im looking for an axe or hatchet to use both on a trail camping and for when im out on back packing trips any ideas ?? any mid sized axe? what axe do you use or suggest??

For camping I have a small hatchet, but pair that up with a hand saw. Works good for geting wood - I wouldn't want to carry a regular sized axe, or even a mid sized one if I was backpacking.

yeah i was thinking the same thing any brand names that youve used that you like or suggest??

This is what I carry:

http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Camp-Axe-5905.htm

I've had this hatchet for about 16 years and it has yet to let me down. With a good edge, it makes quick work of downed trees.

This is something else that's really nice to have. I used to have one until my friend's dog got a liking for the taste of the handles. It's a "pocket chain-saw".

http://www.campingsurvival.com/pochsawofacu.html

i think i just fell in love

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/151

http://www.imsplus.com/gi-issue-tri-fold-entrenching-tool.html

this is what i have... they work great and they're small...

i tend to find most things we use or may need can be found at any army surplus.. .

could just be cause i was in too... lol..

+1 on anything made my gerber. They make really good stuff. But I don't usually find a need for an axe while backpacking, I've found. I try my best to use LNT practices and enjoy low-impacting as much as possible.

But I use gerber stuff, and have nothing bad to say about it!

i think i found some stuff that i should keep in my truck that hatchet looks very well made drake and that machete ricer posted up is intense

This is what I carry:

http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Camp-Axe-5905.htm

I've had this hatchet for about 16 years and it has yet to let me down. With a good edge, it makes quick work of downed trees.

This is something else that's really nice to have. I used to have one until my friend's dog got a liking for the taste of the handles. It's a "pocket chain-saw".

http://www.campingsurvival.com/pochsawofacu.html

wow that pocket chain saw is nice that looks soo much better then the ones ive used in the past..looks like it will last through a few trees rather than the average one my old one use to do before it broke. any ways thanks for the links ive always been kinda skeptical on the gerber hatchet just cuz the composite stock and how the blade is attached, but from what it sounds like its really durable, Thanks again.

Works good for geting wood - .

they sell medicine for this too.

I'll vouch for the strength of that composite handle. My hatchet has been used excessively on some of my trips. It's been mis-hit on rocks and used as a hammer and it hasn't shown the first signs of stress. The one-piece design is awesome because you never have to worry about the head coming loose or flying off.

As for the pocket chainsaw, it works great as long as you've got the shoulders to pull it. lol It can be a hell of a work out but it will rip through small diameter deadfalls quickly.

This is what I carry:

http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Camp-Axe-5905.htm

I've had this hatchet for about 16 years and it has yet to let me down. With a good edge, it makes quick work of downed trees.



X2 on the Gerber axe. It's awesome. Just don't leave it mounted to your exterior rack or you won't have it very long.

Estwing makes a nice little compact axe too. You can find it by the hammers at Lowe's or Home Depot.
http://http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-16-Inch-Steel-Campers-E44A/dp/B00047F130

I'm cheap i go for the wal-mart ax, I do own a gerber ax that I try to backpack with, but its the backpacker one and is to small to split wood by itself. I got used to carrying the full size ax that i don't mind it when backpacking. People do give you looks when you have a full size ax, but you just tell them you left your hockey mask at home and that they will be fine.

this is the one i carry in the 4runner, and use for camping, etc

http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10101&categoryId=10277&productId=10526&page=products

its fantastic

just my two-cents worth, but years ago I found a roofing tool made by Eastwing. One side is a hammer and the other is a wide blade hatchet with a notch that's perfect for those tent stakes that can be stubborn. What's really great is, it's one piece of solid steel with a soft rubber wrap for the handle and the price $25. I don't know if you can get them at Lowe's, I got mine at a small hardware store 12 years ago and it's still solid. Try Eastwing online to see what it looks like.

man.. i love this stuff. when i was a kid.. like idk.. 12/13 i was running around in my backyard with a machete yelling at the trees and hacking them an saying "thats a bunch of blarney!" LOL I have a feeling I should have said anything..

PS this is the most bad a$$ pic ive seen in awhile.. lol
http://www.fiskars.com/wps/wcm/connect/192677004a7ad80187338ffbb7035e05/allaxes_lb.jpg?MOD=AJPERES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxFJmx5ymiI

That is one heck of a shovel. I may need to look out for those any time the ninjas are around.

Get the Fiskars rather than the Gerber, they are generally much cheaper and it's the same company. They can be sharpened quite nicely and are very durable. I would only carry a hatchet backpacking if using a woodstove, and I do, a little 9 ounce one from Bark River but I usually wouldn't bother packing that kind of weight on my back.

If you want the best, look at Gransfors Bruk or the slight cheaper Wetterlings. Those are serious choppers.

I keep whats called a "boys axe" in my rangers tool box its in between a hatchet and axe about 2 ft long so its able to get under my truck say I get caught on something yet I can swing the bastard if need be. I also keep a lil shovel in the toolbox about 2 and a half feet long if that both great lil tools to have. either way though if you buy a new one plan on having to sharpen them its a joke what they come like grind up a rough angle then hit it with a good hand file then sharpening stone if you wish sharpness is the most important thing for an axe not such a big deal for a splitter.

I've had good experiences with this kukri machete from Cold Steel. I got it off Ebay for about $12 plus maybe 6 or 8 bucks for shipping.

I find it takes up much less space than a hatchet when backpacking, and is noticeably lighter, but man can this sucker cut!

http://www.knifezone.ca/coldsteel/kukrimachete.htm

I had doubts initially, because it was cheap, but I have used and abused mine so much it has lost most of it's black finish, and it's still going strong.

It came with just a rough-ground edge that I had to resharpen, so I increased the pitch of the edge and rolled the bevel off, now it has a razor's edge i've never had dent or chip, and you can hack through saplings 2 inches in diameter with one clean swipe.

I've also had no trouble using it to hack small branches for fire logs, and for splitting kindling. It easily outperforms my little camping hatchet from Canadian Tire.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Summer/Camping/AxesHatchetsBowsaws/PRD~0575120P/Mastercraft%2B20-oz%2BCamping%2BAxe.jsp#reviews