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      Do you take an axe into the BWCA?     

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PiperMike
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07/22/2016 11:37AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I was wondering how many take an axe when you go canoeing into the BWCA?
I have not yet, but am thinking about taking one in October.
 
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07/22/2016 11:46AM  
I take a Gransfors Bruk small hatchet. IMO, anything larger would be overkill.
 
Savage Voyageur
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07/22/2016 11:50AM  
We cook and have fires most days. This takes a lot of wood. We bring a Eastwing axe and a few hand saws to process wood.
 
Cedarboy
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07/22/2016 12:02PM  
Yes, Snow and Nealley Hudson Bay model.
CB
 
OldFingers57
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07/22/2016 12:14PM  
I take a small Wetterlings hatchet for splitting wood. I also take either a Fast Bucksaw or Sven saw along to process wood with.
 
07/22/2016 12:45PM  
GB Small Forest Axe. More than necessary, but I like having it along.
 
redoleary
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07/22/2016 12:48PM  
It's a tomahawk for me, plenty to split the wood I tend to gather and I like being able to take the head off.
 
HappyHuskies
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07/22/2016 01:07PM  
Always take a small axe and saw when hot tenting in the winter. Never take one in warmer weather.
 
07/22/2016 01:24PM  
I never take an axe but always take a Sven Saw.
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
07/22/2016 01:38PM  
quote Sierra1: "I never take an axe but always take a Sven Saw. "

What Sierra said.
 
07/22/2016 01:46PM  
If mostly cooking over a fire and base camping, yes. Otherwise, no.
 
Dammfast
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07/22/2016 02:09PM  
we cook over fire about half the time and bring a small parang, it is like a small machete. We baton all of out wood, it is lighter than an ax and much more versitile.
 
07/22/2016 02:33PM  
No, my twig stove doesn't require one, rarely have big fires on a solo.
 
07/22/2016 02:50PM  
I have 3 that I alternate with......and to give to each one of my kids. A Wetterlings that I bought from Kanoes, a Snow & Neally Hudson Bay axe and a GB Small Forest axe. Do I really need to? Probably not, but it does come in handy for cooking with the reflector oven and other campfires. Also, it has made life easier more than once after a storm to get through some blocked portages. This summer, I think I would have really appreciated it up there. The good feeling I get hauling it around in the north woods trumps the extra weight.
 
07/22/2016 04:33PM  

I take my Gerber camp axe and Irwin coarse cut saw on every trip. I love being able to have fires to cook over and gather around, especially when it's cool and / or damp.
 
07/22/2016 05:02PM  
quote DeanL: "
I take my Gerber camp axe and Irwin coarse cut saw on every trip. I love being able to have fires to cook over and gather around, especially when it's cool and / or damp. "


+1
 
DRB
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07/22/2016 07:10PM  
I just returned from a trip to the BWCA and didn't bring an axe but brought a big old junk kitchen chopping knife. With the week of wet weather and all meals cooked over a fire, splitting wood was essential. The knife only weighted 7 oz and I cut wood with a 15" Sven saw so my firewood making kit was light. I used a sawn piece of wood for a mallet to split the wood (3"-5" diameter ) with the knife. I has plenty of usable wood for cooking but would have really struggled with round logs as the inside is usually dry and will burn. That being said, I will never do another trip without an axe since the knife was not as efficient as an axe. I researched small axes since my return and there are quite a few that are 1.5 lbs or less.

My 2 cents.
 
mc2mens
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07/22/2016 08:23PM  
I have brought a Wetterlings small axe in the past, but this year I'm going to go without the axe and instead bring a OKC SP1 with the thought that I'll baton firewood with this knife. It's lighter and more compact than the axe and looks like a pretty good batoning knife.
 
OBX2Kayak
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07/23/2016 04:13PM  
No. I burn the excess chips and twigs that axe and hatchet people leave behind.
 
