Maximum Efficiency

Barrabas

Barrabas

Joined
Feb 8, 2005
Messages
1,135
I am really torn here guys and gals..

When in the woods lately, I have been carrying a GB wildlife Hatchet, a Busse Basic 5, a Small Seb, and of course a SAK..
Primarily to figure out which I feel the most efficient with in the different scenarios of hiking/camping - Of course all have their strong suits.

I am considering going to a larger fixed blade to replace the Hatchet and potentially the medium sized fixed blade..

Here are some concerns with getting away from the Hatchet..

1 - It of course chops like crazy
2 - Can when needed choke up on it VERY comfortably to make fuzz / finer work etc
3 - with the sheath it carrys very comfortably on my belt/pack.

Those point considered, I don't know if I will have the same efficiency/ease of carry/adaptability if I went with a Large Fixed Blade.

I would really appreciate the opinions of those who spend a good bit of time in the field.

Thanks,

sp
 
For me, I find a Large knife more well rounded. A large knife and small-med fixed would do everything, mabye a small folder for the small tasks.

Then again, I enjoy having a 3/4 style axe (19"handle) 4" blade a multitool. splitting wood is much eaiser for me, and im not limited to having to keep a 10" blade covered and safe, I can tuck a axe anywhere, where a knife would have to be on the belt, pack or what have you. Plus the sheeple friendly for me is they way to go in my area.
 
my advise is to get a big knife to try ( i would suggest a 12 inch machete) that won't break the bank. if you decided that you like it enough to invest in a better blade, go ahead. if you don't like it, toss the machete in the trunk for emergencies.

or you could pick up a higher end fixed blade and try it out, and if you don't like it trade it away or sell it.

because tool preference is so personal, its hard to say this or that will be better for you based on what i like. the only real way to find out is to try it.
 
I say try it and see how it works (or doesn't) for you. I saw (I think) your thread in the Busse forum, and if you're consider getting an FBM, I say go for it. After all, if you don't like it, you'll be likely able to sell it off even, perhaps even at a profit if you're lucky (and especially if it's a CG).

Depending on how you like to do things and where, you may find, as I have, that there isn't any pressing need for carrying a large chopping device be that a hatchet or a knife while out in the woods - unless one is there for work instead of recreation, in which case a chainsaw and a large axe might be better.

For me, the hatchet/axe has been a more effective choice than a large chopper knife, but the chopping knife is more fun, though, and since I don't often have a pressing need to carry any kind of chopping tool, it doesn't much matter which I bring along.

Personally, if I were you, I'd drop the Basic 5 and the Sebenza out of your tool kit and replace them with a good small, 3 to 4" fixed blade.
 
In last few months I`m used to take Tramontina cut down to 13˝,for it is light,and good for brushes and vines,and 13,7˝ handle hatchet,and 4˝or 5˝ fixed blade.And SAK.That way I don't have any concerns,I always feel covered..
 
I switched from a hatchet to a big knife a couple years ago and couldn't be happier! A big knife can be worked through any size log you desire with a baton untill you have one big pile of kindling and it's easier to get the kindling in any size you desire or need depending on moisture content of the wood at hand. It's also safer than swinging a heavy short edged hatchet which can get dangerous as you tire and as mentioned the thinner knife is easier to baton. I still use hatchets ( i did yesterday) just not very often since i have found a large knife with a thick spine better suited for my needs.
 
sdt11670 said:
It's also safer than swinging a heavy short edged hatchet which can get dangerous as you tire and as mentioned the thinner knife is easier to baton.
Click to expand...


Without sounding too dickish, this may be the case for you. With proper technique its just as safe, more so if you have a higher skill level. It all comes with the user.
 
briangandrews said:
I don't agree. Here is how you do it with an ax....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpVqfulnGms
Click to expand...

Wood already split that small is just as easily split with one stroke with a large knife but is brought to that size easier with a knife and baton. But as mentioned it depends on the user and what he is most comfortable using. I used a hatchet for over 20 years before i tried a big knife and found it better for me.
 
Okay, I misunderstood what you were saying. Once wood won't stand up on its own, people tend to not know what to do with an ax, and figure it is too hard to make it smaller :) I find making really small pieces with the ax quite fun, using that method. I think a knife an baton is very easy too, just showing an easy way to do it with an ax too.
 
Fonly said:
Without sounding too dickish, this may be the case for you. With proper technique its just as safe, more so if you have a higher skill level. It all comes with the user.
Click to expand...

You may be correct but i rarely hear of someone getting injured with a big knife but have often heard of hatchet related injuries. This could simply (and probably is) due to the fact that more people use hatchets. When i split large logs into kindling with a knife i am never swinging a sharp edge as i usually lay it on the log and strike it with a baton. Very small pieces of wood as shown in the video response here are struck with the knife itself and usually goes straight trough with one smooth motion. People use what they are most comfortable with and it took a lot of convincing for me to give up the hatchet for the big knife. There are many benefits the knife has such as less overall weight and bulk to carry and there are somethings that i wish i had a hatchet for but didn't bring one. Overall though the knife gets the job done with less bulk to carry.
 
