Survival Axe VS Bushcraft Axe

S

SR69

Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Messages
238
I've been doing my best to "not" make decisions based on emotion when acquiring my gear.
When it came to axe choice, I was set on getting an Eswting Camper's Axe.
I've used Estwing products my entire life and they have served me well.

BUT!

Once I saw Wetterlings & Gransfor Bruks Axes, I knew my discipline was about to go out the window.
One of the major reasons I was going to go with Estwing (besides my experiences with their products)
was that they are constructed of solid steel and I felt they'd last me forever pretty much.
I never thought about getting a wooden handled axe because of the maintenance issue.
I knew that eventually, I'd have to replace the handle. With steel, I wouldn't have to.

Anyway, I know I'm sliding down the slippery slope of going with my heart and passing up the Estwing.
I will be getting either a Wetterlings or a Gransfor Bruks Axe. I'm leaning towards the Wildlife Models
of either brand (yes, I know that they are now one company) with a 13" handle.

For general Bushcrafting, shelter building and firewood processing, would I miss the length of the next size up (16")?

I know that the quality of the Wetterling/GB steel is going to be superior to Estwing and that's the #1 reason that
I'm going to go with one of the Swedes. I'll get an Estwing Axe anyway just to keep in a back-up pack, but I plan to
do all my Bushcrafting work with the W/GB Axe.

I'm open to any tips on maintenance and care anyone here would have.

Thanks.

Wildlife_Axe.jpg
 
I've got the GB Hunters Ax. The steel is extremely fine.

It can chop & split wood, slice tomatos (fine slicing), skin animals, chop bone, and sharpen pencils (very fine bushcraft).

The only weakness would be handle replacement. I don't think that would be all that easy.

I am eyeing a Two-Hawks tomahawk because it seems more suitable for a travel pack.
 
16 inches is just a bad length. you are more likely to miss having a boys axe size at 26 inches and 2 pounds or so.
 
I would go for the small forest/hunters axe. The wildlife is just a weird size, at least for my needs. I prefer my large blades over my hatchet, if I had an axe it would probably be a different story!
 
I might also suggests going up in size. You can just do SO much more with a boy's axe than a small hatchet.

On another note, if you are well accustomed to the Estwings, I think you will be blown away at how much more useful the GB will be. Just my opinion. My opinion is also that if you bought the Council Tools boys axe, you'd be just as happy if not more happy with it than the Small Forest Axe at a much lower price. I find that "American style" axes with a high centerline (convex cheeks) are generally superior to "European style" flat cheeks in almost every application other than maybe carving. If you want something that is very aesthetically pleasing, then maybe you should go with a GB after all. Nothing wrong with that.
 
I have an Estwings hunters axe...It's an old axe. Probably is basically indestructible under normal use.

But it in no way even closely compares to my GB'S.

For general bushcraft use the wildlife hatchet or the small forest axe work well.

If I'm actually going to be cutting a good bit of wood then I would take a boys axe.
 
I have the 19" wetterlings and I can't say enough good things about it. I love that it fits inside my pack and most of my work can be done with a hatchet but when the occasional two-handed swing is needed you can do it with this axe. It's a pound or more lighter than the boys size axe too. I realize the benefit of a good boys axe, especially up north or during winter, but honestly this axe has not left me wanting. It bites very deep and has handled everything I've thrown at hit.
 
I don't think anyone has answered his question yet. But I'll check back later. For now, I would go with the wooden handle axe and not worry about replacing the handle
 
1-3 extra pounds of axe is good extra weight to cary.
i think 26 -32" is a good allround handle length
 
SR69 said:
I know that the quality of the Wetterling/GB steel is going to be superior to Estwing
Click to expand...

How do you know that? What types of steel are they? What are their hardnesses.

My preference for bushcraft work is a hatchet with a straight bit like a carpenters hatchet or broad hatchet. If I'm going to be cutting down small trees or limbing then I'll choose a hatchet with a rounded bit. A quality folding saw and a carpenters hatchet is a hard combo to beat.
 
I have the Wetterlings 19" forest axe and I think it's the most dangerous cutting tool I own.

It's too heavy to control as a hatchet, and it doesn't have either the striking force or the safety of a properly proportioned axe.

The short blade length makes it more difficult to chop small limbs with, and due to the short handle the only way you can achieve a clean follow through is to get down on your knees.

It's a beautifully constructed tool, just a very dangerous size and weight IMO.

I agree that a two pound boys axe with a 24~28" handle is a superior tool.
 
I just got a velvicut on 20 inch handle. It looks great and feels good too. I will get to the use and abuse now.
 
I have the hatchet you have pictured and love it.

need to think about survival. ( get my ass out alive) build a fire, throw up a small shelter, carry it till you are fournd or find some help.

bushcraft. might be kind of same but different, maybe a hunting camp for a long weekend or week, are you building a cabin? chopping a cord or two of wood? might need an axe, or a good little bow saw. less work to saw than chop.

I like axes and hatchet, but for a just in case senario a nice hatchet would be handy and if you din't use it, it is less weight. maybe a small axe18 to 26 inches long.
 
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