07/23/2016 07:10PM  
no
 
LuvMyBell
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07/23/2016 09:00PM  
quote Savage Voyageur: "We cook and have fires most days. This takes a lot of wood. We bring a Eastwing axe and a few hand saws to process wood. "


+1 East wing campers axe for splitting larger logs. Two course-cut Irwin saws for cutting downed trees. A nice fire is a must for our group and it takes a lot of wood. Used to bring the Sven and some other backpacking saw but they just don't do the job for us.
 
07/24/2016 08:40AM  


butthead
 
07/24/2016 09:07AM  
No, one slip could ruin a trip or worse. We do take a hatchet to split wood but no swinging the hatchet is allowed. You hit the top of the hatchet with another hatchet or a a piece of wood.
 
07/24/2016 01:44PM  
I'm certainly glad that I brought my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe with when we went into the numbers chain the day after the storm on Wednesday night.
 
mr.barley
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07/24/2016 01:59PM  
I haven't bought an axe or a hatchet in a few years now. I bring my Irwin saw and my Becker bk2 for battoning. I use the Becker for lots of others things that I couldn't use a hatchet for since it's the only knife I bring...besides a filet knife of coarse.
 
07/24/2016 03:29PM  


Spent a lot of my time clearing last week after the storm as well. Glad I had my axe.
 
BobDobbs
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07/25/2016 05:02AM  
quote Jackfish: "
quote Sierra1: "I never take an axe but always take a Sven Saw. "

What Sierra said."


+1 sven saw and bushcraft style knife - safer IMO
 
CanoeKev
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07/25/2016 06:30AM  
Always take a 30" bowsaw and a 3/4 Fiskers axe. Axe is only for splitting. NEVER take a hatchet, which is dangerous due to the way that uninformed people use them.
 
thebotanyguy
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07/25/2016 09:36AM  
The original post did inquire about a possible October trip, so I will restrict my comments to that. Yes, I have always taken an axe in October. The days are short, the nights are long and often cold, a campfire is required for light and warmth.

If it has been wet, and I have even experienced wet snow in October, it is necessary to access the dry wood on the inside of the firewood. Splitting is the only option, and it is most easily achieved with an axe.
 
SaganagaJoe
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07/25/2016 10:12AM  
I bring a Gransfors Bruks hatchet and Sven Saw. If anything, as others have pointed out, I could use them to clear my campsite and blocked portages after a storm.

I've seen two different ways to cut wood safely with a hatchet. One is Cliff Jacobson's method: use your hatchet as a wedge and hit it with a heavier piece of wood as a mallet. If the wood is dry this method works really well. The other I learned from BWCA.com'er Marten on one of his videos: Use another piece of wood to hold the piece to be split at a safe distance from your appendages, then split with the hatchet.

 
07/25/2016 10:34AM  
I used to, found sven saw more useful.
 
07/25/2016 10:34AM  
I used to, found sven saw more useful.
 
Frenchy
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07/26/2016 02:05AM  
I also take an axe and Sven saw. We love to cook over a fire and share stories at night around a nice fire.
 
Arkansas Man
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07/26/2016 04:17AM  
I usually bring a Gerber folding saw, and a small Fiskars hatchet. The saw for cutting up dead wood, the hatchet for splitting. Hatchet is used by hitting the top with another piece of wood not swung. Saw is good for wood up to about 4 inches in diameter.

Bruce
 
07/26/2016 04:37AM  
I stopped taking one after my first trip. Just don't see it as a necessity but then I went on a trip with a friend in colder weather and he insisted on bringing An axe. Although still not a necessity I could really see the value of bringing an axe after that trip especially in colder weather when you are more likely to be sitting around the fire more. I now bring an axe most of the time :)

T
 
Moss Tent
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07/26/2016 06:58AM  
Went late last year and it rained 3 of 4 days. And according to my wife, it was cold.

Would have been a drag had it not been for the real firewood I processed with the axe. It made things not only tolerable, but actually enjoyable.

Rarely have I relied on fire as on that trip. I guess my advice would be to wait, and to find a good weather report the day before you leave.

If rain is forecast, I would take an axe, unless the whole point was to travel far, fast, and light.
 
