What is the point of taking an axe bushcrafting?

[Grebby]

Another point to this is "want". What we want to be doing and what tools we want to be playing with. Lets face it, none of use NEED to be out doing bushcraft/camping/outdoors stuff at all. It's all a "want".

If you are going out to play, then play with stuff you like.

 

[StevieE]

I think my OP got lost in translation which was my fault sorry as I didnt explain it properly. I was referring to lone bushcrafting on an area near me which some of you may have guessed where it is. I dont own the land, not looking to set up anything permanent, I'm processing wood for a collapsible stove (One Tigris) so no need for a huge campfire. I'm not driving to the site but walking so have no access to get fresh supplies. I thought our main ethos of bushcrafting was to leave no trace which I truly believe in.
Yes I am proficient in the use of both short and long handle axes.
I also have moderate skills at woodworking.
My pack is a 60l Dutch Army Sack which on its own weighs quite heavy never mind being fully loaded.
Hope this helps for any future posts x

 

[hughtrimble]

I think my OP got lost in translation which was my fault sorry as I didnt explain it properly. I was referring to lone bushcrafting on an area near me which some of you may have guessed where it is. I dont own the land, not looking to set up anything permanent, I'm processing wood for a collapsible stove (One Tigris) so no need for a huge campfire. I'm not driving to the site but walking so have no access to get fresh supplies. I thought our main ethos of bushcrafting was to leave no trace which I truly believe in.
Yes I am proficient in the use of both short and long handle axes.
I also have moderate skills at woodworking.
My pack is a 60l Dutch Army Sack which on its own weighs quite heavy never mind being fully loaded.
Hope this helps for any future posts x

Yes, that's a heck of a lot of constraints that would have been useful for your OP!

 

[Falstaff]

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

View attachment 102816

Now that I really like, great set up. Pity they don't sell the axe any more. Maybe I could make a poor version out of some steel plate.

 

[Falstaff]

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CR4141KX/columbia-river-crkt-4141kx-kinematic-provoke-x-folding-axe-suj2-ti-nitride-axe-blade-with-spike-black-stainless-steel-handles-with-grn-overlays

 

[StevieE]

Yes, that's a heck of a lot of constraints that would have been useful for your OP!

Sorry as I said my fault. I thought some of my other posts clarified the situation but you are quite correcct.

 

[StevieE]

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CR4141KX/columbia-river-crkt-4141kx-kinematic-provoke-x-folding-axe-suj2-ti-nitride-axe-blade-with-spike-black-stainless-steel-handles-with-grn-overlays

Thats an expensive bit of kit Falstaff

 

[StevieE]

I was looking more at this to replace my own axe. https://heinnie.com/prandi-camping-hatchet-500g

 

[Falstaff]

Thats an expensive bit of kit Falstaff

Crazy isn't it? Complete Walter Mittydom, and his joy at clicking it open....this is the sort of thing that has caused the Zombie knife issue. Those soft in the head might want to try using it on someone, hopefully not this guy.

 

[Grebby]

I was looking more at this to replace my own axe. https://heinnie.com/prandi-camping-hatchet-500g

Why? You have already said that you don't need and axe for what you do

 

[C_Claycomb]

"I thought our main ethos of bushcrafting was to leave no trace which I truly believe in."

As we have had several lengthy and contentious threads where members have argued about what "bushcraft" even is, it is rather a stretch to assume there is a predominant ethos.

It might be more accurate to say that part of the ethos is to understand how to work with and within the natural environments with an aim to be less like astronauts visiting an alien world, dependent on technology for everything. In heavily used land, such as most of the UK, it is good to understand how to leave as little trace as possible, but leave-no-trace is fundamentally opposed to fire, crafting and foraging, which are significant parts of what most people consider "bushcraft".

If you had permission on land, and the area had a surfeit of maple saplings (like the old Moot site) an axe or parang would be a useful tool that would get plenty of use practicing shelter building, making camp furniture, trap mechanisms and cooking aids. None of which you "need" if you are out wild camping with a stove and micro tent, but they are bushcraft skills.

I suppose this brings up another aspect. The duality of skills. Knowing how to use an axe is a skill. Knowing how to do without an axe is a skill. Batoning a knife is a skill, knowing when not to baton is a skill. Knowing how to make fire with the materials on hand is a skill, and knowing that the materials on hand are crap is a skill as is knowing that if you go for a 10 minute walk you can gather materials that will save you 30 minutes of frustration. Ideally one should understand both sides.

 

[StevieE]

Why? You have already said that you don't need and axe for what you do

True Gebby but I also process wood for my own house. Not so much now as my previous home used to have a log burner so I used to have a ton of wood delivered every year. Now ts just for outside log burning. Plus if I need an axe to take bushcrafting that is what I would use but as stated I've never needed an axe to take in my situation when out around.

 

[StevieE]

"I thought our main ethos of bushcrafting was to leave no trace which I truly believe in."

As we have had several lengthy and contentious threads where members have argued about what "bushcraft" even is, it is rather a stretch to assume there is a predominant ethos.

It might be more accurate to say that part of the ethos is to understand how to work with and within the natural environments with an aim to be less like astronauts visiting an alien world, dependent on technology for everything. In heavily used land, such as most of the UK, it is good to understand how to leave as little trace as possible, but leave-no-trace is fundamentally opposed to fire, crafting and foraging, which are significant parts of what most people consider "bushcraft".

If you had permission on land, and the area had a surfeit of maple saplings (like the old Moot site) an axe or parang would be a useful tool that would get plenty of use practicing shelter building, making camp furniture, trap mechanisms and cooking aids. None of which you "need" if you are out wild camping with a stove and micro tent, but they are bushcraft skills.

I suppose this brings up another aspect. The duality of skills. Knowing how to use an axe is a skill. Knowing how to do without an axe is a skill. Batoning a knife is a skill, knowing when not to baton is a skill. Knowing how to make fire with the materials on hand is a skill, and knowing that the materials on hand are crap is a skill as is knowing that if you go for a 10 minute walk you can gather materials that will save you 30 minutes of frustration. Ideally one should understand both sides.

Excellent post sir. So you know where I camp. Yes there are a number of maple and silver birch in that area

 

[StevieE]

I sincerely hope this does not become a contentious thread. As Ive said I value all posts the community has posted. I honestly thought it was a simple post that I didn't truly explain in my original OP. My apologies for that.