Going on a trip in the spring I’m just curious what it’s like collecting firewood up there? It’ll be our first trip and I know sometimes it can be hard to find anything bigger then 2” to burn.

Wondering if it’s worth bringing a full size axe?

You will likely get a lot of different opinions on this but I always bring a saw and axe. Most of the sites are picked over and the only available wood is large dead wood that needs to be split, especially in the spring when everything is wet.

Wood is very ubundant in most areas. The closer you are to a campsite the more scarce it is, that's why it is recommended that you collect firewood away from campsites. I usually find a good saw is adequate and the safest. I do carry a small axe or a hatchet however. Be very careful with either.

You will appreciate a full-sized axe. I have a Fiskars X17 23.5" splitting axe, which is quite affordable. I got a sheath for it on Etsy because the stock plastic sheath isn't great.

Even without an axe, I would always recommend a medium or large folding/collapsible saw like a Silky Gomboy or Agawa Canyon BOREAL21, which will allow you to saw up downed trees up to 8" in diameter with relative ease. With 6 to 8 good sized rounds, you can split them down into enough firewood for 3-8 hours depending on the size of the logs and how large your fire is. If you don't have an axe, you can just try to find smaller stuff, which you may be able to baton with a hatchet or large knife.

As others say, you may have to go away from your campsite to find decent firewood. Consider paddling 50-100ft down the shore (away from easy-to-reach areas from the campsite), pull up the canoe, and buck up a downed tree or two which is sure to be obvious right from shore.

If you’re having trouble finding wood, follow a beaver. They know where it is.

I am in the yes axe camp. Hatchets are worthless weight when for 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. more you get a much more versatile tool. My suggestion is something with about a 2 1/2 - 3 lb head and a handle in the 19" - 21" range. Anything less and it won't do the job. Doesn't have to be expensive check hardware and home stores. If you don't like it you won't be in for a huge chunk of cash. I can split 6" to 8" logs with what I have. Add an after market leather sheath. At these dimensions still fits inside a large pack.

We carry a decent size hatchet just for splitting.

If you're looking for a decent amount of firewood, the above posters are correct, in or around campsites the pickings are usually pretty slim. Try taking your canoe, landing at a random spot not near a campsite, and collecting wood there. Usually a lot easier to find.

Tlaker: "Going on a trip in the spring I’m just curious what it’s like collecting firewood up there? It’ll be our first trip and I know sometimes it can be hard to find anything bigger then 2” to burn.

Wondering if it’s worth bringing a full size axe?"

Sometimes there are fallen, dead trees nearby a campsite. Those are a nice source of firewood. Some are substantial in girth and show signs of being hacked on by previous campers. A bit of sweat + ax/axe is perfect tool. If you have room in a pack, I'd encourage you to carry one sized as alpinebrule suggested. Wear leather gloves.
It is not necessary to bring an ax. If you like swinging one than by all means do so. Just sayin...

During the warm months I bring a saw. I have been experimenting with batoning the last couple times and have also brought a batoning knife.

I think the real question is, what kinda fire are you wanting to make? If you are planning on cooking all your meals over the firegrate, then bringing an ax might be for you. If all you are doing is a nice, cozy fire at night, then I think a saw will be just fine.

It has already been said, but most campsites won't have any good firewood around. I find it best to get in the canoe, paddle to a spot, and harvest firewood a couple yards off the shoreline. You'll always find firewood. And please, don't harvest any downed trees that are overhanging the water and can be seen from the water. Makes the shorelines look unsightly to see cut off trees.

A decent saw - folding or otherwise, + a sharp hatchet, takes care of everything.

I'm in the small folding saw and Batoning knife camp. Wrist size wood is abundant and it's a much lighter option. It seems easier for me to get a nice pile that fits under the steel grate. I don't cook over a fire.

Like several others above, I paddle away from camp for 3-5 minutes and find an abundance of good wood. I usually bring my saw and leather gloves when i go out fishing too, and keep my eye out for good blowdown. I have the best success looking along shorelines or islands with exposure to the south west - these places get hit hardest by storms and seem to always have more choice, dry blowdown. Usually in 10 minutes I can walk 30 feet in from shore, get 4-6 sections 5 feet long and 2-5 inches thick, and I'm done collecting wood. Often I look for big white pines as they often have big branches sticking out that are snapped off by the winds - don't need to find a whole tree that came down.

I usually bring either an axe or hatchet, but not full sized. I have a GB axe with a 24 inch handle (sometimes called a 3/4 axe or boy's axe) that I take in winter, late fall, or early spring. I recently got a 19 inch axe that I'll likely start bringing on canoe trips as it will fit much better in my pack and (except for winter) will be more than enough axe.

Many can and do get along fine without a full sized ax. I have done trips with only a knife and regularly made campfires. My personal preference is for small and light wood processing tools. A small saw and pocket hand axe have been regulars, the saw is self explanatory but the hand axe "hatchet" need explanation. Predominately it's used as a batoning blade to split cut pieces, almost never swung as an ax.
Have now gone to mostly batoning for splitting campwood and use a specialized baton knife, Sheffield Footprint Hacking Knife, and really like the IRWIN ProTouch 15 In. Coarse Cut Saw over the different folding saws I have used.




butthead

In the summer we bring nothing more than a saw. We don't really find a need to split anything when we are just throwing it into an open fire. Hot tenting in the winter is a bit different and a nice ax is very helpful. Also agree with many above about finding wood away from sites. Just came back from a trip where we camped on the lake far away from any designated sites. We found two perfectly seasoned cedar which is like heaven for winter camping.