BigCurrent
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07/26/2016 07:07AM  
Irwin Saw + Hatchet or small axe.

We spend a lot of time around the fire and management is much more efficient with these tools.
 
PiperMike
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07/26/2016 08:09AM  
quote awbrown: "


Spent a lot of my time clearing last week after the storm as well. Glad I had my axe.
"

I was thinking the same sort of thing. Had a guy not had an axe or saw what Could they do other then wait for someone that did have one.
 
07/26/2016 04:07PM  
quote PiperMike: "
quote awbrown: "



Spent a lot of my time clearing last week after the storm as well. Glad I had my axe.
"

I was thinking the same sort of thing. Had a guy not had an axe or saw what Could they do other then wait for someone that did have one. "

Yep. There were two groups at the first portage out of Lake One looking at that tree and not knowing how to proceed until we showed up with the Sven saw and Small Forest Axe.
 
07/27/2016 12:10AM  
yes
 
Stimpy
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07/27/2016 10:11AM  
After struggling to get firewood on a very wet, cool trip, I now consider these essential pieces of gear. Definitely worth the weight.
 
CanoeKev
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07/27/2016 01:05PM  
quote unshavenman: "
quote PiperMike: "
quote awbrown: "



Spent a lot of my time clearing last week after the storm as well. Glad I had my axe.
"

I was thinking the same sort of thing. Had a guy not had an axe or saw what Could they do other then wait for someone that did have one. "

Yep. There were two groups at the first portage out of Lake One looking at that tree and not knowing how to proceed until we showed up with the Sven saw and Small Forest Axe. "


Deadfall that big is where my 30" bow saw comes in handy. Wouldn't want to tackle that with my Sven! More power to you.
 
07/27/2016 10:35PM  
Yes, a small eastwing hatchet and small saw. No swinging, just a small tap to get it into the wood, then raise them both and hit against the ground.
 
Mad_Angler
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07/28/2016 03:15PM  
Yes.

I always take my small Gerber Ax. (It is actually a Fiskars. It is the exact same ax. You can get them cheaper at Home Depot and Menards).

I also take a Sven Saw.

It is WAY easier to have a decent fire with and ax/saw.

An ax and saw are required (IMHO) for cooking over a fire.


But like others mentioned, we never swing the ax. We always pound it with a small log. We also process firewood while sitting kneeling. Then, ax slips will go into the dirt rather than our legs.
 
07/29/2016 06:44AM  
Well, it has been 25 years since I have taken an axe, but reading the above thread has about convinced me to bring a hatched this October. Using it as a wedge tool so I can more easily have fires on those long nights sounds pretty good.
 
mc2mens
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07/29/2016 09:41AM  
I practiced batoning wood last night with my new OKC SP-1 . It ripped right through several maple and oak logs. I think I got through the wood pile quicker than I would have with my small hunting axe.
 
07/29/2016 09:22PM  
With all due respect, no you didn't. I love to baton wood, but there's no comparison to an axe or hatchet.
 
mc2mens
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07/30/2016 10:00AM  
quote unshavenman: "With all due respect, no you didn't. I love to baton wood, but there's no comparison to an axe or hatchet."


Actually, I did. The wood was very dry and approx. 3" diameter, which may have had something to do with it, but that knife sliced through the wood like butter.
 
07/30/2016 08:16PM  
On group trips I take a Wetterlings axe and Sven saw. On solos I'm more weight conscious so leave it home.
 
Minnesotian
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08/01/2016 04:45PM  

Summer camping: no.
Winter camping: yes
 
Atb
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08/05/2016 06:50AM  
To me, a saw like the Sven saw is essential. Splitting wood can be critical in colder months. An axe is high on my nice to have list, but minimally a strong full tanged straight knife such as the Morakniv which can be driven through a piece of wood to be split with another piece of wood.
 
Moss Tent
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08/05/2016 01:26PM  
quote unshavenman: "With all due respect, no you didn't. I love to baton wood, but there's no comparison to an axe or hatchet."


lol unshavenman, that was my first reaction as well. He/she must not know how to properly split wood with an axe. Fair enough!
 
Fried Fish
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08/05/2016 06:28PM  
Chuckle to myself moss tent, my first reaction to your reply was positivity and class toward someone you don't know. Fair enough!
 
08/06/2016 12:57AM  
quote Stimpy: "After struggling to get firewood on a very wet, cool trip, I now consider these essential pieces of gear. Definitely worth the weight.
"
absolutely , everyone makes there dates and mother nature dictate the conditions, at any time you can get rain for days(keep rain gear top of your pack) and much cooler temps. for solo guys i recommend this, just a hair over 1 pound. gerber #16.9 oz
 
08/06/2016 08:10AM  
quote Atb: "To me, a saw like the Sven saw is essential. Splitting wood can be critical in colder months. An axe is high on my nice to have list, but minimally a strong full tanged straight knife such as the Morakniv which can be driven through a piece of wood to be split with another piece of wood."

Atb, I had no idea that Morakniv made a full tang knife until I read your post and found this article. Interesting......
 
Moss Tent
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08/07/2016 12:38PM  
quote Fried Fish: "Chuckle to myself moss tent, my first reaction to your reply was positivity and class toward someone you don't know. Fair enough!"



We are all differently talented. While I can split wood with an axe like nobody's business, you wouldn't want me making dinner. I almost burned the house down once just trying to make grilled cheese :)
 
mc2mens
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08/07/2016 02:28PM  
quote Moss Tent: "
quote unshavenman: "With all due respect, no you didn't. I love to baton wood, but there's no comparison to an axe or hatchet."



lol unshavenman, that was my first reaction as well. He/she must not know how to properly split wood with an axe. Fair enough!"


I've cut up my share of wood piles with my axe. My comment was intended to make the point that there are more ways to split wood, and with a good batoning knife you can split wood and shed weight.
 
08/29/2016 04:21AM  
quote DeanL: "
I take my Gerber camp axe and Irwin coarse cut saw on every trip. I love being able to have fires to cook over and gather around, especially when it's cool and / or damp. "


+1
Really bugs me to see half burned logs at a campsite. Split it into the wrist size, and it burns up completely. In wet weather, it is nice to get to the dry, inner wood. Plus we can leave all the branches and smaller pieces for those who don't bring an axe.
 
yogi59weedr
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08/29/2016 04:58PM  
I don't take an axe In the BW.

I can usually get enough wood with my battery operated sawzall. ;)
 
bwcasolo
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08/29/2016 06:15PM  
NO, I NEVER COOK WITH WOOD, OR HAVE BIG FIRES, SO MY SAW DOES JUST FINE WITH THE SCRAP WOOD I FIND.
 
Jwpaddle
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08/29/2016 07:14PM  
bob destrube bow saw and a GB small forest axe out on every trip, combo works great with processing wood and driving tent stakes.
 
krick
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08/30/2016 08:18AM  
I use a pocket chain saw. They're light, don't take up much room and work great.
 
smokedwhitefish
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08/30/2016 01:51PM  
No axe here. A guy brought one of these hatchet/saw combos on my last trip. The small saw worked surprisingly well for 4-5 inch logs. We always have a Sven saw along as well.
 
09/01/2016 06:07PM  
If I had a choice I'd bring a hatchet. A hatchet is more versatile than a saw.
 
kanawa
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09/06/2016 08:57PM  
Great question. I love the variety of responses (and tools).
At the canoe base I used to manage we would highlight to our guides that our injuries on trail from axes and saws dropped dramatically when we stopped sending them out. Of course, that is being responsible for other people's children. And I have evac'ed a man four hours out with the top of his thumb in his hand. He was an experienced axe man of whom I have a picture with a four foot diameter Ponderosa pine he had felled on a fireline with a crosscut and a felling axe. It reminded me that no matter our experience and skill we're all just a little slip away from losing something important. Hopefully we have buddies around to help us out.
All that said, I bring a small axe (lately, a Roselli) but rarely use it. You just never know. The 99' blowdown taught me that.
 
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