Q for ESEE fans; Hatchet, machete, or big blade?

Good question. I'm in a similar quandry.

A small axe is a great choice for felling trees and processing large amounts of wood.

A large knife can be used for moderate chopping and batoning.

The machete can cut down smaller trees without much trouble, baton wood and also clear brush, which the other 2 tools can't do as well.

So really the machete seems to be the most universal tool. F-it, I'm ordering a Lite Machete for my b-day.
 
adaman04 said:
Good question. I'm in a similar quandry.

A small axe is a great choice for felling trees and processing large amounts of wood.

A large knife can be used for moderate chopping and batoning.

The machete can cut down smaller trees without much trouble, baton wood and also clear brush, which the other 2 tools can't do as well.

So really the machete seems to be the most universal tool. F-it, I'm ordering a Lite Machete for my b-day.
Click to expand...

Mine is on its way. I can't wait to use it.I have a couple tramotina's and they are great. Machetes rock!
 
I know this wasn't one of the options, but I choose tools based upon getting the most "bang for the buck" functionally-speaking. Weight in the rucksack is a big deal...having said that, here's what I use for cutting logs/limbs/general firewood - it's lightweight, durable, sharp, and has a multitude of functions:

GB-46048.jpg


Combine this with an ESEE-5 or -6, and you have an unbeatable, functional combination...the saw cuts the trees/whatever, the -5 or -6 split the wood much safer than an axe or hatchet. Plus, the saw is quieter in evasion scenarios.

While it may not be as "manly" as a hawk or an axe, it fits the bill nicely.

If you don't like the saw solution, try one of the chain-saw-in-a-can type.

I have axes, machetes, hatchets, etc., but I carry the saw because it's lightweight, it's smaller, and it outperforms all the aforementioned (pound for pound), but it works best as a complementary tool to a larger fixed-blade chopper.
 
Given the requirements I would have to go with the large blade. Even though it won't chop the same as a Gransfors or Wetterlings axe, it has the capability to chop adequately and to do the finer tasks that might be needed. You aren't likely to be processing wood by the cord on a hiking trip. Ideally you would have a small camp knife for any finer needs, but the req is to only have one item. Not really sure if you could flip pancakes with an axe, but that knife sure could (heh). Also, If things went "wrong" on the trip and you were somehow put in a survivial situation an axe would require massive calorie expenditure in order to use it as compared to a large blade, and that could be a critical factor. That's my two cents.
 
I've got to go ahead and disagree on the massive caloric expenditure with an axe. You're going to get more wood with the axe per calorie than the other two....easily.
 
You bring up an interesting point, Diz. When it comes right down to it calories may not be the defining factor in a survival situation. The first thing needed is shelter and that most likely means a collection of smaller limbs, saplings and brush rather than falling a giant Redwood. In this sense it would make no difference if you use an axe or knife. The differences that might play a larger role are the weight of carry, the amount of time you have to depend on the tool, and the risk of injury. The risk of injury risk could be significant depending on the users experience with an axe. The knife gives the user more control and theoretically less risk overall, and an axe injury could be the beginning of the end of a survival situation. If I had my druthers I would prefer to have my camp knife, Sawvivor, axe and large blade - but I'm a preparedness whore.
 
I use a Wetterlings hunter's axe for the winter, and a machete for summer.
In my area there is lots of brush in the summer that needs to be removed "IF" you are like me and camps away from campsites or off the trail. In the winter all the brush is gone, so there's no need for whacking brush. Then, when my clothing is thicker and big roaring fires are needed, my axe is king.
I always carry a Gerber/Fiskars saw with me though, it weights next to nothing, and it processes wood like nobody's business.
 
I'm going to throw out another option, one which I think bests all 3:

The kukri.

I mean a real one, not a bent machete.

A good kukri will chop as well or better than the hatchet, and clear brush as well as the machete. The way a proper kukr is made, the final bevel (unless you put a microbevel on it) will be a very shallow convex with maybe a 15 degree edge angle, inclusive. From there, it tapers to the spine -- it's not just a flat slab with a bevel put on it like western imitations use. For light brush it works well because you'll be through the brush before you get to the larger part of the blade. It works for chopping and splitting because the wood only contacts the final bevel area and doesn't drag along the wide surface. It also has a lot of weight behind the edge giving it the mass to chop and split well.
 
