Is it better to bring a camping axe or a saw on your next adventure out in the woods? Well, this is a difficult decision that only you can make. Ultimately, it’s all about personal preference. So take some of these factors into consideration before heading out for your next camping trip and packing one more or one less of these tools!
1) The size of the tool
If you’re going camping with a larger group, it might be easier to pack an axe than to pack extra rope to tying up logs. But if you’re out on a solo trip, you’ll definitely want to pack a saw and nip the necessary limbs that make it difficult for you to get your campsite set up.
2) The weight of the tool
Most people would take a large camping axe or bow saw any day of the week compared to carrying around the extra rope in their backpack. A saw is versatile, but it can also be more difficult to lug around once you’re up in the trees.
3) The complexity of the tool
It might not be necessary to bring a saw on your camping trip in a group setting. But if you’re the kind of person that likes to go solo and cut down those trees, then you’ll want to bring a saw along with you. The more complex the tool is, the less likely you’ll want to pick it up and put it down.
4) How long your trip will last
If your camping trip is short and sweet, then an axe would probably be more than enough for you for hacking away at your tent poles or cutting down that tree branch in front of your campsite. If you’re on a more extended trip, then you can’t really go wrong with bringing a bow saw along with you to make that firewood cutting chore a little bit easier.
Things To Consider
1. Simplicity
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, a hatchet is a simple and easy to use tool that can get the job done without any hassles. If you’re just going camping on weekends and don’t plan on spending too much time doing some serious cutting down of trees, then a hatchet would probably be all you’ll need for your campsite. However, if you’re going on a long trip or are planning on using the hatchet for more woodcutting duties at your campsite, then you should consider bringing along an axe with you as well.
2. Weight
If you’re not going to be camping for too long and are planning on having a smaller camping group, then you can probably get away with bringing a hatchet along with you. However, if you’re planning on spending more time camping for an extended period of time and will be carrying your tool(s) around in a backpack, then it’s a good idea to bring along an axe instead.
3. Features
An axe is harder to carry due to its extra features (the pick head), but it also has the adze used mainly to cut wood. If you’re going to be camping in a place that’s hard to reach (such as mountainous terrain), then an axe will probably make more sense to bring along.
4. Your physical strength/sturdiness
This is a bit subjective, but if you’re thinking of camping in a place where your body operates at its highest capacity, then an axe is probably better than a hatchet to have on your back. If, however, you don’t plan on working around heavy-duty tasks like chopping down trees or any heavy labour that requires physical strength and can cause injuries from repeated use of the tool, then you can probably go with getting a hatchet instead.
5. Transportation
You can bring both a hatchet and an axe with you on your trip, but this will require extra space in your backpack or vehicle. Therefore, if you’re planning on bringing along a companion or two, then it might be better to take just one axe along with you. This way, each party member will have their own tool and no one will have to share equipment.
6. Budget
Axe prices vary, but you can get a high-quality hatchet for less than twenty dollars.
So, which one is better? An axe or a hatchet? If you’re camping in an area that’s not too difficult to reach or the terrain is not extremely rough and rugged, then a hatchet will probably be more than enough for most people. However, if you plan on camping in places that require physical exertion or’ hard to reach, then an axe might be a better choice.
So it’s up to you to pack the camping axe or bow saw. It’s just like packing anything else for your camping trip because ultimately, there are so many different things that could affect your decision. But the most important thing is to find one that works efficiently for your personal needs when it comes to camping in general.
Whether you’re going to be hiking through the woods with a large group of people or just taking a solo trip in the forest, you’ll find that having one of these tools will make camping a lot easier!
Would you bring a camping axe or a saw when camping? If so, then why?
We’d love to hear from you, so please take some time and share your thoughts in the comment section below! Or, if you want to read more camping articles like this one, then be sure to check out our site. Also, we’re always looking for other good survival articles to post as well! Let us know what you think of this article and which tool would be most useful for your personal needs.
Have fun on your next camping trip and don’t forget to pack that survival knife! Stay safe and stay prepared.
Think about your plans for your next camping trip and whether or not carrying around more weight (axe) or less (hatchet) is best suited for your trip.
What is the best choice for camping?
