Axe man or big chopper

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So what do you prefere to use when your out in the great outdoors?

For my part I prefer to use a kukri or large bowie for all of the heavier woodcraft task, as I've never really got on with axe's which I'm pretty sure has a lot to do with my built (I'm 6ft2inches tall and weigh 11.5 stone )
so I never feel in complete control of a heavyish fast moving axe, plus compared to a large camp knife my accuracy sucks with an axe, I'm lucky if i can get within an inch of what I'm aiming for

Plus I feel a big knife is far more versatile than an axe too.

So what about you guys?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I like a good axe, and if I am planning to spend any significant time in the woods I'll bring one.  But, since I don't usually spend more than a couple of days at a time in the woods (and even that is stretching it these days!) I've gone with the kukri as well.  We'll see how well this one works out and I'll let you know if I want to go back to my axe or not!

Def

[I'm Still Bison]

Def,it's no surprise you're an axeman,you're Canadian,you're a lumberjack,it's in the national gene pool In my little corner of the world a big fixed blade is preferred.It can get so incredibly vine entangled that it could give a Vietnam vet flashbacks.

[665ae]

I prefer large knives.  They work the better for me than anything else I've tried.  Normally I use a KaBar Larger Heavy Bowie while camping.


(I know, I know... it's kind of a dorky picture )

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

(Image removed from quote.)
(I know, I know... it's kind of a dorky picture )

well you said it not me

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Is that a becker?

So whats you favorite production bowie then mate

[665ae]

That one is a Ka Bar Large Heavy Bowie.  I love the thing.  The other one I really like is the Kershaw Outcast.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The other one I really like is the Kershaw Outcast.

I really love my cold steel trailmaster, it's just so dependable, But what i really want is cold steel's laredo bowie, god that thing's beautiful

[Grant Lamontagne]

If you like the big bowies you really need to check out some of Bagwell's stuff.  Ontario Knives is doing production versions of them nowadays, and I used to have the Ontario Frontiersman, which I don't think is available anymore.  That was a BIG knife!

Def

[665ae]

Haha... one of my requirements for a camp knife is that it can't be pretty or overly expensive.  I don't want to worry about wrecking it...

[Grant Lamontagne]

In that case have you seen the Cold Steel Machete line?

Not pretty or expensive...

Def

[665ae]

Yeah... I've eyed some CS stuff quite a bit.  I really want one of those cheap two handed machete's, I think those would be some serious fun

[Grant Lamontagne]

Those terrorist squirrels wouldn't stand a chance!

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Those terrorist squirrels wouldn't stand a chance!

Def

plus the machette would double up as a spatula too ;D

anyone for fried squirel?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Spatula, paddle... is there no end to it's usefulness?   ;D

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Spatula, paddle... is there no end to it's usefulness?   ;D

Def

you forgot anchor ;D

[665ae]

Three weeks till Squirrel season here... I may have to pick up a two hander and see how it works

I'll save some squirrel stew for you guys  ;D

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'll bring the thermos for our road trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYM5rRL5u4U

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'll bring the thermos for our road trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYM5rRL5u4U

Def

That's just awful ;D

[Grant Lamontagne]

Just be glad the video of Steve Martin singing it in the bath tub wasn't included!

Def

[ringzero]

That one is a Ka Bar Large Heavy Bowie.  I love the thing.  The other one I really like is the Kershaw Outcast.

That KaBar looks like a great outdoors knife, 665ae.

For a long time now, I've been impressed with the KaBar line of combat/utility knives for outdoors use.  They seem to be really tough knives - I've seen KaBars used to dig holes and pry on things without any ill effects.  I've never owned one, but have used friends KaBars plenty of times over the years while camping and I do like them.

Could you comment on your Kershaw Outcast?

I've been thinking of getting an Outcast for brush chopping and emergency shelter building.  It looks like it could actually be a effective replacement for a light hand ax.  Maybe also good to keep in car trunk for emergency use.  The design of its blade and handle looks great for chopping.

.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That one is a Ka Bar Large Heavy Bowie.  I love the thing.  The other one I really like is the Kershaw Outcast.

That KaBar looks like a great outdoors knife, 665ae.

For a long time now, I've been impressed with the KaBar line of combat/utility knives for outdoors use.  They seem to be really tough knives - I've seen KaBars used to dig holes and pry on things without any ill effects.  I've never owned one, but have used friends KaBars plenty of times over the years while camping and I do like them.

Could you comment on your Kershaw Outcast?

