Is the Axe the Best Survival Tool?
Posted on April 14th, 2010 by admin
It’s just another data point for you guys but the short answer is no. But Nutnfancy’s is not really anti-axe. There are situations for which an axe is well-suited. But I am realistic about how it rarely fits well into SURVIVAL AND BACKPACKING systems. Some armchair critics and car campers, sometimes inexperienced in backpacking, will tout the axe as a much better wood chopping and splitting tool than the survival knives I review and show in use. True, an axe is a capable tool as I show in this video. When wielded with skill it can chop effectively and it pairs of limbs with ease. But you’ll need a long handled version like this $30-$45 Gerber Splitting Axe, #GB-42763, to minimize your work. Even then the axe is bulkier, heavier (4 lbs!), potentially more dangerous than a large survival blade, lacks the finesse to produce fine kindling, and its an inefficient use of your limited energy in a survival situation. Also its pretty much guaranteed that you wont have a large handled axe like this with you when you get stranded and/or youre miles into the backcountry. I have backpacked many hundreds of miles into various terrains and I see few backpackers, miles into the backcountry, porting around an axe of any kind. Theyre just too heavy and bulky (of course the Hot Shots use their Pulaski axes with good effect for trail-building, brush clearance, and fire suppression techniques but thats wilderness fire fighting). However, as I proven myself many times, a medium to large knife coupled with a Sawvivor backpack saw indeed are packable commodities. And that pair will do everything an axe can, more efficiently and safely and with less energy expenditure. Also an axe will experience more damage and wear on its edge, frequently requiring the carry of a large file for re-sharpening as well so add another 10 oz to the load out. Finally even when your axe is sharp, cutting a full size dense tree, like this one, takes A LOT of effort. Youll save NO work of any kind with an axe as I prove in this video and this was just ONE cut. In a survival or even backpacking situation this is bad as youll have to replace those calories somehow. At the cabin or while car camping, who caresits probably a good thing. The full sized axe is a good camping or cabin woods tool but rarely will it make a good backcountry woods tool. As Nutnfancys proven in real world, wilderness videos, theres just better, more efficient systems to use.
Nutnfancys Likeability Scale of Gerber Splitting Axe: 5 out of 10
***Also for those armchair warriors would criticize my technique, choice of axe, stance, location and other “mistakes” like that: please get out of your easy chair and go make your own videos showing your skills and philosophies in high mountain areas after backpacking your axe in like I did and on a similar sized tree. Talk is cheap.
Note: At end of the video I show some edge damage to this Gerber Axe after just this one cross cut!
Duration : 0:10:16
Victorinox makes high value multi-tools that last and the Spirit series continue that tradition. This Nutnfancy review concentrates on the regular Spirit model (US model #53800 and Spirit Plus that comes with an accessory tool kit) but references the other models in the lineup: Spirit S (US #53809, has the same tool set but both has the clip and serrated sheepsfoot (butter) blades, no scissors), Spirit X (US #53814, proven Victorinox PE clip blade, scissors, file, rest the same), and the blackened Spirit models. The 7.4 ounce carry weight of the Spirit is decent for the amount tool capability this MDMT provides: sharp nose pliers with hard wire cutters, main blade (either a goofy serrated “butter” blade that can rescue cut or the proven Victorinox clip blade depending on model), wood/metal file (model specific), 2mm, 3mm, and 6mm flat blade drivers, Phillips driver, “strong crate opener” (great feature), can opener (my fav in an MT), cap lifter, woodsaw, multi-purpose hook, chisel/scraper (love) with wire strippers, reamer/awl (love it, drills good), cork screw slot (and lanyard hole), and either nylon or leather carry case. Each tool opens with precision and satisfying snick. The pliers show good precision and cuts small to medium sized nails easily. The ergonomics on the Spirit are a highlight with both the closed and opened positions showing rounded gripping surfaces and with tools easily accessed when the MT is closed. As of 2010, the Spirit Plus models (like this #53802) will include an accessory tool driver (with fixed or mini ratchet), bit holder case, and several driver bits, a corkscrew (not needed), and jewelers screwdriver (needed). While this gives additional ability to the Spirit, it comes at a cost: it adds 5 ounces to the loadout and a lot of bulkiness to leather belt pouch that’s needed to carry it. It’s an inelegant expansion of the MT really (look to the Surge/Wave/Charge Leathermans for the slicker 2-D bits and low profile drivers). The captive-spring design scissors on the Spirit are an odd departure from the usual excellent design. A aesthetic-only downside (my mileage) is that the Spirit really never looks closed when compacted due to its reversed curvature. This is a slight annoyance for me. Fit , finish, and value are excellent on all the Spirit models with the current price hovering near the $50-$60 range for most models (the blackened Spirit X is my favorite). Moreover with its strong crate opener, reamer, and chisel/scraper, the Spirit leads the medium duty MT category in these capabilities. But it may be the satisfaction, loyalty, and pride of ownership that Spirit owners have that is the best indication that this is a winning MT design. ////////////////// Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: Spirit regular: 7 of 10, Spirit S: 7.5 of 10, blackened Spirit X: 8.5 of 10 ////////////////////// Music: partnersinryhme.com and incompetech.com (Kevin MacLeod). One image from Photobucket.com is used after owner(s) give permission to worldwide unpaid distribution through agreement to PB’s terms of service and publication elections.
