Large fixed blade or axe? (Firewood)

walkingeagle74 · May 14, 2016

Here's the 411:

Currently have a GFB Forest axe (the larger one), a silky big boy XL, and a KABAR USMC.

The Question: in the area of processing firewood for a night outside, is it worth the weight of lugging the Axe around (almost 3lbs) and the Kabar or would I be better served by foregoing the axe and Kabar and buying a large fixed blade (like a Becker bk9 or CS Trailmaster) and batoning wood. Just trying to cut weight from my pack. Happy pack, happy back.

gadgetgeek · May 14, 2016

I guess it really depends on how much wood you are processing, and where you are. I would think a better compromise would be a slightly smaller ax, and a smaller, lighter fixedblade. In my experience batonning for firewood is most effective with smaller wood, and where you only need to break down a small amount of your overall firewood needs. Otherwise an ax is going to be more effective and efficient. Smaller tools means processing smaller wood, so it really depends on your locale. Maybe something like a BK2 would be better than a 9 if you are not utilizing the length for chopping.

walkingeagle74 · May 15, 2016

I was hoping to kinda ditch both the Kabar and axe in favor or a single large blade knife to cut weight. And I collect a lot of deadfall for my fires but sometimes I need larger pieces

gadgetgeek · May 15, 2016

what sort of trees are you cutting up? If you are not chopping, or if a saw makes more sense, then you can really lighten the load. Saw and a short, stout fixed may just handle it. Heck, a Mora would do the job.

sideways · May 15, 2016

The kabar itself is not an insignificant blade at 7 inches...

Go out with all three only don't use the ax...

See how that works for you.

leghog · May 15, 2016

In the woods/backcountry, I'd first suggest no fire (open fires aren't allowed in much backcountry of national public lands anyway). Secondly a twig stove. Thirdly a folding saw if the first two suggestions aren't acceptable.

22-rimfire · May 15, 2016

Saws rule. You can process some relatively big stuff quickly with a folding saw and I would go with smaller fixed blade (baton only small stuff) and leave the axe at home. If you find that you are more comfortable with a hatchet/axe implement, I'd get a hatchet. Processing big wood at a camp site is mostly want not need unless there simply is nothing small around. Choices are often personal preference, but also driven by location (climate) and available resources.

Definitely look at the regs on public lands.

Grease · May 15, 2016

Saws are awesome, but make sure you have actually used them before. I find that, without prior practice, the sawing motion is the most exhausting method of processing wood. Stuff up to 4 inches round can often be broken with a good chop to either side from a blade, then just step on it or whack it against a tree.

It's very rare that you would need to split any of the wood you make, so an axe and/or batoning knife are a bit overkill. A hatchet or tomahawk can be great for small fire wood processing.

Woods Walker · May 15, 2016

walkingeagle74 said:
Here's the 411:

Currently have a GFB Forest axe (the larger one), a silky big boy XL, and a KABAR USMC.

The Question: in the area of processing firewood for a night outside, is it worth the weight of lugging the Axe around (almost 3lbs) and the Kabar or would I be better served by foregoing the axe and Kabar and buying a large fixed blade (like a Becker bk9 or CS Trailmaster) and batoning wood. Just trying to cut weight from my pack. Happy pack, happy back.

For longer range backpacking a saw and knife is fine however there are some places and situations when an axe is really nice.

walkingeagle74 · May 15, 2016

Grease said:
Saws are awesome, but make sure you have actually used them before. I find that, without prior practice, the sawing motion is the most exhausting method of processing wood. Stuff up to 4 inches round can often be broken with a good chop to either side from a blade, then just step on it or whack it against a tree.

It's very rare that you would need to split any of the wood you make, so an axe and/or batoning knife are a bit overkill. A hatchet or tomahawk can be great for small fire wood processing.

I have extensive practice with a saw. Hence why I bought my silky big boy.

