Which Axe - Chopper or Splitter?

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Xmas is coming up and on my list to the big fella is a new Axe. I already have a Chainsaw, which I rarely take with me, but my current cheapy axe is more of a hatchet and no good for chopping decent timber/branches. 90% of the time it would be used for breaking down already cut wood gathered for the campfire, or splitting larger wood for kindling. But is a splitter still suitable for chopping in the event that I need to break down a fallen branch or tree across a track? or to trim off a menacing tree root sticking out of a rut just waiting to damage a tyre or wheel/tyre?
I like the look of the Fiskar axe products that are available at Bunnings. They have a good range of both Splitters and Chopping axes but I just cant decide. So what do you guys out there have or recommend?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Craig I also like the Fiskars axes and have two! A 3/4 axe and a splitter. Usually just take the axe but this year I will take both in two cars. I used to take a full sized axe with a wooden handle but after seeing a travelling partner try to kill himself with it the smaller lighter axe is the go camping. Used the axe to clean off tracks a few times over the last couple of years and happy with the performance, just keep it sharp.

[Trevc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Trevc]

Hey Craig

I've got a pair of Fiskers as well (x15 and x25) and the x15 is a great 'camping' axe - the right size that it can handle the heavier work (track clearing) as well as finer stuff like splitting kindling.

The x25 is more a splitter but I have thought about taking it to the knife doctor as Stafford to see if he can make it a bit more axe like.

BTW if you're into your toys which most of us are, the Knife Doctor has some fairly serious knives for campers and cooks alike. No affiliation just a big kid in a candy store when I take my knives down to him to get sharpened.

Trev

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Why not an axe and a bow saw?

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

Fiskars make an excellent splitter, the axe is good to, but for camping, you tend to cut the wood then split it. If you go with the fiskars, you'll save a dollar or two by using amazon to purchase.

[Gramps Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gramps]

Just buy decent quality whatever it is you get. That cheap Chinese crap can be dangerous.
I spent last weekend in hospital with an 8mm x4mm metal shard in my leg. The cheap splitter I was using just shattered when it hit the log and shot a piece straight at me, just the same as a bullet.
Don't know why I used the splitter as I have always preferred an axe.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Fiskars all the way, these guys seem to have good prices http://www.rockaroundtheblock.com.au/

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

I have a bush/bow saw, hatchet, and splitter with steel handle. Opposite side of splitter head doubles as a sledge hammer. I use the splitter way more than the axe

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

Craig,

When I was at Gordon Country I found the splitter and chainsaw was the best combo.

The first few days we only had an axe and slitter and didn't use the axe as anything too large was too much work with an axe anyway.

If there was no chainsaw the splitter would have been more than suffice to look after anything you could carry back to the camp fire.

Splitter was not mine (don't remember the brand) but I believe you can get them from Anaconda or any good camping store and it worked very well and well made. I will purchase a splitter before our next camping trip.

Hazza

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

So Harry, you get the splitter and I'll get the axe and we'll watch the boys remove their toes

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

So Harry, you get the splitter and I'll get the axe and we'll watch the boys remove their toes

Never, ever, have a sharp axe for that very reason!

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Never, ever, have a sharp axe for that very reason!

Nooooo, the axe must be sharp, the wound is easier to stitch back together!

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Yep, I'm with you mjr'... I'd prefer a crisp clean axe wound any day,,,,,,


Sent from my iPhone thingy

[GTX Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GTX]

Nooooo, the axe must be sharp, the wound is easier to stitch back together!

Definitely this ^^^

[D4Dforme Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dforme]

Give me a sharp axe any day over a blunt one.........You'll end up with a hernia or friggin heart attack with a blunt bastard.

Dan