Help me choose.. BK-21 Kukri or Gransfors Bruk hatchet.

[G-Dizzle]

Hi everyone. I have been looking at camp tools recently and I am torn between a hatchet (going back and forth between GB Small Forest, Outdoor, and Wildlife hatchet) and the Becker Kukri. Would love to hear thoughts and opinions from both sides. The area in question is a combination of hardwood forests, pine forests, and thicker brush in many places. It can get pretty wet at times. The Kukri would be nice for extra reach and cutting edge, but I am worried about firewood prep (especially if it is wet). The hatchet would be great for firewood prep but not so great in thicker brush. Would like either tool to be able to process enough firewood to keep through the night on cold nights. Both would be accompanied by a folding saw and smaller knife in most instances. Thanks!!!

[SteveC]

You already know the answer       

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Get both   

[pfrsantos]

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Beat me to it...

 

[G-Dizzle]

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Maybe one day for now they both cost about the same though and i’ve got to pick one.

[Aloha]

Hmm.  To my mind if I were choosing one of these I'd go Kukuri.  A Kukri seems like a much more all around good tool vs an hatchet.  Alan Kay really got people excited about the Kukri when he won his season of Alone.  I think the versatility edges out the hatchet.     

[G-Dizzle]

Hmm.  To my mind if I were choosing one of these I'd go Kukuri.  A Kukri seems like a much more all around good tool vs an hatchet.  Alan Kay really got people excited about the Kukri when he won his season of Alone.  I think the versatility edges out the hatchet.     

Thanks Aloha. Have you ever used one to prepare kindling? That is one thing that I am worried about.

[Aloha]

I have used my Carpenters hatchet for multiple car camp chores and its performed great. 

I feel the Kukri is multidimensional.  I do not own one.  I tried to get the Condor one Alan used but they were all gone after the show.  My observations after watching many videos are you've got more blade to span larger diameter wood if you wanted to baton.  You've got a heavier front area to swing/chop say 3-4 inch logs.  You then got the edge closer to the handle for other tasks.  A hatchet vs chopper is going to probably come down to preference?  I picked up my hatchets cheaply so I got them.  I use a Carpenters hatchet to break down logs we get for fire when car camping.  I use it more so as a wedge that I pound into the wood the get the split started.  I know I wont be chopping these logs ( eucalyptus ) with one.     

[ddogu]

Well, I stayed in Nepal for a couple of months and as far as I can see the Khukuri is a traditional weapon used by military and sometimes law enforcement. It is designed with assault in mind (even though the Becker version doesn't look trad Nepali design, but still) and not usage in the woods, for chopping wood etc. Thus, the other option would be more suitable for your needs, IMHO.

[G-Dizzle]

Well, I have an old hatchet and the BK4. I may sharpen them both up and give them each a good using this weekend. That may help me make my mind up.

[Gareth]

My choice would be the good hatchet and a cheap machete.  Either that or the expensive kukri and a cheap hatchet. 


Seriously though I don't expect one tool to be all things to all situations and brush clearing and fire prep have pretty different requirements. 

[Aloha]

So basically BOTH  '

Well played sir, well played  . 

[G-Dizzle]

Has anyone had experience with Council Tool’s hatchets? Their Velvicut Belt Hatchet is USA made so it may be more suited to the wood found here. Also comes in slightly less expensive.

[Fuzzbucket]

Sod that, get a Rinaldi - very choppy and not too expensive.

[G-Dizzle]

Ok I decided. I’m going to buy.........


None of the above!


Pulled the trigger on a Hults Bruk Almike. It has good reviews and is in a size range right between the wildlife hatchet and small forest axe. I also ordered a laplander saw to offset some of the weight increase. I also have a Becker Kephart on the way because of a great deal I could not pass up. I guess I just have a whole new outdoor setup headed my way!

[Gareth]

I'd not heard of the Almike before but it looks good!   

[sak60]

Ok I decided. I’m going to buy.........


None of the above!


Pulled the trigger on a Hults Bruk Almike. It has good reviews and is in a size range right between the wildlife hatchet and small forest axe. I also ordered a laplander saw to offset some of the weight increase. I also have a Becker Kephart on the way because of a great deal I could not pass up. I guess I just have a whole new outdoor setup headed my way!

Congrats 

[Aloha]

Becker Kephart  .  Looks like you'll have some fun new gear to play with. 

[Aloha]

You wouldn't have shopped at SMKW?  They got what appears to be a good price on BK62. 

[G-Dizzle]

You wouldn't have shopped at SMKW?  They got what appears to be a good price on BK62.

I did! I actually posted the deal in the deals section. 90 bucks shipped after the coupon for signing up for  texts

[G-Dizzle]

[G-Dizzle]

It’s actually a little smaller than expected. I’m glad I didn’t go with something smaller. It should ride comfortably on the belt.

[SteveC]

 

[Aloha]

Thats a capable trio.  I'm guessing the edge is one you put on the axe?  Otherwise, well done Gransfors.   

[G-Dizzle]

Thats a capable trio.  I'm guessing the edge is one you put on the axe?  Otherwise, well done Gransfors.   

Thats how it came straight from Hults Bruk. It will shave hair. I am impressed.

[Aloha]

  to Gransfors.  I am happy to hear this.  Did it come with a mask?  Will you add some type of handle protector just under the head?  I used paracord on my little hatchet tho it may have been unneeded  .  Over strike on a small hatchet  .  Looks cool IMO tho  .       

[G-Dizzle]

to Gransfors.  I am happy to hear this.  Did it come with a mask?  Will you add some type of handle protector just under the head?  I used paracord on my little hatchet tho it may have been unneeded  .  Over strike on a small hatchet  .  Looks cool IMO tho  .     

Its actually Hults Bruk, Gransfor’s direct competitor. I went with them because they had an axe directly between the Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet and Small Forest Axe. It seems consistent in all the reviews that the Hults has a steel wedge on the top of the hatchet and straighter grain in the handle. Not something that is true of Gransfors per the reviews. It probably makes no difference at all but it makes me feel better. Also, it came with a sheath with a belt loop. Something that I would have had to have made for the Gransfors.

[Aloha]

 .  It looks great.  I appreciate when a company supplies a sheath as we'll need one.   

[Syncop8r]

Nice.

[Gareth]

That's a very capable looking tool mate.    I've carried bigger stuff like the Small Forest axe before and, unless you're going to be using it for hours, it's not worth the extra length and weight over a nice hatchet. 

[G-Dizzle]

You already know the answer       

Show content

Get both   

Well, I didn’t hold out too long. BK21 on the way.