Tool Strategy
Axes vs. Hatchets: Which belongs in your Kit?
For long-term survival, an edged wood-processing tool is non-negotiable. But there is a constant debate: do you take a full-sized axe for power, or a compact hatchet for portability? The answer depends entirely on your environment and your physical fitness.
The Hatchet (The Bug-Out Choice)
A hatchet is designed for one-handed use. It’s perfect for making kindling, limbing small trees, and even carving. Its light weight makes it the only viable choice for a mobile bug-out bag.
- Pros: Lightweight, easy to pack, versatile for fine work.
- Cons: Limited leverage; exhausting to use on logs over 4 inches thick.
The Small Forest Axe (The Home Base Choice)
The “Forest Axe” is the middle ground. It is long enough to use with two hands for real power, but small enough to strap to a large rucksack. If you plan to build a semi-permanent shelter or process significant firewood, a hatchet will not suffice.
The “Buy Once, Cry Once” Pick: Gransfors Bruk
If budget allows, Gransfors Bruk makes the world’s finest hand-forged axes. They come razor-sharp and last generations.