Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Which Axe, again?

I'm sure this has come up before. BUT, I have never owned a nice axe. I am looking for one that will be used for hunting, hiking, and light camping duties. Cut small trees, use to gather wood for fires, maybe split a critter. I would like one that I could possibly wear on my belt, or put in my pack and not notice it to much. I really don't want to spend a fortune but I am willing to pay for quality. I would think an axe/hatchet around 2lbs or so would be nice.

What is a good one? Granfors, Wetterlings, Husqvarna, Velvicut Hudson bay, also saw one German named one.

Thanks for the help

GB Small Forest, but it might be a little long for a belt. On the side of a pack it'll be fine.

While I'd like to try some of the more popular brands (popular with a lot of the members here) I'm still using the " small" estwing hatchet I've had for the last 20 years or so....its the one with the leather wrapped handle.
I heat my house with an outdoor wood boiler, so it gets used a lot........., camping, hunting, de-branching logs I may have missed with the chainsaw etc.....its pretty bombproof.
Johnny

Cold Steel Trail Hawk

That'll do but it isn't much of a splitter, not for big stuff. That big eye will get hung up PDQ. Mine does split small stuff quite well though, the Trail Hawk is a quantum leap up from a cheap hardware store hatchet. Everyone oughta have one. If you had to, you could make a new handle for a Hawk with just the head.

I agree with TAK...Gransfors makes a heck of an axe. The Wetterlings are good as well and a little less money. If you are ok with plastic handles look into the Fiskars axes.

I've got the GB Mini and love it. I usually use it for batoning stuff down for my K stoves.

I also have a 13" and 20" Wetterlings. Depending on the trip I'll take either. Both work well. If I plan on a lot of whiteman fires the 20" usually gets the nod as it is quite the chopper for its size.

The Mini and 13" Wett usually go in my pack while the 20" Wett gets strapped to the side of my pack like TAK mentioned.

Husqvarna.

and it won't cost you your left arm either !!!!

I've only got 3 GB's to compare to these days but the Husqvarna axes ARE EXCELLENT and COST HALF AS MUCH. I have their full sized forest axe - got it for about $60.

The Gb's have more variety to choose from though

Thanks for all the input. I just wish I had some place local to handle some different ones.

What do you guys think of the Husqvarna carpenters axe?

So why not just pick up an old Plum or Norlund from ebay, and make a handle and sheath yourself?





Dark one is old recut Plum BSA, light one is Norlund that my Daughter uses.

Very nice

I have a 1960's Plumb... great hatchet, but it's 1/2 lb heavier than my synthetic Gerber. However, I think it's obvious most using an axe are not backpacking...

The Plumb (dark one) comes in at 1 lb 5 3/4 oz unsheathed, in the sheath it comes in at 1 lb 9 oz.

This... The OP is asking about a Husqvarna Carpenters Axe which is 2.2 pounds.

I've been reading through this thread and the other about "Which Granfors for me". There are so many good choices, I wish I had the money to buy several. Still haven't made up my mind. Thanks for all the help.

I use to just collect hunting knives, this may be just as bad or worst. Thanks a lot.

I had my GB Outdoors axe in my pack when I through hiked the Bob Marshall.

I wonder what the [bleep] I was doing?

Has anybody used the carpenters style axe for general camp chores? How much different would it be over the GB small forest axe?

Nothing like hiking whatever number of miles, pulling into camp at Odark hundred every night and pulling that anchor in the form of a hatchet out of your pack to get to your sleeping bag night after night and never using it.
Yet I always bring an axe of some type, I just feel naked without one.

The carpenters style axe looks similar to the Hudson Bay "camp axe".

I have a Herter's Hudson Bay axe that I believe Snow & Nealley made for them. For about three decades it has been my favorite camp axe. It has a 26" handle and weighs about 3 pounds including sheath. It has the right balance for me, much better than wielding a hatchet.

Forgot to mention the Herters axe fits nicely in a rifle scabbard.

Dan, I suppose you missed the "most" part.

Would also add, based on your input here, your backpacking experience is obviously pretty limited.

Did you traverse the Bob from side-to-side this year?

That's not a big hike in my world... just saying.

What is then, in your world? I'm all ears.

Not ONE hike 80 or 100 miles, with little or no long distance experience prior to that. That's not "experience", that's ONE experience.

My first semi-long backpack was 1975, 120 miles... by 1977 I'd backpacked 1,000 miles of the AT.

I've had many more, much longer, since then. I don't know any person with much experience that, in summer, that would carry any axe on a backpack more than an overnight.

