Thanks Mors! Excellent! I don't have a love-hate relationship with my axes. I love them and always carry one! I would leave other gear behind before I leave my axe behind. It is weight lovingly carried with no regrets. I agree that Swedish 2-ish pound head design and the slender handle with the hand to armpit sizing method is the all-round axe. I also teach that when canoe tripping to always strap the axe to a pack, and all my packs float! ;-)
With much respect for Mors, I am quiet surprised by the poor care and maintenance of his axes. Coming from Canada myself I agree with Mors that the axe is more useful than a knife. With the cold weather we have up here shelter and fire is a must, the axe is the most important survival tool in the north. Which is why care and maintenance of this tool is very important for the function, durability and security of this great but dangerous tool.
@James Livingstone no disrespect but the man in the sky does not exist the ideology behind Jesus / God. Is a distraction from your true power with in. I am 30 years old and I have lived on this planet for 25 years and I have never seen the man in the sky. I have however seen my true power and other people's which is far greater then what the Bible could ever describe. I have made the decision of what I want to do with my life as I was not given the choice to be here so I will give the choice to leave. And if god is real I will give him a massive punch in the face forgiving young children diseases and illnesses and for allowing humans to so other humans poisonous food just for money. The greed that has been put within us is far greater and we can comprehend because we are the problem. I say put down the Bible and pick up some MDMA and fun
@@nacholibre1962 Dick Proeneke was the real deal, kid; Mors Kochanski was a talker. I'm not saying Mors didn't have some valuable stuff to say--he did, and that's why I'm here. But I don't recall Mors (or Dave Canterbury) living in the Alaskan wilderness in a log cabin for thirty years.
Bill Avery It *is* actually a hunter's axe - you can find reference to them with a Google search, but they aren't made any more. There are other companies making essentially the same axe, judging by the stated weights/sizes in a few forums.. They are used as he described, but I disagree with him about whether they are useful or not. They are not useful for the primary things he is talking about here - cutting trees, splitting firewood, and so forth. They are useful for game much more useful and convenient than carrying a big cleaver in the field. They can be used for a lot of detail work with woodworking. I wouldn't use one for my single "go to" axe though; they're just one of several to have around for various tasks.
+Bill Avery It may be, but we used to have a hardware store that sold hatchets that size. It's actually pretty handy for batoning kindling, and makes a good wedge. Round here, though, they were considered a kid's hatchet, and that's who bought them.
+Wynne Eden They as useless as teats on a boar. Anyone with a brain carries a full size hatchet, or they stay home. If you are carrying a full-size hatchet, you don't need that itty bitty one. And I'm pretty sure you have never tried used one like that. It doesn't work worth anything. Even using your knife is easier.
+James Ritchie I'm pretty sure you don't know me or have a clue what I've tried. I've quartered & dressed deer and small game with a 'hunter's axe". flint shards, a pocket knife and pretty much anything I could think of as an experimental archaeologist. The little axe is handy to use much like an ulu if you choke up on the head, gives some leverage when you are trying to separate the joints with brute force. Like I said, I wouldn't carry it as my single "go to" axe, and it IS NOT a replacement for a woodworking/felling tool -- but it is functional as a bag axe as used in the late 18th through mid 19th century. They seem to have evolved from the frontier tomahawks. If you have any specific citations of period users saying they aren't worth using, please cite them instead of bashing someone.
Mors makes an important point, that the cutting edge must be aligned with the centerline of the axe handle. A good sturdy axe is on my essential equipment list for the Boreal Forest, especially in winter. But axes have their limitations. A good crosscut or swede saw makes bucking lumber much less strenuous than if using an axe. But axes are king for splitting wood. As the old saying goes, always use the right tool for the job. One version of the axe not mentioned by Mors in this video is the tomahawk. Originally they had stone heads with napped cutting edges, securely lashed to a handle. While impractical cutting tools for large jobs involving splitting or bucking large amounts of dead or green wood, especially hardwoods. Nevertheless they are useful tools for person protection, processing game, some fine carving tasks, splitting thin limbs for shelter building or wood about 1-3 inches thick for the campfire. Tomahawk handles are about 18-inches long and oval shaped in cross-section, typically slightly thicker near the head end. This feature allows a new handle to be carved while out in the woods from readily available materials. Tomahawk heads are easily attached or detached, which allows the head to be used as a hand tool for scraping hides, removing bark, skinning game or for processing larger game. Their handles can also be used separately as a rabbit or throwing stick, unlike most axes with fixed heads which are held firmly in place with wedges. "Hawks"are also light enough to be carried in a belt sheath like a hatchet or knife, unlike larger axes. They are not as useful for fine carving tasks as full tang belt knifes with a blade of 4-6 inches in length, the so-called "one-tool-option." It was this multi-functional nature of tomahawks, more so than hatchets, that made them useful, practical edge tools for the indigenous peoples of North America.