The axe is perfect when chopping logs and trees. The handle of the axe is not heavy, it can be easily carried around and kept in a backpack or luggage, which is convenient for camping. The axe blade has a sharp edge, which can easily cut through the wood structure like branches, trees, etc. It can be used as an additional tool when doing some other outdoor activities such as building a campsite and clearing a deadwood rack in the mountains. It is recommended to choose a small lightweight axe with a fixed blade instead of a big one with a folding blade. The blade should be made of good steel for long-lasting use. When camping, we usually get wet because of heavy rain or water in the lake, the fixed blade is more durable than a folding one. The axe is more effective and convenient to use than a saw.
However, the saw has also some advantages such as cutting thin wood pieces or trees when building a campsite as well as cutting branches and logs into smaller pieces for cooking fire. Its handle is not heavy and can be folded into small size for easy storage and carrying around. Generally speaking, both tools are good for different purposes; it all depends on whether you prefer a bigger size or smaller size work as well as what difficulty you are likely to encounter during your outdoor activity.
Hatchet or saw: Choose the best portable survival kit woodcutting tool
The hatchet is a small-sized axe but with a short handle. Therefore, it is more suitable than the axe for outdoor activities like chopping logs. It is made with a sharp blade that can be easily used to cut wood, especially small diameter ones. The wavy blade of the hatchet can significantly reduce the strength needed to make cuts on wood as well as for trim branches and twigs. The saw can also be used for these purposes, but it takes more energy than this larger size axe tool. Therefore, why don’t you consider using it when camping or backpacking?
Hatchet, Axe and Saw – Benefits
The process of thinning a small forest is an arduous one. It requires a lot of time, physical effort and the will to brave some pretty uncomfortable conditions. Some of the trees in your forest are just too big for you to cut down with an axe or chainsaw, so you have no choice but to resort to more traditional means if you want to keep on thinning for years to come. The tools required for these kinds of jobs are quite varied, with each having its own benefits and drawbacks. People use three main tools – axes, saws and hatchets – and each has its own area in which it is most useful.
1 – An axe is probably the most versatile tool in your armoury. It can be used for cutting or chopping, as well as splitting and digging. You can use it to fell small trees too, but it won’t be as efficient a thinning tool as the other options discussed below. A sharp axe increases the speed of a task and improves its precision because your swings don’t have to be made slower to avoid hitting branches and twigs.
The drawback of axes is that they cannot be used at all on smaller trees or branches. As they tend to cut big trees rather than split them, you would have to chop them into smaller pieces before splitting them with an axe head. As such, hatchets are better suited for thinning, but they pose a greater risk of injury as they are less sharp.
2 – A saw is an extremely versatile and useful tool to have in your armoury when it comes to thinning. It allows you to cut down large trees instead of splitting them, increasing production speed and making that process safer. A saw is also much quicker than an axe in splitting larger trees into smaller ones because the blade keeps cutting on its own until they have been reduced to manageable sizes.
A drawback of a saw is that you will have to sharpen it pretty often if you want it to keep on working. You will also have to spend a lot of time on the process if you want to keep your saw in pristine condition. The smaller the blade, the more effort you will need to keep it sharp.
3 – A hatchet is a much more rudimentary tool than an axe or a saw, but there are some good reasons why you should consider adding it to your thinning toolkit. It allows you to quickly down smaller trees that are easier or impossible to chop with an axe. You don’t need any special skills with a hatchet either – anyone can wield one and send that tree crashing down in no time, so it’s something even children can do.
Hatchets are not as effective for cutting down big trees, but they make splitting those smaller trunks much faster and easier. The process is more hazardous with a hatchet than a saw or axe, but you will be done in no time.
In the end, it comes down to what kind of job you want to do and how dangerous that particular activity is. Each tool has its place in your inventory, so don’t shy away from using one just because it’s not your favourite (or the most efficient). It’s the job that matters, not the tool you’re using. If you want to thin a small forest in a reasonable time frame and keep yourself safe from injury, don’t be afraid to use any of the three aforementioned tools.
Camping Axe vs Camping Saw – Which One to Choose for Backpacking?
