Why an Ax?
#1
JK Jedi Master
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Why an Ax?
Lots of folks say that one should carry an ax when wheeling. Why? Now, I'm not ignorant of axes. In fact, I own three--a 3/4, a full and a hand ax. I teach Boy Scout leaders how to use and care for them, in fact. And while an ax does look cool when being wielded (just ask any Boy Scout which he'd rather be learning to use!), they're awful darned hard work. What is it that an ax is doing that a boring, but highly effective, bow saw can't be doing?
#2
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An ax can do things other than chop wood because most of them also have a flat surface you can pound with thus it not only provides wood but also can knock stuff loose or tap things back on. It takes the place of carrying a sledge and saw providing both in one tool. Personally though I have a heavy machette. It not only is much better for collecting smaller stuff but also can chop through heavy wood requiring less room to swing as well. I also carry a small colapsable saw as well as a hammer. A real good case for an ax is long term survival though. If I were stuck out in the boonies for a long period of time an ax is a lot easier to sharpen than a saw blade and if necessary when the handle (only part that can break) breaks I can fashion a new one from available materials.
#3
JK Jedi Master
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As for an ax during an extended wilderness stay: Hmm. Nope, Bow saw. Once I got the shelter built I wouldn't be using the saw that much. Fire would be from deadfall; stuff I can easily break up and catch on fire. I certainly wouldn't want to be wielding an ax in a survival situation: Too much risk from sweating and then hypothermia (number one killer of folks in a survival situation). Also, if I decided to move on, carrying a bow saw would be a lot less weight and bulk.
I'm no Les Stroud (Survivorman), but I've experienced a month's worth of survival training and living at three locations (basic in Washington, water in Florida, and jungle in the Philippines), and I take Boy Scouts out each January for a wilderness survival experience.
Last edited by Mark Doiron; 02-26-2008 at 04:25 AM.
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Last year we went to Colorado in early June. We traveled some trails that had trees over them, I guess we were some of the early ones to travel them since the snow had melted. Had we not had axes we couldn't have made it. A bow saw isn't a bad idea but I'd hate to bread the saw blade, which would be much easier than breaking an ax head, that's my thinking.
#6
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I have a tomahawk that goes with me outdoors, seriously. It's sort of a bearded axe with a hammer-pole on the other side. It's tomahawk size, so you cant chop down a huge tree with it; but, it works great to chop camp-fire wood, hammer in tent stakes, and...well...it's a tomahawk.
It was made by fortturner dot com, if anyone is interested.
It was made by fortturner dot com, if anyone is interested.
#7
I don't know how many of you guys around here are military or prior service but those that are can back me up on this. Anytime a vehicle leaves the motorpool to go into the field environment it has a complete set of "pioneer tools" attached to it. This includes a sledge hammer, shovel, pick axe and an axe. These are there because you just never know what difficulties you might encounter when traversing rugged terrain.
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#8
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I suspected as much. I've always felt that using an ax in this manner (not a hatchet, which is properly engineered to be used as a hammer) was unsafe. But, in an emergency . . .
As for an ax during an extended wilderness stay: Hmm. Nope, Bow saw. Once I got the shelter built I wouldn't be using the saw that much. Fire would be from deadfall; stuff I can easily break up and catch on fire. I certainly wouldn't want to be wielding an ax in a survival situation: Too much risk from sweating and then hypothermia (number one killer of folks in a survival situation). Also, if I decided to move on, carrying a bow saw would be a lot less weight and bulk.
I'm no Les Stroud (Survivorman), but I've experienced a month's worth of survival training and living at three locations (basic in Washington, water in Florida, and jungle in the Philippines), and I take Boy Scouts out each January for a wilderness survival experience.
As for an ax during an extended wilderness stay: Hmm. Nope, Bow saw. Once I got the shelter built I wouldn't be using the saw that much. Fire would be from deadfall; stuff I can easily break up and catch on fire. I certainly wouldn't want to be wielding an ax in a survival situation: Too much risk from sweating and then hypothermia (number one killer of folks in a survival situation). Also, if I decided to move on, carrying a bow saw would be a lot less weight and bulk.
I'm no Les Stroud (Survivorman), but I've experienced a month's worth of survival training and living at three locations (basic in Washington, water in Florida, and jungle in the Philippines), and I take Boy Scouts out each January for a wilderness survival experience.
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