Pretty damn stupid really...

Merry Christmas to me. I bought the small forest ax. It is small. In your hands, it is small, like a Boy Scout hatchet with 5 more inches of handle. The blade is light and thin, and they send it to you shaving sharp. I told my Brother that on Christmas and he tried it on himself and shaved off a postage stamp sized patch of fur before he knew it. It's short for 2 handed chopping and it's unwieldy for one hand. With weight as a consideration, it is definitely more useful than a hatchet. I had the Wetterlings Scandanavian axe which was an axe! Two pound head and 3 or 4 more inches of handle. I have a nice Hudson Bay style axe that I made out of an old bit with a crack in it. You do not want to carry it in a pack. I'd carry this no problem. I have one complaint about this axe and I have to wonder why they do it that way. The handle tapers to a point in cross section. The sharp angle runs the length of the handle on the blade side. It digs into your fingers. If you squeeze the handle, it hurts. Either I would have to reside myself to wear gloves every time I use the axe or take a piece of sandpaper to it and round that steep sharp angle down.

I can sure see why people the Campfire and other internet sites with the prevalent lack of respect for others opinions.

Guess I am pretty damn stupid too 'cause I seldom go backpacking in any season without an ax, unless it is a Fastpack type of trip where I want to cover 40-60 miles in a day.

Carrying a 1.2-2lb axe in summer in Montana is stupid in any intelligent universe, but it's up to you.

A 5 or 6 oz saw will suffice if needed... but then I'm not pimping products.

I'm guessing that your boots and French Press add more weight to your gear than my trail runners, Via and my Outdoor Ax but hey what ever works for you is cool with me.

Damn, Brad you're in a bad mood! Lol.

2 lbs is 2 lbs. Depends on your priorities. Was looking at my gear tonight while packing up to chase elk again and was shocked how light my core gear is. I guess I went to the ultra light side and now I'm adding weight back in increasing comfort. The tools to create a fire adds to the experience and comfort for me. Plus how often do you get to use an axe in everyday life? It's fun and it makes me smile, that is reason enough for me to haul two pounds!

Ed, far as I can tell you're really not a backpacker, more a trail-runner/hunter/dayhiker with a business to pimp.

That's cool with me, but let's not confuse what we're talking about.

I'e read a lot of Ed's posts on here. If he has a business to pimp, I don't know what he's pimping. He must not be trying that hard.

I'm curious Brad if you can explain why you chose to use the term "pimp" when referring to Ed and his business. Out of all the words you could have chosen for some reason you had to use "pimp.

Your post says a lot about you. Cheers.

The idea of carrying a 20-32oz hatchet in Montana in the summer is beyond the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Tinder/fuel here is so readily available and willing to burn it's beyond intelligent discussion. That someone would carry such weight in that pursuit leads me to believe they're really not what they infer. In which case, this forum should ideally be labeled "Bushcraft And Dayhiking For The Naive."

Plus how often do you get to use an axe in everyday life?

This time of year I use one everyday in my basement while feeding my woodstove. I've recently gone to a Council Tool Hudson bay axe 18" for my smaller splitting. Prior to that I used my 8lb maul or my fiskars axe.

Mike.

I occasionally wander about with a hatchet whilst hunting here but nothing like the time and distance you fellows are talking about, but then it is beyond stupid for people to wander around in Australia as it has a very unforgiving aspect.

Nice try Brad. But forget the backpacking. We are talking about a man's reputation here. So please educate us as to why you used the word "pimp" to describe Ed and his business.

Could it be that you don't think you owe Ed an apology.

If that's the case just state it.

Maybe it's like Brad "Biathlonman" say, because they like axes.
I don't really see any difference between that and you taking your French Press on all summer backpacking trips because you enjoy the coffee you can make with it.

This is the "backpack hunting," sub-forum NOT the "gram weenie thru-hiking" sub-forum.

Brad, you're obviously a back country hunter, and that's what this discussion is about. I have no doubt you've hiked greater distances than most members here, but how far do you actually hike each year for your bull? There are a dozen other dedicated forums for sharing ideas on cutting off zipper pulls and eating cold food. We're among meat eating, gun owning friends here, so lets not lose site of the objectives here.

To add to what others have said already. The GB Small Forest is a very nice little axe, (I've got a couple) but the Husqvarna branded Hults axes are 90% as nice for 50% the price. Wetterlings is hit and miss, at least mine are, but they were built before GB bought out Wetterlings. Maybe the CQ has improved. The prices certainly reflect the buy out!