A camp axe is a type of axe used for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. While there are saws explicitly designed for woodworking, they aren’t nearly as versatile. For example, unlike a camp axe, a saw can’t be used to start a fire or cut kindling to set up a shelter. Although there are many different types of camp axes, all work in much the same way. In this article, we’ll look at the main differences between an axe and a saw and help you decide which one is right for you.
ADVANTAGES OF A CAMP AXE:
-Lightweight: Most models weigh about 1 pound (about half an ounce). They are easy to carry since they’re so light.
-Versatile: You can use your camp axe for many different activities, from gathering firewood to cutting branches and clearing brush. It’s also used for cutting rope, clearing snow, and preparing food.
-Easier to sharpen: Because axes have fewer moving parts than saws or axes with teeth, they are easier to sharpen. The only way you can ruin an axe is by using it improperly. That’s not the case with a saw or other types of tools that require a lot of maintenance.
CONS OF A CAMP AXE:
-Axe is more expensive: An axe generally costs a little bit more than a saw or other type of tool. The price difference isn’t as big as it used to be, but still there. If you want an inexpensive camping saw, you can get one that’s just as durable and versatile. However, if you’re looking for a good camping axe for less money, you’ll have to sacrifice on durability and sharpness.
-Axe is heavier: Camping axes are heavier than saws. This makes them great for backpacking, but it can be a problem when carrying them around in everyday life.
-Axe takes more space: When using an axe, you have to keep the blade near the ground and in a position where it won’t accidentally be knocked out of your hands.
-Axe is harder to use: If you want to cut down a tree, you can’t just strike it with your axe. You have to first remove the smaller branches around the trunk. And for larger wood, you need a saw or other types of tools that will help you chop through it. This means that while an axe can be used by beginners, seasoned campers will need more advanced tools for cutting down trees and other large pieces of wood.
ADVANTAGES OF A CAMP SAW:
-Can be used for more things: If you need to cut down a tree or branch, you can just use your saw and get the work done in minutes. However, not all axes are suitable for these purposes. For example, if you want to cut kindling, you have to find an axe that will let you do it without making a mess. An axe with a design that keeps the blade away from the handle is best. You also need to make sure it’s sharp enough before using it for cutting wood.
-Lightweight: Most camping saws weigh about 2 pounds (about 1 ounce). This makes them easy to carry.
-Versatile: Although a saw is better for woodworking, it’s not only used for that purpose. A camping saw can also be used to cut kindling, clear the trail of brush, and prepare food. Besides, like you can use your axe for other outdoor activities besides cutting wood, you can use a saw for those too. This makes it versatile and easier to use since you’re forced to consider multiple situations in which the tool will be useful.
-Costlier: Camping saws are usually more expensive than axes. This is because they are more refined and don’t need to be sharpened as often, so the price goes up.
-Lighter: A camping saw is about half as lightweight as a comparable camping axe. This means you can carry it with a lot more ease. However, it’s not designed to be used with one hand, so you can’t always carry it in your pocket or backpack.
ADVANTAGES OF BOTH AXE AND SAW:
-More efficient: In survival situations, where time and space are both limited, using both an axe and saw can help you keep your hands free from clutter while still getting the work done.
-Easier to clean: A saw is easier to clean because you can use it with one hand in situations when you have to keep the other one free.
-Easier to sharpen: As mentioned above, apart from being able to remove the blade from your tool without further damage simply, a saw has fewer moving parts than an axe. Because of this, it’s much easier to sharpen. This means that you don’t need to worry about your blade getting dull quickly. You’ll also be able to see when it needs sharpening since there will be less of a chance of getting out of alignment because of dirt or other debris on its surface.
Adaptable: Since it is easier to sharpen, you can also use a saw for making detailed cuts instead of using an axe. This gives you more leeway in terms of the materials you can cut and allows you to create more complex pieces of work.
On the whole, if you’re looking for a versatile tool that can be both used for tarp and tentcamping and everyday life, then a camping saw is the way to go. It will let you get all of your work done efficiently and quickly without the need to carry heavy equipment or even sharpening blades. However, if what you need is a good camping axe that will last long while keeping your hands away from sharp parts, then an axe may be better.