I prefer an axe with a 24" handle.
with the type of brush I encounter around my neck of the woods, a 12-18" blade (machete or Khukri) beats both the chopper and an 18" axe for reach. (lots of thorny species and stuff that will bind on an axe handle)
Most of my hardwoods will curl the edge on a machete. (at least the commercial ones I have tried) I recently traded for an HI M43 I'm going to try out this weekend as well as a 10" machete. I already know my 12" CS Gurkha lite will limb better than and outchop the CS 18" magnum kukri machete.
For that matter, my old mil-surp shovels makes pretty decent chopper/cutters and they're only 19" stem to stern -- if I could only carry one, that might beat all the other suggestions I've seen so far. (plus it's easier to dig a latrine pit with a shovel than any of the others in rocky soil)
That said, I'm really looking forward to the Junglas so I can see how it performs as well.

As to which one is better/best? Depends on what terrain I'm going to be in. Mn has lots of pine, as does southern Tx near the water. Ax is not critical in either of those, but would be in hardwood terrain, like the North East or even most of Ok or Western Tx.

just my .02
 
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Cpl Punishment said:
I'm going to throw out another option, one which I think bests all 3:

The kukri.

I mean a real one, not a bent machete.

...
Click to expand...

What's a good mid-sized make/model?

The only kukri I own is what would be called a "bent machete"...Actually a bent machete with the most uncomfortable handle I've ever used on anything. It's one of the cheap Cold Steel ones.
 
DH1 said:
What's a good mid-sized make/model?

The only kukri I own is what would be called a "bent machete"...Actually a bent machete with the most uncomfortable handle I've ever used on anything. It's one of the cheap Cold Steel ones.
Click to expand...

Go to the Himalayan Imports forum here.

The M43 is a good balance type kukri -- jack of all trades of sorts. The Ang Kholas will outchop an axe of the same size, and there's lighter versions like the sirupate that are more machete-like.

Going from the purpose being lighter vegetation to heavy chopping, I'd recommend:
Chitlangi
M43
Ang Khola.
 
NothingCoherent said:
Anyway, if it were up to me, I'd get a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe coupled with a small bushcraft knife. It's the perfect size to throw into your backpack, and will certainly get the job done.
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Ditto on the Gransfors ;)
I know what will suit my needs- they all overlap some way, and together they weight alot. Alot of where we differ IMHO bears on our environment x our needs x our kitophillia!

For me, here, it's -Bow saw, Gransfors forest axe, RC-6, Izula.

I can carry all these with camping gear, and get pretty much everything done for a trip away.

But to answer the op question, I'd take a large fixed blade. Speaking again in terms of how they 'overlap', i think the large fixed blade does a better overlapping job.
 
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anotherbrother said:
For me, here, it's -Bow saw, Gransfors forest axe, RC-6, Izula.
Click to expand...

I like that combo. The saw is probably the most important bit, at least around hardwoods. It's just the least sexxy, and gets less attention for it. I've never been one for all the cool new folding saws. Just gimme a nice cheap bowsaw and I'm happy. The outside of the pack is a fine place to tie things :)
 
the right answer seems to be "yes."... i know of a fellow in alaska who uses a bowsaw and estwing carpenter's hatchet for everything. he's built more than a few cabins with those two. he brought a couple inches of his hatchet to a knife's edge, and uses it almost exclusively for cleaning salmon, and whatever else he catches. makes his own nets, too... i think he finally bugged out though.
 
DH1 said:
What's a good mid-sized make/model?

The only kukri I own is what would be called a "bent machete"...Actually a bent machete with the most uncomfortable handle I've ever used on anything. It's one of the cheap Cold Steel ones.
Click to expand...

I had the same issue with the handle on my kukri and found a good answer at http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Ghurka/Khukri Modification.htm
He posts pics and gives a good description on how to easily modify the handle, etc. Solved the problem for me.

Adding Pic of the kukri mod results along with RC-6 and RC-3 for perspective:
DSC0336.JPG
 
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I can drive stakes with a baton.

I'm with Corp. If I can carry only one it would be my M-43 kukri. But I would also make room for my pocket chainsaw.

With that combo (or just the kukri) ai have built several trappers cabins and numerous other shelters.
 
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