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propensity to use a hatchet

The Government

The Government

Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
2,932
What is your propensity to use a small axe or a hatchet when backpacking or hiking in the woods?

I know a lot of people prefer a large knife or machete in place of a hatchet. I have large knives and machetes, but no nice hatchets or axes.

I cant decide between the Roselli and Gransfors Bruks axes. I am almost sold on the Roselli axes for backpacking, camping, or hiking, but I cant decide on the 14" or 18".

It will be used in Northwest Oregon, particularly along the coast. I am going to be doing a lot of hiking, backpacking , and even making some trails.

Thanks:):thumbup:
 
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I learned axes back in the Scouts and I like them. I recommend buying several.
 
shunsui said:
I learned axes back in the Scouts and I like them. I recommend buying several.
Click to expand...

LOL. I know! I am probably over-thinking it. :p

I just cant decide between the 14" and 18"

The 14 seems small enough to pack all the time, but it will loose a lot of power compared to the 18" .. right?
 
+1. If your going to go hatchets have a couple..different lenghts, weights for different seasons. Heavier wood cutting like winter camping might be served by a heavier model, hiking or trail clearing by a lighter one. Geography will play a part too..more woody where you are, more jungle like here, so a machete type tool is more useful from my humble point of view.
 
i believe the heads weigh the same....so really it depends on your grip for the leverage point....i suggest grabbing a stick or two and compare 2 hand grips with 14" vs 18"
 
I never use a hatchet, I hates 'em. I'd rather use a knife or a machete. I occasionally use a knife or a splitting maul, as a matter of necessity, but I don't enjoy it.
 
The Government said:
LOL. I know! I am probably over-thinking it. :p

I just cant decide between the 14" and 18"

The 14 seems small enough to pack all the time, but it will loose a lot of power compared to the 18" .. right?
Click to expand...

I don't think the extra 4" of handle would weight so much more.. So, I would go with the 18" version in order to increase reach and power (as you said yourself) and be able to use it two handed.
 
I'm not an axe expert but i wouldn't go shorter than a 14" for sure.
The only exception to that rule would be shorter hatchets like the GB mini or one of the old Norlund hatchets with heads around 16-20 ounces.
But then for me they are more oriented to dayhikes or very short trips.
How big is your pack?
If you are going to go above 14" make sure its not too long to fit in your pack.
I have 10", 12", 13", 14"'s, 20" 22" and then the full sized 36" +.
Mostly i just carry the 14 inchers (Fiskars or my GB).
The Wetterlings 19" and 26" look really nice though.
Dang i though i was done buying axes!
lol.
 
Hatchets and camp ax's are cool. I like using them just to vary the action a bit from time to time. It is then, when you use a REALLY well designed one, after having used your 8 or 9" chopper for a couple months to hack at wood, that you realize just how wicked those chips are coming from the ax and how short it really makes your work.
 
I guess I am going to buy both and I will have to live with that. This really is a sickness and I need help, or at least a cookie.

I cant get them both at once, so first I will go for the 18"

Later I might go back for the 14" but I suppose that by that time my taste after having a Roselli will change and I will want a GB.

Off to Ragnar's,

Thanks for the help guys, its always appreciated:thumbup:.
 
The Government said:
I guess I am going to buy both and I will have to live with that. This really is a sickness and I need help, or at least a cookie.

I cant get them both at once, so first I will go for the 18"

Later I might go back for the 14" but I suppose that by that time my taste after having a Roselli will change and I will want a GB.

Off to Ragnar's,

Thanks for the help guys, its always appreciated:thumbup:.
Click to expand...
GB's are great but don't rule out Wetterlings, look at them at bensbackwoods store online.
Or if you can paw one locally even better!
I love my GB but they are usually out of my price range, i fluked into my 14" GB on ebay for around $50 Canadian...woohoo!
I have a 13" Wetterlings which is nice as well, not as nice as the GB but for half the regular price of an equivalent GB the Wetterlings is near equal in functionality. (At least in my experience with my two).
 
Going to Ragnars eh?
Don't look at the Hawks or that will start you off on another tangent,lol.
 
Long blade my druthers's or a 19" axe you can all way's choke up for more cutting ability.
 
allways loved my wetterlings, there was a great review on a site a long time ago, like years I think, I can't remember it, but we used it alot on the debate on what was a better make, the BG, wetterlings or rosseli. One thing I will open you up to are the hudson bay style axes, one from Snow and nelly.

I do prefer the 19" wetterlings for sure.
 
I own two Wetterling's a 13inch and a 3/4 axe. I'm really impressed with them both. They take and keep an excellent edge. Too the point I sold my fiskars in those sizes.
Played with a Mates GB and anothers Roselli's. Rosellies have a very steep bevel and it will be major work to thin it out. So much I wouldn't think it was worth it.
There was a product reveiw on the old "outdoor magazine" maybe by old Jimbo??
I don't remember it Suggesting the Rosselli was a better buy than the GB's.
I haven't brought an axe on line. The price would have to be good enough to cover the cost of replacing the handle if the set was off or the grain shite.
GB have a reputation and the price to match I'd look for a Wetterlings just on the off chance.
Carl
 
Thanks guys, I forgot about wetterlings. I will probably try one of those before a GB.

Tholiver -I already have been looking at the throwers! They have been put on the "okay to impulse buy" list. LOL

The Roselli 18" has been ordered! I cant wait to hold it.

warrigal -I read that review/ comparison. I remember that both axes won in different categories. I think he said the GB SFA won overall because he needed it for limbing, but only by a margin. The roselli was a better splitter. Either way, this will only be my first good axe, there will be more to come.

Thanks
 
I grew up with hatchets so if I have a hatchet/axe with me, I'll always use it. However, sometimes I'm not willing to carry the weight.

DancesWithKnives
 
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