small hatchet or machete

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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while I do travel alot... the majority of hiking and camping i do is in the north east US...lately I've been carrying a 12 inch ontario machete it is short flat and easy to pack... I've also been considering a hatchet instead....the hatchet would be better for chopping...however I can chop what I need adequately with the machete (kindling, fire wood, shelter frame,) I can also batton with the machete enabling me to split wood to get flat panels which could be useful as a baseboard for a bow drill...or a makeshift splint for an injured companion..as well as any other # of applications...I'm open to suggestions...any thoughts?
 
For me, the question has always boiled down to my location and my time of year. If there is lots of thick brush that I'll have to go through and there are no trails, the bolo is probably coming with me. If it's winter or I know that I won't have to go through brush, the hatchet is coming.

The question is entirely decided by the location and the activities that I'll be performing. If it's still ambigous after that, I'd just carry whatever 'felt' best. Sounds a lot like your machete feels best to you.
 
I personally enjoy using a machete much more than a hatchet; not to say it works better, but it as you said, "feels" better. Spooky I like your taste; I too own and use a bolo 'chete!
 
Yes, your machete seems to be doing the job for you. I find the hatchet to be too specific and if I need to split something a machete won't, then maybe a small axe or bow saw is in order.

I pack an Ontario 12" and find it useful from splitting kindling to filleting large catfish.
 
Up here, I've never seen anyone with a merchete up in this area which is only about 8 hrs drive away from you. This is AXE country baby!!
 
I think this subject has been talked about a lot in other threads on this forum. The Ontario 18" is a handy and powerful tool. the 12" is really not.
If you're planning on doing a lot of hardwood chopping and splitting, a small axe/hatchet is hard to beat. That and a Zig saw will cover most everything.
Now if versatility is the Issue, then a better quality short machete or as I like to call them- Mach/Axe is the way to go.
Have a look here....
http://www.imagometrics.com/GoBags/Machetes.htm
No.4 is my personal favorite for all around versatility.
I had the Ontario in there but eliminated it due to a less than sharp edge out of the box.
 
I have a little bit of everything it seems. I've been working on a little Norland Camp hatchet, hand sanding to refinish, and it may replace my 12" Ontario cutlass. At least sometimes, but over all I like the 12" machete now that I have reprofiled the balde.

Also, I find a machete works muchs better on saplings. Was sighting in a rebarreled 10/22 last weekend at the in-laws farm. Forgot my shooting sticks, a couple wacks with the machete and a little 550 - I was good to go.
 
I use both for various different things. My Wetterlings hatchet goes with me if I know I'll be out overnight, better for splitting firewood. But most of the time it's on backyard duty, keeping my all summer long bonfire fed.

Now my Tramontina bolo machete is a constant companion on hikes and weekend outings. Alot of my dirt time is spent in the Pine Barrens and under brush like sticker bushes and brambles are everywhere. Hatchet becomes dead weight in that situation, but I can always chop and split with the machete.
 
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