Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: What do you think is the best backpacking hatchet or axe?
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BananaHammock |
quote pamonster: "quote ZaraSp00k: "which one is best? +1 |
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pamonster |
quote ZaraSp00k: "which one is best? I disagree, they do a much better job of cutting/splitting when with you, they're basically non-functional when at home....unless you just want to think about all the fire wood you could be processing and the perfect fires you could have.... |
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karlwithak |
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Frenchy19 |
quote schweady: "Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet yep |
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karlwithak |
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MNDan |
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OldieMoldy |
Every now and again I come to realize how diverse the range of people is that you could meet out camping. Not that it makes me sleep any better out there. Rob |
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Thwarted |
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schells |
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fraxinus |
Snow and Neally Hudson Bay |
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Humdinger |
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halvorsonchristopher1 |
Not sure how you overlooked these options!! http://www.renblades.com/Axe-Mace.htm I'd personally pick up the Viking Model |
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Bonvicken |
BTW the steak turned out perfect! Bone-in ribeyes, best steak I ever had, bar none. And they were so huge that we saved the second one for dinner the next night. |
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bapabear |
quote KevinL: "I have a Wetterling,and like it. Only used for splitting. " Is that your handiwork in scribing "grip" lines in the handle? Can't say I've seen that before but like the idea! I see the need for a splitting tool when using larger pieces of wood. I burn wood at my house and do all the work by hand (and back). I once had a mishap with an axe that resulted in a "mishit" and the axe going into the side of my foot! When on a trip we've never had an axe, only a hatchet. Honestly, they make me nervous as hell. When we've had "younger" (middle school-high school) campers with us it's like the hatchet is a magnet to them. They want it in their hands and are always hacking away at firewood -but not always safely in my opinion. Even adults get reckless with it when in a hurry or just not thinking. I was wondering how many people, when preparing firewood, really take a swing at the wood or just get by with the head of an axe/hatchet using it as a splitting tool striking it with a heavier stick or rock or something? At that point a decent knife used to baton the wood would be just as effective? Sorry, I guess I've gone off the topic there but was just wondering. |
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Campfire |
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KevinL |
quote bapabear: "quote KevinL: "I have a Wetterling,and like it. Only used for splitting. " Yes Bapabear, I did it. Started out using some of my gun stock checkering tools but ended up just taking a riffler file. But a corner of a file or a three sided file would work. Not for looks, only to help grip. Made the spacing big so works good with my leather gloves that I always wear when processing my fire wood. I do the "tap and split" method. I usually go in mid May and I like to be able to have a fire when its been raining/sleeting/snowing. It's still the best way in my opinion when it's been precipitating to get a fast fire. |
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amhacker22 |
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pastorjsackett |
http://shrewbows.com/shrewhawk/ |
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keth0601 |
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tyh |
Another option that i let the kids use is a small 6" froe and a camp made mallet. It works good for breaking down wood and the sharp part is fixed and you swing the mallet. |
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jdrocks |
quote TIMMY: " same thing with Estwing hammers. you won't find a professional framer with years in the trade swinging one all day, and for good reason. " Hell, I haven't seen a professional framer swinging ANY hammer very often with the advent of pneumatic tools! My brother in law owns a medium sized construction company and in fact Estwing is the only hammer that they buy anymore because they last years and support american manufacturing. Yes, they are lacking in performance, but my arguement is that they will be around longer than the other options and take more abuse and resharpenings. Lately I've just taken my GB Wildlife or my Fiskars if my roughian friends are going along! " we do 100% of our carpentry work with our own payroll carpenters, and yes, we drive millions of fasteners per year with air nailers, but my philosophy is the direct opposite of your brother in law. i could care less about the durability of a steel handled hammer look alike, i'm more concerned about the durability of the men. Estwing hammers (or similar) are not permitted on our jobs, i doubt anyone would use one even if it was ok. carpenters (laborers too) all swing a well balanced hickory handled hammer in a medium weight head, 28oz is not permitted either. there are some really good hammers available, the balance is spooky. if an employee breaks a hammer on the job, the understanding is that i'll replace it, but i don't think anyone ever asked, at least not in the last 20 years. if a handle cracks or breaks, 9/10 times it's covered by warranty and can be exchanged for a new one. Estwing hammers in everyday use are the perfect ticket for worker's comp claims, it's only a matter of time. |
