Knives

[Timelord]

Hey W&C. I personally would not be using a camp type axe for jobs that needed you to hit the back edge of it to knock it through (unless v.gently making kindling). Bigger axes or a splitting maul would do that nicely. Also a wedge was the traditional method and is why original camp axes had a hammer type or heavy rear to the axe, so it could knock the wedge through. This will avoid damaging an axe designed for lighter duties. You probably know this already I guess & in a survival situation then just the camp axe would have to do. It is interesting info to know the issue you are having with the Gransfor axe. I am sure the axe body would have been left soft on purpose, as most others would be unless they have the hammer back. You could try tempering the back edge to a purple hue whilst being careful to shunt the heat away from the cutting area of the blade. It should be feasible.

I also agree with the comment that the axe is more useful than a big knife for camp/wood cutting duties. That is why they were used as such from the most ancient stone age cultures onwards. Tens of thousands of years. Combined with a sharp small knife it makes an unbeatable combo. A big knife as well, now thats luxuriously better :-)

What is it about the Cegga axe that makes it better than the Gransfor axe? Ta, TL.

[Nemesis]

The reason mine get so much use and this might seem a bit off is I like to cut in advance kindling for the home fire, or garden fires, and stoves I make, I like to sit down (I built a bush craft area in my garden) have a chat and cut away my dry logs for few hours until I have near on a full 220l barrel of quite thin kindling, I use a ball bearing type weighted rubber hammer to do this now as all others break, would like to get a unbreakable rubber hammer.


I only have ever owned 3 axes and this gransfors bruks is somewhat respected so going by that axe and my cegga I like the hardness of the cegga and it maintains a better edge, it’s a touch smaller handle which is not really something to compare but I like the small handle anyways, the bruks heads are soft by design (at least my model is) there is a reason for this I forget now, I need to sharpen it more than cegga.

My third axe is a tiny German one, not a wood chopper.

[Tonka]

(30 April 2012, 09:08)00111001 Wrote: Why use a knife for splitting wood? Get yourself a Gransfors Bruks axe. That and a mora will see you through. Plus you can do much more with the axe than you can with a machette.

Link: http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Produc...orest-Axe/

My experience is quite different regarding axe vs machete. However I believe it is has to be a personal choice. I often choose the machete for jobs that colleagues (woodland volunteers) tend to choose other tools. I would add that I usually clear several times the area of a saw or axe wielding colleague. Although, I am also quite a bit, um, sturdier, than most of them.
I have a number of axes, but have found that any choppers or axe of remotely comparable size and weight to a machete to be far less versatile. They cut by weight, rather than speed... but they lack enough weight to really cut it (bad pun intended). A big tree felling axe is definitely superior at felling trees, but is so heavy you may as well say take a JCB with you.
That said. If a friend was helping me, and asked "should I hack this with the chopper" or the machete, I would say "use the chopper" as unless you have your technique down, your machete you may as well be sponge on a stick. It's not like using a hammer.
So I'm not disagreeing with you, a medium sized axe would be a good choice for many people... especially in the UK. But then the right machete would be a good choice for others. So long as they have had a lot of practice.

I regularly get told "what are you doing... you'll never get through that with a machete". 30 seconds later I'm hauling my pile of branches to the fire.

[Timelord]

Tis v.true what you say & Practice makes perfect.

[Biter]

I have a selection of knives and tools.

Spyderco lock knife for my emergency hand carry and Get home bag.
Cold Steel master tanto for in the house
Hand Axe - Small wood
Bow Saw - Fire wood.

I would very much like a Gage Tactical Gladius http://www.gagecustomknives.com/Gladius.htm but have not been able to contact the smith.

[James Jackson]

mm knives are a hard thing to pick, i like my axe, cannot really go too wrong with an axe and a mora, easyer to handle then a machete

[BrixhamBadger]

http://www.khukuriblades.com/

[Scythe13]

(3 October 2012, 16:26)Biter Wrote: I would very much like a Gage Tactical Gladius http://www.gagecustomknives.com/Gladius.htm but have not been able to contact the smith.

Love the look of this blade, however, I can't see the same multiple uses a single edged blade would have. Other than the lack of versatility, it seems really nice!!!

[Biter]

(3 October 2012, 20:23)Scythe13 Wrote:

(3 October 2012, 16:26)Biter Wrote: I would very much like a Gage Tactical Gladius http://www.gagecustomknives.com/Gladius.htm but have not been able to contact the smith.

Love the look of this blade, however, I can't see the same multiple uses a single edged blade would have. Other than the lack of versatility, it seems really nice!!!

Yeah it is Knife Porn really, or I should say Sword Porn

Raven Armoury based in the UK also make very nice Gladuis. Investment wise the Raven Armoury option is better as you are getting a true sword and it will hold it value and can be passed on as a family heirloom. Cost is about £1000 without sheath.

[Tigs]

i wonder if you have seen this one ? Cold Steel Gladius machete