Advice for 1 camping/survival axe; Woodman's Pal??

P

perpster

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Jan 19, 2006
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I'd like to buy one axe to use for camping and for my bug out bag in case of emergency. I'd like to keep the cost below $100.

Any suggestions? In my experience non one-piece axes have separted from handles, so I'm inclined to get something like an Estwing one-piece.

A product that has caught my attention is the Woodman's Pal, a multipurpose axe. Anyone have any experience with it? Here's a link (there's video on the Feautres tab): http://www.woodmanspal.com/

Thanks in advance.

Perp
 
The problems with head/handle is often poor fitting, the main issue is breaking them as it doesn't take much in the way of impact under the head to crack a wooden handle, you can compensate for this by a leather wrap to reduce the impact. The Estwing axes are more sodding tools than actual axes.

Gransfors Bruks and Wetterling make nice wood craft axes, the bits are optomized for medium density fir, a little too thick for oak/birch and a little to thin for clear pine, but work across all decently well. If your wood is more extreme in either direction you may want a different bit pattern as there will be problems with binding or penetration.

However you can also turn the GB products into hardwood axes with some grinding, and you can compensate on the softer woods with some modification to technique (adjust angle and/or softer swings). For a pure softwood axe, the Kellam is really nice, but it is so extreme is is almost useless even on spruce.

-Cliff
 
Gransfors looks and sounds nice, but it is 2 piece. How do they not come apart like others?

What about the axe/machete combo Woodman's Pal?
 
The head attachment on many axes is not done very well, many hardware store axes can come wobbly quickly, the GB versions however are tightly fitted and securely wedged.

The Pal isn't something I would pick for long blade use, far too inefficient a grind, it was sent for a pass around awhile ago, feedback in general is poor, the edge is just too heavy and it lacks a primary grind.

A better choice would be something like the Becker Patrol machete, Ontario RTAK or a decent martindale pattern.

-Cliff
 
Most of my hiking/camping will be in northeast US, mostly deciduous trees (oak, maple, birch) with some conifers mixed in. I don't foresee needing an axe/hatchet often, but would like a quality one that is light, compact and useful for those times when I do need it.

After doing more research I see the Pal (or any machete) is not what I'm looking for. The GB look very high quality but I'm still leary of a wood handle that can break or come loose (Murphy).

I did some online looking into the Gerber BackPaxe and Fiskars equivalent, their 8" Hatchet. Interestingly, the Gerber looks exactly like the Fiskars, and sure enough, on the Gerber website the closeup photo of the BackPaxe says "Fiskars Finland" on it! http://www.gerbertools.com/Img_L/5912.jpg

I haven't priced them out, but is there any difference between them?

Are they what I'm looking for? Although they are 2-piece they claim to be injection molded so that they "can't" separate or come loose.

I'm a bit dazed and confused--I'm just looking for a small, light, quality and effective tool to backpack/camp with, without breaking the bank.

Thanks,
Perp
 
Have you thought about a tomahawk? Check out the VTAC by American Tomahawk or something more traditional from Bear mountain or Ranger Knives.

If all you are doing is light chopping, one of these can be lashed to your ruck and they don't weigh too much.

The VTAC has a synthetic handle attached to the head that is not supposed to separate. They are used as breach tools over in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I've handled the Gerber and it's too flimsy for my liking.
 
If it was me, I would prefer a wooden handle. If it broke out in the wild, with a little work useing the broken head, you could make a new handle. A tomahawk handle would be very quick and easy to replace. With a one piece axe/hatchet, if it does break.... you are ******! A simple hudson bay style hatchet or tomahawk (patterned after the old trade axes) might work well if you reconsidered your requirements. Just a thought!
 
perpster said:
Most of my hiking/camping will be in northeast US, mostly deciduous trees (oak, maple, birch) with some conifers mixed in.
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The GB axes don't work that well on that class of wood, the bit is too thick, however it isn't like you have a lot of other choices though, they are the best I have seen.

I don't foresee needing an axe/hatchet often, but would like a quality one that is light, compact and useful for those times when I do need it.
Click to expand...

Generally for camping/survival an axe is usually overkill, most shelter and fire wood is 2-4" and a small saw + decent long blade handles all of that much better including splitting.

[Gerber]

Are they what I'm looking for?
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They have these locally, I was going to pick one up x-mass except the price jumped up massively to $75 at Canadian Tire. Swamp Rat makes a small pack axe that is one piece but again the head falling off really isn't a concern. My GB Wildlife is years old and has done a massive amount of chopping, it is still rock solid.

-Cliff
 
I thought the same thing about the Gerber/Fiskars, and bought one. I spent an hour one day limbing some pine boughs, about .5" to 1.5", and when I was done the edge was chipped, rolled, and generally abused. Metal that get's that abused from knots in 1" pine boughs is suspect, to me. I gave the same treatment to a Busse Paul's Hatchet, and it was shaving sharp afterwards, with not even the faintest roll, as a matter of comparison.

The handle of the little Gerber is very comfortable, but I have heard many stories of them breaking. They are just thin walled plastic tubes after all. If Murphy's gonna get you, he's gonna have fun if you get the Gerber. It does make a nice little yard axe though, so I don't regret buying it. I'd just never recommend one to someone who may have to depend on it.

