G'day everyone.
Right from the word go, let me emphasise that this post is not intended to convince people that one tool is better than another for Bushcraft.
At the end of the day, IMO what does matter is that the individual is able to make productive use of the tools that they have selected. We all have different preferences and live in different locations with different requirements, so it is only natural that the tools we select should reflect this difference
No, this thread is an attempt by myself to share with you why I choose to carry a hatchet when out & about in the Aussie bush.
When I say hatchet, I'm talking a small hatchet. To be specific a GB Mini.
Personally I find the GB mini to be very versatile, and it's this versatility that earns it a place in my gear.
The squared poll works as a functional hammer for tent pegs (with the snakes & spiders we have, I prefer a tent to a tarp for sleeping )
Considering the self prunning nature of our Eucalypts, there is an abundance of seasoned hardwood deadfall in our less frequented areas. Therefore I really don't have a need to fell a tree for firewood and the limited chopping power of the GB mini is a non issue for me.
If I feel the need to break up timber for the fire, I'll either use a forked tree...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQEgOwpDXhI
....or if its kindling I want, I'll simply prop one end up on a log & stomp on it..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=928mnpV5M6E
That's not to say that the GB Mini isn't up to preparing kindling because it is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn-cyXPAjzg
What I like about a small hatchet is that I find it to be a very usefull tool for stripping bark from downed limbs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRe0kz3OIz8
...and...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CCS3tueE5w
...to be able to construct windbreaks at the end of a fly for shelter from a change in wind direction.
I also find it be be very handy for carving tools for the camp kitchen, including a "egg scraper / stirrer"...
That comes in handy for nettle & garlic stir fry...
& dried salami & capsicum filling for tortilla bread pocket pizzas.
...and carving a combination chopping board / coolamon (i.e. a shallow dish)
as seen in the videos ..
Part 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w5N2kQOB8o
Part 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr9zuoRCK0s
and Part 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5arG-3KvQWs
I guess you can tell I'm a fan of small hatchets for bushcraft
Kind regards
Mick
Right from the word go, let me emphasise that this post is not intended to convince people that one tool is better than another for Bushcraft.
At the end of the day, IMO what does matter is that the individual is able to make productive use of the tools that they have selected. We all have different preferences and live in different locations with different requirements, so it is only natural that the tools we select should reflect this difference
No, this thread is an attempt by myself to share with you why I choose to carry a hatchet when out & about in the Aussie bush.
When I say hatchet, I'm talking a small hatchet. To be specific a GB Mini.
Personally I find the GB mini to be very versatile, and it's this versatility that earns it a place in my gear.
The squared poll works as a functional hammer for tent pegs (with the snakes & spiders we have, I prefer a tent to a tarp for sleeping )
Considering the self prunning nature of our Eucalypts, there is an abundance of seasoned hardwood deadfall in our less frequented areas. Therefore I really don't have a need to fell a tree for firewood and the limited chopping power of the GB mini is a non issue for me.
If I feel the need to break up timber for the fire, I'll either use a forked tree...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQEgOwpDXhI
....or if its kindling I want, I'll simply prop one end up on a log & stomp on it..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=928mnpV5M6E
That's not to say that the GB Mini isn't up to preparing kindling because it is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn-cyXPAjzg
What I like about a small hatchet is that I find it to be a very usefull tool for stripping bark from downed limbs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRe0kz3OIz8
...and...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CCS3tueE5w
...to be able to construct windbreaks at the end of a fly for shelter from a change in wind direction.
I also find it be be very handy for carving tools for the camp kitchen, including a "egg scraper / stirrer"...
That comes in handy for nettle & garlic stir fry...
& dried salami & capsicum filling for tortilla bread pocket pizzas.
...and carving a combination chopping board / coolamon (i.e. a shallow dish)
as seen in the videos ..
Part 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w5N2kQOB8o
Part 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr9zuoRCK0s
and Part 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5arG-3KvQWs
I guess you can tell I'm a fan of small hatchets for bushcraft
Kind regards
Mick
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