Hatchet or small Axe Debate

jeremy1517

jeremy1517

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Sep 11, 2012
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Here's my situation. I already have a Good boys axe and I'm looking for something smaller to go with it. I'm having a hard time deciding what to buy.

If you were in my situation, would you choose a hatchet or a small axe (Gransfors small forest axe, Wetterlings large hunter, or something in the 18"-20" length)?

I'd like to have a debate or hear your reasons and experiences on why you choose one over the other.
 
Well, Can you think of any use for which a hatchet would be better? The only advantage I see is saving a few ounces. For me, the advantage of a longer handle is so key that it trumps the weight savings and has played a role in all my pack choices in the last decade and a half. I recently picked up two that I'm eagerly waiting to put through their paces; a Wetterlings Forester's fine axe and a Wetterlings Les Stroud Bushman axe. So far I'm liking the FF axe a bit better as it is lighter and feels slightly more maneuverable but they're very similar; the Bushman being more robust.
 
Marcelo Cantu said:
Well, Can you think of any use for which a hatchet would be better? The only advantage I see is saving a few ounces.
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Weight isn't the only concern associated with packability. I can strap a 14" hatchet to my belt and while it's not light enough that I simply forget its there, I can still comfortably sit, kneel and use a full range of motion without the hatchet snagging or bumping into everything. This is definitely not the case with an 18+" small axe - that size automatically means it goes on or in the pack, where a boy's axe could go. Speaking of which, you have to then ask yourself what an 18" axe can do that a 28" boy's axe can't? The only thing would be finer detail work, and that's what a hatchet would excel at.

If you're looking at a two axe setup, there's a lot of unnecessary crossover in tasks with an 18" small forest and 28" boy's axe. On the other hand, a two axe setup composed of a small hatchet and 28" boy's axe diversifies and extends the range of possible tasks - the small hatchet takes care of kindling, carving, bushcraft, and other fine detail work while the boy's axe takes care of heavier axe chores like felling, bucking, limbing, splitting and other wood processing.

Honestly I just don't see the appeal of a 18" axe in any situation, whether it be a single or two axe loadout scenario. The length is just too awkward to properly make a full two-handed swing and it doesn't really excel at the finer tasks either. Even Ray Mears -the man who made the Small Forest Axe famous- decided on a 24" haft for his collaborative effort with Gransfors Bruks (the Ray Mears Wilderness axe) and I'd say that's about the bare minimum needed for a two-handed axe.

If I was forced to only take one axe along, it would probably be a 26-28" boy's axe with a 2 to 2.5lb head. That size by far accomplishes the widest range of tasks, from felling trees to detailed carving (so long as you have the forearm strength for it). If we're talking a two axe loadout though, it's hard to beat a hatchet for the belt and a boy's axe for the pack (in my case substituting the boy's axe for a 3lb on a 31" handle as I've used axes long enough to find that a comfortable do-it-all).
 
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jeremy1517 said:
......and I'm looking for something smaller to go with it.
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How do you envision using the smaller axe? Camping, hiking, bushcraft? I assume you'll be leaving the boys axe at home unless you're car camping. What do you want this axe to do?
 
I carry a boys axe while camping and doing bushcraft stuff. I'm looking for a smaller option to go with it for smaller tasks.
 
Another vote for something 12-14" to go along with the larger axe. I had a Small Forest Axe and now have the Scandinavian Forest Axe along with a few other Boys axes in the 25-28" range. I would have little to no use for something 16-22" having the larger axe at hand.

Like Killa above- I am playing now with 3lb heads in the 29-32" handle range. Verdict is out but they are doing well- considering also that I am not doing heavy felling and bucking of trees larger than 16" across.

Bill
 
I'm not a big hatchet fan, honestly. They are so limited. Instead, I really like a light head on a 22"-24" handle. Light to carry (relatively speaking) and quite useful.

To directly answer your question - I, without a doubt, would go small axe over hatchet. No contest.

I've never used an SFA, but they seem a little short. One of my favorite axes is a vintage Swedish axe about 1.75 pounds maybe on a 23" handle.

IMG_7447.JPG
 
M3mphis,
I look at this "I already have a Good boys axe and I'm looking for something smaller to go with it." and screams to me additional tool, so small hatchet would be me. I have been working in confined space or on my knees with a boys axe, gripping just under the head and had the butt strike the ground/my leg and throw off the blow- could have been a finger. Yes, it is form and paying attention, but the small hatchet ruled in those situations.

I have a couple of axes with sub 2lb heads and 25-26.5 handle that I love- they would likely do most anything I am likely to do shy of a 3-3.5 head and 30" handle. One is a small Collins with 25" Maple handle- weighs 2lbs ready to go.

