knife vs saw vs hatchet vs axe!

Well David (Adair), I can tell that you're not a Delta Force Recon Ranger Sniper Scuba Seal. How exactly are you going to use detcord to boil water for your post AAR hot chocolate mit marshmallows after taking out half of the Axis of Evil?

In. Your. Face.

David Satan,

Truth be told, I love knives. I do like the Sypderco Paramilitary in the background and have considered getting that in blackout or the Sage as my EDC since I've sadly (sniff) lost my Benchmade 940. Of course that new 940 with carbon fiber scales is looking pretty dead sexy…

I'm trying to figure out what the one in the middle is. An Izula with scales? If so, that's on my short list too. I have a Ka Bar necker becker which is great (minus the sheath) but I like the drop point of the Izula better. The Izula and Candiru check a lot of boxes for me.

Different strokes for different folks but the knife in the foreground isn't something I'd personally carry.

Do you hear that sound in the background? Listen.

It sounds to me like dueling banjos.

–B.G.–

Knives in the picture are as follows: Esee Izula, Spyderco Military, and a Tops Anaconda. I would get the military over the paramilitary. Has a bigger blade and better lock. Super light… Razor sharp and very reliable.

The mini cordless reciprocating saws are getting lighter and lighter. Make short work of cutting down those big boy trees. Cuts a cord of wood per hour.

Options, always need to have …options.

10mi isn't bad before lunch.. you could do more with the rest of your day if you weren't exhausted from carrying all that crap and chopping down trees lol

probably repeating one of my 32mi day hikes this summer.. no deer or trees will need to be skinned ;)

"Dumb ass rednecks that don't have any business at all in the woods."

Nah, it's just a question of which woods.

What's the smallest powered chain saw that can still bring down a decent size tree ?
Say something good enough to build a cabin, just in case .

With all this talk of heavy metal and industrial equipment for collecting wood, I think some have lost sight of the fact that you can actually gather wood with your bare (or, perhaps, gloved) hands using no cutting implements whatsoever!

Yes, it's true!! In many places, the woods are full of tree branches that are just lying on the ground, waiting to be dragged to a central location (your fire pit) and burned. Not many folks are aware of this (apparently), but there is no law that says you have to use ridiculously heavy implements, and that you don't have to cut the wood into sections!!

Here is Photographic Evidence of my dog enjoying a fire that I made in about 20 minutes using only my hands to gather the fuel! Amazingly, as the fuel (wood) is consumed, I simply slid the unburned portions into the fire. This thing burned for about 3 hours with only about 20 minutes of effort… and NO TOOLS! Is that a record, or something??

And when the fire finally goes out, we slide into the warm tent and sleeping bag and don't worry about bogeymen in the woods.

Call me crazy, but I feel the real wusses are people who can't make a fire without relying on all those heavy tools. Shoot, I make 'em with NO tools!

12" Stihl climbing saw is probably around 6lb with gas.

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/in-tree-saws/ms150tce/

I've carried enough C4 to know you can heat a can a water with it easily enough. Just don't step on it to put out a burning piece of C4. Its very efficient at creating abatis and blowing obstacles out of the trail.

Not sure why anyone would need a big knife in the woods, when a little one would do. Carrying chunks of carbon steel seems counter-productive, to me.

Bob Moulder, what is your dog's baseweight?

–B.G.–

Back in the old country it was pretty common to have a fire on a backpack in the woods. In fact in winter we'd often carry a rectangular canvas tarp and use it as a heat screen (strectched at 45 derees) on a side of a special type of fire (see below) that burned all night. No other shelter in below zero temps.

I don't like fire anymore. Too much impact.

In order to get firewood a group would normally carry an axe and a saw. A crosscut saw (or lumberjack saw):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosscut_saw

I used to carry the saw on the side of my pack under the compression straps. We'd find a standing dead tree, cut it and get fire going.

Same goes for winter mountaineering trips where we'd normally carry a large floorless pyramid tent and a metal wood stove. Be above the tree line during the day, drop down for the night. This called for smaller trees.

An axe would normally only be used to split logs. Yet, it is possible to use an axe to cut a large trunk effectively. You need an axe on a longer handle and with a very narrow blade.

