Here in the extreme northern part of East TN we have a much different climate than you do but the woodcraft is much the same. Lots of hardwoods but you can't sling a dead cat without hitting a cedar tree either. Silky and Bahco saws are a constant companion. My preferred ax is the so called "Boys Ax" with a 28" handle. The handle is not heavy at all with the extra four or so inches adding a great deal of velocity to the swing with little weight penalty. I regrind my axes with a 20 degree bevel (40 degree combined ) just like my knives and keep them shaving sharp. It is a PIA to set them up but a breeze to maintain once done. If you strike something that you shouldn't ( I forgot to mention the huge abundance of exposed rock, rock cliffs, rock faces, rock rock rock) the bevel supports the edge and limits the depth of the damage. My current favorite ax is a 2 1/4 lb old Council Tool with great steel in it. Never weighed handle and all but it doesn't matter. The largest knife that I carry ,and am never without , is a Mora Bushcraft with the same regrind on the edge for the same reasons. I'm 65 yrs old and still am blessed to be able to roam the woods freely , and still enjoy it like I was twelve. I don't carry more than I have to but I always carry my ax. The lowest temp that I've experienced here was 15 below and the Clinch river,which I live on, froze over solid and had deer trails on the ice. I seldom have to deal with elevation over 3500 feet but moisture, here near the river especially, is incredible. Thick fog over 300 days a year until mid morning and rime ice all winter long.
I spent 20 years using an axe, and an adze, and large saws as a traditional timber framer. I almost never used a hatchet. An axe is a godsend, don't get me wrong, I loved my man a boy saw (about 5' ). A good 4 - 5# head, which retained thickness at the bit, was a great all around axe. Great for felling, splitting, juggling, scoring, and even rough hewing in a pinch. One of the strangest things I've encountered in going from super thin to well muscled, then fat, then in shape and watching the same happen to others is that hand tools, lots of food, lots of sleep and tremendous intensity is that your body loves the activity, craves it in fact. In the beginning, you are a fish out of water, gasping for every breath, and it sucks! But pretty soon that will be a thing of the past. Watching someone truly skilled in using an axe is an amazing thing. I have been in awe watching Scandinavian log builders set a window buck with just an axe. The bottom line is that if you went into the woods with a felling axe, hewing axe, adze, the biggest saw you could take, a couple chisels, and some marking / measuring tools, you could build some incredibly complex buildings. But if you had to choose between an axe and a saw for heading off into the woods for a couple of weeks, make it an axe. Love the hill people gear.
I haven't used a Silky, but heard good things. When I finally get around to getting a bigger saw I will give them a hard look. The thing that gives me pause is the handle being inline with the blade. An angled handle is a more natural grip position so better for longer use.
Also the curve in the bottom of a good axe handle is for swinging leverage, if it is curved outward you will get a better purchase and it's easier to get that power swing compared to a straight handle.
Great overview Scott! One more tool that is really in a category of it's own and quite the marvel Gransfors Bruks mini hatchet, which weighs a mere 12 oz. While it won't be able to keep up with quality small axe, it will out split big blade knives, kukris, parangs weighing 3-4 x its weight. It, along with a Bahco folding saw (a poor man's Silky) will always find their way in my day pack or BOB year round.
Scot Hill I think you will be very impressed by the effectiveness and versatility of this mighty mouse, as you experiment with it. It takes an amazing edge.
Yup! Saws beat axes in most circumstances. The other thing about axes is they are the one tool that can end a trip early because they can 'cause a really nasty wound in the blink of an eye if you're chopping tired or distracted.
Saws are for against the grain cutting, axes are for with the grain cutting. A boat that is crafted from ax-cut wood is far stronger than the alternative.
You definitely could use just a knife. Moose are a lot heavier, especially the Alaska-Yukon subspecies. I find it handy to cut the lower leg off to get rid of bulk and still be able to hang the quarter off the tendon. It also avoids potentially dinging your knife edge and is often faster.
If it ain't a Silky, it ain't no good. Japanese Silkys are by far the best. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Why you don't have one is a mystery to me.
We've got a couple. They're fine. We've been using Japanese saws since before Silky was on the US market. They do tend to be better than saws made elsewhere.
@@HillPeopleGear With my 14", I was able to saw through and free a 24" fir tree blocking a river. Cutting the upstream side first a little, then the downstream side until the pressure of the current broke it.
Here in the extreme northern part of East TN we have a much different climate than you do but the woodcraft is much the same. Lots of hardwoods but you can't sling a dead cat without hitting a cedar tree either. Silky and Bahco saws are a constant companion. My preferred ax is the so called "Boys Ax" with a 28" handle. The handle is not heavy at all with the extra four or so inches adding a great deal of velocity to the swing with little weight penalty. I regrind my axes with a 20 degree bevel (40 degree combined ) just like my knives and keep them shaving sharp. It is a PIA to set them up but a breeze to maintain once done. If you strike something that you shouldn't ( I forgot to mention the huge abundance of exposed rock, rock cliffs, rock faces, rock rock rock) the bevel supports the edge and limits the depth of the damage. My current favorite ax is a 2 1/4 lb old Council Tool with great steel in it. Never weighed handle and all but it doesn't matter. The largest knife that I carry ,and am never without , is a Mora Bushcraft with the same regrind on the edge for the same reasons. I'm 65 yrs old and still am blessed to be able to roam the woods freely , and still enjoy it like I was twelve. I don't carry more than I have to but I always carry my ax. The lowest temp that I've experienced here was 15 below and the Clinch river,which I live on, froze over solid and had deer trails on the ice. I seldom have to deal with elevation over 3500 feet but moisture, here near the river especially, is incredible. Thick fog over 300 days a year until mid morning and rime ice all winter long.
