An Axe - Seriously?

[htek]

In my relatively short time as a part of this community, I have seen a number of posts and pictures where someone has an axe mounted next to their shovel or hi-lift. To be honest - what for?

I have spent plenty of time in the woods using a chainsaw, bow saw, hatchet, folding saw, or a splitting maul - but never once found myself thinking, "wow, an axe would be really handy". Sure, an axe has it's place - but I just don't think it's a necessary part of the overlander's toolkit. A bowsaw is smaller, lighter, and (I think) more practical when it comes to overland travel. Maybe it's just me, but it seems to be more for the "expedition bling" factor than anything else...

Seriously, what is everyone using there axe for? I carry a bowsaw for clearing trail obstructions and the occasional instance where I might need to collect some wood for a fire. I don't really see why an axe would be a better choice when you factor in the size, weight, and mounting complexity. Maybe you guys are having lumberjack competitions around camp each night??

Am I wrong? Someone enlighten me.

-JM

[wandererr]

I'd rather chop my firewood then saw it......

[Corey]

One word, zombies

Seriously, they are a valuable tool.
I use to carry one on the rear of my rig on the rack with a shovel too, and the Hi-Lift on the front bumper.

Axes can be used to cut firewood, clear a downed tree on a path, ect, and take out the occasional zombie.
Although I would rather use my AR15 for that.

And yes, I have an old bow saw too, but I like the axe.
It is also good for splitting kindling from larger pieces of wood.

[Chili]

Depending on where I camp I have use for an axe for chopping firewood. Particularly in CO on BLM land. I also bring a chainsaw. I cut rounds from fallen trees and split the wood with an axe. Sure, I could spend much more time and effort collecting small wood and cutting it with a bow saw, but I would rather spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time doing "camp" work.

[htek]

I'd rather chop my firewood then saw it......

I'd rather split my firewood with a hydraulic splitter and take some with me as opposed to spending my evenings in camp chopping... Obviously, my approach has drawbacks... But a lot of where I travel doesn't have suitable fuel wood laying around, so I find myself almost always taking some wood with me. Maybe I am just strange like that...

-JM

[lowenbrau]

I carry a Stihl chain saw to clear trails and cut firewood and a Fiskars axe to split it with and occasionally use the blunt end to bang on bent metal bits.

Bow saws are like bow drills. Every boyscout should try one to prove the concept and then use a chainsaw and gasoline and a zippo to make fires from then on.

I use a short barreled Remington 870 for the zombies.

[htek]

One word, zombies

OK, I'm sold... who can recommend a quality axe

[Chili]

I'd rather split my firewood with a hydraulic splitter and take some with me as opposed to spending my evenings in camp chopping... Obviously, my approach has drawbacks... But a lot of where I travel doesn't have suitable fuel wood laying around, so I find myself almost always taking some wood with me. Maybe I am just strange like that...

-JM

Again, it depends on the circumstances. Going back to my annual CO trip. The BLM asks that you not bring in firewood that isn't local for risk of bugs / disease that could threaten the local forest. When I stay local I bring my own wood. And I can't afford a hydraulic splitter.

[Flagster]

OK, I'm sold... who can recommend a quality axe

Gransfors Bruks...
Nicest cutting instrument I have bought in a long time...

http://www.gransfors.us/

[htek]

Bow saws are like bow drills. Every boyscout should try one to prove the concept and then use a chainsaw and gasoline and a zippo to make fires from then on.

No question, a chainsaw it the best solution. It's just a rarity that a chainsaw is warranted (for me)... With that said, a quality bowsaw can cut with impressive speed and surprisingly little effort.

I think the intent of my question may be getting lost here... If you are going out for a week-long on a trip, everything is a compromise right? I could fit my roll-away toolbox and floor jack in my truck in case I need to make a repair - but does that mean I should? No, of course not... so I take a smaller toolkit that can get the job done, albeit not as easily.

Maybe it's just me... For various reasons, I simply don't find myself bucking alot a large firewood for a campfire.