I've been thinking of getting an Outcast for brush chopping and emergency shelter building.  It looks like it could actually be a effective replacement for a light hand ax.  Maybe also good to keep in car trunk for emergency use.  The design of its blade and handle looks great for chopping.

.

So what do you use Ringzero?

[665ae]

The Outcast belongs to a friend of mine that I camp with quite often.  It has a much more comfortable handle than the KaBar.  Chopping wise, I think with the blade shape you can generate a little more power with the Outcast, but that's just going by feel.  Aside from that, the only other difference is the price.  I think the Outcast is like $20 - $30 more than the KaBar.

[ringzero]

So what do you use Ringzero?

If car camping, then I'll always have an ax.

If hiking in a short distance to a set campsite for a weekend, then I'll usually carry an ax along.

If backpacking, then I never carry an ax because it's too much weight for too little utility.  I rarely build a fire or cut poles when backpacking.

I've tried various heavy knives, kukris, machetes - but none of those work as well for me as a small, light hand ax.

Currently I favor a small, light Fiskars ax that I bought at Lowes.  (Same ax is also sold under the Gerber brandname.)  Tough synthetic handle molded around the head.  Takes and holds a good edge.  A very strong and durable little ax.

In the past I've used Estwing, Buck - really too many other brands of ax to remember or list.

.



 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So what do you use Ringzero?

If car camping, then I'll always have an ax.

If hiking in a short distance to a set campsite for a weekend, then I'll usually carry an ax along.

If backpacking, then I never carry an ax because it's too much weight for too little utility.  I rarely build a fire or cut poles when backpacking.

I've tried various heavy knives, kukris, machetes - but none of those work as well for me as a small, light hand ax.

Currently I favor a small, light Fiskars ax that I bought at Lowes.  (Same ax is also sold under the Gerber brandname.)  Tough synthetic handle molded around the head.  Takes and holds a good edge.  A very strong and durable little ax.

In the past I've used Estwing, Buck - really too many other brands of ax to remember or list.

I've got one of those gerber pack axe's too, and you're right they are a great little hatchet, and they really excel at splittling smaller wood, and being so light you don't get anywhere near as tired as you would do with a regular axe

[hassium270]

when in the bush i use a sugar cane knife. i find its long broad but thin blade has unbelievable penetrating power, much better for very hard gum (or anything) than a big axe. it also has a hook on its back for lifting the billy or pot lids when cooking, and you can cook thin damper on its big flat blade in the fire. the ranger doesn't always like to see one of these, but  they nearly always turn a blind eye. i used to carry two (kept razor sharp) to all campsites, untill a mongrel pinched one of them. i often still keep one in the back of the car. the blades are also great at chopping and slivering kindling off long hardwood offcuts. i saw a bloke recently carve a half decent cricket bat, stumps and bails from one big solid chunk of hardwood using a similar knife, in about 10mins.

this tool well suits someone with a rangy physique. because of its middling weight and aerodynamics you can get massive one handed blade speed and penetrating power..though it is potentially extremely dangerous. my fav all time tool.

a quick picture here -
http://www.orchardsedge.com/images/products/MA-61040/large.jpg

never use one to sample a couple of fat juicy stalks of sweet sugar cane

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

that reminds me of one these...

http://www.woodmanspal.com/

Nice knife matey

[Grant Lamontagne]

never use one to sample a couple of fat juicy stalks of sweet sugar cane

Sounds like there's a good story in there somewhere!

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

never use one to sample a couple of fat juicy stalks of sweet sugar cane

Sounds like there's a good story in there somewhere!

Def

yep come on spill your guts ;D

[hassium270]

never use one to sample a couple of fat juicy stalks of sweet sugar cane

Sounds like there's a good story in there somewhere!

Def

yep come on spill your guts ;D

lets just say the edge of a canefield isn't my favourite place to hang out.  the cane farmer's blue healer coming at you at 40mph can be an unpleasant creature to negotiate with. cane fields are also a favourite haunt of the dreaded Taipan, which unlike most other deadly creatures, can be aggressive and actively come after you, especially if his energy is high from sunning himself on the edge of the field, or hunting rats. and the cane toads are barely more pleasant. i know of someone who spent 8 excruciating months in hospital following a taipan bite..she was very lucky to survive. mass burn off season before harvest (a dying custom now due to technology) flushes all creatures out of the field..as it would.
having said all that, there is nothing quite like the satisfying taste of a freshly slashed stalk of sugar cane ...just leave the car running and don't get bogged!...and ask the farmer first
carrying the can knife often brings a wry smile from locals who know its true purpose ;D