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KT |
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BananaHammock |
quote Bonvicken: "quote BRic: "My brother brought this on our trip last year, and our partner and I both went out and got our own afterwords. Born and raised here. |
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bapabear |
quote BRic: "My brother brought this on our trip last year, and our partner and I both went out and got our own afterwords. I realize it is a heavy tool to carry but for me this is what I want to have when the chips (?) are down. I used to do painting and landscaping back in my younger days and we had an Estwing axe for cleaning old growth roots right up next to basements and that thing was indestructable. When I had a chance to grab a hatchet of theirs I took it. Only regret is I couldn't find the rubbery handle but this one has done the job well! |
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Kevlar |
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1stSatInMay |
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OldieMoldy |
Rob P.S. I'll have to look up what the heck is BJ Weld, sounds interesting Beaverjack! |
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ZaraSp00k |
the one left home |
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AlbinVega |
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OldieMoldy |
I've noticed that replacement handles for axes are getting to be of really questionable wood. I'm all most tempted to try laminating up a handle out of ash or hickory. Wonder why the manufactures don't use laminate? Maybe by the time you go to a laminate you may as well make it of some kind of plastic like the Gerber axes. Just some thoughts Rob |
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9th Bearded Infantry |
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Beaverjack |
quote OldieMoldy: "The last time I replaced the leather washer handle on an old Marble knife I was really tempted to wrap the handle with braided nylon cord, the fine stuff from Lee Valley; and then float it full of that really liquid super glue. I've done repairs like that on other things and I don't see why it wouldn't work. I didn't though, just didn't seem right; a Marble knife without a leather handle. I've done some remarkable things with JB Weld. |
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JoeWilderness |
quote BRic: "My brother brought this on our trip last year, and our partner and I both went out and got our own afterwords. Yep, works for me. I use it to drive tent stakes. It sometimes gets a bit uncomfy at night though under my pillow. |
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Beaverjack |
quote bapabear: "quote BRic: "My brother brought this on our trip last year, and our partner and I both went out and got our own afterwords. Had the same hatchet. Ended up putting marine PU varnish on the handle. Lasted 4 or 5 years of heavy use. A replacement handle would be a good product for Eastwing to come out with. |
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BananaHammock |
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Bonvicken |
quote BananaHammock: "quote Bonvicken: "quote BRic: "My brother brought this on our trip last year, and our partner and I both went out and got our own afterwords. Jared, not born and raised, but lived here longer than you have! ;~) |
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TIMMY |
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Drab |
quote BananaHammock: "quote Drab: "quote BananaHammock: "... I have seen the gerber axes but read a lot of bad reviews about them breaking. ...." Oh, that is a different axe altogether. If I am not mistaken that is made in China or Taiwan - Not the Made in Finland Fiskars/ Gerber axe. Yeah, I would have concerns about that axe. However I do not think it would be fair to judge the good Gerber axes based on that thing. I would have no concerns about the Finland made Fiskars or Gerber. And would bet that it would outlast the leather handle on those Estwings... At least if my dad's Estwing hammers are an indication. |
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Beaverjack |
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pamonster |
MMHW I don't think I could break it if I tried |
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schweady |
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Rich11 |
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OldieMoldy |
I'm a little surprised at the report of handle failure on the Gerber axes, I wonder what really happened. We are in a time where many guys are strangers to tools and the kind of accidents and breakage that we see now would have never happened fifty or a hundred years ago. The first thing I would look for is quality of the steel in the axe head, honestly I don't know of anyway to tell in the store, so I go by brand reputation and personal experience. All my Estwing axes are great at holding an edge. Now that all steel handle: when I'm making something I often "choke" up on the handle for better control, the thin steel neck is a poor place to grip the axe. What I do is to wrap a thickness of friction tape around the neck until it feels good under my hand. On my Estwing axe with the 26" handle I've often looked at that thin section and wondered if it might not shatter in real cold weather. Just wondering; a lot of stress there. I'm not trying to sharp-shoot you Banana, but you talk about "having" the axe sharpened to "razor sharp". Knives and axes are basically wedges; the angle of the wedge is determined by what kind of stress/work the tool will do. A knife can have a much narrower wedge because it won't be asked to whack into wood and maybe run into a hard knot. An axe can hit that same knot without chipping the edge. A true razor edge is so fine that really it ought to be used only on whiskers! Even the best axes will require sharpening on a regular basis, I suggest you do some research and get some whet stones and learn how to keep a good edge on your axe, it will make the work easier and be much safer to use. Good Luck, Rob |
