What is the point of taking an axe bushcrafting?

[StevieE]

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.

Very good point Grebby

 

[trashcanman1984]

For those on the fence, the axe head setups are really good in a pinch

 

[Aristotle]

I wouldn't fancy splitting firewood with a saw

 

[StevieE]

For those on the fence, the axe head setups are really good in a pinch

View attachment 102816

What's the make up of that kit Trash? Looks really interesting

 

[trashcanman1984]

What's the make up of that kit Trash? Looks really interesting

CRKT Persevere Axe Head and Milwaukee Folding Jabsaw

There is a good quality wire saw as well that I use with a bent stick to make a emergency bowsaw

 

[TLM]

I think Mme Toddy had it bracketed, some times a hatchet makes life easier, some times. though not very often, it can be life saving. Often not needed at all. When trekking I look at the area, season and phase of the moon to decide weather to take one with me.

 

[stonepark]

Belt bushcraft knifes are for fine work, carving, slicing, detail work.

Saws are good for large diameter processing, cross cutting and boarding.

Axes are good for felling, rough work, hollowing out and snedding and as a light mallet.

Whilst all three tools can be used non-optimally (often taking longer) for work the other tools are better at, they each have their own advantages.

Given the choice of having to choose two of the three or taking all three, I would always prefer all three.

 

[StevieE]

Don't get me wrong but I do have an axe which I've taken out a few times but have never used. From great comments here I suppose it's the locality you live in or travel to that necessities an axe

 

[hughtrimble]

Don't get me wrong but I do have an axe which I've taken out a few times but have never used. From great comments here I suppose it's the locality you live in or travel to that necessities an axe

Were you not tempted to just give it a try when you've taken it with you? Or is there a reluctance to use it due to safety, or lack of experience, or even just not wanting to have to then spend time after using it on maintenance?

If I take gear, I tend to make a point of trying to use it, primarily for the increased experience with the tool. Of course unless conditions aren't favourable e.g. if it's getting dark or I'm feeling rushed, I'm going to totally avoid the axe.

 

[Longstrider]

It's all about being efficient in your environment. If you know you will need to split hefty wood for the fire then an axe is what you want to take. The saw, either folding or fixed Silky type, will be far more efficient when cutting dead firewood to length. The axe is a great tool for cutting green wood, if used correctly, but not so useful for hard dead wood. I tend to not use firewood greater than about 4" diameter so I simply cut it and burn it. If I do need to split a log of that 4" stuff to get to the dry inner wood my knife is perfectly capable of doing so.

I find I rarely have use for axe when out-n-about these days. A small saw will cut all the firewood I need and cutting bigger logs I leave to those with the energy (or the Stihl ) I don't find I cut much greenwood, certainly not big enough greenwood to justify lugging the axe about.

If I am clearing a wind-blown 'green' tree then it's a job for chainsaw, axe, and a machete of some sort. Even then the machete and the saw seem to far more work than the axe.

 

[John Fenna]

Ah - but not all wood is for burning .... our little gang have a shaving horse and (soon to be finished
) pole lathe on one of the sites we use ... try feeding them without an ax!