hatchet vs. very large knife?

Y

y53p

Joined
May 11, 2022
Messages
301
I know the hatchet would all around be better for chopping, but would a full tang, large knife do the job as well? I have a Cold Steel Survivalist, which is just a solid piece of 52100 with a 8'' blade. It's a heavy knife so it's been good for chopping wood and I was able to baton with it just fine thanks to the full tang and long blade.

So should I just stick to this or would it be wiser to invest in a hatchet, and if yes do you have any to suggest?
 
I abandoned my "camp hatchet or sportsman's axe/Buck 119 combo" years ago when the big fixie bug bit me. I've NEVER regretted that or felt like that move was a mistake, and actually prefer to use a robust knife. For me, it's a more controlled process when I'm out in the boonies all by myself.


If you do go down the robust fixie route, I'd like to suggest two things from my own experiences of going down that road...

1) Get you a Bahco Laplander to go with your fixie. It weighs next to nothing and takes up hardly any space. And,

2) The "Survivalist" is a great field knife for the use(s) you're describing. And with that, if you ever get a chance to play with a TOPS 107 (C,D, or E), take it. That particular knife has some kinda' "voodoo magic" going on when it comes to processing wood. Unlike some larger knives, it still behaves pretty well when doing "knife" things. However, then it comes to batoning, it acts more like a splitting wedge than any other knife I have ever used. (*and I've used a few)


As usual, your mileage may vary. Happy hunting.
 
Alone said:
I abandoned my "camp hatchet or sportsman's axe/Buck 119 combo" years ago when the big fixie bug bit me. I've NEVER regretted that or felt like that move was a mistake, and actually prefer to use a robust knife. For me, it's a more controlled process when I'm out in the boonies all by myself.


If you do go down the robust fixie route, I'd like to suggest two things from my own experiences of going down that road...

1) Get you a Bahco Laplander to go with your fixie. It weighs next to nothing and takes up hardly any space. And,

2) The "Survivalist" is a great field knife for the use(s) you're describing. And with that, if you ever get a chance to play with a TOPS 107 (C,D, or E), take it. That particular knife has some kinda' "voodoo magic" going on when it comes to processing wood. Unlike some larger knives, it still behaves pretty well when doing "knife" things. However, then it comes to batoning, it acts more like a splitting wedge than any other knife I have ever used. (*and I've used a few)


As usual, your mileage may vary. Happy hunting.
Click to expand...
Cool, I can definitely relate to using the 119 as the "proper knife" while pairing it with another, sturdier "beater" tool. Going off the tangent, I was thinking about getting a SOG pillar in s35vn, any opinions on that knife? (I'd just pair it with the Survivalist as well with a smaller folder like a rat1 and a folding saw).
 
y53p said:
Cool, I can definitely relate to using the 119 as the "proper knife" while pairing it with another, sturdier "beater" tool. Going off the tangent, I was thinking about getting a SOG pillar in s35vn, any opinions on that knife? (I'd just pair it with the Survivalist as well with a smaller folder like a rat1 and a folding saw).
Click to expand...


I had to laugh when I read your post. You know, must of us here would already have a "companion" knife in our pocket. I'm not a fancy-schmancy guy when it comes to folders. So, for me, it's usually something along the lines of a 110 Slim, RAT-1, AD-10, or SR1. However, like you, I kinda' stuck a "medium" knife/fixie in there too. For instance, last week, the Pelican 1450 I take in and out of my truck contained a TOPS 107C "Delta Class" and an ESEE-5 (*as far as knives)...as well as the 110 Slim I had in my pocket. This week, I think it has a Carothers SDFK and Becker BK-2. (*I'd have to look)

As far as the SOG Pillar, I'm afraid I have no information with which to help you. Just from pictures, it's a good lookin' knife that appears like it would be quite capable. Check YouTube for some reviews. See what the guys over there think about it.
 
So a hatchet will outperform a large knife in chopping and a large knife will outperform a hatchet at cutting/slicing. How much depends on the exact tools.
I'm not a fan of hatchets but I am a fan of longer qxes like a forest axe, boys axe, or even tomahawks which usually have a longer handle but lighter and thinner bit.

Some of the guys who are good with hatchets can do a lot of work with them that I simply don't care to be proficient in. I find large knives more intuitive and mostly, it's what I enjoy using.

And Alone Alone makes a good point about a folding saw. They aren't weightless but you often have as much weight and bulk in a large knife and saw as you would a hatchet, again, depending on the exact tools. I like the silky saws more than the bahco. The gomboy is a nice size but the pocketboy would make a nice packable one. For when I have a lot of sawing to do, the silky bogboy is a beast of a cutting tool and works very fast. The big boy and a machete or parang are often my tools of choice for trail clearing or heavier remote camp work.
 
y53p said:
should I just stick to this or would it be wiser to invest in a hatchet
Click to expand...

Only you will be able to answer this question :)

IIRC there have been reports of the Harbor Freight hatchet performing well after a reprofile - a great project to get to know your tool. Keep your eyes open at garage sales and hardware stores as well.

Good luck and happy hunting
 
If you are curious about axes/hatchets, then try it out. My first hatchet was a Fiskars and I feel like it is a good starter option. If you feel like it's not for you, then you're not out a lot of $$. For me, I love hatchets and tomahawks, and their use in crafting items. You can make spoons, paddles, skis, cabins, etc. I have a few big blades, but I don't get around using them, because I'm having so much fun with my small axes.

You need to use your head when you use an axe. Always think about where the bit will end up if you miss or glance off your target, and keep your body parts out of the way. I still have all ten fingers and toes 😁
 
I love hatchets. (I'll use that as a general word for any light, tomahawkish cutting tool, because I know people can get prickly.) I've never been a fan of large knives. ^Dogstar above listed a lot of the same reasons I would in their favor - namely that they're crafting tools. They're easier on the wrists and hands than large knives where chopping is concerned. They're also hammers, spanish windlasses, leverage bars, batons, and a host of other ad hoc tools. I will say that for controlled splitting (a 1-stick fire, say), a big knife is safer and probably easier to control.

