[TLuker]

I’ve been trying to decide between a large knife or a hatchet for my BOB. I would have both in the truck but I would have to cut down on weight if I were on foot. Being on foot means sticking with the bare essentials, and for me that’s a large knife.
At the moment I can’t ever remember thinking “I’m glad I had a hatchet”. So I’m curious if anyone thinks a hatchet is an absolute necessity or if anyone prefers it to a large knife?

Thanks

[IGETEVEN]

I prefer both and they both have their specific uses.

Just how much weight do you think having both a large knife and a hatchet in your BOB is going to weigh you down?

I think the small amount of weight would most likely go unnoticed, especially in a real SHTF scenario, once the adrenaline kicks in.

[CA357]

For camping, I usually have the Vaughn rigging axe, but sometimes the Vaughn roofing hatchet. I always have the KaBar Becker Bowie. The axe or hatchet stay in camp. The Bowie is on my belt. It will handle most tasks I may run into on the trail.

[TLuker]

It's not that one or the other weighs that much. The problem is that weight adds up. A small sharp skinning knife is a must. Now add the weight of that small skinning knife to a hatchet and a large knife and the weight is starting to add up, and that's just cutting/chopping tools. I think of a hatchet as nice to have but not a necessity when I've got a large knife. Therefore it can be eliminated in place of something more useful such as extra rope or clothing.

I'm just trying to figure out how important a hatchet is when it comes down to absolute necessities.

[c3shooter]

Ontario Knife company machete. No, not that cheap Chinese bit of crap from Harbor Freight. This one-



That is a 1-18, carbon steel, 18 inches long, runs about $22 bucks. Will split a deer. cut small trees, harvest firewood, repel boarders, and holds an edge.

Ontario Knife Company 6144 1-18 in. Military Machete at OutdoorPros.com

[IGETEVEN]

Originally Posted by TLuker

I'm just trying to figure out how important a hatchet is when it comes down to absolute necessities.

Chopping down trees and cutting wood for a fire

Chopping or cutting or digging through snow & ice

Used as a hammer or pounding tool

Defense weapon against predators and can be thrown if needed

[BlindOldMan]

I'd go for the hatchet and a smaller knife (such as a Mora). I have lots of larger knives, but when I'm camping I use the Mora very often to cut everything from rope to meat to onions and garlic. If I'm lucky enough to catch a nice perch or snapper, the smaller knife is good for cleaning them.. Not quite as handy as a fillet knife, but way better than trying to use one of those thick, rigid survival knives such as the LMFII.. As to the hatchet, it really gets old splitting wood with a knife and a stick. Hatchets work great with coconuts, make a decent hammer versus a knife, can be sharpened on a rock and still be effective, can get through a door faster than a knife, and the song was "Careful With That *Axe*, Eugene"

[ktmboyz]

I would also say a Hatchet. It doesnt seem as needed for firewood but if you had to build an emergency shelter it would be a huge help, plus it doubles as a hammer. I always have a knife, a machete in a sheeth on the side of my pack and going to have a hatchet in it. I am thinking a Gerber due to their lighter weight and good edge.

[NitroxAZ]

I am partial to the Cold Steel Kukri machete.

[JTJ]

Hatchet and small skinning knife gets my vote. Another very useful tool is a sharpening steel with a chisel tip made by Schrade.