Nice try... this is a backpacking forum unless you've forgotten.

You're obviously out of your depth here and obviously don't know Ed sells stuff here (more power to him, his stoves are cool).

Ed's a great guy, but he's really not primarily a backpacker as anyone that is can figure out. That's not an issue, but try to tell me carrying a hatchet in Montana on a summer backpack is a smart move is like telling Buzz Aldrin the earth is flat. Sorry. You can BS the fans, but not the players.

This forum is titled "Backpack Hunting "...not "walking the trails in light greenie mode".

...and this thread is about a fellow asking about a carrying hatchet.

No chit Sherlock. And I gave a few ideas.

However, when someone with a straight face tells me it's an intelligent thing to carry an axe on a Montana summer backpack (like DanAdair, Take A Knee, and Ed-T) is when I'll take exception. However, if they want to for whatever reason that's on them. I don't have to carry that weight, they do.

Just don't think I won't LOL.

Okay (with a straight face)....because he wants to.

Here is the OP's question in it's entirety. NO mention of gram weenie thru-hikes during the summer.

Please stop modifying your posts after they have been replied to, or at least have the courtesy to show they have been modified.

Anyone that sets themselves up as some sort of backpacking beacon and advocates packing an axe in Montana summertime is up for some good natured ridicule... seriously.

Brad don't look at my number of posts and make foolish assumptions. I know who Ed is. I've bought gear from him.

Yes this was about backpacking and you had to go out of your way to slam Ed and his business for basically no good reason.

So I guess your saying Ed is a good guy and sells a nice stove is your way of apologizing.

So he is selling gear... I thought he wasn't?

One could take things to Brad's logical conclusion and say that in that line of thinking, it's not intelligent to take anything at all while hiking in Montana during the summer as nature provides everything we need.

Tape an empty zip lock bag to your back and voil�, you're backpacking....

Tell me all about your backpacking experience... I'm all ears.

Kind of interesting how Ryan Jordan from BPL had an article last May titled "The SUL Wanderer" with the super ultra light gear he often carries from St. Patrick's Day to Halloween and lo and behold one of his item is a GB Mini hatchet.
He caught a lot of flack from the BPL crowd and this was his response.

"I can't believe how much discussion there is on the hatchet.
OK, so the hatchet is either:
1. Valuable as a cutting tool.
2. Totally fun to use.
3. A neat middle finger to the "UL" establishment.
4. All of the above."

I like 4."

I also like #4

Good for you ED. But I think we both know you're really not a backpacker in the classic sense.

And I also could care less what some dim wit on BPL says.

We both know a hatchet isn't necessary in Montana summer.

If you want to, good for you. It just locates you IMO.

Seriously...please step back and reconsider your stance.




Brad, you seem to have forgotten the HUNTING part, and the wee little question the OP asked.

It is pretty obvious you have a hard-on for ED and you are going to continue till you have established your self as superior.

...Okay, you are superior!


(Sorry Swede).

I always thought people backpacked for their own reasons. I know that whenever I go, I tend to run into people that aren't "back in there" for the same reasons I am. And they are some of the most interesting people I run into. Everyone seems to have their own luxury item representing an extra pound or so that others wouldn't carry.

Seems silly to me to label someone as "not really a backpacker" because of one extra item.

And since this is the "Backpack Hunting Forum" as others have pointed out, what the hell does summer backpacking have to do with anything?

Brad,

I know that this distinction is probably lost on you. But saying that someone is in the business of selling backpacking gear is quite a bit different than saying someone is pimping his gear.

You might be a whiz bang backpacker but that is not an excuse for acting like a jerk.

You could of said that you used a bad choice of words and that would have been the end of this.

Of course a hatchet isn't "necessary" for backpacking in Montana summer. Neither is a stove, a camp chair or the many things people choose to carry. Some might think carrying a radio to listen to the series is foolish, personally I think it's pretty cool. I enjoyed listening to the series this past year while laying in my tipi.

Hell a hatchet isn't "necessary" in any of the other three seasons for that matter but I like having one along most of the time I'm out.

...besides, we are boys and we cannot help but cut things up.


It is expected of us!

Although I do have experience, it's irrelevant.

The merit of the argument itself is flawed.

You propose that due to its added weight and the fact that the things you would use an Axe for could be accomplished with other tools, or even no tools at all, it is therefore stupid to carry one.

So, one must start from scratch and consider everything they bring based upon its need as a tool and it's weight.

