Bushcraft Noob - first axe choices?


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konzine

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Hello!

I am new to bushcraft. Extremely new, I have never been camping without an RV.. So recently I have gotten into fishing and camping and fire making etc. The more I go out, the more I try to take home with me. First time I went (Back in June) I went out with everything.. GPS, Cell Phone with Booster Signal.. lighters.. Lots of rations and water... I had like 40 pounds worth of stuff.

This last time I went out in Early December, I took nothing but a busted old hatchet I have (dull as a very bad word), my flint kit and the clothes on my back. Fished for food and stayed out 5 days, was a blast.

I need an axe. I am looking for something small. I REALLY, really like the trail hawk from cold steel.. But I feel that in a chopping situation it wont preform like an axe wood. The head is removable and I can make a handle on the spot if need be, I am in love with that.. Anyone have good recommendations like that?
 
I'd say you may not need an axe initially. A good hand saw and a knife can handle most of your needs. Not sure what your geography is so why not pop over to the introductions forum and introduce yourself.

Welcome to BushcraftUSA. Good place to be.
 
The CS Trailhawk is a ok chopper. I recently bucked a piece of 5 inch diameter green Tulip Poplar with mine. I wouldn't want to do it all day, but it worked quick enough for that one sction.
 
As said above, it's hard to know what to recommend without knowing more specifics of how and where you'll be using it. For actual winter with snow and freezing temperatures I wouldn't go out with anything smaller than a 3/4 axe. If you're in Florida or somewhere warm all year, then a tomahawk would probably be fine.
 
I carry a small wetterlings hatchet with me. I did the same thing on my first time out with about 80 pounds and it sucked. You will find on here the folks well tell you the expensive equipment is nice but when your starting out its important to start off with what you can afford. A large knife like a Becker bk9 or other large thick knife is great for batoning but I went for years using a mora to baton with. I think the folks on here agree when I say its about the time out in the woods not the price of equipment. Welcome to the family and have fun.
 
I will for sure go introduce myself. It's not freezing here, I am in Southern Oregon and it only dips down to low 30s so it isn't too bad. I plan on hiking out to a Lake (Fish Lake) that is about 6 or 7 miles from any road. Chop my own wood and fish for about a week.
 
konzine said:
I will for sure go introduce myself. It's not freezing here, I am in Southern Oregon and it only dips down to low 30s so it isn't too bad. I plan on hiking out to a Lake (Fish Lake) that is about 6 or 7 miles from any road. Chop my own wood and fish for about a week.
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Get yourself a good quality vintage 2.5 lb axe head from ebay or flea market swap shop and put an 20 inch handle on it and sharpen it up away you go. If you want a shiny nice new one go pick something like this from here http://www.bushcraftoutfitters.com/Wetterlings-20-Large-Hunting-Axe-wetterlings-20h.htm
 
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I have a 28inch fiscars axe that I got at osh for $24. And I like it quite a bit. Its very light. I camp up in the mountains in california, which has similar trees to oregon, so it'd probably work out for you.
 
The only down side to fiscars that I've had is the sheath it comes with is very bulky. I just take an old piece of denim and wrap it up with 550cord.
 
The below is taken from the thread:
[url]http://www.bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49056[/URL]

If you're looking for a new axe that is reasonably packable and affordable - I'd say you need to look at Countil Tool Boy's Axe. Concensus around here tends (in general) to be that it is a good (not fancy) tool. For roughly $40 (amazon, etc.) you get a packable axe that will do all you need it to for most lightweight bush/camp chores.

Two things to know about it:
1) It won't be sharp - check out upthecreek's youtube channel and watch his video on filing and you'll get there. be careful
2) It won't look like collector's item coming about of the box - but with a 20min sharpening job - you'll have all you need.

The above is my own opinion. If there is one surety on a forum like this - if you 20 people for their opinion about ANYTHING sharp - you'll likely get 25 answers. 23 of which will begin with, "Well now, that sort of depends, don't it....."

If you do a search for it on YouTube - you'll see at least 2 reviews (upthecreek10 and bindlestich) singing its praises.

Good luck and be safe.
 
I love my wetterlings wildlife hatchet, it comes nice and sharp, good sheath, small enough to carry in a pack.....avoid anything made in china!

H&B Forge gets lots of good reviews here for tomahawks, but I've never had one....
 
I have the cold steel trail boss which is between a hawk and a full size. I have no complaints after doing it up a little and sharpening. It has an american hickory handle. not in the same class as the wetterlings and such but what is...
 
Here's another view, look at the picture. It's a GB Small Forest axe and a modified CS Spike hawk. The axe is heavier, but they take about the same space in a rucksack. Why would you not take the GB? You have already cut away a lot of unnessesery gear/weight. This axe will give you much more use in your future bushcraft development.
tomahawk.jpg

(but those hawks are really cool...)
 
The small forest is a legendary axe. It just gets so much use from me. It's the ultimate compromise of space and power.
 
My choice would be a yard sale or antique shop ax and fix it to suit yourself, I favor the double bits my self and the single bits are good too but do not use them to pound any steel, they are not made for that.
As far as I know the only American Made axe is the Council Tools.

Do not buy China or Mexico axes.

GAGA or Up the Creek both are axe knowledgeable , Vermillion and Augina Pig too.
Double Ott and I are axe guys too so you can pm any of us and get good info.
If money is no object Grandfors Bruks or Wetterling are good bets too.
Good luck on your quest!


Larry
 
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Sadly to say I just fell in love with that GB... Price really isn't a factor so I am probably going to get one of those. On a further note, I want to find a really good old axe head and revive it for "The Axe Is Back" stuff on youtube. Im sure a lot of you here have heard of it.
 
konzine said:
Sadly to say I just fell in love with that GB... Price really isn't a factor so I am probably going to get one of those. On a further note, I want to find a really good old axe head and revive it for "The Axe Is Back" stuff on youtube. Im sure a lot of you here have heard of it.
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I'm sure we have :)
 
I have had my Trailhawk for about 3 weeks now. I have cut down and cut up a 10" diameter Ash with it and am currently making a new handle for it with the same tree (just to prove to myself that I can). I am impressed with the versatility of this tool. On my next backpacking trip the Trailhawk will definately be in my pack. Prior to the Trailhawk I always carried a 10" knife.

I know that hatchets and axe's are better choppers but I am very happy with my Trailhawk and highly recommend it.
 
Bax 40 said:
My choice would be a yard sale or antique shop ax and fix it to suit yourself, I favor the double bits my self and the single bits are good too but do not use them to pound any steel, they are not made for that.
As far as I know the only American Made axe is the Council Tools.

Do not buy China or Mexico axes.

GAGA or Up the Creek both are axe knowledgeable , Vermillion and Augina Pig too.
Double Ott and I are axe guys too so you can pm any of us and get good info.
If money is no object Grandfors Bruks or Wetterling are good bets too.
Good luck on your quest!


Larry
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I know that Barco is still making axes in the USA. There may be others that I'm not thinking of as well, not sure.

I am also I big fan of the garage sale/flea market axes. Most old axes made in the USA, Sweden, Norway, Germany are quality steel.
 
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