I need a good axe for backpacking, camping and hiking. I generally will be putting it into my pack or strapped on the outside so it cant be too big. I really dont know what size and weight I should be looking for. I want that perfect balance between size and packability!! Please include size, weight, manufacturer and price. Also when a company like Gransfors says the handle length is 13.5". Does that mean the whole axe is 13.5" to the top, because the handle goes right through the head, or is it 13.5" to the bottom of the head??
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
I need a good camping axe.. Help!!!
- Thread starter savageman
- Start date
I say go for the bear mountain belt axe (www.bmtomahawks.com) , I own their frontiersmen which is basically the belt axe but with a spike instead of a hammer (better for camping) or the minuteman if you want a poll hawk without a hammer. Blades 3 1/2 inchs, handles 19 inches or 15 for the scout, comes with a good sheath too. A good tough axe with a great warranty and great customer service. Light enough to swing, carry, and throw but heavy enough to do some good chopping, i'd imagine the belt axe weighs a little more than mine.
Gransfors is a great company too, I own their double bit felling axe and replica bearded axe. Only trouble I had is the handles came lose after lots of chopping and the double bit cracking around the wedge, gotta figure out how to rehang em soon.
Either way you couldn't go wrong with anything you buy from Bear Mountain or Gransfors.
The length stated shold be the entire top to bottom length.
Gransfors is a great company too, I own their double bit felling axe and replica bearded axe. Only trouble I had is the handles came lose after lots of chopping and the double bit cracking around the wedge, gotta figure out how to rehang em soon.
Either way you couldn't go wrong with anything you buy from Bear Mountain or Gransfors.
The length stated shold be the entire top to bottom length.
There are lots out there but there is really only one. It's the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe.
19" handle, suitable for one handed use and two handed use. Shorter handles are danagerous when used two handed.
It's light enough to pack.
It's also the least expensive one they make and the quality is better than anything else out there.
Easy choice!
Collecter
19" handle, suitable for one handed use and two handed use. Shorter handles are danagerous when used two handed.
It's light enough to pack.
It's also the least expensive one they make and the quality is better than anything else out there.
Easy choice!
Collecter
PlaceKnives
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
- Messages
- 933
Try Hays Manufacturing. They make a nice hawk called the Montana Hunter. I have one and I love it. I also make a nice small indestuctible hatchet. Pic here-
http://www.zombatcommand.com/knives.htm
http://www.zombatcommand.com/knives.htm
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2000
- Messages
- 1,926
PlaceKnives, your Hard Core Hatchet seems like a very rugged design. :thumbup:
Following your suggestion about the Hays hawk, I searched a link to it, and it seems pretty rugged too:
http://www.haysknivesmontana.com/monthunter.html
I heard only good things about the Bear Mountain tomahawks too.
http://www.bmtomahawks.com/
I just received a GB Small Forest Axe (SFA), and it is as good as everyone says. :thumbup:
I got mine from Sage Creek Outfitters. Good prices and great people to deal with. :thumbup: :thumbup:
http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=GBK
Some people prefer the similarly sized 19 " Hunter's Axe.
The SFA is a tad big to pack conveniently in pack.
If you prefer easy packing, go with something smaller, around 14-16".
The GB wildlife Hatchet with the 13.5" handle would be an excellent choice.
A cheaper alternative to the GB would be the a Wetterling Small Hunter (12.5 ") or the Medium Hunter (15" or slightly larger).
The Medium Hunter has a 1.5 lb head with a 3 1/4" cutting edge, identical to the head on the Wetterling Large Hunter (which is the equivalent of the GB Small Forest Axe) and similar to the Gransfors SFA. With this heavier head and longer handle you don't have to swing so hard, yet it can be easily put in most packs.
The Wetterlings are very good axes, less finished than the BG axes, but excellent value for the money.
The only problem with the Wetterlings is, that most vendors are out of stock right now.
When available, it is worth to order from Ragnar:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html
His prices are not the absolute lowest, but considering his low shipping charges, they are competitive.
His customer service is second to none. :thumbup: :thumbup:
If he has one, he will chose you one of your liking and/or give you a honest description. He will also put an excellent edge on the axe for you.
Following your suggestion about the Hays hawk, I searched a link to it, and it seems pretty rugged too:
http://www.haysknivesmontana.com/monthunter.html
I heard only good things about the Bear Mountain tomahawks too.
http://www.bmtomahawks.com/
I just received a GB Small Forest Axe (SFA), and it is as good as everyone says. :thumbup:
I got mine from Sage Creek Outfitters. Good prices and great people to deal with. :thumbup: :thumbup:
http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=GBK
Some people prefer the similarly sized 19 " Hunter's Axe.
The SFA is a tad big to pack conveniently in pack.
If you prefer easy packing, go with something smaller, around 14-16".
