Lets use those axes for what they were ment for.

Damn. That's awesome.

 

You can say that again. I remember chopping through a Pine maybe 3/4 that size and it was a workout for sure.

 

Hey, Moosecreek....is your RS in hunting unit 17?

 

They're perfect for use as a 'stump axe' as Trailmaker is using his.

It looks awfully dry out there, Trailmaker. Are you close to any of the forest fires?

 

No pics but I used an axe today. I was clearing summer growth out from around a culvert when I found the opening blocked by a fallen 6" alder. I've got chainsaws in the truck but if I use them our safety rules require that I put on the chainsaw resistant chaps plus eye and ear protection. I figured I could clear it with the axe faster than I could suit up for the chainsaw.

I keep a Pulaski and a boy's axe in the truck. Since the work was in tight quarters (I had to bushwhack my way in with a machete) I went with the boy's axe. It didn't take more than a minute or two to knock off some limbs and buck the alder into 3 pieces that were easy to move. The Pulaski or a full sized axe would have been clumsy down in that hole. The boy's axe was just right. Options are nice.

 

Thankfully I'm not near those fires but it is something I always worry about, especially this time of year. I'm at the end of a two mile gravel road in steep terrain, the kind of situation where a fire could move fast and cut off my escape route. I'm researching how I might build a fire bunker that I could retreat into instead of taking my chances trying to drive out.

 

Yes selway backcountry tag

 

Closed up camp last weekend, and decided to post some pics. Over the summer I've been doing a decent bit of work up there, and have really worked on my axe skills. Felled, bucked, and limbed well over thirty trees. None bigger than 20'' though.

Yah, the stump was sawed, but I felled and bucked this birch first.

Standard chip from a boys axe.

Pine across a trail.


Some hardwood.

Can't forget this birch. Gave me a run for my money.


Bye camp, I'll miss the bacon.

 

Looks like fun, Otter...can you make the pics bigger???

 

No, I'm afraid not. Bought my phone 6 months ago and its 6 years out of date. :/

 

Axe pics from elk camp.

The axe crew.


While at camp, I hung this little Swedish 1.5lber on a 20" ash handle from Cooperhill. This little thing is portable awesomeness. It has a surprisingly noticeable high centerline for a Swedish piece. Yep, that's a garage sale tag that says "50¢"


Two swings. Cuts well.


Only a few swings to cut up the size of wood I tend to use when backpacking.


Now the cruiser just had to show it who's boss, though.





This Connecticut pattern Mann makes quick work of this log. Maybe that's why they call it a "Quikcut!" I did put small chip in the bit, unfortunately. Gotta watch those pine knots, they can be brutal. :grumpy:


Whipped up some twig trolls to give to the kids when I got back home. Marshall Wells Northern King is an awesome hatchet for little projects.




Take care,

Matt

 

Those are some awesome pics fellows!
Thanks

 

Matt, Looks like you all had a great time at camp. Appears that there was some show and tell between friends. Great looking axes. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

 

Wow! I'm envious of both of you. Great pics a stories.

I'm headed out on the trail tomorrow for a few days with just the Tommy Axe. I'll try to get a few pictures.

 

Thanks, Tom. Actually this trip was just my brother and I. He brought that nice looking Kentucky pattern that I gave him for Christmas. I brought all the rest of the axes....he gave me a bunch of crap about how many I brought...like I care!

Right on. I hope you "try" real hard to bring some pics back!!!

Part of the reason I wanted to post the pics of chopping some small camp fire logs like this was because I frequently hear people saying how pocket saws and bow saws are more efficient than axes. Well, I tend to disagree. Chopping up 4-8" caliper dry pine with that cruiser only takes a few swings and maybe 20-30 seconds per piece. Much faster than any breakfast powered saw I've ever used. Not to mention that an axe is exponentially more versatile than a saw. That's right, I'm totally biased. The axe is king.

 

What are those twig trolls? I'm out of the loop on those.

 

Just a fun, quick little carving project. Here's a thread at another site that I saw them on.

http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php/67217-Troll-Carvin-for-Kids?highlight=twig+trolls

 

I'm with you, Matt. I pack a saw, too, but I wouldn't be without an axe or hatchet on a hiking or camping trip. There are a few things that are absolute necessities for camping.



I spent a few days up in the Norse Peak Wilderness Area. Saturday night I got hit by the thunderstorm from hell. Thankfully I weatherized camp before heading off to bed. It rained buckets with lighting flashes 2/minute for about 1/2 hour. Not a fit night out for man nor beast. The Tommy Axe was very handy. And I thank God for fatwood. I'll never hike without it.

 

Not sure if this will work. New guy.
Making a bow for grandkids. Mezcal keeps the joints lubed. Most of the time I will use a straight bit single bevel carpnters axe but here I have a GB hatchet.

 

I like your style, Garry. Just don't lubricate the joints too well while doing that work. It could make it harder to count to ten.