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The​ ​Survival​ ​Axe​ ​–​ ​The​ ​Piece​ ​of​ ​Gear​ ​You May​ ​Have​ ​Overlooked

A​​ ​survival​ ​axe​​ ​is​ ​often​ ​much​ ​more​ ​efficient​ ​than​ ​a​ ​knife​ ​in​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​situation.​ ​They​ ​allow​ ​you​ ​to gather​ ​and​ ​split​ ​firewood​ ​more​ ​efficiently,​ ​can​ ​speed​ ​up​ ​the​ ​processing​ ​of​ ​game​ ​and​ ​they’re​ ​also useful​ ​in​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​shelters. When​ ​you​ ​bring​ ​an​ ​axe​ ​with​ ​you,​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​hammer,​ ​a​ ​weapon,​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​knife,​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​prepare game,​ ​and​ ​more​ ​all​ ​rolled​ ​into​ ​one.​ ​As​ ​people​ ​concerned​ ​with​ ​preparedness​ ​and​ ​survivalism,​ ​it makes​ ​sense​ ​consider​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​axe​ ​to​ ​our​ ​bug​ ​out​ ​bag​ ​list​.

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Survival​ ​Axes​ ​–​ ​The​ ​Three​ ​Basic​ ​Types Axe The​ ​traditional​ ​axe​ ​is​ ​the​ ​largest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​three.​ ​An​ ​axe’s​ ​handle​ ​is​ ​normally​ ​two​ ​to​ ​three​ ​feet​ ​long​ ​and the​ ​head​ ​is​ ​the​ ​heaviest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​three.​ ​Axes​ ​are​ ​best​ ​for​ ​chopping​ ​large​ ​trees​ ​thanks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​leverage you​ ​gain​ ​from​ ​their​ ​longer​ ​handle​ ​and​ ​larger​ ​head.​ ​This​ ​gives​ ​them​ ​much​ ​more​ ​cutting​ ​power​ ​than​ ​a hatchet​ ​or​ ​tomahawk. Hatchet The​ ​handles​ ​of​ ​hatchets​ ​are​ ​usually​ ​10​ ​to​ ​13​ ​inches​ ​long​ ​with​ ​a​ ​head​ ​between​ ​1​ ​and​ ​2​ ​lbs.​ ​Hatchets are​ ​traditionally​ ​used​ ​for​ ​outdoor​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​camping.​ ​They​ ​have​ ​shorter​ ​handles​ ​and​ ​lighter heads​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​a​ ​normal​ ​axe,​ ​this​ ​means​ ​that​ ​they​ ​cannot​ ​chop​ ​as​ ​efficiently​ ​but​ ​they’re​ ​much easier​ ​to​ ​pack​ ​around​ ​than​ ​their​ ​larger​ ​cousins. Tomahawk The​ ​tomahawk​ ​is​ ​roughly​ ​the​ ​same​ ​size​ ​as​ ​a​ ​hatchet,​ ​but​ ​typically​ ​has​ ​the​ ​lightest​ ​head​ ​and​ ​smallest cutting​ ​edge​ ​of​ ​the​ ​three.​ ​Unlike​ ​the​ ​hatchet,​ ​the​ ​traditional​ ​tomahawk​ ​is​ ​designed​ ​primarily​ ​as​ ​a weapon​ ​and​ ​a​ ​tool​ ​second.​ ​The​ ​size​ ​and​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​the​ ​head​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​more​ ​suited​ ​to​ ​fighting​ ​than​ ​it does​ ​chopping.​ ​This​ ​doesn’t​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​tomahawks​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​used​ ​for​ ​cutting​ ​or​ ​chopping,​ ​it​ ​simply means​ ​that​ ​they​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​as​ ​efficient​ ​as​ ​most​ ​hatchets​ ​or​ ​axes.

What​ ​to​ ​Look​ ​for​ ​in​ ​a​ ​Survival​ ​Axe The​ ​Head Much​ ​of​ ​what​ ​makes​ ​each​ ​axe​ ​different​ ​is​ ​the​ ​head.​ ​The​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​the​ ​blade​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​determine what​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​is​ ​designed​ ​for​ ​and​ ​what​ ​tasks​ ​it​ ​is​ ​best​ ​suited​ ​for.

