Choosing Bushcraft Axe: 5 Things to Consider

 

A survival knife is a useful weapon. However, not even the best pocket knife UK stores sell can match up to certain tasks like felling a tree. While a chainsaw is good enough for felling a tree, but it cannot split or carve wood. You need a quality axe for that, preferably bushcraft. If you are planning on buying one, here are five things you need to consider first.

Are you a beginner?

Most beginners don’t know what type of axe to choose and end up buying a smaller hatchet. The problem with this choice is that without mastering the swing, you are endangering yourself by using a hatchet. As such, it is always better to go for axes that are either full-length or ¾. Since most outdoors people who own have multiple ones, see this as your “first axe.”

Why do you need an axe?

You can do several things with an axe. From felling to carving a tree, it has many applications and the axe used for each is different. When you know what you need the axe for, then, you can choose from the different types: general duty axe, cutting axe, splitting axe, and hatchets.

How big and heavy is it?

An axe with heavy bit cuts through the wood better. However, if you are a beginner and haven’t mastered your swinging, heavy axes can fatigue you and make you slower. As such, lighter bushcraft axe varieties are popular. Make sure your axe does not weight lesser than 2-2½ pounds. For, those will be too light for any heavy work.

What type of wood is used?

Depending on what you need it for, your axe needs to be on the heavier side. They need to be made of hardwoods to survive regular use in the wilderness. When trying to chop or fell a hardwood, a lightweight axe will bounce right off and harm you. Go for axes that weight at least 3.5 pounds to be on the safe side.

Which brand are you choosing?

This is probably one of the most important things to consider when buying bushcraft axes. If you want an axe you can rely on and use for a long time, you need to get it from a good manufacturer. Don’t buy from a nameless brand to save money. Instead, spend some cash on a really good one.

Conclusion

Using is an axe is a personal choice and so is buying one. However, considering these five questions will     help you buy an axe that becomes your best friend for a long time. Above all, you need to consider your need for an axe and the level of your mastery of axe usage.