You submit that it's not "needed" and therefore it's stupid.

So, if we start with that as the premise, you have to ask exactly what is needed because everything else is stupid.

Using your argument, the truth is, nothing is needed as nature provides everything.

When packing your pack you have to ask why do I need this item, or more accurately, why do I want this item?

The answer is always the same. You don't need it, you want it.

Wanting an Axe is no more stupid than wanting anything else. If it's worth it to you then it's worth it.

Exactly. And that's why I'm going nude, next time I go. I'm also pimping nude backpacking gear at:

www.takenogear.com

Well, I guess that clears up how you got "smokepole".

Not sure what a backpacker "in the classic sense" is. If it means month long trips and long through hikes like the AT, PCT or CDT, then no, that's not me. It would be great to have the time to do something like that.

I did my first solo backpack trip into the Scapegoat Wilderness when I was 12.

I generally spend between 40 & 50 nights a year sleeping out where I have carried my shelter, sleep system, food etc. The vast majority of those are one or two night outings. Some of them extended "Dawn Patrol's" where I leave after work, hike or run in a ways, spend the night and am back for work the next day. I'd like to have longer periods out but time constraints don't allow it.

So I might not be a backpacker in the classic sense and that's fine with me.

We should all just admit that Brad has the biggest pens and be done with it.

Maybe so, but I have the biggest pencil, and that's what counts.

So what, my keyboard has more gizmos...and is lighter!

Wrap around belts are stupid (although they work great for a lot of people)

Hatchets are stupid (although they can be handy)

Any pack based on the NICE frame is stupid.

Montana's are stupid unless Brad currently owns one.

Don't bother trying to convince me otherwise unless you have hiked the entire PCT. Please include backpacking resume with your response.

Rayn Jordan is the FOUNDER of Backpackinglight.com, which as a forum/business has been around as long as 24HRC.com. He is also a registered guide in the state of Montana.

He's got more stature worldwide as a backpacker than you'll EVER have on this forum.

We all indulge ourselves on simple overnights, where packs are lighter. Even a couple-days trip where weight still isn't that great, or where it's a hike in to a basecamp and dayhkes are the goal. Books, radio's, saws, camp chairs, bourbon, fishing gear, pistols, and yes even 22 oz hatchets. I've carried all of it (well, not the hatchet though I can stretch a bit to kind of get it - kind of).

But on a "classic backpack" (ie, one's hiking 5-25 miles per day for 5, 10, 15 days, everyday, self supported - like across the Bob Marshall), stuff starts to get winnowed out. Not talking goat/llama packing or pulk pulling.

Given the awesome amount of dead conifer in Montana, and given a very light saw will see one through, packing a hatchet across the Bob falls into the category of what I'd call stupid/funny chit (which is where this all started).

But if you're going to be dumb, it's good to be tough too.

19.3 ounces... That's what a GB Outdoors Axe weighs.

What's your "very light saw" weigh? 6 ounces?

So for an increase in weight of a can of beer, I can pack a real tool that does 5 times as much [bleep]?



I also pack a 320 weight merino wool quarter zip instead of a fleece in the summer... Because it still insulates when wet, and it won't meltdown if a spark from the campfire hits it.


Truthfully, I think it's you, Brad, whose showing his inexperience in Montana Backcountry. I've seen it snow 4" or more in EVERY month of the year. I know that on the west side of the divide, Search and Rescue deals with more hypothermic people in late August than in January.

Let the group decide.....


Out of the two of us, which one is more likely to be a "statistic"



The yuppy from Bozeman with the fine arts degree that is blinded by his ego?

Or the career Millbilly who works in 120 degree heat 10 months out of the year that always has an axe and knife in his pack?

Neither, in my neck of the woods the survivor will be the lazy bugger that stays in the air-conditioned Toyota with the esky of beer and the sandwiches.

I remember, not so long ago, when one could come to the backpack hunting forum to AVOID the pissing matches. Even those who enjoy such "sport" usually put that aside and enjoyed civil discussion and conversation typically reserved for this forum.

To be honest I am not sure why the catfight started, there must be some history there I am not aware of.

Exactly! Not one mention about marathon hikes in the Montana summer...the weight of a pack, is the weight of the pack...who gives a flying flip over how a person gets to the weight they want to carry? I know I don't have the backpacking experience of many on here but I like the utility of the Trail Hawk I carry with me. Not to mention the extra "weight" of the camera gear I pack in the summer months.....the Horrors of it all.

