Tomahawk/Hatchet/Axe, No Knife?

[The Zieg]

Spring fishing trip, emphasis on lightweight gear, wanted as little weight as possible, but wanted a chopper as well as a cutter. All my long knives with chopping potential are heavy, so at the trailhead as I look into the back of the Suburban I made what seemed at the time to be a momentous decision: Don't bring a knife I put my old Gerber Backpaxe into my ruck and spent a good 24 hours outdoors.

I could chop, carve, and cut with the little thing. I could choke up on the handle to slice open and gut the brookies I caught. I could spark a ferro rod. There's little to no piercing capability with the blade and the Gerber axes have no belly, but their bevels are darn near a Scandi grind and while brittle, have a keen edge. Once I got all the chores done that I needed to do and could sit back and enjoy the fire and the evening, I found that I never missed having a knife, the little hatchet did it all.

Anyone done this? We're all knife knuts, so it seems a weird thing to do, but it was a good experiment.

Zieg

 

[Alocksly]

Backwoodsman ran an article about the "axe only" trip a few months back. The author was on a trip in Canada and forgot to bring any cutting tool and during a survey of the local sporting goods shop he noticed that he could get a small axe and a sharpening stone for less than knife so he elected, like you, to go it with just the axe. He also cleaned fish, made his fire etc. I think this is a prime example the value of a bush axe, the one tool that can do it all while you cruise the wilds.

This is also why I never roll my eyes at those who keep a shaving edge on their axe. As irksome as it is to chop wood with a blunt axe, cleaning a trout with one is even harder.

 

[lmalterna]

I could be very content for an extended stay with a boys axe, Mora and home made collapsible bucksaw- all for about 50.00 and 5.0 weight.

It is good to know how to optimize whatever tool is available. Sounds like you made the most of the one on hand.

Bill

 

[WJC01]

I've used my RMJ Shrike S-13 for all types of "bushcraft" work to include cleaning fish as well. :thumbup:

 

[300Six]

Admirable plan, nice story and I'm happy it worked for you. I (personally) cannot be bothered to maintain a surgical edge on any sort of axe if it is also going to be used for cutting and chopping wood. Too much like work! On the other hand I do have a 2-bladed SAK Spartan with me at all times and it is real easy to keep sharp (compared to an axe head) and cleans fish and guts rabbits, and slices bacon, with the best of them. Try it!

 

[Wolf_1989]

I recently used my custom H&B Spike Tomahawk as an ulu in the kitchen.

Got the notion when I talked to Mrs. Barber on the phone and she mentioned people boohooing that they couldn't get their tomahawks to take an edge. Spent three days slowing convexing it by hand with a course, then medium stones, then refined the edge with a Spyderco fine ceramic slipstone and finished it with a surgical black stone and some stropping. That made it scary and the edge lasted surprisingly well.

 

[Square_peg]

I could be very content for an extended stay with a boys axe, Mora and home made collapsible bucksaw- all for about 50.00 and 5.0 weight.

It is good to know how to optimize whatever tool is available. Sounds like you made the most of the one on hand.

Bill

Perfect combination. Small lightweight Mora is a nice compliment to good small axe or hatchet. I'd take a folding saw vs. a collapsible but I'm splitting hairs.

 

[Bo T]

Being able to use tools outside of their intended purpose is a good skill to develop, 'just in case'. It sounds like you had a good time developing this skill.

 

[The Zieg]

Thanks all! I agree with all said here. I normally favor a puukko and hatchet like some here. As for shaving sharp, I can't quite claim that, but the Gerber axes don't seem to take much work to get there.

Zieg

 

[thunderstick]

I can't put my pants on without a pocket knife in them...

 

[300Six]

I can't put my pants on without a pocket knife in them...

Nice! Same goes for me. Going through security and getting on a plane really bugs me. No more easy way of cleaning finger nails, opening bagged headsets, excising relevant magazine articles, tightening loose screws on a headrest etc., and the prospect of having nothing but a clean pair of underwear on hand to counter a possible hijacker, really does make me feel vulnerable.

 

[captainclemmys]

I've used my RMJ Shrike S-13 for all types of "bushcraft" work to include cleaning fish as well. :thumbup:

The RMJ Shrike is a great tool. I have used mine as bush tool for years without any problems.

 

[SirJames]

A Bucklite knife weighs only 1.3oz and there are many other light weight knives of both folding and fixed blade design. At that weight, I see no reason not to carry one for those fine/close cutting tasks.

 

[The Zieg]

A Bucklite knife weighs only 1.3oz and there are many other light weight knives of both folding and fixed blade design. At that weight, I see no reason not to carry one for those fine/close cutting tasks.

For sure! Not something I'll likely do again. Just happened as a result of the heavier choices I had in front of me and the wish to experiment. Thanks for the feedback!

Zieg

 

[dogstar]

I think it is good to test/grow your skills. If all you had was an axe, you can definitely make it work. I like a hatchet with a folding pocket knife, like a Svord Peasant.

 

[Cajun Kamikaze]

Good story but I'm just not understanding the part about all your knives with Chopping potential being too heavy and instead you pack a Backpaxe that weighs in at 19.4oz ...

This Proper Chopper I made for a friend doesn't weigh that much and has overall length of 18"


Probably chops just as good or better that the Backpaxe, and is def more versatile...

 

[Wolf_1989]

Hooowee now THAT is a bowie! :thumbup:

 

[300Six]

Good story but I'm just not understanding the part about all your knives with Chopping potential being too heavy and instead you pack a Backpaxe that weighs in at 19.4oz ...

This Proper Chopper I made for a friend doesn't weigh that much and has overall length of 18"

Probably chops just as good or better that the Backpaxe, and is def more versatile...

Don't know about, wish to dispute, nor comment about any of your blade vs axe claims but if in fact you physically made that pictured knife you certainly did do a lovely job of it.

 

[mitsaru]

I have had this discussion in my head but never out loud. If I had to choose one or the other I would choose the small axe or hatchet. It always comes down to chopping wood. It got to the point that on my hatchet I carry while camping that I sharpened the lower part I call the beard so I could clean fish if I had to. The hatchet hammers, chops, and splits better. That being said, on Thursday I'm packing for a 3 day fishing/rockhounding trip and I'm definitely taking at least two knives and my hatchet.

 

[Cajun Kamikaze]

Don't know about, wish to dispute, nor comment about any of your blade vs axe claims but if in fact you physically made that pictured knife you certainly did do a lovely job of it.

Thank you.

Mitsaru, I'm not saying I wouldn't go out with only a hatchet but it surely wouldn't be a Backpaxe is my point. Talking size and weight for only 16oz more I could bring my HB style hatchet with 18" handle to do all the things you describe. If I feel I need to pack something that weighs less than 2 pounds then I'm def taking one of my Bowies...