Seems like a silly question but I cant understand the need to take an axe for a bushcraft outing. I'm not going to build a cabin. I'm not going to cut down trees. Yes, faster processing of wood for a fire compared to batoning. My Bacho Laplander and Condor Bushlore can do the same job. So why would people need an axe?
What is the point of taking an axe bushcrafting?
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It really depends on what you are doing. For example, if I am carving, I would have a small axe with me to rough out the job, and then move to a knife for finer detail.
Yes, I agree that an axe is not always required, but for me, a small axe, knife and saw is a brilliant pairing.
The CRKT Persevere Axe is a brilliant bushcraft axe, when you need it type, it's discontinued now - https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CR...Jyd1yoFi_xKkYaKSjRJG4GZYydCI1kv_jPPmZaGv5O16P
I carry a robin wood axe and the Granfors outdoor axe alot. The fiskars x5 hatchet is good too.
For the UK, I have a saw and axe in the car, without the knife, for ad-hoc bushcraft.
Yes, I agree that an axe is not always required, but for me, a small axe, knife and saw is a brilliant pairing.
The CRKT Persevere Axe is a brilliant bushcraft axe, when you need it type, it's discontinued now - https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CR...Jyd1yoFi_xKkYaKSjRJG4GZYydCI1kv_jPPmZaGv5O16P
I carry a robin wood axe and the Granfors outdoor axe alot. The fiskars x5 hatchet is good too.
For the UK, I have a saw and axe in the car, without the knife, for ad-hoc bushcraft.
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A lot of the wood we harvest for firewood is too big to baton through ... a hatchet if not a full blown ax is essential at the sites we use!
Exactly this.
And although there are techniques to split bigger stuff down to manageable sizes using a saw without an axe or even a knife, an axe is more efficient. Bigger safety risk though if tired or inexperienced.
Good question.
I’m a car camper and have a little (650gm) hatchet in my fire drum. I can’t always forage wood (for example it is discouraged at Rough Close.) so I carry in cut logs.
My Kelly Kettle uses 20mm kindling so I slice up a log with the hatchet then split it down and cut it up with secateurs. My Opinel #12 Explore is a folder so never batoned.
If I am allowed foraging then a little Opinel #12 saw and the secateurs do everything that I need.
I can’t think why I’d need an axe on a hike even over a fortnight. I never thought about carrying one in the days that I could hike.
Presuming that I’m not doing forest/landscape maintenance or harvesting it’s a hell of a big lump to add to my kit.
Perhaps in a more permanent camp on my own land or with long term permission, then an axe would be useful.
Edited to add:
If you have a use for a 5lb axe then using it is one of the more satisfying Bushcraft / Forestry jobs.
I’m a car camper and have a little (650gm) hatchet in my fire drum. I can’t always forage wood (for example it is discouraged at Rough Close.) so I carry in cut logs.
My Kelly Kettle uses 20mm kindling so I slice up a log with the hatchet then split it down and cut it up with secateurs. My Opinel #12 Explore is a folder so never batoned.
If I am allowed foraging then a little Opinel #12 saw and the secateurs do everything that I need.
I can’t think why I’d need an axe on a hike even over a fortnight. I never thought about carrying one in the days that I could hike.
Presuming that I’m not doing forest/landscape maintenance or harvesting it’s a hell of a big lump to add to my kit.
Perhaps in a more permanent camp on my own land or with long term permission, then an axe would be useful.
Edited to add:
If you have a use for a 5lb axe then using it is one of the more satisfying Bushcraft / Forestry jobs.
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If you need to cut/chop anything,, (?) then partly because it's sometimes slightly quicker or easier and more satisfying than a saw. Although a saw beats it for cutting to length.
Maybe the other reason is more to do with romantic tradition/fantasy about the wilderness before quality folding saws were common.
Maybe the other reason is more to do with romantic tradition/fantasy about the wilderness before quality folding saws were common.
Same as why anyone anywhere would use an axe, it’s a practical tool for chopping larger pieces of wood. Good luck chopping a thick section of trunk into firewood with a laplander! Takes moments with an axe.
Same as with the other ‘why do we need x’ questions - if you don’t personally have a use for it, then you don’t need it. But there are plenty of people who do use them because they do the job they need much more effectively and efficiently than a saw.
Same as with the other ‘why do we need x’ questions - if you don’t personally have a use for it, then you don’t need it. But there are plenty of people who do use them because they do the job they need much more effectively and efficiently than a saw.
From the OP.
OF COURSE an axe can be useful in a homestead or a semi permanent camp.
On the move would I select what I picked up.
If allowed to forage then I’d take 35mm material max.
In days gone by, if I wanted a camp fire on an overnight then I’d look for 200mm material max.
In my experience there isn’t usually that much big dead material lying around for the taking.
I don’t see how that makes any difference to my reply. If on your bushcraft trips you don’t need one, then you don’t need one. If other people need to process larger bits of wood on their bushcraft outings, then they are useful.
What am I missing?
Yes it is a silly question. I rather take my Fiskars X7 anyday of the week than baton with a knife.
I see where you are coming from.So what things would you want to carve Trash. I've done so many spoons I've had enough of it. Anything else in particular? Sorry I forgot to mention that I attend woodwork class as well so I have a full woodwork kit. Here's one of my decorative spoons
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Thanks for the response John. As you can see I'm from Bridgend probably a 3/4 hour walk from the old moot so you would know the woodland around there. No intention of traveling further at the moment
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Why is that Hermon? I'm carrying a 60l Dutch army pack totally loaded out and desperately trying to dispatch some weight. I use Deadwood for fire. It's coming to summer so I don't need a raging log fire. Woodland in my area does not constitute the need for an axe.
Wrong Mod to set up a poll, but, you're all right 
I know the whole, "Do more by carrying less", kind of bushcraft ethos, but honestly, sometimes that just makes hard work for yourself.
I think the question might be better asked about 'Always' or not, carrying an axe.
Time and place, why and what, etc., is very relevant to the tools we carry and use.
M
I know the whole, "Do more by carrying less", kind of bushcraft ethos, but honestly, sometimes that just makes hard work for yourself.
I think the question might be better asked about 'Always' or not, carrying an axe.
Time and place, why and what, etc., is very relevant to the tools we carry and use.
M
Very nice, I carve when I can now....some of it is quite good.
Now for what I do, I carry minimal kit when possible. Saw, and small axe, seem to not frighten people as much as a knife...I don't know why....my police friends also state that they would look more favourable to an axe over a fixed blade knife?
Thus an axe replaces a fixed blade knife for my wood working, from camp setup to whittling...until I use a UK legal folder for fine work, and food prep. I must note that this is away from the home.
I do favour a fixed blade knife over an axe everywhere else at home.
There is also a challenge in making an axe preform knife tasks that changes how you address the task at hand, which I find refreshing.
Thanks Toddy.Wrong Mod to set up a poll, but, you're all right
I know the whole, "Do more by carrying less", kind of bushcraft ethos, but honestly, sometimes that just makes hard work for yourself.
I think the question might be better asked about 'Always' or not, carrying an axe.
Time and place, why and what, etc., is very relevant to the tools we carry and use.
M
Very relevant point.
Steve
I don't see what use a poll would be. People are in different areas, with different limitations, wants and needs.
What people take is suitable to their situation. Probably NOT yours.
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