The cool thing about threads is you can jump out anytime if you find they are not what YOU like to discuss or what YOU think is relevant.

The real Dumbphucks are the guys who take the original thread and spins it into something to meet their own version of "opinion".

Not to interrupt all of the friendly banter, but has anybody used the CONDOR axes? Are they any good?

Back to the original question for a decent budget you can't go wrong with a fiskars x7 or any fiskars is a great product for the money. Here is a nice right up. link

I don't have any experience with their axes, but do own a few of their knives. "Value" sums them up, but but they're cranked out rapido by some hard working ElSalvadorans, so craftsmanship, and attention to detail probably aren't additional words I'd use. I've considered their axes and done some reading on them. From what I've gathered, they definitely fall short of the Euro axes in fit and finish, but use good steel in their heads. So if you're willing do the finish work (sharpening/handle shaping) AND you win the axe lottery (head hung straight and correct handle grain) then you should have a very workable tool. IIRC, Sportsmans carries one or two models, and I'd definitely buy one in person if possible, and eliminate the axe lottery.

Condor has been making all sorts cutting tools for centuries, and definitely shouldn't be viewed in the vein as the stuff coming from China.

There is... I apologize to the rest of the group, but not Brad.

I call bullshit when I see it.

I'm not famaliar with Condor axes but it might be an option. There are other budget minded axes and tools out there and even some from Europe. Bahco makes axes and the ones I've seen are hafted with ash. Helco of Germany makes competively priced axes and some of their models like the Yankee and Classic are hafted with hickory (my preference).

Here's an link
http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=80

I have a Bahco, Really nice performing axe but you need to sharpen it yourself and make a sheath. Ben's Backwoods and 4 dog stove both carry them.

People have had the handle break but mine has been good so far.

I don't have extensive backpack hunting under my belt but if someone wants to carry an ax in Death Valley what business is it of yours.

Dude! You have a serious ax addiction. The best cure would be for you to send all but one of your axes to me

I do have axe issues! The problem with your suggestion is which one do I keep? Lol.

I could probably advise you there. You can keep anything I don't already have.
Beats the Hell of of collecting Stamps:)

You guys aren't going to believe this....

I actually used an axe at work today.

I am sorry to hear that, better luck tomorrow.

I just ordered up a Wetterlings small hunters axe. I think it will fit my needs quite nicely. And if not, well thats an excuse to buy another.

What did that set you back?



Travis

I hate computers too....

Why is always 120 degrees in Kalispell?



Travis

It was $80 shipped, but then the small outfit I ordered it from called a little bit ago, and said they don't actually have any. So they cancelled my order.

So is Wetterlings or Hultafors better, or about the same?

As you might imagine, Wetterlings, Hultafors, and Gr�nsfors Bruk axes are all common here in Sweden where all are made.

After looking lots of examples of all three brands (and a smaller brand whose name I can't think of right now), at a number of stores, I see fairly small differences in the design of their heads.

I haven't used the Wetterling or Hultafors so I can't comment on the steel or tempering, but many of the guys I have hunted with have Gr�nfors Bruk so I have used them quite a bit. I am impressed with how sharp they come, how hard the edges are and how the polls are softer (as they should be).

However, I have seen both Wetterling and Hultafors sometimes come with handles with bad grain alignment, making for a weaker handle. By "sometimes", I'd guess perhaps 20% of the Wetterling and Hultafors I have seen in stores. Of course how far a handle has to be from perfect grain alignment to be "bad" is subjective and I just using my judgement as a woodworker.

I have not seen a Gr�nsfors Bruk axe or hatchet with what I would consider "bad" grain alignment, although a few were not ideal in my opinion.

Overall, I'd say that if you can pick out the very axe or hatchet that you will purchase, just pay attention to the grain in the handle and you will be fine with any of the three brands.

If you are getting your chopper via mail order, I think Gr�nfors Bruk is the safest bet -- I think they just pay more attention to grain flow than the other two makers.

John

I have an old single bit, 2 1/2 pound head on a sawed-off handle which I carry often. Truth is though, a saw is much more useful than an axe anywhere I've gone. On one fifteen day trip I spent two days cutting through slide alder whilst trying to take an ill-advised shortcut. The folding saw was of much greater value than the axe. Likewise for cutting firewood.
I have carried a light hatchet and consider it to be of less value than the heavier axe.
I have an Estwing axe which I bought just because I like the look of it but I never strap it to the pack. It's not a great wood chopping axe though it is a great elk splitter. GD