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Maybe we have brought this up, but in our bug out kit, what do you use? I do not have be but I do have my assortment of knives, pocket knife- Al-Mar lock blade. My old Randal 14, leatherman. But I don't have an Ax. Do. Need one? Maybe, chopping trees with my Randall is not ideal. But we always try to keep the weight down and multitask, So show me some alternatives and their advantages. Tc
John jump in here, know you have an opinion.
Honestly I have one of those cheap Machetes that you buy for like $4 in the UTV for clearing branches off the road
You have been there you know what we have :)
Never needed more than that, in fact I went trough a 6" diameter tree just the other day that the early snow had dropped.. Quick n Easy
Yes I have small axes and even a Zombie Kukri :p but those cheap Machetes get the most use :D
Maybe this fits here.
I had a coupon so tried one of these. I certainly am not going to throw it away but I wouldn't buy another.
Like most things with multiple uses they don't do any of them great.
I was thinking about my small camper weight and room etc. The plastic handle vibrates and it is not very comfortable to use. It doesn't split wood worth a darn. Why the didn't put some metal on the hammer end.....
It has been delegated to behind the seat of my truck. I use it every once in a while.
https://www.zippo.com/products/axesaw
I have an Estwing hatchet that I have had for years that I love but it is heavy etc.
P.S. I used the Estwing last weekend to break the pelvic bone of a deer. Why do I have 2 hatchets in my truck?:rofl2:
But then one time I cleaned my truck and found 10 knives......
TC-How about one of the smaller Fiskars axes? They are lightweight, very reasonably-priced, take an edge easily with a belt grinder or file, and are nearly indestructible. I've got a full-sized one I have had for years, and it splits logs like a champ!
Gransfors Bruks small forest axe (I have this one) or their hunters axe. You can skin and quarter a deer with one (did it last year) easily, holds a good edge. You can do pretty much anything with one...and I wouldn't want to be opposing you if you had it in your hand.
https://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/pro.../forrest-axes/
Husquarna makes some good ones too, but they don't have the fit and finish (soul) a Gransfors Bruks does.
You know I don't suffer from lack of opinion,,,,,:rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by tcrideshd
I'll lead of with this TC,,,always construct your bag for your specific needs & location/enviorment.
What I carry in South Florida will have a few items identical to your bag or Glen's bag.
But,,,,,
If I move into a different environment like Idaho or your area, I would adjust my bag accordingly.
To answer your question; if you feel that you want/need an axe, then get one.
I have several types, they only see action when I watch Bear Grylls on TV.
I have the axe that Scott has; it's the top of the line, a bit big for a bag.
The Friskars I have also, compact & more than enough for small details.
I also have a $6.00 Harbor Freight, soft steel, but will get the job done on light work.
I have a machete from Bruno, used it during Hurricane Irma, got the job done & I looked cool doing it. ;)
If I knew there would be small wood/branches to deal with, I would probably take this instead of an axe.
Attachment 279158
Love this saw, had it for years , actually used it outdoors many times; toss in a couple extra bush & hack saw blades & you have two in one saw.
TC, you can find the Friskars & Estwing hatchets at Home Depot. The Friskars is often at Wal Mart in the lawn/garden section.
Oh,,, forgot to say TC; whatever blades you take to the field, you must have a method/device to keep them sharp.
What size kit or bag are you wondering about? A bag, Harley, or truck?
An ax wouldn't be practical probably in the first 2.
I read about a guy that didn't bother to carry the handles of the tools because they took up to much space and weight. He could always make a handle. I don't know how that would fit into modern society but an interesting thought.
One of my favorite lists is a guy that had 3 knives and then further down the list had a pencil sharpener. Disregarding my previous post I am not against multitasking....
Well my bag s pretty well organized and packed for my specific needs, I have trimmed over the years and got rid of redundancy, often wondered if having an ax was too much, but on reflection. Can see it as a very valuable tool/weapon. Now as you and Glen have mentioned a machete would do light tree work, i.e. Chopping light trees for firewood, shelter poles.
I believe at one time. Was looking at one of the 18" Camillus machete, I may retook this after considering to ax. Thanks guys. I guess I'm just bored, my get home bag/ bug out bag has not had any modifications in a few years. It really is almost perfect for what I Need.
Of course really all you need is a knife and a gun with ammo and you can get anything you need to survive. Survival of he fittest. Tc
Every bug out bag should include a zip saw or wire saw. It doubles as a nifty weapon too. :tu
I don't know if this qualifies as a bug-out bag, but this guy apparently lives out of it:
"My 111 Possessions"
All My 111 Possessions...
I read most of it. I think there are issues with him, but it's his life. God bless him.
Attachment 279178
Øyo vikingaxe
I moved away from the standard bob, to a more bushcraft setup. I was raised to always have gtf out bag ready to go. About 3yrs ago I started thinking about the longevity of the setup I had. It felt much more like a 3-6mo survival kit. This just doesn’t seem practical anymore. I believe if something serious happens we’re looking at years, possibly a decade before things become “normal”, if ever. So I started looking at alternative options. I always planned to get way out. I started looking into the old ways from the people that civilization. Which lead to the fur trappers/mountain men. Now I would never think about a bag w/o a good full size axe. I have the hasqvarna 26” multipurpose axe. At the time I purchased it, it was the exact same axe head as the gransford. I believe the still are. It’s half the price. Good luck!
I was looking at Husqvarna axes on Amazon. There are a surprising number of reviews where the owner had the blade break off the ax head. :(
I've owned a Gransfors Bruks hunter's ax for around 15 years, never a problem. I've also used axes made by Wetterlings and Fiskars. The Wetterlings ax was similar to my Gransfors. I would say the difference between the two brands is a nicer fit and finish on the Gransfors. The Fiskars axes I have tried (Gerber branded) were solid-they seemed indestructible. They were not as sharp as the previous two brands. However, they were thicker and more wedge-like so they were good at wood splitting.
my exact experience. I prefer GBA but since they bought Wetterlings, I would imagine it's all the same on new products? In either case, you can't beat a Gransfors Bruk axe for the money, and they have a size for all applications. (unless you want a double bit axe... in which case they haven't produced one for like 2 years)Quote:
Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings
