Is it important to take an Axe with you when traveling?

[Mason Gallagher]

Yes, it’s a strange question, it’s just that the BBs could help me. I’ve been thinking about buying an ax for a long time, so I don’t know for sure whether I need it or not.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I too have been thinking about buying an axe, not necessarily for traveling. I have been considering one of the all steel Estwings.

[1967redrider]

I too have been thinking about buying an axe, not necessarily for traveling. I have been considering one of the all steel Estwings.

Excellent choice!

[3030remchesterCOLO]

Interesting how lives of people are different. I got my first hatchet when I was 5 years old. My dad gave it to me and was so dull you could ride to Texas on the it and not cut yourself. I spent most of a year trying to chop down a 3" Aspen tree and only managed to skin the bark off it. Every vehicle I own has a hatchet or ax. I have them stuck everywhere and a wheelbarrow full of extras in case of emergency. Of course I live in a very forested area.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Unless you're going camping, what would you do with an axe while traveling? After trees fall I have had to go back to the house for a chainsaw to clear the road out to the county road and I take an axe along with the saw but using only an axe would take a very long time.

Using ony an Estwing would take forever. While they look cool Estwings are inferior to wood handle axes. Steel handles transfer weight that is needed in the head to the handle. That makes you work harder. Estwing's only axe is a boy's axe size tool with a light head. It's their 17 inch #44 camp hatchet with a steel tube handle extension. I use my #44 often but only because when I was a teenager I thought it was the coolest looking hatchet in Ernst Hardware. Maybe some day I'll grow up. Similar size wood handle hatchets are better tools but they're no substitute for a standard axe, a 3 1/2 lb. head on a 36" wood handle.

A folding handle shovel in your trunk is more likely to be useful.

[Mumbleypeg]

Interesting question. I have had a hand axe/hatchet under the back seat of my truck for over 40 years. (Not the same truck, but it is the same axe). It’s in a box with a bunch of other miscellaneous tools I use for odd jobs around the ranch, like repairing fence, gates, etc. It’s what many would call a half-axe or a carpenter’s axe, a versatile tool which includes a hammer and nail puller as well as an axe blade.

And now that you ask that question, I can’t recall even one time when I ever used the axe.

Ken

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

This thing is pretty cool. What has been said about the usefulness of a hatchet vs an actual axe is definitely true. But if you're looking to be prepared for a survival situation, you'd just be needing sticks for a fire. A folding shovel is useful too, as would be a compact folding saw. The same could be said about folding shovel vs actual shovel as has been said about hatchet vs axe, in that one is the smaller cousin of the other. I, however, carry a full size shovel due to the likelihood of getting stuck in the snow in the winter.

So to circle back, is an axe necessary? If you might get lost in the woods, or need it for your activities, then maybe. If you're just looking to be prepared, my suggestion is to check as many boxes as possible.

[1967redrider]

I tote this when hiking around the mountain sometimes, American Tomahawk Co. (but I think it's made off-shore ).

viewtopic.php?p=646904&hilit=American+ax+co#p646904

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[eveled]

I keep an Estwing axe in my truck, and a shovel. Cars have just a shovel because they are driven by my kids to school campuses were weapons are not allowed.

I’ve always heard the bad side of Estwing axes, but in my personal use, it swings better and bites deeper than any other axe I’ve used, and knowing you won’t break the handle at the worst possible time is a plus.

[FRJ]

I have had a hatchet in my car for years. Never used it. It will remain.

[doglegg]

I often take an axe when I'm hitch hiking. A great conversation starter if I ever get a ride

[dsutton24]

If you're going camping, sure. If you're going to the library probably not.

[Steve Warden]

For me, no. But I'm not thinking every time I get behind the wheel, "Boy, I sure wish I had an ax with me right now."

By the way, who/what are the "BBs"?

[Waukonda]

I often take an axe when I'm hitch hiking. A great conversation starter if I ever get a ride

You Jester, you!!!!

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

I often take an axe when I'm hitch hiking. A great conversation starter if I ever get a ride

[Modern Slip Joints]

A few misceleanous comments on what others have posted.

Estwings. I own three sizes. There's no worry about them breaking but so what? I've never seen a hatchet handle break. 36" axe and especially maul handless yes. Hatchets no.

#24 standard approx. 14" scout or camp hatchet. Mine was $7 at an Ace Hardware's going out of business sale on 1st Ave downtown Seattle in 1975. It's OK for making easy to split small wood smaller. Not long ago SMKW and Home Depot incorrectly claimed theirs were stainless steel. A spot of cold blue easily disproves that.

