Living up in New England my selection changes on the season. 3 out of 4 I’ll carry a Laplander over an axe or hatchet. Will only have a full sized axe when I’m hot tent camping and have to keep the wood stove fueled.
Im in the middle of Appalachian Mountains. I don't see a need for a ax unless i have woodstove. Like you said. In my experience camping i like a saw and a reasonable fixed blade. In the summer fishing the rivers i take a small machete. When i was young before folding saws were cheap. We used to put saw blades in our pack frame. Then would build a buck saw. I remember making some crazy looking saws. Lol. I really like corana folding saw. Every silky ive ever seen had a broken end.
I've carried folding saws now for 3yrs, still never used one. 'Chopper', axe/hatchet, or break em by hand. Green willow for shelters, 1 smack w a sharp axe or machete. Occasionally I might use the saw in my Gerber for crafting something. You forgot one tool. A good shovel. Great vid! Thanks!
I live down the south (GA) and I found a chopper is more useful for me than an axe. There are several choppers. I like the BK9 or BK7 (like Jessica), Ontario SP53, or a Kukri.
Tools: Firstly one has to establish the situation: are we carrying or do we have some form of transport. This will hugely impact the selection. I'm assuming no transport for the purpose of my reply. Firstly, and this is not negotiable, a saw (Silky Gomboy or Bigboy, depending). This will deal with most crosscut requirements. Large knife: what you I think called a chopper? My selection is (and I have one) a Cold Steel Trail Master (San Mai III version, made in Japan). This deals with the heavier tasks some may use a tomahawk or small axe for, in support of the saw. Note: on axes. I believe that the above alternative adequately deals with axe tasks, and saves a significant weight penalty. Belt knife: here the Victorinox Venture knife system is a really good selection. This will meet the need for "bushcrafting" type work very efficiently. Multitool: Unless one needs a full size pliers, I see the Leatherman type multitool as redundant. Multitool knife: As you said a Victorinox has the type of tools one would need, depending on model. I would choose either a V'nox Hercules or a Ranger Grip 79, depending on whether a pliers is required (a small one, for say snares where thin wire is used). Also, nearly all the tools on a V'nox are superior to the Leatherman equivalents. Paring knife: this is a personal choice. V'nox make small 2 1/2 inch paring knives that I've used for decades. At 21 grams they can fit into just about any camping kit (eg fire kit, first aid kit, kitchen kit.). I believe one could carry several with virtually NO effect on weight carried, and have the net saving on edge preservation of the other blades! I'd be very interested in what you think of my selections. Cheers mate!
I like the idea of using a modern bucksaw, just for the fact that it can fold down to a smaller, skinny version, but living in Honolulu I don't have the luxury of looking for one, it would have to be online, keep up the great work 🤙🤙🤙
Still carrying the same kit for woodlands, 3-4” pocket folding knife, Silky Gomboy for ranging, and a small hatchet and fixed blade in camp. “Woodswoman” 😂 I personally prefer Feral Forest B****
Living up in New England my selection changes on the season. 3 out of 4 I’ll carry a Laplander over an axe or hatchet. Will only have a full sized axe when I’m hot tent camping and have to keep the wood stove fueled.
Hatchet to split. Saw to buck... also in the northeast
Im in the middle of Appalachian Mountains. I don't see a need for a ax unless i have woodstove. Like you said.
In my experience camping i like a saw and a reasonable fixed blade. In the summer fishing the rivers i take a small machete.
When i was young before folding saws were cheap. We used to put saw blades in our pack frame. Then would build a buck saw. I remember making some crazy looking saws. Lol.
I really like corana folding saw. Every silky ive ever seen had a broken end.
Another awesome video Paul. Thanks for sharing brother 👍
Reading those books now boss. Love that you respect the past but embrace current technology too.
I've carried folding saws now for 3yrs, still never used one. 'Chopper', axe/hatchet, or break em by hand. Green willow for shelters, 1 smack w a sharp axe or machete. Occasionally I might use the saw in my Gerber for crafting something.
You forgot one tool. A good shovel.
Great vid! Thanks!
Good video Paul , thanks for sharing, YAH bless !
With me, being a carpenter for 48 years , small axe , Hatchet, tomahawk!!! Stay safe, thanks for sharing.
Damn that is a majestic beard
On the subject of choppers… check out the “woodmans pal”. I love mine
I like your videos as you keep it real and have a good and different perspective.
I live down the south (GA) and I found a chopper is more useful for me than an axe. There are several choppers. I like the BK9 or BK7 (like Jessica), Ontario SP53, or a Kukri.
Tools:
Firstly one has to establish the situation: are we carrying or do we have some form of transport. This will hugely impact the selection.
I'm assuming no transport for the purpose of my reply.
Firstly, and this is not negotiable, a saw (Silky Gomboy or Bigboy, depending). This will deal with most crosscut requirements.
Large knife: what you I think called a chopper? My selection is (and I have one) a Cold Steel Trail Master (San Mai III version, made in Japan). This deals with the heavier tasks some may use a tomahawk or small axe for, in support of the saw.
Note: on axes. I believe that the above alternative adequately deals with axe tasks, and saves a significant weight penalty.
Belt knife: here the Victorinox Venture knife system is a really good selection. This will meet the need for "bushcrafting" type work very efficiently.
Multitool: Unless one needs a full size pliers, I see the Leatherman type multitool as redundant.
Multitool knife: As you said a Victorinox has the type of tools one would need, depending on model. I would choose either a V'nox Hercules or a Ranger Grip 79, depending on whether a pliers is required (a small one, for say snares where thin wire is used). Also, nearly all the tools on a V'nox are superior to the Leatherman equivalents.
Paring knife: this is a personal choice. V'nox make small 2 1/2 inch paring knives that I've used for decades. At 21 grams they can fit into just about any camping kit (eg fire kit, first aid kit, kitchen kit.). I believe one could carry several with virtually NO effect on weight carried, and have the net saving on edge preservation of the other blades!
I'd be very interested in what you think of my selections.
Cheers mate!
Nice vid.
I like the idea of using a modern bucksaw, just for the fact that it can fold down to a smaller, skinny version, but living in Honolulu I don't have the luxury of looking for one, it would have to be online, keep up the great work 🤙🤙🤙
Still carrying the same kit for woodlands, 3-4” pocket folding knife, Silky Gomboy for ranging, and a small hatchet and fixed blade in camp. “Woodswoman” 😂 I personally prefer Feral Forest B****
A little bit of everything. Except the big saws. Frak that. I ain't cutting something like that down or up. Strength is a big part of using an axe.
Bucking wood lol your point proven look behind you in the video a saw will do it easier once you get it going lol I agree