Who carries a hatchet camping? What type?

GB small forest axe in summer, Scandinavian forest Axe in the winter, they are worth their weight in gold. I cary the larger axe during the snowy months, because it is more likely that I will need to cut standing dead trees, rather than gathering from the ground.

The small forest axe was probably the best tool I ever bought. I am interested in the Hunter's axe, does anyone own one?
 
fiskars have some nice ones, however more often than not i find myself ditching the hatchet as much of my camping is backpacking and its usually a lot of weight, however i often find myself missing it.
 
When I go out and about with an axe (not too commonly) I usually grab my 1890's vintage forged-head Plumb axe. Short depth to the head but boy is it nimble and glides through wood like there's no tomorrow! I actually need to rehandle it though--the crummy handle I slapped on it was the best I could find in my area that would fit...and the grain sucked and developed a small split. Gives me a reason to try making my own, huh? :D
 
I've been following this closly looking to by a Westterling any ideas on who to get it through. Thanks
 
Murphyslaw said:
SMKW has a few on sale now. Good prices.
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I purchased mine through wildernessoutfittersarchery for 35 bucks. they have gone up in price since then, also they will only be on that sight for about another week because the owner is about to start filming a show with discovery channel and his products or being moved to canteenshop.com.
 
does anyone make any really lightweight axes? when backpacking the axe is usually left at home due to its weight, but it would be great to have something that was light
 
jpeg87,

My Gransfors mini belt hatchet weighs 12.8 oz., with the sheath. Less than several big chopper knives I own. Although it is a little axe, it delivers a surprising amount of chopping power. Unfortunately, the cost has gone way up since I bought mine....

DancesWithKnives
 
+1 for the belt axe, I bought mine last summer and it rides on the belt like a champ never gets in the way of my leatherman charge, and my Walt Davis bushie. GB is pretty good in my opinion even tho I've had it for half a year or so but I get by when I'm out backpacking with the extra weight. Good luck on your search. I just completed my tomahawk search, went with the American Hawk from Keith Johnson. Axes rock!
 
Thanks guys for the input - I'm actually leaning away from the Wetterlings and Gransfors Bruks as of now due to the fact that they are more specialized for softwoods (as this is the predominant wood in N Europe)... Where I camp (Catskills) it is about 75% hardwood, which require a different pattern to throw bigger chips...

I'm looking at the more classic American patterns now like Snow & Nealley.

what a tough decision!
 
I believe the S&N heads are now made in China. However, people still seem to get good performance out of them. If you buy an S&N, consider www.offthemapoutfitters.com. Brian's modified S&N's are really nice and his sheaths are far superior. There are a bunch of threads about them in the Axe forum and the Wilderness forum.

Incidentally, I have more than a dozen Gransfors and have never had a problem chopping hardwood with them, despite their Swedish origin.

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
I believe the S&N heads are now made in China. However, people still seem to get good performance out of them. If you buy an S&N, consider www.offthemapoutfitters.com. Brian's modified S&N's are really nice and his sheaths are far superior. There are a bunch of threads about them in the Axe forum and the Wilderness forum.

Incidentally, I have more than a dozen Gransfors and have never had a problem chopping hardwood with them, despite their Swedish origin.

DancesWithKnives
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Hi DWK - I've seen the threads on Brian's tuned Pen Bay and have had it in my cart a few times now, but hesitate to pull the trigger as I still just love the look of the GB :yawn:

I might just have to get both and sell one off!
 
I feel your pain! Despite already having a big load of axes and hawks, I really want to try one of Brian's S&Ns. May just have to go ahead and order one....

DancesWithKnives
 
TrailWolf said:
Ugh I've spent a few hours now researching and have talked myself into needing the Wetterlings Large Hunting Axe and wanting the Gransfor Bruks Small Forest Axe - both 19" and weighing about the same - seems like the most useful size and can still be carried in my pack.

@ Thalestin - just curious where you ordered from? Thanks!
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Canadian site, not many good deals for us. Lee Valley was as good as i could find
 
When chopping I usually hold the mini hatchet in a three-finger grip to get the maximum leverage on my swings. With the majority of the weight at the head, it bites pretty deeply. Not a bad little tool.

DancesWithKnives
 
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