These videos are national treasure please do a remastered edition to all his videos leave the content no different than it is just better audio and film
Yeah, I had a Iltis Oxhead hanged on a 19 " White Hickory Handle, I think they call them House Axe or Miner's Axe, Mine has a very thin 5" face and alot told me I had the wrong handle for for that heavy heas, But when we so into the snowy bush, I spits wood just fine infact the weight splits logs almost effortlessly. It's not something I would belt carrt, But I has a leather harness made that I can carry very comfortably.
Mr. Mors , I love the outdoors, and my axe collection is small compare to yours, I have a G.B. Small Forest Axe, 3 Estwing's 14", 17", and the 26" I find the Estwing's a bit heavy but very good axes, my newest axe is a Oxhead German made axe, my question is what do you think of Oxhead axes, it's a 2 3/4 lbs head with a 5" cutting edge.
In a Swedish book about Sami fire (Eld) by Yngve Ryd is a picture with Johan Rassa holding "a small back-pack axe" very similar to the smallest axe in this interesting video.
Thank you I really learned something about axes. I have a lot of experience with a lot of different wood tools, I always take a big Kukri with me on my outings. Why would an axe/hatchet be a better choice? I have worked with them extensively but I have never seen there usefulness in a survival situation over a big knife.
prandi 1kg axe with 65cm handle is my choice. cheap to buy £16 UK very very good axe, best feature is the way the head is fixed in the way tomahawks are, that takes any worries about replacing a handle in the field, it wins hands down over the expensive so called bush craft axes
Sound like a very balanced ax.That would be perfect for a man a bit taller than 6 ft.Something close to 1,86 - 1,90 cm height. If you are shorter than 6 ft , go for 600mm handle.Perfect axe heads weight,for such axes is something like 1100gr to 1200gr
@faultroy I personally have used the Rinaldi Boys axe after wrapping the neck with Canvas, wood glue and wax. It saves fucking around with wedges and is easily fixed with a tap or two and for less than two pounds it can work. Ive use the poll to break ice for a friends sheep and have chopped a bunch of logs with it and chopped through deer skulls with it to get to the brain for tanning. The steel is great and is easily sharpened and have even been able to use a hammer to straighten the edge out after smacking an iron bar and several rocks with it. I hope this was informative.
Like these videos, but it's annoying when I can only hear his videos in one damn ear.....something in his sound for sure, all other videos work in both ear buds.
I feel like this guy isn’t really an axe expert. Just a guy that has used one here and there, I could be wrong though. But that is just my first impression.
No double bit axes? There was a time when people even carried double-bit axes as belt axes, and any of them will cut far more wood in a day than any you showed in this video. If you really want to fell big trees, cut up logs, or build a cabin fast, nothing is as fast as good double bit axe. I know the value of a poll on an axe, but I'll still take a double-bit axe over any other. I don't care how good you are, you can't fell nearly as many trees, or section nearly as many logs, with a poll axe as with a double-bit. Though, for that matter, I don't see a long, thin handled axe as any more difficult to stow or carry than an axe that's six inches shorter. Nor do I see it as less of a survival axe. Long term, at least, it's much better as a survival axe.
Thanks Mors! Excellent! I don't have a love-hate relationship with my axes. I love them and always carry one! I would leave other gear behind before I leave my axe behind. It is weight lovingly carried with no regrets. I agree that Swedish 2-ish pound head design and the slender handle with the hand to armpit sizing method is the all-round axe. I also teach that when canoe tripping to always strap the axe to a pack, and all my packs float! ;-)
Love Mors!! Canadian legend!!! Thanks for all the teachings, really great for new Bushcrafters like me. Respect the elders folks!!
With much respect for Mors, I am quiet surprised by the poor care and maintenance of his axes. Coming from Canada myself I agree with Mors that the axe is more useful than a knife. With the cold weather we have up here shelter and fire is a must, the axe is the most important survival tool in the north. Which is why care and maintenance of this tool is very important for the function, durability and security of this great but dangerous tool.
It's Wednesday afternoon I'm all alone I'm getting drunk while watching all about axes because you never know I might need it in my next life.
@James Livingstone no disrespect but the man in the sky does not exist the ideology behind Jesus / God. Is a distraction from your true power with in.