Bill
 
Square_peg said:
How do you envision using the smaller axe? Camping, hiking, bushcraft? I assume you'll be leaving the boys axe at home unless you're car camping. What do you want this axe to do?
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This really is the all important question.
 
lmalterna said:
M3mphis,
I look at this "I already have a Good boys axe and I'm looking for something smaller to go with it." and screams to me additional tool, so small hatchet would be me. I have been working in confined space or on my knees with a boys axe, gripping just under the head and had the butt strike the ground/my leg and throw off the blow- could have been a finger. Yes, it is form and paying attention, but the small hatchet ruled in those situations.

I have a couple of axes with sub 2lb heads and 25-26.5 handle that I love- they would likely do most anything I am likely to do shy of a 3-3.5 head and 30" handle. One is a small Collins with 25" Maple handle- weighs 2lbs ready to go.

Bill
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Pics, man! Let's see them babies!
 
I'm with Bill and Marcelo. A longer handle lets you get way more done with the same weight head. Like Bill says however, if you're going to work in tight quarters or kneeling with a long handle, then either be really careful or use a hatchet. We keep a hatchet (GBA 1.5 pound) and a "Baby's Axe" (1.75 pound no-name head on a boy's axe handle):D next to the front door. I like the longer handle better and usually it's my first thing to grab, but if I'm short-gripping a lot I'll get the hatchet.

One of my students has been arguing with me all year about axes vs. hatchets. "They're too heavy," "I'm young and fit and in the Army," etc. That argument ended a couple of weeks ago when he told me that he'd spent the weekend at a remote cabin and had to chop and split a lot of firewood with his hatchet. It's not a win/lose argument, but he now has an expanded practical understanding of some of the options from which to choose. :p
 
My packing hatchet is a fiskars I bought about ten years ago. When not packing it hangs in my shed next to the pruning shears and my bigger axes. Of the edged tools on the wall, which includes one of just about every size axe (still looking for a broad axe), several machetes and a brush hook, I probably pull the fiskars off most often. I've got five acres of woods for a backyard and woodstove so all the axes see use but the little hatchet has proven a very versatile tool. As well as being a decent little chopper I'll pair it with a mallet and use it as a (very) wide blade chisel, both for notching rough logs and dimensional lumber.

What it doesn't get used much for is making firewood. The hatchet is great for for use as an all-round carpenters tool for building shelters, crafting other tools and utensils etc. and is perfect for me when I'm backpacking and don't need more than a nights fire and maybe a few lean-to poles and pegs made. As Skiv mentioned above though, if I intended to go set up a semi permanent camp, build a more substantial shelter, and chop a lot of firewood I'd at least want an axe that I could get two hands on the handle.
 
While I agree that 18" is a pretty awkward length for use as an axe, I'd still prefer that over a hatchet. My ideal length for away from home is 24" - 26".

If I'm going to be carving with my axe, why would I limit myself to a confined space? If that is the case anyway then I'd use a knife. yeah a 24 - 26 on a 1.75# to 2 pound head and a knife. Hatchets are dangerous anyway. As a rule I (and I tell my kids to as well) If sing a hatchet, take a knee or two.
 
I guess I shouldn't have said, "I'm not a big hatchet fan, honestly." I love hatchets, but not for wood processing.

One of my favorite hatchets for carving is probably only 12 inches long:

IMG_7458.jpg
 
I went ahead and purchased a 1 1/4lb Gransfors Head. I'll fix it up and post pics. One unique aspect is the head has "Gransfors camping" stamped into it. I've never seem that on any Gransfors Bruks axe heads
 
If the small axe/hatchet is to pair with a Boy's axe then I would carry a +/-12" axe/hatchet as the second tool. If I was trecking with "one" tool, it would be an 18"-19" handled axe carried over the left buttock. This keeps it out of the way of the legs for walking or bending. Anyone who has spent much time swinging a hammer for rough/framing construction will definately want an 18"-20" handle. When you have developed the proper eye-hand coordination/muscle for this length of handle you would never consider a shorter one for all-round usage. If you get the CT Hudson Bay Axe and rehandle it with a proper wood center wedge you will have a great one tool to carry. It has a good concentrated hammer poll and you can choke up for fine work. It has a carpentry hatchet profile for fashioning/hewing. It has sufficient handle length for doing quite a bit of work one handed.

Remember the Hudson Bay profile in an 18" length handle is the best blend of a hawk and axe for the woodsman.

I would not want to carry a two-handed axe on a trek.
 
jeremy1517 said:
I went ahead and purchased a 1 1/4lb Gransfors Head. I'll fix it up and post pics. One unique aspect is the head has "Gransfors camping" stamped into it. I've never seem that on any Gransfors Bruks axe heads
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If you check out the first post on this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-or-not-to-other-options?highlight=rehang+or? it has an advertisement for the Gransfors line of axes/hatchets circa 1980. One of them is being marketed as a "camping axe". Does yours have any paint on it? If so, what colour? Any sign of epoxy used on the head? Any other stamps on it (like made in Sweden)?
 
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