Irwin Saw and a Small Forrest Axe are a great combo and I always bring mine. You can get by fine with just the saw but if you like having fires or plan to do a lot of fire cooking you can't beat the efficiency you gain with an axe & saw. They are quite literally the intended tools for the job....just as people have said, use them safely

Lots of variables here. Spring or fall I would bring and axe and a saw, summer a saw only. If you are cooking for a group over and open fire axe and saw. Using a reflector oven, axe and saw and maybe a small hatchet to split wood down to cooking size. One or two campfires at night during a trip, only a saw. Rain in the forecast for half of your trip, axe and saw. It’s might be hard to get a fire going after a 4 day rain. You will need to split the wood to get at the dry wood inside. Be very careful using an axe, I have heard many times about someone hitting thier leg with an axe and needs a plane ride out. Bring a pair of leather work gloves when processing wood to protect your hands.

I bring a composite felling wedge for splitting and strike it with a log baton. It works well and is lightweight. I sometimes bring a little Estwing hatchet too. I also bring an Erwin saw.

The mention of the Irwin saw got me somewhat nostalgic and remembering "kanoes" who introduced this item to me. Turns out "PortageKeeper" was his inspiration. It's reputation has grown among long term members here and something worth remembering. Sven Saw vs. others from 2008



butthead

PS: Also a reference to another member "Ragged", for his excellent scabbards/sheaths. bh

I'm in the minority. If I carry a saw it's for clearing blowdown on the trail. For firewood I paddle away from camp and break by hand (leather gloves the most important fuel gathering tool) or by striking against a boulder or outcrop with sharp edge. Never had a problem finding wood or starting fires.

I'm with Butthead and Pamonster.

Also in the minority - a lightweight 8" folding hand saw is usually all I bring and is plenty to get the job done.

I usually don't bring a saw (or an axe) during the open water months (ok, honestly I sometime bring a saw in very early spring and late fall trips or when going with a group), but alway bring them in the winter. I like the Bob Dustrud saw and usually use a Council Husdson Bay axe. I like the Hudson Bay axe because it straps in vertically in my sled bag, saving space, does the job for me, and is economical. I have used both of these for many years, but have not used a lot of other saws and axes, so am interested in what works for others.

I bring a saw and hand axe... ok, hatchet! Haha. I just wanted to add... dicecupmaker can do a bang up job on a axe sheath... just saying...

overthehill: " I'm with Butthead and Pamonster."

Same here. The only time I leave the small hand axe behind is when single portaging. At that point it comes down to what can I get by without....Saw is critical, Axe is handy.

I have brought a small hand axe and saw in the past.
A few years ago I switch to the Irwin saw and an Esse 6 knife
It does all I need it to do and is safe when splitting fine kindling.
I take a lot of inexperience people to the BWCA. I have seen some pretty unsafe use of a hand axe. I have also had mine bounced off the rocks a time or two.

Open fires are supposed to be contained within the forest service fire grate so the fire grate limits the size of wood you can burn. I never bring an ax or hatchet but often bring a saw and have no problem building fires.

Camp routine is an enjoyable part of tripping for me and I feel that if you don't mind carrying an ax, hatchet, or saw and enjoy processing wood with them than go for it. I take plenty of luxury equipment for tripping enjoyment.

A hatchet is one of the most useless tools ever devised, a 3/4 axe or "boys axe" goes with on every trip we make regardless of season, that and an Irwin saw. but if you are going super light weight and carry that like a badge of honor have at it, to each his own....

I took my Gerber hatchet and a standard size bow saw. I had no need to cut large pieces of wood that needed any amount of large splitting. Each one bungeed on the outside of my pack. Weight was very minimal and I got to use a full size handsaw.

I kind of chuckle when I see so many neat short and split piles of wood next to fire grates. I cut mine up a few feet long and just slowly feed them into the fire.
I burn wood at home for heat and I spend enough time bucking and splitting wood.
To each his own but I'd rather not spend much time prepping firewood.

I’ve been in the folding saw and very light hatchet for splitting for a long time and did fine. This year switched to the Irwin saw and the hacking knife. Also worked but I need to practice more with the knife to get as good as butthead. Second benefit of the saw is it works well for light carpentry jobs around the cabin where our camping gear lives. I’d go with out a splitting tool but not without a saw. Although, I agree that with a little more time you can find enough small wood to break by hand or foot. So, it all works.

Not sure why some thing a hatchet is useless. One of our friends once turned a good sized log (18” diameter) into a pile of easily burnable wood by splitting small pieces off the edges. Seemed pretty useful that day.

I'm in the saw camp, leave the axe at home. Injuries are more often related to axes then saws.

I only use a saw to shorten limbs or remove a large "Y" in the branch I'm harvesting.

We usually only grab 1-2 inch (at the most) thick sticks at the largest. They are easier to carry.

Our motto is --- If you can break it (with a knee) take it.

We hand or knee break everything. You have to feed the fire more often but it works just fine and no one has to go back to town for stitches. Plus the smaller stuff is usually drier and not prone to trunk rot.

I take an Irwin saw and a larger Gerber hatchet. I can split 8-9" logs if cut 12-14" long. Leather work gloves are great for gathering wood, cooking and hanging food packs.