Topic: Axe or Saw

[Nomad]

 Do you carry a axe or a saw in your BOB ? Is weight a factor ? Can you go 72 hours with out either one..
 Would a knife with a saw edge work in there place.......
 

[bigjoey]

I have both, but a good solid knife and afist sized rock works for trees as big as 6 inches in diameter. Not as easy but works.

[NGO]

I have both, but a good solid knife and afist sized rock works for trees as big as 6 inches in diameter. Not as easy but works.

Could you see one of these guys with pretty $250+ signature knives, with fancy paint jobs, use a rock on the back side.....Hahahaha  , more than likely you would find them frozen before they could bring themselves to do that.  LOL

[eddymunster]

Could you see one of these guys with pretty $250+ signature knives, with fancy paint jobs, use a rock on the back side.....Hahahaha  , more than likely you would find them frozen before they could bring themselves to do that.  LOL

So true.

[Joey]

I like the SAW best, wait - what was the question? 

[attachment=1]

[bigjoey]

Could you see one of these guys with pretty $250+ signature knives, with fancy paint jobs, use a rock on the back side.....Hahahaha  , more than likely you would find them frozen before they could bring themselves to do that.  LOL

And when you find one nice and frozen you just found a one stop shop of numerous things that could have saved their lives hadd tey used their heads. They won't be needing it anymore. The critters would clean up the rest.

[fj40mojo]

Cable saw is a good alternative, compact and light. There are a few axes on the market that provide for multiple grips and have head/edge designs that lend themselves to multiple uses but for the most part most of your hatchets have just to uses, chop or hammer. As for knives with a saw back on them, worthless, mfgs fail to "set" the teeth so they are unable to cut relief for their own kerf which leads to binding and frustration by the user.

Good quality cable saw like those available from SAWTAC and a good quality (best you can afford) fixed blade knife are your best bets IMHO.

[WTF]

these work really well.

http://www.sawtac.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,20/category_id,9/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,30/

[Jeff]

I like the SaberCut too.  I'd still carry a decent knife.  I'd hate to use a SaberCut to gut a deer.

I do have a nice little Gerber hatchet that I carry in the truck.

[e11charlie]

I have a good ol fashion hatchet.  Not only will it cut a tree but can be used as a pretty formidable weapon.

[berg]

Both, a light hatchet, and the portable saw that I got from SawTac.....

[JollyRoger]

Do you carry a axe or a saw in your BOB ? Is weight a factor ? Can you go 72 hours with out either one..
 Would a knife with a saw edge work in there place.......
 

Ideally I like to carry both...a good standard size hatchet and either a SaberCut saw or one of those big folding saws, but most time the hatchet stays in the vehicle and the small saw goes in the bag.  Weight is ALWAYS a factor if you're talking about something you might have to carry on your back.  I could go 72 hours without either one, but they sure make things easier as far as constructing a shelter.  Before I had the hatchet and saws I always carried a USAF survival knife (leather handle with sawback blade) in my pack.  While it was a decent and very affordable knife the sawback wasnt the best for cutting through wood...although I did cut through the pelvic bone and legs of a deer with it.

As for the $250 knives...not sure what type of signature knives you're referring to but I would without a doubt beat the tar out of my Strider fixed blade (not quite a $250 knife though) with a rock, no hesitation at all.

[Nomad]

 Like the idea of the Sabresaw as well a small handaxe.......

[bigjoey]

I have been thinking about replacing the fold out saw with a sabre saw. It sure would pack better. However I would leave the fold out saw in my truck tool box for sure.

[tgibson]

As for the $250 knives...not sure what type of signature knives you're referring to but I would without a doubt beat the tar out of my Strider fixed blade (not quite a $250 knife though) with a rock, no hesitation at all.

Me too.  Wouldn't think about it for a second...Guns, knives, pistols and shotguns are TOOLS and nothing more.  Even the Red Rocket gets a little thrown around every now and again.
Adios,
TG

[Leanwolf]

Why would anyone beat his knife with a rock, no matter regular factory blade or a high end custom??

When batoning, strike the back of your knife with a piece of wood, clublike. 

I know a number of outdoorsmen who own expensive knives who baton with them, striking the back with a sturdy piece of wood.  Works every time.  Doesn't hurt their knives a bit.  Certainly never hurt mine. 

L.W.

[carharttfarmer]

from snowmobile experiance you would be supprised what you can cut down with a light wieght compact saw

[tgibson]

Why would anyone beat his knife with a rock, no matter regular factory blade or a high end custom??

When batoning, strike the back of your knife with a piece of wood, clublike. 

I know a number of outdoorsmen who own expensive knives who baton with them, striking the back with a sturdy piece of wood.  Works every time.  Doesn't hurt their knives a bit.  Certainly never hurt mine. 

L.W.

If you can find a piece of wood that is sturdy enough and heavy enough to do this, it is definitely the way to go.  More energy to be had from a faster swing for sure.
Adios,
TG

[TylerC]

I say axe my gerber is really lightweight and keeps a nice edge but i do prefer a double bit for the balance

[sideshowbob]

Always carry one of the gerber folder saws in the BOB. If carrying the backpack or any other method have the Estwing 26 inch tucked in. No worries about handle breaking, good mass for hard work, goes down the backbone of an elk lickety split and does bigger firewood in a pinch than you want to carry.
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1200   Hope the link goes or cut and paste.
For the weight penalty just as well get the real deal and not mess with the hatchet. If a butcher and pack out with trail clearing is on your mind and not carrying a rifle in your hands it is long enough to double as walking stick if you are careful.
Too proud of a good knife to beat it up but they all have been pounded on with sticks and rocks in times of need.

[Shortmag]

i carry a bacho laplander (also sold under the Kershaw name) folding saw, a Kershaw camp ax, and the UST sabercut.

SM

[GrayWolf]

i carry a bacho laplander (also sold under the Kershaw name) folding saw, a Kershaw camp ax, and the UST sabercut.
SM

+1.  These 3 will handle most of the situations you might face.

[Jim]

'dont treat your tools like family or your family like tools'
I keep a hatchet (Gerber sport axe) in my BOB along with my large knife (SOG SEAL)   2 is 1, 1 is none. . .   

[eric.]

I keep a cheap saw blade and a can of sterno.  If the SHTF hugging a small fire under a tarp might be a good option for warmth. 

[kaen3e]

fiskars maket some great light very sharp hatchets that are worth a look.  they aren't "tacticool" but great kit.  I have used mine for little over 10yrs 4 of which was almost daily building log furniture while earning my way thru college