Thoughts on axes, machetes, and saws

Myal said:
Good analysis
kind of a side point my kids taught me
small axe / hatchet and a machete can be real close in weght , but the longer blade of the machete means the kids miss far less , and they can put more slice into their cuts so for pretty much the same effort they cut more
of course this doesnt apply to every situation and circumstance , just thought Id throw it in there tho
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Of course you could take Vec's approach and carry a machete, a hawk, and a saw.:D

It's a good point. The skill level and coordination of the person plays a factor. That's why I don't really recommend hatchets or axes to people who aren't willing to learn how to use them or just plain can't use them properly.
 
I like this folding saw for backpacking:

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and these two get carried depending on where I am and what environment I am. Usually the axe since we have some hard wood.

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Machete gets used around the house most often.
 
Another favorite tool of mine is the gerber brush thinner like a brush hook with a 12-14" handle I have maybe five of them one each truck and one on my atv they are basically indestructible and can handle any cutting a machete can do and almost any job a small to medium hatchet can do. I have one that I have removed the hook section of the blade to make it straight edge and pointed the end like a shovel very useful as good as a brush hook except for briars. I could use it as a shovel a machete or like a large knife they hold a edge well and when convexed a little cut wood very well not sure about the weight but not as heavy as a hand axe. I will try to get a pic up later.
 
randalljames6 said:
Another favorite tool of mine is the gerber brush thinner like a brush hook with a 12-14" handle I have maybe five of them one each truck and one on my atv they are basically indestructible and can handle any cutting a machete can do and almost any job a small to medium hatchet can do. I have one that I have removed the hook section of the blade to make it straight edge and pointed the end like a shovel very useful as good as a brush hook except for briars. I could use it as a shovel a machete or like a large knife they hold a edge well and when convexed a little cut wood very well not sure about the weight but not as heavy as a hand axe. I will try to get a pic up later.
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Gotta' love them billhooks! :D:thumbup:
 
Even though I pack a Laplander , in our Canadian woods I gotta have an axe. I want wood and lots of it. I usually bring an Estwing. The only time I don't bring an axe is city hiking trails. Machetes are good for clipping branches though , but I don't usually bring one. I get way more production out of an axe.:)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
For reference, the 18" Ontario machete is 1lb. 7oz. There is also a difference between it and the axe in that it is used one-handed easier. Also the axe and machete will split wood a lot faster and easier than the saw, which could be life-saving in wet conditions. I recommend carrying BOTH an axe/machete AND a saw. Also it's a bit easier to critically damage a saw.
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My setup exactly!
Silky saw, Junglas, and Rat 1

kurodrago said:
Expensive saw, works even better
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What saw is that?
 
I have a small Wetterlings camp axe that lives in my car, but when i am out in the woods i usually have a larger bushcraft/camp knife, a cold steel trail hawk, and a laplander saw tucked away in my pack somewhere.

I choose to take the hawk over the axe simply because it is lighter and if I happen to break the handle the round handle is much easier to replace. Also, being able to remove the head of the hawk has proven to be very useful. If you dont know what i mean by that check out the video blow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvv97vPLHk
 
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Alan tell me about the cold steel hawk how good is it vie been interested in a tomahawk for a while. Does it get sharp? Hold a edge well ?
 
randalljames6 said:
Alan tell me about the cold steel hawk how good is it vie been interested in a tomahawk for a while. Does it get sharp? Hold a edge well ?
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I have no complaints about it. when i first got it as a gift from my girlfriend I Thought it was too light to be of any real use, but after taking it out for the first time I haven't even taken my axe out of the car. The fact that it is lite makes my life a little easier.

It didn't come very sharp, but with a little time and effort I was able to get it hair popping. I have not had a problem keeping it sharp...the edge holds up well. However...i can't say how it will do when facing hard wood on a regular basis. I have not had a chance to test it for an extended period of time on the harder woods. Mine has been used to deal with some smaller (3'' or less) sections of Oak and had no trouble. I was more worn out than the hawk. It is a nice chopper and defiantly handles soft wood and smaller chopping jobs with ease. Next time I have a chance I will go out and really give it a work out and let you know how it goes.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it does not come with any sort of sheath. I have just been wrapping the head in an old piece of a Carhartt jacket until I have a chance to either make or purchase one.
 
mercop said:
All three tools have their place, that said, when it comes to ease of carry,
weight, ease and safety of use. The saw wins hands down.
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Agreed :thumbup: - but a saw isn't as easily maintained in the field as a machete or axe. Certainly, saw blades can be sharpened but it's not easy. An axe or a machete can be sharpened with any smooth rock.

Saws do win hands down - except for ease of field maintenance.
 
akennedy73 said:
Agreed :thumbup: - but a saw isn't as easily maintained in the field as a machete or axe. Certainly, saw blades can be sharpened but it's not easy. An axe or a machete can be sharpened with any smooth rock.

Saws do win hands down - except for ease of field maintenance.
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And overall durability. Handy to have, and I carry one whenever I'm in the field, but I'll never be caught without a machete or an axe.
 
Man, my little daypack now has one of my 12" machetes, my small Silky Saw, one of my 4" bladed knives (I rotate them), and a SAK. Not much you can't accomplish with 4 tools like that.

So.

Light machete, saw, 4" bladed fixed blade, sak. I think those are the base you need to carry.
 
Good thread!

Bounce for the ounce a good quality saw does more work... I live on a highland bushlot with mature mixed forest and have never carried a full sized axe (though I would if they hadn't invented chainsaws I guess)... first winter there I survived on standing deadwood harvested with a handsaw (brr that first winter was cold)...

Nobody mentioned that saws are usually crosscut... for long term survival I would want a ripsaw as well.

As for repair and sharpening, this was always done in the field in the past... with a file...hard to find skilled saw sharpeners now. Most chainsaw operators I see don't sharpen very well either.

Woodzig teeth are the ultimate handheld crosscut tooth pattern for speed. Ultimate.
 
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