Brad "the butcher" · May 16, 2016

for what u are looking for I think a machaxe would suit u better than a 9......with your saw and your covered

BillyJoeBobJim · May 16, 2016

I use a folding saw and a "medium" fixed blade. The actual ones I use varies. The saw might be on a Victorinox Swiss-army knife or a Silky folding saw. The knife might be anything from a 3oz. 3" to a 24oz.(??) 13" but each is able to handle whatever "splitting" I planned on being able to do.

Then again, my wood processing is for simple shelters, etc. and for fueling a very small wood stove.

smith357 · May 16, 2016

You already have a good saw. I'll take a good tomahawk over a big knife any day in the woods, I find them to be a good light yet powerful tool for processing small amounts of wood for a small overnight camp.

fmajor007 · May 16, 2016

You're on the right track!

For most people (ESPECIALLY newbies), I'm generally not an advocate for using an axe in the wilderness. If someone is well-skilled with an axe they are great tools particularly during colder periods.

However, i prefer a saw (depending on how long i'm going to be) like my "Bob Dustrude Quick-Buck-Saw" or my Home Depot "Corona" folding saw. For a hard-use knife, i prefer a medium-sized knife like your Ka-Bar.

Gaston444 · May 24, 2016

I wouldn't recommend a hatchet over a good big knife (the Model 12 here chops nearly double what a Trailmaster or BK-9 will do, the BK-9 in part because of the handle vibrations transmitted to the hand), but there is no question that for bigger diameter stuff a good folding saw is lightweight and will out-perform everything, including a hatchet.

A hatchet may outperform a good knife and be only marginally heavier, but what is overlooked is that the weight is all on one side and so it is much more awkward to carry. For long term foot carry I would avoid a hatchet. A folding saw can be combined with the knife.

That being said, from a nearby vehicle the carry disadvantage of a hatchet disappears, and it does save a bit of energy compared to the knife and maybe even the saw. You can also make simple items like tent pegs with the hatchet, so it has a bit of versatility over the saw...

Gaston

neeman · May 25, 2016

Woods Walker said:
For longer range backpacking a saw and knife is fine however there are some places and situations when an axe is really nice.

as said

walkingeagle74 · Jun 5, 2016

So after much research and comparing I ended up ditching the axe and Kabar for a BK9. Thanks all for the input.

Yes the bird is real.
Maple Syrup is a hell of a drug.

Swampdog · Jun 6, 2016

You have chosen well, the BK-9 is just one of those knives that everyone should own. I'm sure you will find it excellent for wood processing, camp knife, and you will sleep better at night with it at your side.

Hacked · Jun 7, 2016

If you are looking to cut weight I would say go with neither. A good axe is hard to beat, and that would be my personal choice if I'm planning to bring something to process wood with. And it doesn't have to be overly large or heavy either.

But the truth is if you simply want a small fire for an overnight you can generally do just fine without either.

Putting my money where my mouth is here is a fire I made on a trip where my tools were a Victorinox Farmer, and my trusty Mora Classic #1. With the weight savings I was able to bring along Bacon (shown in the pot) and eggs for breakfast ;-)

Woods Walker · Jun 11, 2016

Hacked said:
If you are looking to cut weight I would say go with neither. A good axe is hard to beat, and that would be my personal choice if I'm planning to bring something to process wood with. And it doesn't have to be overly large or heavy either.

But the truth is if you simply want a small fire for an overnight you can generally do just fine without either.

Putting my money where my mouth is here is a fire I made on a trip where my tools were a Victorinox Farmer, and my trusty Mora Classic #1. With the weight savings I was able to bring along Bacon (shown in the pot) and eggs for breakfast ;-)

I made this fire soaking wet after a dunk in a ice cold stream using just the DIY firestater which took a dunk with me. Zero tools and foraged the wood cold and wet after my swim.

It was just to practice skills.

No tools beyond my cold hands, feet and empty Bic DIY thing.

It's very doable to make a great fire with nothing or like you correctly stated with minimal tools. That said everything IMHO is situational. Oh and nice taste in knives, the Farmer and Mora!