I am 30 years old and I have lived on this planet for 25 years and I have never seen the man in the sky. I have however seen my true power and other people's which is far greater then what the Bible could ever describe. I have made the decision of what I want to do with my life as I was not given the choice to be here so I will give the choice to leave.
And if god is real I will give him a massive punch in the face forgiving young children diseases and illnesses and for allowing humans to so other humans poisonous food just for money.
The greed that has been put within us is far greater and we can comprehend because we are the problem.
I say put down the Bible and pick up some MDMA and fun
You can't go wrong carrying an axe. Just need to be confident and skilled when using it. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent, useful and a great presentation thanks Mors, RIP!
My grandfather left me an American-made ax. and I'm keeping it as a very valuable keepsake
The knowledge you are providing with your videos is superb (no surprise there). God bless you.
I enjoyed this Mr. Mors !
Thank You Sir !
In another life, Mors and Dick Proenneke would forge an existence in Alaska together.
I think Dick Proeneke would probably bore Mors to death.
@@nacholibre1962
Dick Proeneke was the real deal, kid; Mors Kochanski was a talker. I'm not saying Mors didn't have some valuable stuff to say--he did, and that's why I'm here. But I don't recall Mors (or Dave Canterbury) living in the Alaskan wilderness in a log cabin for thirty years.
I get more knowledge frm watching mors than one else 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
God rest your soul, brother.
I really like the look of the military axe. I doubt I could find one that cheap anymore. Thanks!
That tiny axe is probably a traveling salesman's sample for a forester axe. the name and number on the face was the catalog number... Nice collection
Bill Avery It *is* actually a hunter's axe - you can find reference to them with a Google search, but they aren't made any more. There are other companies making essentially the same axe, judging by the stated weights/sizes in a few forums.. They are used as he described, but I disagree with him about whether they are useful or not. They are not useful for the primary things he is talking about here - cutting trees, splitting firewood, and so forth. They are useful for game much more useful and convenient than carrying a big cleaver in the field. They can be used for a lot of detail work with woodworking. I wouldn't use one for my single "go to" axe though; they're just one of several to have around for various tasks.
+Bill Avery It may be, but we used to have a hardware store that sold hatchets that size. It's actually pretty handy for batoning kindling, and makes a good wedge. Round here, though, they were considered a kid's hatchet, and that's who bought them.
+Wynne Eden They as useless as teats on a boar. Anyone with a brain carries a full size hatchet, or they stay home. If you are carrying a full-size hatchet, you don't need that itty bitty one. And I'm pretty sure you have never tried used one like that. It doesn't work worth anything. Even using your knife is easier.
+James Ritchie I'm pretty sure you don't know me or have a clue what I've tried. I've quartered & dressed deer and small game with a 'hunter's axe". flint shards, a pocket knife and pretty much anything I could think of as an experimental archaeologist. The little axe is handy to use much like an ulu if you choke up on the head, gives some leverage when you are trying to separate the joints with brute force. Like I said, I wouldn't carry it as my single "go to" axe, and it IS NOT a replacement for a woodworking/felling tool -- but it is functional as a bag axe as used in the late 18th through mid 19th century. They seem to have evolved from the frontier tomahawks.
If you have any specific citations of period users saying they aren't worth using, please cite them instead of bashing someone.
Thanks Mors. For everything!
Mors makes an important point, that the cutting edge must be aligned with the centerline of the axe handle. A good sturdy axe is on my essential equipment list for the Boreal Forest, especially in winter. But axes have their limitations. A good crosscut or swede saw makes bucking lumber much less strenuous than if using an axe. But axes are king for splitting wood. As the old saying goes, always use the right tool for the job.
One version of the axe not mentioned by Mors in this video is the tomahawk. Originally they had stone heads with napped cutting edges, securely lashed to a handle. While impractical cutting tools for large jobs involving splitting or bucking large amounts of dead or green wood, especially hardwoods. Nevertheless they are useful tools for person protection, processing game, some fine carving tasks, splitting thin limbs for shelter building or wood about 1-3 inches thick for the campfire.
Tomahawk handles are about 18-inches long and oval shaped in cross-section, typically slightly thicker near the head end. This feature allows a new handle to be carved while out in the woods from readily available materials. Tomahawk heads are easily attached or detached, which allows the head to be used as a hand tool for scraping hides, removing bark, skinning game or for processing larger game. Their handles can also be used separately as a rabbit or throwing stick, unlike most axes with fixed heads which are held firmly in place with wedges.
"Hawks"are also light enough to be carried in a belt sheath like a hatchet or knife, unlike larger axes. They are not as useful for fine carving tasks as full tang belt knifes with a blade of 4-6 inches in length, the so-called "one-tool-option."
