I will track bucks the Benoit Way, and I need to know what size Wetterlings is going to take care of my needs now? My needs then? My needs on the big buck trail at night? To track is to travel light. Lighty dressed, lighty fed lighty loved. What is this size Wetterlings that will not weigh me down during the day but will keep me warm all night.
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What is a wetterlings tracking axe???????????
- Thread starter haff202
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How much wood will you need to process? I.e. what is your location, the climate in which you'll be doing this, etc?
Without knowing specifics, I like the 19" axe as a good all-rounder if weight is a concern. It's long enough to use for short periods two-handed, but not unwieldy as a one-handed axe (hatchet). The Wetterlings Large Hunter is 18.75" long and about 2.25 pounds. Dropping to the small Hunter, you drop 3 ounces or so, but lose 4" of length. The extra length makes chopping take less work. If you want to use the axe to process any game, the 19" length isn't too big to choke up on the head and use the axe that way.
If you're going to need a lot of wood and don't mind sacrificing some close-work capability, you also have the Swedish Forest Axe, which is 25" long (classic trapper's axe size). You gain 6 inches of length, but also add a pound to the package.
IMO, I'd stick to the Large Hunting Axe if I could.
Without knowing specifics, I like the 19" axe as a good all-rounder if weight is a concern. It's long enough to use for short periods two-handed, but not unwieldy as a one-handed axe (hatchet). The Wetterlings Large Hunter is 18.75" long and about 2.25 pounds. Dropping to the small Hunter, you drop 3 ounces or so, but lose 4" of length. The extra length makes chopping take less work. If you want to use the axe to process any game, the 19" length isn't too big to choke up on the head and use the axe that way.
If you're going to need a lot of wood and don't mind sacrificing some close-work capability, you also have the Swedish Forest Axe, which is 25" long (classic trapper's axe size). You gain 6 inches of length, but also add a pound to the package.
IMO, I'd stick to the Large Hunting Axe if I could.
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I know that I really like my 19" Wetterlings. It does everything that I want. i also have the Snow and Nealy camp axe it seams too short for what I want it to do. I have thought about putting a litter longer handle on it.
Beatle
Beatle
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If you hang it at your 4:30 position, it tends to rest against your butt, and not hit your leg. At least it works that way for me. But, if you're one of the unfortunate souls who has no ass, it might make things worse.
As for weight, the 19" usually won't weigh a whole lot more than the next size down. Maybe another 4 ounces in the head and two in the haft. Wood is light. But I think you gain a huge amount of utility going to a 19" over a 15" or shorter axe. In my mind, I think that if I was going out "Lightly dressed, lightly fed lightly loved.", and the axe was going to provide fire and shelter for the night, I'd definitely bring a 19" axe, I might even put up with a 24-25" trapper's axe, since I wouldn't have much weight in other gear. In other words, the less you carry, the more critical the few basics you do carry become.
But that's just my opinion, and what do I know? I carry a 3+ pound kukri with me most times.
Wetterlings are fairly cheap, why not buy both and walk around with them and use them a bit before going on your trip to see which does what you really need to do, and you're willing to live with.
As for weight, the 19" usually won't weigh a whole lot more than the next size down. Maybe another 4 ounces in the head and two in the haft. Wood is light. But I think you gain a huge amount of utility going to a 19" over a 15" or shorter axe. In my mind, I think that if I was going out "Lightly dressed, lightly fed lightly loved.", and the axe was going to provide fire and shelter for the night, I'd definitely bring a 19" axe, I might even put up with a 24-25" trapper's axe, since I wouldn't have much weight in other gear. In other words, the less you carry, the more critical the few basics you do carry become.
But that's just my opinion, and what do I know? I carry a 3+ pound kukri with me most times.
Wetterlings are fairly cheap, why not buy both and walk around with them and use them a bit before going on your trip to see which does what you really need to do, and you're willing to live with.