Stihl makes a nice pullsaw for branch cuts. Good saw. Thank you.
Excellent points! Mr. Hill I always enjoy your videos.
I spent 20 years using an axe, and an adze, and large saws as a traditional timber framer. I almost never used a hatchet. An axe is a godsend, don't get me wrong, I loved my man a boy saw (about 5' ). A good 4 - 5# head, which retained thickness at the bit, was a great all around axe. Great for felling, splitting, juggling, scoring, and even rough hewing in a pinch.
One of the strangest things I've encountered in going from super thin to well muscled, then fat, then in shape and watching the same happen to others is that hand tools, lots of food, lots of sleep and tremendous intensity is that your body loves the activity, craves it in fact. In the beginning, you are a fish out of water, gasping for every breath, and it sucks! But pretty soon that will be a thing of the past.
Watching someone truly skilled in using an axe is an amazing thing. I have been in awe watching Scandinavian log builders set a window buck with just an axe.
The bottom line is that if you went into the woods with a felling axe, hewing axe, adze, the biggest saw you could take, a couple chisels, and some marking / measuring tools, you could build some incredibly complex buildings.
But if you had to choose between an axe and a saw for heading off into the woods for a couple of weeks, make it an axe.
Love the hill people gear.
Something about the axe, which ive found more useful... The pawl. Im always hammering on something !
I haven't used a Silky, but heard good things. When I finally get around to getting a bigger saw I will give them a hard look. The thing that gives me pause is the handle being inline with the blade. An angled handle is a more natural grip position so better for longer use.
Silky is the only way to go.
Also the curve in the bottom of a good axe handle is for swinging leverage, if it is curved outward you will get a better purchase and it's easier to get that power swing compared to a straight handle.
Your a knowledgeable young man. To bad youtube wouldnt give you the audience you deserve.
Great as always
Great overview Scott! One more tool that is really in a category of it's own and quite the marvel Gransfors Bruks mini hatchet, which weighs a mere 12 oz. While it won't be able to keep up with quality small axe, it will out split big blade knives, kukris, parangs weighing 3-4 x its weight. It, along with a Bahco folding saw (a poor man's Silky) will always find their way in my day pack or BOB year round.
Mark Reisdorf I actually picked one up, but haven't spent much time using it. I have always been intrigued by one. I need to spend some time with it.
Scot Hill I think you will be very impressed by the effectiveness and versatility of this mighty mouse, as you experiment with it. It takes an amazing edge.
It has Stihl's logo on it, but I am not sure it they made it or someone else. At the time the pull style were still hard to find so I jumped on it.
Thank you...great info bro!
ever tried the silkyboy saws?
Yeah, they're good
Yup! Saws beat axes in most circumstances. The other thing about axes is they are the one tool that can end a trip early because they can 'cause a really nasty wound in the blink of an eye if you're chopping tired or distracted.
Simon Guiness
Yeah, large Convex Knives would've totally replaced Axes by now, but you can carve with the right Axe head profile.
Saws are for against the grain cutting, axes are for with the grain cutting. A boat that is crafted from ax-cut wood is far stronger than the alternative.
Have you ever used a handsaw on bone. I like using a bahco to cut moose bones, otherwise I use a silky because it cuts wood better.
We always take critters apart at the joint with a knife. However, the largest animals we process are elk.
You definitely could use just a knife. Moose are a lot heavier, especially the Alaska-Yukon subspecies. I find it handy to cut the lower leg off to get rid of bulk and still be able to hang the quarter off the tendon. It also avoids potentially dinging your knife edge and is often faster.
great tips as per usual ! liked and shared eh ! ,,,,Spook
Any of these tools can cause a trip ending injury at the blink of an eye.
If I get drunk and fall off my porch it might be the beginning of a trip...to the hospital. lol
Now you made me buy a tomahawk
One word ... Sven Saw ... maybe it's two words.
it's funny how you and your brother talk exactly the same
I spent the first few minutes of the video thinking Evan's beard grew out quick
If it ain't a Silky, it ain't no good. Japanese Silkys are by far the best. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Why you don't have one is a mystery to me.
We've got a couple. They're fine. We've been using Japanese saws since before Silky was on the US market. They do tend to be better than saws made elsewhere.
@@HillPeopleGear With my 14", I was able to saw through and free a 24" fir tree blocking a river. Cutting the upstream side first a little, then the downstream side until the pressure of the current broke it.