What makes the cutlery you select "efficient" is determined to a large extent by where you are.
 
This is probably the most debated (or at least argued over) topic in this sub-forum. Ultimately, I think a lot of it depends on your skill level and comfort with each mode of chopper. Certain types of woods such as large diameter, still standing dead trees tend to work better with a hatchet/axe than a knife. The knife works so much better with smaller limbs though due to the extended reach of the cutting surface.

Logs can be split by by hatchet and by knife via baton or baton + wedges. This year, I made an effort to cut up all my car-camping wood (usually bought already split in half) by baton using my buck 119. I had the hatchet in the truck, but wanted to see if I could go without through the entire summer. I was skeptical at first but found I was able to break down all the wood with this one, relatively small, sized knife.

For myself, even though I found that I was able to split up and make kindling from all the wood I used, I felt that it took longer by far than what it would normally take me with a good hatchet. Again, better knife might help. I've also been using an axe and/or hatchet for 20 years and my aim and balance are pretty refined while my batoning skills are just being learned. Speed might not be the only criteria though. One of the reasons I wanted to try my little experiment was to enable me to have the confidence to forgoe a hatchet when weight becomes more of an issue.

There is probably no such thing as a $500 ax or hatchet (excluding hydraulic splitter's), but you can certainly pay this much for a large chopper knife. Then again, the price is probably more an attractant than a deterrent for us knife nuts!
 
briangandrews said:
Okay, I misunderstood what you were saying. Once wood won't stand up on its own, people tend to not know what to do with an ax, and figure it is too hard to make it smaller :) I find making really small pieces with the ax quite fun, using that method. I think a knife an baton is very easy too, just showing an easy way to do it with an ax too.
Click to expand...

The one thing i miss most from a hatchet is the poll. I use knives with an extended tang but i dont hammer with them (only usually use them as nut crackers) instead i cut a baton to use for hammering stakes and such, I still want my knives to have the extended tang or pommel as it is most useful and can be used to hammer stakes but unless you leave it in the sheath when doing so it can be dangerous since the point is vertical. In this instance the hatchet is the way to go for most people.
 
sdt11670 said:
People use what they are most comfortable with
Click to expand...

And this is allways what comes out in the end of any thread like this. I can chop safely, effciently and without fear of hurting myself, but I also can do that with a large knife. Also the terrain your in effects your choice of blade wear.
I find the sheathing needed for a large knife is what annoys me.
 
Good luck with the decision, I'm in the same boat. I've found a couple of 'larger' knives that I like a lot, and their competition is always the Fiskars hatchet. It's the quintessential to me.

I've thus far really enjoyed my KaBar 9" Heavy Bowie, and just picked up a RAT7 that I like a lot. The heavy bowie is really a great chopper and very comfortable, and affordable. It's comfy to choke up on too.

The RAT has a much nicer fit and finish and is a bit lighter at ~2" less blade, and 1/16" thinner. Feels great in the hand, though obviously not the chopper the KaBar is.

Either way, I don't depend as fully on a large blade to do chopping (except light work up to wrist-sized stuff). I do, however, really enjoy having them around for some batoning. This is something that the hatchet just can't do as well, (IMO).

Either way, both blades still do quality woodwork, which is always a prereq for any field blade. Good fuzz sticks, fine at food prep, good at camp chores. It's often just one less thing to have to carry with me, these days.

I usually just couple it to a Vic Farmer, and maybe the Fiskars saw (tee tiny, but quality saw).

I'm not sure all that rambling helped much, but just wanted to throw my two cents in that both options work (for me). I plan on using these blades (probably mostly the RAT) this summer and seeing how they work for me, especially as solo tools.
 
I personally love the 7" blade range, USMC, BK7 and a few others. I've been itchin to try a Recon scout and RD7. I find they can still do the tasks I need from them and their alot lighter then an axe.

Though that doesnt change my love for axes ;)
 
GB Wildlife hard to beat for sheer raw chopping power:thumbup:

Also way easier on arm, hand, shoulder than big knife.

I used mine today to chop two huge deadfalls off of my electric fence:D

But downside HEAVY. I think mine is 1 lb 10 oz? I usually don't routinely carry it in the woods unless I wanna cut something big.

For me it would be how much do I need either? If you do a lot of chopping out hiking I'd stick with the GB.
 
Fonly said:
I personally love the 7" blade range, USMC, BK7 and a few others. I've been itchin to try a Recon scout and RD7. I find they can still do the tasks I need from them and their alot lighter then an axe.

Though that doesnt change my love for axes ;)
Click to expand...

I have the rd7 and the bk7 but not the recon scout. They are great blades that are not overly large.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top