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pamonster |
I take my small forest axe; it's flawless Ray Mears - Choosing and using an axe, Bushcraft Survival---bow to your sensei |
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Drab |
http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-new-fiskars-x7-hatchetbudget.html |
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SunCatcher |
SunCatcher |
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Drab |
quote BananaHammock: "... I have seen the gerber axes but read a lot of bad reviews about them breaking. ...." Where are you reading all these bad reviews? I'd buy another of the newest style of Fiskars (made in Finland - basically the same axe as the Gerber) |
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BananaHammock |
quote Drab: "quote BananaHammock: "... I have seen the gerber axes but read a lot of bad reviews about them breaking. ...." Gerber gator combo axe on the rei website is where I was finding the bad reviews. People saying it broke the first day they used it. |
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Dilligaf0220 |
Best bang per pound hatchet, Roselli axe. I've got both, and they are the business. |
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Woods Walker |
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ppine |
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Twinsplusone |
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George |
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wick383 |
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walllee |
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Humdinger |
Outdoor life or field and stream had a article about an alaskan trapper named marty (who moved from WI) and he only uses a estwing in the alaskan bush because wood or plastic handles shatter in extreme cold. I foolishley gave my brother a estwing I found so I never practiced splitting with it. I have several hatchets that.. never get taken to BWCA because some of my fellow scout leaders fear them. So if I would bring a hatchet - my fiskars for rookies in the crew and my wetterlings for just me... |
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BananaHammock |
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BRic |
12" Estwing |
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BananaHammock |
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tonyyarusso |
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mc2mens |
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Bonvicken |
quote BRic: "My brother brought this on our trip last year, and our partner and I both went out and got our own afterwords. Proudly made in Rockford, Illinois, U.S.A.!!!!!! They're indestructible. Love my Estwing camper's axe! |
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Unas10 |
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jdrocks |
quote TIMMY: "If quality, craftsmanship, and effectiveness are your priorities: Gransfors Bruks. for those recommending an Estwing, all i can say is that you'd have a tough road trying to convince many old timers that it's even an axe. it's really just a chunk of steel that's shaped like one. same thing with Estwing hammers. you won't find a professional framer with years in the trade swinging one all day, and for good reason. those Estwings are weird tools with a integral steel handle connecting the head to your hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. |
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TIMMY |
Same as above, but on a budget: Wetterling If low cost and absolute toughness and durability are your priorities: Estwing. If low cost and weight are your priorities: Gerber / Fiskars |
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TIMMY |
" same thing with Estwing hammers. you won't find a professional framer with years in the trade swinging one all day, and for good reason. " Hell, I haven't seen a professional framer swinging ANY hammer very often with the advent of pneumatic tools! My brother in law owns a medium sized construction company and in fact Estwing is the only hammer that they buy anymore because they last years and support american manufacturing. Yes, they are lacking in performance, but my arguement is that they will be around longer than the other options and take more abuse and resharpenings. Lately I've just taken my GB Wildlife or my Fiskars if my roughian friends are going along! |
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Campfire |
I do like my Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet. |
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KevinL |
quote Humdinger: "side comment - Wetterlings used to be the cheaper alternative to GB untile GB bought wetterlings. Not any more when I looked at prices at one website. Anyone else notice this too?" I bought mine from Bladematrix a couple years ago and it has only gone up about $5 for the Wetterling 20H. It's now listed for $73.02. That's my review listed. |
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Humdinger |
quote KevinL: "quote Humdinger: "side comment - Wetterlings used to be the cheaper alternative to GB untile GB bought wetterlings. Not any more when I looked at prices at one website. Anyone else notice this too?" I bought a wetterling hatchet from smoky mountain knife works about 2 years ago for $35 and I see the prices have doubled after wetterlings was bought out. FYI for people wanting estwings - Mills fleet farm is prioced well. |
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Bonvicken |
WARNING!!!!! This photo contains scenes that most definitely will offend the delicate sensibilities of the AA's (Axe Aficionados) on the board! View at your own risk!!!! |
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TeamTuna06 |
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KevinL |
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