The Ranger Knives RD Hawk at 12" over all and a 3.5" edge may be a good choice for you, or take a look at K-5 Tactical for their upcoming line of "lighter" hawks. I'm looking forward to those immensely. They may exceed your $100 ceiling, but I honestly think that they are right on the money.

Finally, I actually carried a Kerwhaw 1018 camp hatchet in Afghanistan, similar to the Estwing you mentioned. I did a good bit of hardwood chopping with it, and it held up very well. It fits in a bug-out-bag nicely, comes with a decent plastic sheath, and it's $60 to $70 cheaper than the RDHawk and probably $100 cheaper than the K-5. But you pay for a level of confidence and additional versatility in the RK or K-5 products that you just won't get from Kershaw or Estwing.

edited to add: I'd also argue that the Kershaw and Estwing handles will be much more comfortable than what you typically find on 1-piece hawks, something to consider if you plan on using it more for utility than tactical purposes. And what is tactical anyway: A Gransfors Bruks is as tactical for an outdoorsman as an ATC Hawk is to an infantryman. Don't let the mall ninjas define tactical for you.
 
Check out the Fort Turner Tomahawks also. I use the Camp Hawk on my outdoor trips. Price is right and quality is good.
 
JWBirch said:
I I spent an hour one day limbing some pine boughs, about .5" to 1.5", and when I was done the edge was chipped, rolled, and generally abused. Metal that get's that abused from knots in 1" pine boughs is suspect, to me.
Click to expand...

I would go so far as to suspect that it doesn't deserve to be called metal, that is really soft wood. The problem with low end gear is that it often gets made in *huge* batches and there can be a lot of variability from one sample to the next. Have you contacted the manufacturer, almost everyone has email availability now.

-Cliff
 
Hi Cliff, I'm not really worried about it as it's what I've come to expect. I'm sure it's hardened into the low to mid 40s rc to make it easily sharpenable (which it is), and the hefty mass of the head means that the edge doesn't have to be very sharp to cut <2" branches. Then there's the thin edge geometry, that is suited for folks who just cut a few things leisurely and call it a day.

For $30-$40 the Kershaw was superior in every way over the Gerber, except compactness, I guess. People want things for diferent reasons, and there is certainly good reason to justify the tiny Gerber. I don't mean to bash it, as it does justify it's $30 price tag, but I do want people who might read this to know that it shouldn't be placed in any form of "Dependable" or "Hard Use" category.

So I'd call it a tactical accessory to the Weber Mini-Grill.

Cheers!
 
The only good thing about the woodsmans pal is the pull hook, which isnt useful for what you describe as your need. Also, the woodsmans pal is way overpriced in my book. I have found a good machete is far better.
 
If you have worries about the indestructibility of your chopping implement, don't forget the Himilayan Imports chiruwa Ang Khola. About 16.5 inches long, full tang, hand hammered carbon steel blade. Some of the other models are my favorites, but this one is supposed to be bulletproof! I read your thread last week, but didn't mention it, since you were looking for an axe type deal, but if you are afraid of the head coming off, you don't have to worry with the chiruwa AK. Even if you somehow broke the handle, the full tang could still be used even if uncomfortable.
 
I looked at the Gerber/Fiskars axe, and wasn't impressed. I picked up a Wetterlings hand forged axe with 13" handle for $38 at a local knife store. The guy there put a good edge on it for free. I already have a machete, and this one is small enough for survival use while hunting or trailblazing. I'm not saying that this is the only brand to use, but I wouldn't want an unforged axe. Check out http://www.wetterlings.com Here's a quote from their website about the axes "It all starts with Swedish steel. At Wetterlings we use first-rate Swedish steel that contains alloys of silicon, manganese and vanadium. These alloys allow a high-quality tempering of the steel. A handforged Wetterlings axe has a hardness of 58-59° Rock-well, which is far higher than that of most other axe manufacturers."

Edited to add quote
 
MEatVT said:
The only good thing about the woodsmans pal is the pull hook, which isnt useful for what you describe as your need. Also, the woodsmans pal is way overpriced in my book. I have found a good machete is far better.
Click to expand...

Right. The Woodsman's Pal is a good tool, but a machete works just as well at a cheaper price.
 
the GB axes are good and shouldn't have a problem with the handles, unless you don't have a lot of experience chopping. the handles can take alot of abuse tho'. you can get rubber guards that slip on just below the head to reduce breakage, they can help prolong the handle life.

be careful of smaller sized axes (under 12" length, and < than 1lb.) these backpack axes and sounding axes may be too light for practical camp use.
16" handles and 1 1/4 pound heads are a good place to start at minimum depending on your needs.

if you go with a hawk, you might think about getting one with a polled head for driving stakes and such. good luck...

dhawk
 
Take a look at the survival axe from timberline...440 series stainless, compact, all steel, built like a tank. 41.99 to 50.00 online. 49.99 at sportsman's warehouse.
 
Thanks to all for your helpful input. I decided to go for the Kershaw 1018 Camp Axe. It fits my budget and seems to be the best one in the price range. It served JWBirch well while he served our country, and that's good enough for me! Got it for $23.98 online.

Perp
 
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