D dogstar - you got ten fingers and toes COMBINED?!
 
dogstar said:
...You need to use your head when you use an axe. Always think about where the bit will end up if you miss or glance off your target, and keep your body parts out of the way. I still have all ten fingers and toes 😁
Click to expand...


This ^^^ is so profound...and probably the biggest reason why I made the switch. Neither knives nor axes have a conscience. However, axes seem to be much more committed when it comes to inertia. Once you pull the trigger, there ain't much turning back.

Sharp tools probably ain't the best things to be playing with when you're tired, dehydrated, or anxious because the sun and temps are dropping. In those cases, I've found a large knife much more controllable for me. Again, your mileage may vary.
 
Alone said:
This ^^^ is so profound...and probably the biggest reason why I made the switch. Neither knives nor axes have a conscience. However, axes seem to be much more committed when it comes to inertia. Once you pull the trigger, there ain't much turning back.

Sharp tools probably ain't the best things to be playing with when you're tired, dehydrated, or anxious because the sun and temps are dropping. In those cases, I've found a large knife much more controllable for me. Again, your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

That's one reason I like the longer axes, the bit goes into the dirt easier if you miss. Also, the handles are long enough for 2 hands, so more control for me. About 18" is the shortest I prefer. 20-24 is the golden spot for me for packing size while retaining considerable capabilities.
 
A bit more on using hatchets safely... It looks really cool when you see people swing them with authority, and chunks of wood go flying. Well, that takes practice. To start, choke up on the handle and gradually you will get more comfortable with using more power. Also, you can baton a hatchet as you do a knife. It is 100% okay to do that, especially in confined spaces and the dark. Don't listen to people who say "my way is the right way and everyone else is wrong," that is just BS. Also instead of holding wood on a chopping block with your hand, use a "chicken stick," which is just a stick you use to hold the wood, instead of your precious fingers. I am a big fan of making kindling by holding smaller pieces of wood parallel to the handle with the bit lined up, then smacking them down on a log or stump. You then twist to split the wood. There are lots of little tricks that make the hatchet a versatile tool.
 
y53p said:
I know the hatchet would all around be better for chopping, but would a full tang, large knife do the job as well? I have a Cold Steel Survivalist, which is just a solid piece of 52100 with a 8'' blade. It's a heavy knife so it's been good for chopping wood and I was able to baton with it just fine thanks to the full tang and long blade.

So should I just stick to this or would it be wiser to invest in a hatchet, and if yes do you have any to suggest?
Click to expand...
Since you're in Italy, and if I were back in Sienna in your shoes I would also do this, you might try out a Rinaldi hatchet or medium axe. They look like the right tool for so many tasks.

I have a good selection of hatchet/axe tools, but lately I've been relying on the Varusteleka Skrama. I don't know if this is illegal for you in Italy in the same way as a khukuri (is it the curvature of the blade that causes problems?), but it is a terrific tool.

Good luck!

Zieg
 
The Zieg said:
Since you're in Italy, and if I were back in Sienna in your shoes I would also do this, you might try out a Rinaldi hatchet or medium axe. They look like the right tool for so many tasks.

I have a good selection of hatchet/axe tools, but lately I've been relying on the Varusteleka Skrama. I don't know if this is illegal for you in Italy in the same way as a khukuri (is it the curvature of the blade that causes problems?), but it is a terrific tool.

Good luck!

Zieg
Click to expand...
I don’t think a skrama would be a problem whatsoever as it’s not cited anywhere as a “proper weapon” (unlike the kukhri, which for some reason has been considered since the last couple of years as a “proper weapon”, hence meant for offense and requiring a permit), but at the end of the day I’m not sure it would make much of a difference with the CS survivalist thay I own, with the blade length and overall construction being very similar (about 4cm/1.5 inch difference on the 240 model, both with tough, carbon steels). Might try out a small hatchet eventually.
 
Long, long way from Europe, but as long as we’re discussing what we like…

The US construction trades have been a proving ground over decades for some rather specialized hatchets. Fewer different kinds now than a century ago, but you can still easily find a shingle, drywall or rigging hatchet. Most of them are carried around bare in a tool belt or hammer loop.

I kinda went the opposite way from member Alone. I had some big choppers and machetes, and liked them for clearing brush, but I always felt there was too much blade length swinging around when chopping wood. With a hatchet or tomahawk, I can aim better and concentrate the chop in a smaller area.

Never in 30 years have I hit myself on the backswing, or even had a close call. Good thing when I discovered spike hawks, because they’re sharp on both ends. Now I like a long hafted “hatcheroon”, my current favorite is about 24”. Can’t find them to buy, I have to make them, but they do the pickaroon thing with enough reach for a 2 handed swing if I need to. Closest commercial tool I’ve found commonly is a fire axe, but in a 20 oz-ish size.

Definitely not for everybody, but it’s what I’ve gotten used to.

+1 on the folding saw, Corona makes some good ones, though the name isn’t too popular.

Parker
 
Last edited:
I've cut down many trees in my life and i love axes...but i prefer this duo for the weight savings when i'm hiking. Bought a replacement blade for a 30cm Gomtaro from Silky and wrapped the handle with paracord. Made a sheath with the plastic packaging it comes in and wrapped it with some tape.
The Skrama knife is a great tool for splitting logs.

I had a Bahco laplander but never used it since i found Silky saws ten years ago. They cut much better and stay sharp longer.

Screenshot_20221109-081511_Gallery.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top