Should I get a larger Wetterlings?

[hiwa]

Hi. I bought the Wildlife hatchet a while ago (13") , and wondering if I should also get the Small hunter's axe (16"). I own the Lrg. Estwing for bigger chopping duties , but originally bougt the 13" for firestartng duty. Really, if I had to pick only one axe for a trip, it would be the Large Estwing. But it has one drawback-it's heavy. So my question comes down to this: If I am going backpacking, as opposed to car camping, can my 13" get me by for the most part, and how have you guys faired with just a hatchet ,as opposed to a small forest-type of axe ?

Thanks.

 

[mogwai]

I had all the Wetterlings (13, 16 & 19") for a short time. I like the 13" as a hunting accessory. It is handy for field dressing big game, light campfire stuff and is handy to carry all day. I could probably get by for a night or 2 with this axe in a pinch, but there are better tools for serious camping or bushcraft. It is most likely to be the axe I have when I head into the woods, though.

The 16" & 19" have the same size head with different length handles, I think. I could never warm up to the 16". Head seemed a bit to heavy for the handle length. I gave it to a trapper cousin. He loves it as a specific tool on his trapline.

The 19" handle seems a better match for the head weight. It would be a better tool for more dedicated axe work, and is small enough to be considered for backpack camping. It is also the axe I would be most likely to leave behind.

 

[hiwa]

Thanks Mogwai. I'll try to get the 19" when my campstore re-stocks them. I looked at the Fiskars today,but I like traditional axes too much .