Update on my continued search for a good camping hawk

[Amurr]

i have been on a quest to find the best camping/hiking hawk.

I know a basic wood handled hatchet is ideal but I prefer an all steel hawk as I have had quite a few issues with heads loosening/coming off wood handle. Looking for one I can keep for ever. (Just my preference, not saying it right)

Right now I have the two following and I thought I would post some pics for you guys:

1. Williams Blade Deaign BAX003 made by Winkler knives
2. RMJ Little bird 2018 which unlike previous years will be a standard model going forward called the camp axe I believe.

Stats on each:

1. Williams BAX003
Steel: 80CrV2 (1/4" 6.4mm)
Overall Length: 14.5" (368mm)
Cutting Edge: 5.25" (133mm)
Head width: 6" (152mm)
Weight: 1.8lb (810g) 29oz
Handle Material: Micarta
Finish: Matte Black Oxidized (Caswell)
Sheath: Kydex (lined)
Produced by: Winkler Knives II
Batch quantity: 50 pieces
Release: September 2018
Made in: Boone, NC USA
Price: $575

2. RMJ LB 2018
Model: LB18 (Little Bird 2018)
Length:11.375”
Forward edge: 3.25”
Forward edge to hammer: 5.25”
Steel: .275" 52100
Finish: Tungsten Cerakote
Handle: Full tang handle design. G-10 3D machined handle scales.
Hardness: 56-58 HRC
Weight:26 oz w/o scabbard, 30.2 oz w/ scabbard
Sheath: Bottom-eject Kydex scabbard with Low Ride MOC Straps included.
Model Introduction: 2019
Price $465

Regarding the stats:
1. BAX003 is 3” longer but only weighs 3oz more. Tapered tang on the BAX helps this. RMJ also told they wanted a little more heft vs say the Jenny Wren for better chopping action....
2. BAX003 is 80crv2 like all winkler stuff, the RMJ is 52100. Most other TMJ stuff is 80crv2. When I asked why they chose the 52100 they stated that 80ccrv2 is tougher so for a breaching intended axe is a good choice but for a camp axe mostly focused on wood working the additional edge retention vs slightly less toughness was good compromise and that makes sense to me.

The sheath are both solid, I actually tend to like the RMJ slightly better, snap vs elastic band, slightly easier in and out.

I have used the BAX recently a camping trip where I did 28 miles on the Appalachian Trail. It worked great for mid sized wood, once you got to longer think 8-10” diameter I would probably just prefer a saw of some sort. I haven’t yet used the RMJ but plan to take it on my next trip.

The BAC is really such a nice looking well balanced/put together work of art for me. I might prefer the smaller size and slightly
Lighter form of the RMJ for long distance hiking.

In the past I have had the Winkler combat hammer axe TAD edition and I think both of these are a slightly better choice. As I hike further weight become important I also want to try: RMJ Jenny Wren, RMJ Kestral Trail, RMJ Loggerhead s13, Wegner Blade Hatchet.



Amurr

 

[Square_peg]

Those thin blades aren't much use in camp. And with the scales so high on the handle you won't be able to split anything with it, not that the thin blade would split very well anyway.

What do you want to use it for?

 

[Curt Hal]

Wow! You are prepared to part with a lot of money for your camping hawk. I agree with Square_peg, those won’t be great for general camping. For easily half that amount, you can get an excellent camping axe. I mostly use the Gransfors Bruk Small Forest axe and a couple of hatchets - Plumb and Hults Bruk.

 

[Amurr]

Yeah I’d probably be better off with a gransford wildlife hatchet or something

 

[fishiker]

Estwing and Vaughn both offer all steel hatchets that are time tested.

 

[Fmont]

It's just my own opinion, but I am not a fan at all of those plate tomhawks. And *to me* there is no way on God's green earth that they are worth that kind of money. You can have a hand forged Hoffman or the likes for that kind of money, instead of something that was simply cut out of plate/sheet stock, sent to heat treat, and ground on a belt. But honest to God, to each his own.