.
Hardwoods it's the ax.

The difference is due in part to how each type or wood grows.Softwoods often grow in tight groups making swinging an ax more difficult.
Hardwood being a tougher and more stringy wood I'd like to get as much impact in the swings as I could.
Having said that I say now that I can only speak for the wood types and tree species in my local mixed forest.Your experience may vary.
 
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I'll take the axe, usually a Wetterlings Small Forest Axe, any day over a larger chopper knife.

YMMV.

For knives, I don't carry any larger than an ESEE-4 or Bark River Aurora.
 
It really depends on your needs. If you need a brush clearing device, the large knife will be your friend. If you need to make a lot of fire wood then use the axe. Personally, I carry a small axe and a Busse BWM. I like the knife for skinning or for food preparation.

I say take both!
 
For my purposes, it's a small ax for four and five inch wood, and a machete (possibly my Junglas) for the smaller stuff. By the way, I consider the Junglas more of a small machete than a knife. The whole blade shape and geometry is more suggestive of a machete. IMHO that is!
 
rapidfire77 said:
For me i'll take a junglas and folding saw over a small axe / hatchet.
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I generally agree with this, but it somewhat depends on how long I will be out.

2-3 day camping trip? Junglas+folding saw. Any longer than that and I will take an Estwing just in case I need to do some serious chopping for a long term shelter or something.
 
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