#44 Estwing's version of a 17" house or hearth axe. Formerly several US manufacturers offered 17" house or hearth axes with 2 1/4 lb. forged heads for about $25. They were better tools for less money.

The #44 with a steel tube handle extension making it 26". I bought it for back packing then decided it was not worth its weight. There are much lighter hand saws. While preparing for elk hunting I always got calls from my partners reminding me to be sure and bring mine for making kindling. They thought it was cool but not cool enough to buy their own.

Hitch hicking. What worked best for me was hitching with a pair of good looking sisters. Hitched rides fast until they decided they'd cover the rest of the distance home faster without me. What worked second best was a large back pack. Truckers would give me long rides spending much of the time recounting tortorous hikes in army boot camp.

If snow is predicted I throw a full size shovel in the trunk with the chains.

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

Hitch hicking...full size shovel in the trunk with the chains.

True wisdom from the school of life.

Somebody get this scholarly man a beer or an award, whichever he'd prefer.

[Modern Slip Joints]

[...] half-axe or a carpenter’s axe, a versatile tool which includes a hammer and nail puller as well as an axe blade.

And now that you ask that question, I can’t recall even one time when I ever used the axe.

Ken

Carpenter's hatchets are great for collecting, sharpening then pounding in tomato and bean stakes. Rig Builders like Vaughan's are even better if you don't mind spending the additional cost. Rig Builders are a few inches longer, a 1/4 lb. heavier and have milled hammer faces. However, Vaughan's Rig Builders are the only hatchets I've seen break. Strong young framers can break their handle while using the nail puller notch. Estwing makes them but they're uncommon and cost over $50. Most framers don't like steel handles because while hammering they transmit the shock into your arm.

[Mason Gallagher]

Thank you all for your answers, I read everything, every post is important to me

[TripleF]

Strange question....but good night Irene if I gotr pulled over and asked.....Do you have any weapons in the car, I'd
say.....quite a few axes, hatchets, mauls and knives sir.
But I don't carry them for traveling purposes but they are with me when I travel.
Why so many in may car? I don't have a garage and every time I go to the park, I'm not going
to the storage unit bc I might need a different one!!!
And I keep them for camping.....

[1967redrider]

I often take an axe when I'm hitch hiking. A great conversation starter if I ever get a ride

[doglegg]

Strange question....but good night Irene if I gotr pulled over and asked.....Do you have any weapons in the car, I'd
say.....quite a few axes, hatchets, mauls and knives sir.
But I don't carry them for traveling purposes but they are with me when I travel.
Why so many in may car? I don't have a garage and every time I go to the park, I'm not going
to the storage unit bc I might need a different one!!!
And I keep them for camping.....

You would probably make the police officer nervous Scott. I would like to be there to record it if you got stopped.

[FRJ]

Most framers don't like steel handles because while hammering they transmit the shock into your arm.

I have seen this bit of information many times over the years. I find it quite puzzling. And I realize everybody's different.
I have used an Estwing steel carpenters hammer (curved claw) in 16oz. for many years when I worked. I did all manner of carpentry work.
Framing, remodel and demolition and anything that needed done. It was sleek and
clean and never ever gave me any negative feedback. In fact I wore one out to my great surprise.
It folded just under the rubber grip near the shank. Immediately went out and bought another. Still have it of course.

[Mr. Chips]

I always have a couple of axes plus a pulaski in my pickup, which is often in the mountains of BC, and also have a long folding saw, which I find is a lot better than a swede saw, and faster to use on a single trail obstruction than a chain saw.
In the family car, an SUV, I usually have an axe on a longish (3+ hours) trip. You just never know. A deer that has been hit and needs to be put out of its misery, a automotive wreck where someone needs extraction (been there, done that), whatever. Even a campfire, at a multi hour highway incident. (Been there too.)
In BC it is not unheard of to be in situations where an axe is necessary, or at least very handy.

[Mason Gallagher]

Strange question....but good night Irene if I gotr pulled over and asked.....Do you have any weapons in the car, I'd
say.....quite a few axes, hatchets, mauls and knives sir.
But I don't carry them for traveling purposes but they are with me when I travel.
Why so many in may car? I don't have a garage and every time I go to the park, I'm not going
to the storage unit bc I might need a different one!!!
And I keep them for camping.....

Wow very cool photo!