Which one(s) to carry

W

Warriors Meadow

Joined
Feb 11, 2016
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81
Good afternoon,

I currently have a situation that i need help with. I usually carry my bk4 with the bk13 piggybacked and my Leatherman Surge and dozier in my skinth when hiking and hunting. The bk4 rides in the water bottle pouch on the side of my backpack as I have my maxped thermite (survival kit) opposite hip to the surge. I also have a bk14 that I'll carry from time to time (just for fun).

My dilemma now is that I just received a Husqvarna carpenters for Father's day. I plan on using the axe to prepare a property (trail maintenance and to make natural blinds) for hunting. I also want to use the axe for backpacking, buchcraft and camping.

Now to the question as i feel I'm getting bogged down weight/gear wise. Which kife/ knives/ axe to carry and when? Also which combo do you use and for what?

Thanks in advance
W.M.
 
I'm guessing the Dozier is a folder correct?

To me, a "general" camp/hiking/survival knife is about 5" (+/-) inches of blade. If you want to carry the axe, I see no reason for the BK4. The BK13 is on the small side and it seems redundant with the Surge blade + Dozier (assuming its a folder).

I would go with the Surge blade + Dozier for the lighter/fine work. A BK 2 or 22 as my "general" hiker/camper/survival and the axe for heavy work. If you don't want to stay with the Kabar/Becker brand you could always go with the ESEE 5/6 or the Gerber Strongarm (a favorite of mine and great bang for the buck imo). I think this is a little more "well rounded" vs what you currently have.
 
A good hatchet, a 9" oal or less fixed blade, and a folder are a great combination.
I would not carry a multitool as a knife as they don't handle like a real knife, but their tools are too useful not to have on you.
 
It's called a Carpenter axe for a reason. The head design is shaped more for carpentry, precision chopping axe.

The machete has another purpose although it's still a chopping tool and wouldn't be very useful in carpentry despite being good at chopping.

If you would like to use the axe for other purposes, sure, it's yours, but bk4 would probably be more easier tool to use as an axe is a tool with limited purpose, big or small, heavy or light.

The only reason to carry an axe and a machete would be if you wanted to dual wield and chop with both arms.

What other guy said. What works for someone else may not work for you.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

I would love to take them all out and pair them off against each other but I currently just don't have the time.

Yes the dozier is a folder and pairs nicely with the surge for edc. I keep the surge blade clean so I can cut up food for the kids when we're out. I think i may keep those together in the skinth for edc unless i can think of a tool on the surge I can't live without in the wilds.

The bk13 was going to be my skinning knife and is light enough to not worry about it's weight. I just mentioned it because it rides with the bk4.

My new thought is to hike the 4, 13, and axe into base camp with all my gear (it's only a 15min walk) and carry them all with my hunting pack (repurposed hydro pack, holds my takedown and quiver). I know the 4 will come in handy clearing trails and the axe will help fell small trees and to make blinds. The 4 will also do the finer work of the 14.

I'll pair the 14 or dozier with the axe for camping trips and hikes where I know I'll need a fire. If I'm on marked clear trails i won't need the 4 and i definitely won't need the 13 if I'm not hunting.

Let me know what you think!
 
Do you ever find yourself debating which blade to use for a certain task? If so, you're carrying too many.

Ditch the Dozier and one of the fixed blades. You can use the surge blade for light camp chores and then clean it before food prep. No need to keep it sterile.

Use the axe some and determine whether it's worth the weight. If I'm not building a shelter or processing a lot of firewood then I don't bother. I generally prefer a lightweight folding saw. The areas I frequent aren't heavily wooded though so your mileage may vary.
 
Totally understand your situation. There's what you want to bring and what you actually need to bring.

In my role as the Land Steward for my town, trail work is an ongoing weekly activity. Unless a chainsaw is required, a Silky Big Boy is in my hands.

No need for an axe IMO, especially if you're feeling "bogged down" with weight - as stated above by T.L.E. Sharp.

Get a good saw and carry the machete to limb up and break down the smaller stuff. The saw makes cleaner and safer cuts closer to the ground or to the trunk with less effort.

Axes are great for splitting larger cylinders into firewood.
 
The "Nessmuk trio" has been and continues to be very popular for a good reason, it works. Adding a mid-size Becker to the Husqvarna and Dozier or Surge would make a useful modern version.
 
Eagle Scout said:
Totally understand your situation. There's what you want to bring and what you actually need to bring.

In my role as the Land Steward for my town, trail work is an ongoing weekly activity. Unless a chainsaw is required, a Silky Big Boy is in my hands.

No need for an axe IMO, especially if you're feeling "bogged down" with weight - as stated above by T.L.E. Sharp.

Get a good saw and carry the machete to limb up and break down the smaller stuff. The saw makes cleaner and safer cuts closer to the ground or to the trunk with less effort.

Axes are great for splitting larger cylinders into firewood.
Click to expand...

My surge has a saw do you think I could get away with that? lol I don't mind the weight if it'll be something that I actually need and use. I just feel like there is a lot of overlap with the knives I currently have and I want to simplify things a bit. I think it all comes down to what I'm actually going to be doing on each specific outing.
 
Eagle Scout said:
Hey, not trying to put you off on the new axe. Congrats on the new kit.
Click to expand...
Does that mean I can take down my ad for it? Lol

I finally got a chance to use it on the weekend and it makes feather sticks almost as good as my other knives.

As far as chopping goes:
A) it bites nice and deep
B) it sticks a lot and is hard to remove (I'm assuming do to the straight edge).
C) my aim is horrendous

Hopefully once I can actually swing accurately and get chips flying it won't stick as badly.

I love the weight and feel one/ two handed and chocked up I know it will pack nicely. I definitely need to treat the handle and eventually want to add a leather collar guard.

Other than that it time to find me some wood.

W.M.
 
Good morning,

Got back yesterday from the family's first camping weekend (the kids are 4.5 and 2.5). They had a blast and my son's favorite part was the dragon (campfire). I took the axe (obviously) and the bk14 for wood processing duties and they were the perfect pair. The husqy got wood to perfect sizes so i could baton up some smaller kindling with the 14. In hind sight I should have made myself a wooden mallet but I'm going out next weekend with just the wife and will make one then. I still edc'd the skinth with the surge and Dozier and found both setups nice. I might see if the 14 can replace the dozier for edc tasks. I still like the surge as it's stainless and can be used to cut up food. The saw and can/ bottle opener also come in very handy.

As much as i missed my bk4 i knew i actually didn't need it. Maybe i'll take it next weekend for the wife to use

Thanks
W.M.
 
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