Here in Boulder there's a mountaineering shop that in fact sells just such axes. Imported from Norway or Finland or some such.

In most cases though, if you have at least two people a crosscut saw will be orders of magnitude easier to use.

Again, I am not a fun of fires and do not even like them. Yet, hunters in taiga would use a fire to spend a night in winter.

What you want in firewood is a *DEAD STANDING* evergreen tree. Pine worked very well. Not sure about fir. An evergreen will be dry and have an accumulation of highly flammable sap near the top. You can easily get the fire going in the most wet and cold conditions.

If you need a fire to burn the whole night do this. Find the largest trunk you can move. Cut 3-4 pieces from the bottom 6 feet long. Place 2 logs side by side next to each other. Start a fire on the top of the 2 logs. Once the fire is going put the 3rd log lengthwise on top. Have another 6 feet log ready to put on top after 6 hours or so. You can sleep along the side of the fire. This (I believe) is used by Siberian hunters. My friends and I have spent many nights by this type of fire.

After my earlier attempts to draw david drake out, which failed, I have to be honest with myself and the community at large. I want a sheath knife. Nothing combat, a modest knife like the Buck Pathfinder or Woodsman say. Not UL, not practical, not at all necessary. I know if I had one it would be useless weight that would stay in my pack unless I needed it to baton a bagel or some cheese. Yet every time the subject comes up part of me wants to (and often does) head over to Amazon to check prices. I'm sorry, but there is something about a solid chunk of metal with one sharp edge that appeals to my very soul.

There, I've said it. I feel better now. Back to working on my pack and hoping I can keep these urges under control. Thank you for your understanding.

what is your dog's baseweight?

Bob G, I must admit I am somewhat remiss in that regard.

I know my base weight to within a couple of ounces at any given time (consumables are another story) but I have never weighed the dog's gear. Rather callous on my part, now that you point it out. But he weighs 58 lbs and his pack contains only his food, treats, bowl and leash and typically weighs (I can only guess) about 6 to 8 pounds. So his base weight without consumables is actually quite light. And he also carries out what minimal trash we produce.

No dog booties?

–B.G.–

Reminds me of the saying,
"There is no problem that cannot be solved with the proper amount of explosives." ;o)

And other "Downrange Wisdom":

>"Incoming has the right-of-way."
>O' Toole's Corollary to Murphy's Law-> "Murphy was an optimist." (Also applies to beginning backpackers.)
>"If the enemy is in range so are you."
>"Most officers, given enough rope, can FUBAR anything."
>"If the mission is going well it's an ambush."

I have built good size fires on the beach in AK with driftwood to warm me from the brink of hypothermia, temps in the high 30's, nonstop rain, wind-chill whipping off a glacier, huddled under a tarp adjacent to the fire. No knife needed, but a Sawvivor Collapsible Saw may have saved my life. Anyone know where I can get a new Blade?

Know the length? likely a 12" bow saw blade.

I tried one of those for trail clearing but quickly exchanged it for a Corona folding limb saw. Faster, smoother cutting.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1278989&cp=2568443.2568444.2598674.2601434.2602646

A great survival Knife to consider is the Tops Silent Hero. The blade was designed for game wardens who track poachers in Africa. The blade is double treat heated 1095 steel with a corrosion resistant gray wash finish. Right now it is considered best knife of 2015. A percentage of the proceeds go the silent hero foundation. Great cause and an awesome knife.

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=459

KC, if that is the 15" then these should work for you in the 380 mm size: http://www.amazon.com/Bahco-23-15-Raker-Tooth-Bowsaw/dp/B000C79I6I

Cheers
PS: Barrett 0.5"

I'm surprised at some the responses in this thread when the siren call went out early about being civil.

— We try to carry the lightest load we can, using skills instead of brute force and ignorance.

— BACKPACKINGSCARED

— Most of us "survive" just fine by using our brains. Of course, the prerequisite there is that you have one. ;)

— I've never felt the need to try to burn down the wilderness…

— I feel the real wusses are people who can't make a fire without relying on all those heavy tools.

>> I'm surprised at some the responses in this thread when the siren call went out early about being civil.

I think a little push-back, considering the previous interactions, was to be expected.

Context isn't everything, but it's almost everything.