MT Continuum: A toolkit in your pocket. That’s what the revolutionary original Leatherman Pocket Survival Tool (PST) by Tim Leatherman promised its users. In many ways it delivered just that. It was small, lightweight, and fairly capable. Today’s MTs are even better and have improved on the innovative and original Leatherman concept. It is a good feeling being able to save the day with a multi-tool that you’ve brought along and an MT in your system gives you piece of mind. Cutting, driving, filing, opening, driliing, reaming, prying, grabbing and many other capabilities are yours if you have your MT with you. Current designs, like my reference medium-duty Leatherman Charge series, can replace the EDC blade with their quickly accessed and well-designed blade options as well. And yet, amazingly, few people carry the MT with high percentage. That’s a shame because an MT can also offer key capabilities in emergency situations as well. But of course and as discussed here, the multi-tool or MT is still a compromise for the better capabilities of a full sized, purpose-built hand tools. Successive generations in the MT arms race have come closer to approximating the functionalities of these full size tools, all while maintaining the ever-important compact size, elegant design, and light weight that makes the MT useful and portable. Also Style should be a part of the functional design and but never its own pursuit if the MT is to remain true to its mission of functionality. “Design elegance” for me is the integration of compactness, versatility, ease of use, comfort, strength and durability into a compact and lighweight MT. Ingenius approaches to this goal in successive MT generations make MTs interesting, engaging, and fun to collect as well. But a standardized methodology for their comparision and evaluation should be given. Set forth in this video are Nutnfancys categorical breakdowns of MTs for review purposes: Ultralight (2 oz or less), Light (2 to 5 oz), Medium (5 to 10 oz), and Heavy Duty (10 or more oz) multi-tools. These categories are weight-based since standardized size comparisons are more difficult to achieve. The smallest tools will provide some key functionalities but as the user accepts more weight and size, capabilities will increase (remaining true to my concept of “Firepower vs Mobility” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z50PFup95F8). And each user approaches the tool evaluation differently base on his or her needs related to their activities; some need the pliers more, some the knife, some the scissors, some the belt cutter, and some the bit drivers. As a reviewer I approach an MT review from my own perspective and experience but include these considerations while occasionally using in or adjacent category comparisons for interest. Current MTs options such as Leatherman, SwissTool, Gerber, and SOG serve prepared individuals every day with their already impressive capabilities. As long as the designers stay true to concepts of lightweight, compactness, and design elegance future MTs could even be better. /////////////////// Music: http://www.archive.org/details/Torley_Wong_-_The_Final_Selection).
The Leatherman Super Tool 300 possesses an outstanding plier head. It is streamlined and tough with replaceable 154CM cutter teeth. It offers excellent capabilities in crimping, wire and nail cutting, bolt removal, and detail work. In many ways the ST 300 is built around this industry-leading plier head. But many other capabilities come along for the ride in this 10.2 oz heavy duty multi-tool (HD MT). As shown the Super Tool 300 contains 420HC main plain edge blade (adequate, prefer 154CM), 420HC serrated sheepsfoot blade (rescue capable), wood/metal file, saw, 8mm, 6mm, 3mm screwdriver blades, one Phillips long shank driver, awl with thread loop, 9 inch/22cm ruler, bottle/can opener, wire stripper, and lanyard ring. Improving over the also HD MT “Core,” the ST 300 dispenses with any Zytel handle integration and is 100% stainless steel with no weight added. Comfort is high is this tough MT: no sharp edges show themselves in various tool usage; an advantage over some other designs like the SwissTool RS. Tool extraction uses the clumping methodology which same will hate, some will like. Lockup is tight and sure on all tools and the lock button is large and easy to actuate. Large cutouts in the handle permit glove usage. Fit and finish are excellent in the examples shown and Leatherman avoids the high polish finish on the tool and its implements. This may provide better traction on fasteners but may lessen rust resistance in high moisture/salt environs. The blackened Super Tool 300, as of 2010 (subject to change), has the advantage of an outstanding, rugged, lightweight, MOLLE-capable carry sheath that is superior. One glaring omission in the ST300 is the absence of scissors and future versions should include this (often used in medical services). Also another Phillips driver should be integrated. Value is high on both of these MTs: black #831105 is around $60, satin #831102 is around $52 (this model as of 2010 included stiff leather sheath). The ST 300 the successor to the original Super Tool (1994-2001), Super Tool 200 (2001-2005), and Core models and seem to targeted towards the working man. But with its reasonable price,, the ST 300 is a good choice for the survival kit, car, truck, backpack, or LBE vest (with light loads) and its heavy duty cutting capabilities could save the day. ////////////////////////// Nutnfancy LIkability Scale: 9 out of 10 (price considered) /////////////////// Music: http://www.archive.org/details/Torley_Wong_-_The_Final_Selection).
The Gerber Clutch multi-tool (MT) proves that mini tools dont have to be expensive to be useful. It possesses most of the utility had by larger tools, albeit with reduced leverage. In the Clutch you can find needle nosed pliers, wire cutters, a well-shaped blade, two-dimensional drivers, tweezers, and a nail maintenance tool. Another bonus over some competitors, like the Leatherman Squirt P4, is a conventionally ground and larger blade that could fill many of your EDC roles. Possible downsides would include: a bit larger size and more weight than the P4 MT (the mini MT class leader I think) and the smallest flathead screw bit needed some grinding for additional precision. But at a mere $12 (more or less) the Gerber Clutch multi-tool offers a ton of utility in a compact package at a bargain price. ////////////////////Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 7 out of 10
They’re dying out as people around the world modernise with mechanical machines – but lets have another look at their usefulness.
second in a series of videos that discusses hand tools for carving wooden masks The Carversplace Gallery
video describes some power tools used in making masks
http://vsa-watches.blogspot.com/
This is part 1 of my sharpening tools/kits to show you a few different ways to sharpen your knives..I go over a few different tools to show how they work, but I do not show in detail what to do…this is a general description of what the tools or kits are like…enjoy!