Long walks vs heavy equipment - axes etc

What brand is that Rancher?

As to the original question, I think it depends also. I also happen to think there is a world of difference between axes and hatchets, although some disagree with me. I see the term used interchangeably, which I don't agree with. I see hatchets as interchangeable with large knives and khukuris, where an axe is in a class all by itself.
 
sodak said:
What brand is that Rancher?

As to the original question, I think it depends also. I also happen to think there is a world of difference between axes and hatchets, although some disagree with me. I see the term used interchangeably, which I don't agree with. I see hatchets as interchangeable with large knives and khukuris, where an axe is in a class all by itself.
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The Rancher is a Honda. Fuel injected and water cooled, it rips right off the bottom. Sweet handling trail quad!!! It is medium size, and fits nicely on the tight woods trails I ride. But, it is still a little heavy for my taste.

The huge advantage of an axe/hatchet over "knives" is the advantage of the weigth of the head. You just don't have the mass there in those lighter knives, to get the deep cutting power of a axe.

I too, dislike the fact that some manufacturers call everything an "axe". To me, it all comes down to handle length. This is true of the Gerbers that I prefer. They call the Sport Axe and the Camp Axe axes, when inded they are actually hatchets. (I do like the rather heavy head on the Camp model!)
 
I like to take a Fiskars Mini Hatchet with me.It's compact,east to carry on/in a pack or on the belt.I just find it far better than a large knife to baton with or chop small wood up for starters,and safer. I take a small belt knife with me,a SAK Farmer and a Queen Cutlery liner lock for strictly food tasks(not raw meat etc). So far, it's worked a treat.
 
The more gear you carry, the more your pack weighs. The more you carry that pack, the stronger you become. Use out of the pack each time you go out and after awhile, you will know which gear you should keep and which gear you can remove. The more you use out of the pack, the more gear you will remove from and add to the pack. Pretty soon you got every piece used and you are comfortable with the packs weight and the gear you have chosen. Many of the items doing more than one job.

Never rely on others to do what needs to be done, when you can do it yourself. It's the only way to become self sufficient in all aspects of your life.
 
Joezilla:

Okay, 5lbs for three days got my interest FOR SURE.

Can you list it out for us please?

Bear
 
reconranger said:
I always carry three things: a multitool, something to cut wood with, and a fixed blade knife.
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Concur with Reconranger.

My multitool is sometimes a swiss army knife.

My wood cutter changes between a Gransfors Bruks hatchet and an original Newt Livesay RTAK depending upon the terrain. Never know when you're going to have to cut emergency firewood for hypothermia or a landing zone or signal area for aircraft / helicopters etc.
 
I have to agree with many of the points you have made, guys. However, hte more I travel, the more I see I really do not need heavy cutting gear:
1. I do not like travelling to wilderness in cold, I do not have much fun going waist deep in snow, and I do not like skiing, except in mountains;
2. Fingers crossed, but "Proper Preparation Prevents P... Poor Performance" - when I know I will be travelling abroad to wilderness, I contact the firm that organises the trip, ask them what to bring, check what we will do, climate, possible dangers, inform relatives when I should be back, what route we will take etc. So tar I see my wife and I usually take less luggage than our trip companions, but at the same time I feel we are much more comfortable (I was once really surprised to see a couple travelling to Amazon jungle with us, and they brought two large trolley suitcases!:confused: The handles of the suitcases broke on the first day, so I built them harnesses that they could carry their luggage as backpacks);
3. Wood for fire can be usually found near the camp already relatively broken. Sometimes, of course, you are in wet climate, so cannot use wood from the forest floor, but you can still find branches hanging from trees. As long as you do not stay in the same place for a long time (more than 1 week) there is really not a big problem with finding wood.
Perhaps, I am a bit disappointed that I do not have to use heavy equipment because I do not have much need, therefore I started this topic.:D And travelling lights works wonders on my back. :D
 
i guess there is somewhat of a difference between an organized trip and some of the types of trips that we have the luxury of taking in the usa, if i want oto get lost for a time i can go to any of the state or national parks here, check in with the rangers and just be on my way, stay as long as i like, no itinerary no guides, just me or whoever i travel with. so my needs to be self sufficient rather than rely on the organizers for equipment are different. i have been on organized trips to africa, and you dont need much to get along as most things are provided, but if you go solo to our western states, you can be very much alone, so your gear requirements are different.

i think that the types of trips are different.

alex
 
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