The GB wildlife Hatchet with the 13.5" handle would be an excellent choice.
A cheaper alternative to the GB would be the a Wetterling Small Hunter (12.5 ") or the Medium Hunter (15" or slightly larger).
The Medium Hunter has a 1.5 lb head with a 3 1/4" cutting edge, identical to the head on the Wetterling Large Hunter (which is the equivalent of the GB Small Forest Axe) and similar to the Gransfors SFA. With this heavier head and longer handle you don't have to swing so hard, yet it can be easily put in most packs.
The Wetterlings are very good axes, less finished than the BG axes, but excellent value for the money.
The only problem with the Wetterlings is, that most vendors are out of stock right now.
When available, it is worth to order from Ragnar:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html
His prices are not the absolute lowest, but considering his low shipping charges, they are competitive.
His customer service is second to none. :thumbup: :thumbup:
If he has one, he will chose you one of your liking and/or give you a honest description. He will also put an excellent edge on the axe for you.
On the Wetterlings sight I dont see a medium hunter. All I see is a Wildlife Axe (13"), a Small Hunter (16") and a Large Hunter (20"). Is it safe to say the Wildlife Axe from Wetterlings is pretty much the same size and weight as the Wildlife Hatchet from Gransfors Bruks??
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2003
- Messages
- 484
Jared, is that the hatchet that you sent your Dad? If it is, I handled it a little before we moved to Kentucky, and it is a really nice piece. The workmanship is flawless, as far as I could tell. The heat treat is great, as well. That bead blasted micarta is awesome as handle material, too. It is the perfect size for overnight camping and for pack carry. I can't wait to see the new one.
Todd
Todd
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2000
- Messages
- 1,926
Savageman, I am sorry, I used Ragnar's terminology and not the Wetterlings' site one.
http://www.wetterlings.com/
http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html
The Wildlife Axe is called the "Small Hunter" on Ragnar's site, the Wetterlings' Small Hunting Axe is Ragnar's "Medium Hunter".
The specs of the Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet are (according to Ragnar):
"A sample went 1 pound, 6 1/2 ounces, and just a tad over a pound and half with the sheath. The head weighs about 1 1/4 pounds (.55kg), and is about 5 1/4 inches wide with a 2 3/4 inch cutting edge. Most commercial axes and hatchets come with much too thick a bevel to cut properly. This one has a properly thin edge. The handle is just over 12 1/2 inches and well shaped for a secure and comfortable grip. "
The Gransfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet, according to their and the Sage Creek Outfitters web site seems to be slightly longer, both edge wise and regarding the handle:
http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html
http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=GBK
1 lb head, 3" edge and 13.5" handle.
The + $20 price of the Gransfors will guarantee you a consistently well finished product, extremely sharp out of the sheath, with a 20 year warranty.
The Wetterlings can be hit or miss regarding the overall looks, finish and handle grain.
Both are reported to be great users.
http://www.wetterlings.com/
http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html
The Wildlife Axe is called the "Small Hunter" on Ragnar's site, the Wetterlings' Small Hunting Axe is Ragnar's "Medium Hunter".
The specs of the Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet are (according to Ragnar):
"A sample went 1 pound, 6 1/2 ounces, and just a tad over a pound and half with the sheath. The head weighs about 1 1/4 pounds (.55kg), and is about 5 1/4 inches wide with a 2 3/4 inch cutting edge. Most commercial axes and hatchets come with much too thick a bevel to cut properly. This one has a properly thin edge. The handle is just over 12 1/2 inches and well shaped for a secure and comfortable grip. "
The Gransfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet, according to their and the Sage Creek Outfitters web site seems to be slightly longer, both edge wise and regarding the handle:
http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html
http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=GBK
1 lb head, 3" edge and 13.5" handle.
The + $20 price of the Gransfors will guarantee you a consistently well finished product, extremely sharp out of the sheath, with a 20 year warranty.
The Wetterlings can be hit or miss regarding the overall looks, finish and handle grain.
Both are reported to be great users.
PlaceKnives
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
- Messages
- 933
Hey Todd,
Good to hear from you. Yes, that is the hatchet my dad showed you. I'm working on 3 more right now. The new ones are 154CM and I made them with removable micarta scales. I drilled and tapped the tang for 4 10/32 allen head screws. Makes working on the hatchets easier and lets me paint the blades after heat treat if I want to.
Glad you liked it and I'll talk to you later.
-Jared
Good to hear from you. Yes, that is the hatchet my dad showed you. I'm working on 3 more right now. The new ones are 154CM and I made them with removable micarta scales. I drilled and tapped the tang for 4 10/32 allen head screws. Makes working on the hatchets easier and lets me paint the blades after heat treat if I want to.
Glad you liked it and I'll talk to you later.
-Jared