It was this multi-functional nature of tomahawks, more so than hatchets, that made them useful, practical edge tools for the indigenous peoples of North America.
4:41 That small axe is so cute. If it wasn't an axe it would make a cool prop in a baby picture.
These videos are national treasure please do a remastered edition to all his videos leave the content no different than it is just better audio and film
thank-you for taking the time to make another video
Yeah, I had a Iltis Oxhead hanged on a 19 " White Hickory Handle, I think they call them House Axe or Miner's Axe, Mine has a very thin 5" face and alot told me I had the wrong handle for for that heavy heas, But when we so into the snowy bush, I spits wood just fine infact the weight splits logs almost effortlessly. It's not something I would belt carrt, But I has a leather harness made that I can carry very comfortably.
Mr. Mors ,
I love the outdoors, and my axe collection is small compare to yours, I have a G.B. Small Forest Axe, 3 Estwing's 14", 17", and the 26" I find the Estwing's a bit heavy but very good axes, my newest axe is a Oxhead German made axe, my question is what do you think of Oxhead axes, it's a 2 3/4 lbs head with a 5" cutting edge.
Find an axe is pretty darn useful when everythings wet. Which in England it usually is.
I'm with you mate ....re from New Zealand. Have been told that NZ is the most hardest place in the world to light a fire without matches or lighter ..
I love me a good axe. Thanks Mors.
Dobrze dobrze! Dzięki serdeczne!
In a Swedish book about Sami fire (Eld) by Yngve Ryd is a picture with Johan Rassa holding "a small back-pack axe" very similar to the smallest axe in this interesting video.
Thank you I really learned something about axes. I have a lot of experience with a lot of different wood tools, I always take a big Kukri with me on my outings. Why would an axe/hatchet be a better choice? I have worked with them extensively but I have never seen there usefulness in a survival situation over a big knife.
An axe can easily out shop a large knife. That is why Mor's, and any other competent Northern Woodsman, advocates an axe.
I forgot to mention, I also have a axe knife combination made by Western too.
prandi 1kg axe with 65cm handle is my choice. cheap to buy £16 UK very very good axe, best feature is the way the head is fixed in the way tomahawks are, that takes any worries about replacing a handle in the field, it wins hands down over the expensive so called bush craft axes
the beret, my school days coming back
Thanks Mors!
Very informative thank you!
Say Heah Mr. Kochansky, What do you think about a 1250g head and a 700mm heft as a bush craft camp Axe, Please reply, and Thanx in advance
Sound like a very balanced ax.That would be perfect for a man a bit taller than 6 ft.Something close to 1,86 - 1,90 cm height. If you are shorter than 6 ft , go for 600mm handle.Perfect axe heads weight,for such axes is something like 1100gr to 1200gr
Bingo, I'm 6'1/2" tall, Thanx You.,,.p
Is someone knapping in the background?
Probably Adrian.
I always carry my Estwing camp axe best axe I've ever used.
I use a Rinaldi Trento axe made in Italy.
@faultroy I personally have used the Rinaldi Boys axe after wrapping the neck with Canvas, wood glue and wax. It saves fucking around with wedges and is easily fixed with a tap or two and for less than two pounds it can work. Ive use the poll to break ice for a friends sheep and have chopped a bunch of logs with it and chopped through deer skulls with it to get to the brain for tanning. The steel is great and is easily sharpened and have even been able to use a hammer to straighten the edge out after smacking an iron bar and several rocks with it. I hope this was informative.
Axepert.
Like these videos, but it's annoying when I can only hear his videos in one damn ear.....something in his sound for sure, all other videos work in both ear buds.
I would rather have the long handle axe with a light head.
why is the sound so bad? mono?
And intrusive clattering in background
I feel like this guy isn’t really an axe expert. Just a guy that has used one here and there, I could be wrong though. But that is just my first impression.
Double Bit Craftsman Nice try
In his day he could expertly use an axe.
Love all his videos but who the hell is sharpening while he's talking. Could that be more annoying?
No double bit axes? There was a time when people even carried double-bit axes as belt axes, and any of them will cut far more wood in a day than any you showed in this video. If you really want to fell big trees, cut up logs, or build a cabin fast, nothing is as fast as good double bit axe. I know the value of a poll on an axe, but I'll still take a double-bit axe over any other. I don't care how good you are, you can't fell nearly as many trees, or section nearly as many logs, with a poll axe as with a double-bit. Though, for that matter, I don't see a long, thin handled axe as any more difficult to stow or carry than an axe that's six inches shorter. Nor do I see it as less of a survival axe. Long term, at least, it's much better as a survival axe.