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- Feb 18, 2009
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Yes, environment is everything here when selecting the proper tools. My wife is from the jungle, I am from the North Woods. Two very different cultures who survived using different tools.
Just a few words about the far north country and the Northwest where I live: I have been very involved over the decades with hunting, canoeing, camping, rafting (running the rivers), backpacking, and flying in Canada, Alaska, and all of the northwestern states. I sincerely know of NO experienced wilderness guide or outdoor professional who would choose to be without the axe in these locations. They will tell you (so will I) that if only one tool selection was available, it would be "the axe." The *sharp* axe can provide warmth and shelter and perform most any duty that a knife will in that environment (been there, done that, many, many times). Even the Iditarod sled racers are required to carry the axe in the sled at all times (we support one of the racers).
Currently, our property backs right up to one of the largest National Wilderness Areas in the country. This in turn runs into a number of National Forests. From our property, you can see 5 mountains that are over 10,000 feet high and a number of other mountains that are at the 6000-8000 foot level. We live at 4500 feet at the base of these mountains. During the winter months, we snowmobile and cross country ski in these mountains (out the back door) and a person REALLY needs to pay attention to where they are going out there (a few folks have never been found). You get lost in those deep snows, below freezing temperatures, and you have some serious issues facing you. I carry an axe and a large folding buck saw on the snowmobile when we head into the hills because ONLY the axe is going to provide enough firewood to stay warm out there if you need it. The knife (any knife) will be worthless compared with the axe in that environment. I can say the same of the hatchet. You want a full-sized axe to ensure that you don't have to participate in a survival situation to begin with! Working for SAR for number of years around here, I have lots of stories of people who perished in the winter months because they either could not generate a fire, or could not sustain it. The axe will sustain it.
One can also perish even on the few hundred wooded acres that we own. If I was to ride my horse to the back of the property in the winter, set up camp for a week, I would need an axe or one of the chainsaws for wood. The trees are froze hard (sometimes encased in ice) and the knife or hatchet simply bounce off of the potential fuel. A different story in the warm summer months altogether.
The history and efficiency of the axe speaks for itself. The axe settled Oregon and the Northwest, not the six shooter.One of our Oregon trees cut not far from our home.
You reinforce a point I made in an earlier post in this thread: "Yes, environment is everything here when selecting the proper tools. My wife is from the jungle, I am from the North Woods. Two very different cultures who survived using different tools."
Yes, in your environment, the axe is king. In that area, I wouldn't even contemplate venturing out in winter without an axe: a man would have to be a fool to do so. Here, though, it's a different story. Our weather is warmer year round. Yes, up in the local mountains, we do get snow, but only a few inches most years. Even in the dead of winter temperatures rarely get down below about 25 degrees overnight at 6,000 ft. — our highest elevation here in San Diego County.
For me, with the exception of maybe two months out of the year, an axe is simply overkill. It's a heavy, burdensome thing of no practical value. I don't go out in heavy snow like so many of you do: we don't have any. Even in January and February a good fixed blade, a Silky 210 and a bolo are all I generally need. If I'm car camping I will probably bring my axes and hatchets just because I like them — but I sure as hell don't need them. If I'm on foot? No way: they're useless, heavy things. I'd rather carry that weight in food and water.
