Alternative to an axe/hatchet

[PaulSanderson]

Gentlefellows...

I am looking to replace an old hatchet I have and was wondering what folk use instead of a small axe? How do the likes of Kukhuri's, machettes, parangs etc hold up against the axe, and what are the pro's and cons of both??

Any info would be greatly appreciated....

Many thanks...

 

[robin wood]

Basically all those tools are designed for different jobs. You want to slash your way through a sugar cane plantation or dense bamboo you need a machete or parang. You want to fell a hardwood tree and split it for firewood you want an axe or hatchet.

 

[PaulSanderson]

fair point robin, im thinking of purely ease of packing/lightweight issues really. I have no probs getting another wee hatchet, was just thinking of other options thats all...cheers for the advice.

 

[ex-member Raikey]

a good subject Paul,..

i,m interested in knowing more about the benifits of differing types of axe

i see threads on the subject but it seems a mine field of conflicting info,..

as we mentioned everyones needs differ,...

for what i do, i,m looking at making a large heavy camp knife, (7-8 inch) and a buddy blade (3-4 inch) in the same sheath, with matching materials etc,....

 

[Ed]

I use a billhook rather than an axe.

Ed

 

[Matt.S]

The various forms of billhook fill the leuku/kukhri/parang niche in Britain. They are handy things.

 

[robin wood]

Yep, machete for sugar cane, axe for medium to large hardwood, billhook for hazel coppice or hedging. All tools evolved over long periods to suite particular purposes.

 

[ged]

It depends on what you're cutting. Most of the time I'll only lop smallish dead branches for my Ghillie so almost anything, including my Victorinox multi-tool, will do the job. I've never used a small axe or hatchet for much more than splitting firewood, and I much prefer something like a heavy machete or parang for doing the same job. If the job needs more than that I'll break out the felling axe and possibly a sledge with a wedge or a maul for splitting large logs. I think a wedge is much underestimated. I never take an axe when I'm camping although I've recently got hold of a small tomahawk which I'm trying out primarily because it can double as a hammer. The jury's still out on that one.

 

[PaulSanderson]

cheers for all the advice guys...its interesting to hear other people opinions. I think in all honesty i just want t try somthing different to an axe...it always nice trying new kit. The main use will be for splitting firewood and general heavier work than i would use my normal camp knife for.

Stu - i'd be interested in seeing your matching pair man (ooh err!!), especially after seeing your first blade. Crack on...and no work isnt an excuse mate!!

 

[ex-member Raikey]

cheers for all the advice guys...its interesting to hear other people opinions. I think in all honesty i just want t try somthing different to an axe...it always nice trying new kit. The main use will be for splitting firewood and general heavier work than i would use my normal camp knife for.

Stu - i'd be interested in seeing your matching pair man (ooh err!!), especially after seeing your first blade. Crack on...and no work isnt an excuse mate!!

i got the "pablo special" to finish 1st,...!!

i was hand filing by eye ,...and started losing the plot so stopped,...

i have a jig in build, and will be continuing work on it shortly, probably the weekend,......

it may well be ready for xmas mate,....

 

[Shewie]

The MOD survival knife makes a good camp tool for splitting down wood and jobs you don't want to wreck your good blade with. With a bit of TLC and maybe some new scales they can be turned into something quite nice. I think the blade is around 6-7mm so will stand up to plenty of punishment.

I started one a while ago for heavy jobs around camp, excuse the upside down photo ...

 

[ex-member Raikey]

looks handy Rich,...

not pins in the tang mate?

or did you hide them?

 

[Shewie]

looks handy Rich,...

not pins in the tang mate?

or did you hide them?

There was the original copper rivets in but they were the first things to come out. I wanted a flush finish so just glued the scales on, and now they've fallen off

 

[PaulSanderson]

it may well be ready for xmas mate,....

now that would be a chrimbo prezzie mate!! haha cheers! youve inspired me man, after chrimbo i am going to have a go and see what kind of monstrosity I can create!!

I think I still have my MOD survival knife somwhere...will have to dig it out! How long is the blade rich?

 

[Everything Mac]

I must say I'm a "right tool for the job" man most of the time.

splitting anything from about 3" upwards is generally an axe job for me. + I find that one can be very handy.

I tried cutting up a big dead branch with my kukri the other day and it was quite hard work. (probably because it was dead wood)

if coppicing is called for then you won't go wrong with a billhook.

but I think most tools can be pressed into doing what you need.

Andy

 

[PaulSanderson]

im thinking this could be a good tool...

http://www.buxtons.net/bill-hook-do...st-forestry-tools-picks-and-hooks&src=froogle

 

[FGYT]

lots of choices to try

but ive never seen the point of splitting wood for a fire (in a UK woodland that is ) its usually avalible in any size you want from twig to log and the big stuff makes a good back log/ reflector and will burn thro so you an end feed

however heres my go at a MOD mod

and finished with maple and polished

personnaly ive always used a large Kukri as a camp blade (its heavier than a pack axe/ hatchet)

hers my 18" Kuk with a SW parang

and a saw if i want to cut down anything

or im leaning now to a large Nessy for a change but a thin ish blade

 

[PaulSanderson]

Thats a beautiful MOD-mod!! Im gonna dig mine out....

 

[ex Member swampy99]

Where did you get the SW Parang from?

 

[RonW]

I have a socalled kukri machete from Cold steel.
Because of the extra width of the bladetip, it has extra punch and can be used for cutting down trees, thick as a man's wrist.
You can also use it to dig, slash through roots and hitting the occassional stone, poke around it the fire with it. You could even use it to flip pancakes!
You can use it for cutting and/or shaping wooden objects, by sharpening the lower, thinner part.
And the best part is, it's cheap!!