Should I swap out the big blade for a hatchet?

D

DangerZone98

Joined
Dec 7, 2019
Messages
3,603
Hey friends. This isn’t urgent at all and purely in the interest of discussion. Let’s say the context of the question is camping/urban get-home bags, but feel free to bring up other situations.

Instead of the usual two knife combo (e.g. Becker BK9 + BK16 or ESEE Junglas + ESEE 3) do you get more bang for your buck with a hatchet + small blade of your choice? Small blade handles the delicate stuff, and the hatchet takes on the fun stuff like chopping, prying, hammering, and other tasks that would generally be considered abuse for a knife. If the goal here is a jack-of-all-trades two-tool system, is it a sound kit?

I’d love to read your thoughts and experiences on this one, but I hope we keep the discussion respectful and constructive. :) Feel free to bring up other tools like saws and multitools. Personally, I love big blades so the bias is definitely there, haha.
 
Totally depends on what you are feeling you need to do.

However, it really falls down to what you are more comfortable with. Big knife guys will go on and on about the diversity a 9+" blade offers over a hatchet. Hatchet guys will point out that most everything a big knife can do, a hatchet can handle similarly as well as chop wood better.

I would feel fine with both. I would say that I would feel like I would get more out of a short hatchet over a camp axe because I choke for fine work.

That said, khukuri guy here. A lightweight 15" khuk with a wide blade is like an old friend. I wouldn't be able to perform most tasks I can handle with a knife like that if I were forced to use a large straight edge blade or a hatchet.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
Totally depends on what you are feeling you need to do.

However, it really falls down to what you are more comfortable with. Big knife guys will go on and on about the diversity a 9+" blade offers over a hatchet. Hatchet guys will point out that most everything a big knife can do, a hatchet can handle similarly as well as chop wood better.

I would feel fine with both. I would say that I would feel like I would get more out of a short hatchet over a camp axe because I choke for fine work.

That said, khukuri guy here. A lightweight 15" khuk with a wide blade is like an old friend. I wouldn't be able to perform most tasks I can handle with a knife like that if I were forced to use a large straight edge blade or a hatchet.
Click to expand...
Figured from the sig you’re a kukri man. :D Love my kukris too hehe. I’d need to bulk up for 15” of steel though. An 11” kuk is about the sweet spot for me.
 
For my needs I always prefer a hatchet over a large blade. I rigged a spit with ease with a hatchet- everything from trimming to pointing and hammering. When it comes to wood processing there is no equal, in my opinion. Well… except a full size axe.
 
I'll let you know, soon......

I'm a Big knife kind of guy, but I've been asking myself these same questions?
I scored a full tang hatchet made by Parks. Looks to be about perfect, it's smaller than I'm used to, but I hear Rave reviews.....
I should be getting it this week, and I have tons of stuff to chop up!
 
Surprised no one has mentioned the venerable smatchet, best of both worlds.

I prefer a hatchet to a big knife, unless you're cutting through tall grass/bushes. For trail hiking/camping/running around the woods, I feel a hatchet has more usability.
 
I do have a big knife, and while it does have a cool factor, it's the least used knife I own. In real world use I like a 4 inch fixed blade, small axe, and silky saw. So yeah, I'd go with the hatchet. Try chopping a log with both, and see what you think.
 
Charlie_K said:
I don't understand the question either. Maybe he's asking if you're on the east coast or the west coast?
Click to expand...
neither do I on understanding the comment, but Chicago aint east coast. we call it midwest on the east coast. think he's making a joke of big city vs. big city somehow? not sure if he's implying crime or terrain or what?

on topic...I like a hatchet. just have to be practical and reasonable with how you use it. I keep one in the 4x4. im in jungle and swamp so I prefer a machete to both and keep one in the 4x4 also. also have a cold steel small shovel, comes in handy often. if i was walking and carrying my tools, I might lean back toward the larger knife just for weight and space. all really depends on what I'm planning on doing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top