Newbie Q.: Kukri, Machete, or Hatchet/Forest Axe?

Out of all this i hope that the OP understands that this is all opinion and everyones views and experiences will be different, just as what they prefer will be different from other preferences.
In the end, taking info from all sources, it is up to you to find what works best for YOU.
 
Karda said:
Out of all this i hope that the OP understands that this is all opinion and everyones views and experiences will be different, just as what they prefer will be different from other preferences.
In the end, taking info from all sources, it is up to you to find what works best for YOU.
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Quoted for truth! All three choices will get the job done--just using different approaches or mindsets. They all have overlapping strengths and weaknesses.
 
If you go into a jungle - take Kukri or Machete. Otherwise nothing beats hatchet/axe with compact saw combination.
 
Hey guys, thanks for all the responses so far.

Still way, way up in the air, though! Hahaha. Seems it all is boiling down to a "Meh, whatever you like the feel of best" situation.

95% of my time outdoors takes place in the wet and woolly world west of the Cascades, so thorn bushes and heavy cover are the norm. So, it seems like a Kukri might be a good compromise between clearing and chopping?

Edit: As far as the "buy three of everything!" suggestion goes, that's just not in the budget. Unless one of you guys is going to sponsor me financially, hahah!
 
Cobra281 said:
First - congrats on the BK 2. Whole bunch of knife for the money.

To your question, like others have already said, kinda' depends on your location and situation, as far as Axe vs. machete.

If you're in the Amazon hacking through the jungle ... Machete.
If you're in the North West chopping wood ... Forest Axe/Hatchet

You might want to consider a folding saw. Light, compact, and processes wood like crazy. JMHO

Maybe pair up your BK 2 with a Mora or a SAK. (or both)

Best thing to do it try different stuff and see what works for you. Remember, you can always sell a GOOD knife if you don't like it.



This is one of my favorite combos - not much you can't do with these

Corona Folding saw
Husqvarna hatchet
ESSE 4 (BHK Bushcrafter is giving some competiton)

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When weight isn't an issue I like to bring along a few "friends" too :D

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Good luck and stay safe out there.
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Hmmm...clearly a post from someone who has 'been there/done that'. Speaking as someone who grew up in the forests of BC, the above choices are first rate, imo.
 
Will_Power said:
95% of my time outdoors takes place in the wet and woolly world west of the Cascades, so thorn bushes and heavy cover are the norm. So, it seems like a Kukri might be a good compromise between clearing and chopping?
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A khukuri will work well on thorn bushes, but you will probably require gloves. A machete will give you more reach for this task.
H.I. makes Parang, Bolo's and a few other suitable styles besides khukuri.
 
If you are clearing alot of brush a machete will probably be your best option. Khukris are great for heavy chopping and splitting and while they certainly can be used for lighter stuff they are HEAVY and no fun to swing around while clearing brush. A machete is a really great versatile tool and are tougher than given credit for.
You probably wont want an axe if heavy wood processing isn't what you need to do. You could also look into a big knife which is what I use when I hit the trail. Something like the ESEE Junglas or BK9 is a great option. While not the best at anything they are the most versatile tool out there.
 
For lots of heavy brush as well as wood chopping, get a Condor Viking machete. It's been my personal go-to for years now, and that sharpened back edge works WONDERS on brambles. At 20" in blade length it gives you plenty of reach for brambles. I've never scuffed my knuckles using it.

CIMG8360.jpg
 
WhenI was younger I found that the Woodsman Pal was much lighter than an axe or hatchet and chopped pretty well - it chopped better than a machete but 30 years ago it was much more difficult (whew almost said "harder" that would be a faux paw in a knife forum) to find a good machete.

I still have the Woodsman Pal 30 years later and its still pretty good at chopping but its short at around a 11" blade.

I recently bought a Condor Parang witha 17" blade for hacking off braches (pruning?) and its very well made for the price and itts 1/4" thcik.

I'm not sure if the Parang is the best for chopping but the Condor Knife & Tool Mchetes seem very well built to me - maybe the Golock or one of their other models would suit your needs.
 
I do think it depends on the type of terrain that you live in, and how much weight you're comfortable carrying.

