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small bush axe?

That little axe by GL Drew that Orrey45 posted above is another great little axe. I got to handle one at Blade that was on a table and I was impressed. Thats a lot of cutting power in a small package.

SDS
 
Hello Dan been awhile..
I too have two Meigs single bits, one forged, one cast, good stuff!!
gotta ask, what the bushcrafter is next to the Del Stubs hook knife? I don't recognize it.
be safe...
Ted
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Hello, Ted! Real good to see that you are still around! BTW, I'm still using one of your EXCELLENT hiking sticks. :thumbup: Hope you and the family are doing well.

The knife is one of the Wheeler's (OSF) with tapered tang and African Blackwood scales. Just a super woodworking knife. I think you might be familiar with these.

I still really like my engraved Gransfors Mini for many things. However, the thinner head of the Miegs allows it to have more control with intricate tasks. Too, as Hollowdweller mentions, the handle is thinner which allows it to be easily stored in ones pack. I don't like carrying ANY heavy or bulky tool very far if I'm packin' in.
cliffknifeej3.jpg
 
Ya got some beautiful axes there, Hollowdweller. :thumbup: Though I have some double-bits in my collection, I'm a single-bit sort of guy. Reeves axes sure are purty. :)

Is Mr. Stripey one of Dale's? Nice.
 
I just bought (via ebay) a Vaughan Sub-zero and a Marbles double-bit hunters axe.
The Vaughan is 11 and 1/4 inches long with a 10 ounce head.
Now thats a small axe!
I have a Gerber Backpaxe, but for me its too short to be of any use so it mostly sits in my tool box.
I actually use my 14 inch Fiskars and 13 inch Wetterlings for most everything.
Heres the Vaughan and the Gerber
vaughanandgerbersmall.jpg

I haven't really used the vaughan yet as it needs some file work before its usable.
 
Reeves and Ft Meigs Nessmuk

nessmukians.jpg


HD's great pics of his Reeves are what finally drove me to buy a Marbles double bit.
:D
Of course the Marbles is no Reeves but still its a fun little axe.
:)
 
Hey guys.. I hate to be disagreeable here :), but I really don't feel that the double bits are as useful as a plain ol' single edge axe or hatchet. They are much more dangerous. I tend to think of in terms of a double edged knife.

Now, none of us are going to be caught dead on this forum toting a 'Arkansas Toothpick'. We would all agree that a knife like that has no place in the woods. So... why the double edged hatchet? I know that is the Nessmuk tradition...but that carries no weight today. There are far too many readily available and superior alternatives .

I like the fact that I can use the back of a hatchet for a hammer. I feel that one sharpened edge is plenty for me, and if it dulls I can sharpen it in the field. It can also be used for carving, skinning, field dressing animals, and other delicate work (see hollowdweller's post above).

So... why the double-bit? :confused: What are the advantages over a single bit? :confused:

Thanks in advance for your input. :D
 
kdstrick said:
So... why the double edged hatchet?
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Ummmm "why?"
Answer -
A)Why not!
B)They are fun!
C)The more axes the better
D) All of the above

D!

lol.

HD should be able to answer more sensibly than i , i'm a double-bit noob!

:D

(Only 2/15 of my axes are double bits, the marbles and a 3.5 pound DB head thats calling out to me to re-handle it.)
 
tholiver said:
Ummmm "why?"
Answer -
A)Why not!
B)They are fun!
C)The more axes the better
D) All of the above

D!

lol.

HD should be able to answer more sensibly than i , i'm a double-bit noob!

:D

(Only 2/15 of my axes are double bits, the marbles and a 3.5 pound DB head thats calling out to me to re-handle it.)
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HAHAHAHA! :D HEY... fun is a good enough answer for me!!! :thumbup: We are in total agreement that one can never have enough toys... :)
 
I had a wetterlings SFA kicking around the woods with me for about a year back in Nova Scotia, great little axe. primarily cut soft wood, but some maple and poplar were cut with it.

Over all I liked it alot, the grind, weight, length and ergo's were great. I split a cord of wood with it aswell.

p3020012vx1.jpg

Shot at 2008-03-07

Also liked my trail master, good chopper.
pb020008fq0.jpg


Mannnn I miss my playground. :D
 
kdstrick said:
Hey guys.. I hate to be disagreeable here :), but I really don't feel that the double bits are as useful as a plain ol' single edge axe or hatchet. They are much more dangerous. I tend to think of in terms of a double edged knife.

Now, none of us are going to be caught dead on this forum toting a 'Arkansas Toothpick'. We would all agree that a knife like that has no place in the woods. So... why the double edged hatchet? I know that is the Nessmuk tradition...but that carries no weight today. There are far too many readily available and superior alternatives .

I like the fact that I can use the back of a hatchet for a hammer. I feel that one sharpened edge is plenty for me, and if it dulls I can sharpen it in the field. It can also be used for carving, skinning, field dressing animals, and other delicate work (see hollowdweller's post above).

So... why the double-bit? :confused: What are the advantages over a single bit? :confused:

Thanks in advance for your input. :D
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I like both but at least Gransfors Bruks says you shouldn't use their hatchets as hammers.

Besides the cool factor the reason I like the double bits that I have #1 They are lighter than almost any single bit of the same size I could find and #2 on a long trip I can alternate bits more and then I don't have to re sharpen.

Another factor (for me) as far as the Reeves double bit is I'm a khukuri person at heart but they are slightly too heavy to carry backpacking unless you are doing a lot of brush cutting too and can justify it that way. But the Reeves is really light and short, and at the same time it has really wide bits for a hatchet it's size so cutting with it technique wise is a bit more like a khukuri.

As far as dangerous, I've heard that a LOT but in the 3 years I've had mine the only time I have cut myself with it was with the forward edge. I think the wide bits on the Reeves contribute to safety quite a bit.

That said my two favorite hatchets on either side of the Reeves are the GB Wildlife,( but it's heavier and the bit is shorter and not as curved) and the GB mini(but it's MUCH lighter and doesn't chop as deep)

So for me it's more size weight and ergonomics rather than double bits.

I had one of the Marbles double bits but for me the balance was off. I felt clumsy chopping with it and considering the size and weight the GB Wildlife performed as well. However I'd say if you were doing a lot of SPLITTING the Marbles might be the way to go.
 
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I can't argue with the benefits of a double bit but I really prefer single bit on a small axe for the choking up factor. I find that delicate work with my GB mini completely out classes large chopper knives or even medium sized knives of the same weight. I think that it makes it a more all around tool. Not that any of us only carry one blade into the woods though.:D
 
Now I use a hatchet that Wetterlings made for Jonsered:Very good hatchet,and not expensive one Here it is next to the Trail hawk.And Wetterlings made those for Husqvarna too.

DSC00046.jpg
 
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Shotgun said:
I find that delicate work with my GB mini completely out classes large chopper knives or even medium sized knives of the same weight. I think that it makes it a more all around tool. Not that any of us only carry one blade into the woods though.:D
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I totally agree. I've thought it would be cool to take just the mini on a trip and no knife.

Also I think the way you can choke up in the mini you can actually whittle wood better than with a big blade with a huge choil notch because your hand and the part of the knife you are using to cut is closer.

The only downside is if you are cutting down thru something wider than the edge to eye.

A lot of people cite shelter building as a reason to carry a big blade but like you say not sure if the mini wouldn't be a better all around tool.
 
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