I started out with a hatchet, but have moved away from that to using a corona folding saw (same one show above). With the cutting of wood taken care of, and my BK2 along for the fun, I only find myself needing a larger knife in my area for batoning the larger pieces of wood. Then again, I usually camp out of my jeep, so I'm not too worried about weight.

Since you are talking about packing these things around, I would say that grabbing a folding saw, and something like the KaBar Cutlass Machete, then something like a mora could fit all of your needs pretty well.
 
I have always used a hatchet, but never became terribly skillful with it. Recently, I got a golok, which for me seems more versatile and maybe even a bit less clumsy to use.
 
Foilist said:
I have always used a hatchet, but never became terribly skillful with it. Recently, I got a golok, which for me seems more versatile and maybe even a bit less clumsy to use.
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I never quite understood the reasoning behind hatchets...anytime I want an axe I want an AXE. If weight is going to get trimmed anywhere it'll be in the head, not the handle--the concentration of mass at the end of a LEVER is where the axe gets its power from. You can keep equal chopping power for less weight by removing more steel and adding more wood. The increase in the length of the lever makes up for the decrease in head mass. This is also why I never quite was able to wrap my head around most production tomahawks...the head is light, so wouldn't you want a longer handle to compensate? I can understand the shorter length on a piece designed for modern combat, where ease of carry on a soldier's kit trumps that equation, but on utility hawks? Nope. I'll take a long handle please.
 
Thanks again for all the responses, everyone. You all have given me a lot to think through and do some reading on.

As a result, you've really changed my mind in favor of a folding saw (seems the Silky brand ones are the de facto champs from what I've been able to find).

A big honking kukri or axe seems cool, but I don't want to let the macho factor get in the way of an intelligent choice. If a folding saw will take care of my wood needs easier than the other two, then that's where I need to be looking.

So here's an age-old question: teeth size? I'm a complete newb here (I don't saw enough to ever have needed to even replace the blase on my hacksaw at home, so haven't mentally crossed this river yet), so am not sure which is better. Big, coarse teeth - or would medium teeth work best as a do-it-all?
 
From what I hear, coarse teeth are the way to go. The fine teeth are good if you are only going to be cutting extremely hard seasoned wood. Other than that, i hear the coarse teeth do just about as good on the hard stuff, and much better on the greener stuff.

I ended up going with a Corona saw, because it was less than half the price than the silky, and was available in time for my next campout... I have never handled a silky, but the corona is doing quite well for the price. My combo of the saw, the BK2 for splitting, and a mora for everything else has been great so far.

I was in a similar situation as you, and am glad I got the saw instead of some huge chopper. However, strangely enough, I'm looking for a good sized knife to baton those larger pieces of wood with. I am looking to do this mostly because I personally feel more in control of the knife than a hatchet, and I often camp with children, so having one less bladed object being swung around seems like a good idea as well.
 
You seem to have a concern about weight. Well two options that are light AND inexpensive are Machetes and Tomahawks. After I did the review on the Cold Steel machete I tossed it in my trunk. Nothing wrong with it, it's just handy to have in there. My Cold Steel Rifleman hawk is heavy and my CS New Frontier hawk is wonderfully light and takes decent bites out of wood. It edged out my Becker Brute in a side by side chop off that I did. Yes I have a full sized axe (also in the trunk), but when I'm just on a day walk the lighter choppers work and I appreciate their light weight. Buy whatever makes sense to you.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ete?highlight=Cold+Steel+Magnum+Kukri+Machete

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The longer hawk is the Frontier, very light unit.
 
Well. Fat's in the fire then. Just ordered the Silky Super Accel 210mm length with the large teeth. I think I should be very pleased.
 
Not sure how I failed to post an update, but the Silky folding saw is a lean, mean cutting machine. I've only used it twice, but have been very, very pleased with it so far.

Anybody have any recommendations about a pouch or sheath for it though? I'd really like on, but not even sure where to start looking...
 
KYDEX :D

Seriously, though, I'm not sure of what would work best. I'd figure there must be plenty of pouches out there for folding saws though. Here's one at least.
 
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