http://readylifestyle.com Axe​ ​heads​ ​with​ ​long​ ​flat​ ​heads​ ​and​ ​curved​ ​blades​ ​are​ ​made​ ​for​ ​cutting. Axes​ ​that​ ​have​ ​a​ ​flat​ ​blade​ ​are​ ​better​ ​at​ ​carving​ ​than​ ​those​ ​with​ ​a​ ​curved​ ​blade​ ​but​ ​they​ ​aren’t​ ​as good​ ​at​ ​chopping. An​ ​axe​ ​head​ ​that​ ​is​ ​shorter​ ​and​ ​thicker​ ​will​ ​split​ ​wood​ ​better​ ​than​ ​one​ ​that​ ​is​ ​long​ ​and​ ​flat,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​will have​ ​a​ ​harder​ ​time​ ​cutting​ ​than​ ​an​ ​axe​ ​that​ ​has​ ​a​ ​long​ ​thin​ ​head. I​ ​think​ ​that​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I​ ​would​ ​be​ ​best​ ​served​ ​by​ ​an​ ​axe​ ​or​ ​hatchet​ ​that​ ​has​ ​a​ ​curved​ ​cutting​ ​edge. They’re​ ​stronger​ ​than​ ​a​ ​blade​ ​with​ ​a​ ​flat​ ​cutting​ ​edge​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​chopping​ ​power​ ​produced. The​ ​Handle Axe​ ​handles​ ​these​ ​days​ ​are​ ​normally​ ​made​ ​of​ ​metal,​ ​wood​ ​or​ ​synthetic​ ​materials. Metal​ ​handled​ ​axes​ ​are​ ​obviously​ ​the​ ​strongest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​three.​ ​An​ ​axe​ ​with​ ​this​ ​type​ ​of​ ​handle​ ​is​ ​best suited​ ​for​ ​heavy​ ​work​ ​like​ ​demolition​ ​and​ ​rescue​ ​work.​ ​You​ ​won’t​ ​normally​ ​want​ ​a​ ​metal​ ​handled​ ​axe in​ ​a​ ​bug​ ​out​ ​bag,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​could​ ​see​ ​it​ ​being​ ​useful​ ​in​ ​an​ ​urban​ ​environment​ ​for​ ​use​ ​as​ ​a​ ​prybar. Wooden​ ​handles​ ​are​ ​very​ ​good​ ​all​ ​around​ ​and​ ​offer​ ​a​ ​good​ ​strength​ ​to​ ​weight​ ​ratio.​ ​When​ ​selecting a​ ​wooden​ ​handled​ ​axe​ ​you​ ​should​ ​try​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​the​ ​grain​ ​of​ ​the​ ​wood​ ​travels​ ​from​ ​the​ ​read of​ ​the​ ​handle​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front​ ​(parallel​ ​to​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​head).​ ​A​ ​handle​ ​with​ ​the​ ​grain​ ​going​ ​from​ ​left​ ​to​ ​right​ ​will not​ ​be​ ​as​ ​strong. Synthetic​ ​handles​ ​are​ ​popular​ ​in​ ​modern​ ​axes.​ ​They’re​ ​light​ ​and​ ​can​ ​be​ ​stronger​ ​than​ ​some​ ​wooden handles. In​ ​my​ ​opinion,​ ​wooden​ ​handles​ ​are​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​go​ ​since​ ​they​ ​can​ ​usually​ ​be​ ​replaced​ ​with​ ​relative ease​ ​if​ ​they​ ​happen​ ​to​ ​break. Overall​ ​Feel The​ ​overall​ ​feel​ ​of​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​should​ ​be​ ​good​ ​when​ ​it’s​ ​in​ ​hand.​ ​The​ ​weight​ ​should​ ​be​ ​centered​ ​just below​ ​the​ ​head​ ​of​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​to​ ​aid​ ​in​ ​chopping​ ​and​ ​carving.​ ​The​ ​handle​ ​should​ ​be​ ​comfortable​ ​and​ ​not feel​ ​slick.​ ​Ideally,​ ​there​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​swell​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​handle​ ​to​ ​help​ ​prevent​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​from accidentally​ ​slipping​ ​out​ ​of​ ​your​ ​hands. This​ ​really​ ​comes​ ​down​ ​to​ ​personal​ ​preference.​ ​You​ ​may​ ​prefer​ ​a​ ​rougher​ ​handle​ ​to​ ​prevent​ ​it​ ​from slipping,​ ​while​ ​others​ ​prefer​ ​a​ ​smoother​ ​handle​ ​that​ ​feels​ ​more​ ​comfortable​ ​to​ ​them.

The​ ​Different​ ​Uses​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Survival​ ​Axe A​ ​good​ ​axe​ ​will​ ​fill​ ​many​ ​roles​ ​in​ ​your​ ​survival​ ​kit. Chopping Chopping​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​obvious​ ​uses​ ​for​ ​an​ ​axe.​ ​You​ ​should​ ​try​ ​to​ ​strike​ ​the​ ​wood​ ​at​ ​a 45-degree​ ​angle​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​most​ ​effective​ ​in​ ​your​ ​cuts.​ ​A​ ​full​ ​sized​ ​axe​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​you​ ​to​ ​tackle​ ​larger

http://readylifestyle.com trees.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​hatchet​ ​or​ ​tomahawk​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​best​ ​served​ ​by​ ​going​ ​after​ ​smaller​ ​dead​ ​standing trees. Limbing​ ​is​ ​the​ ​act​ ​of​ ​removing​ ​the​ ​limbs​ ​from​ ​a​ ​fallen​ ​tree.​ ​Tomahawks​ ​and​ ​hatchets​ ​are​ ​great​ ​at limbing​ ​larger​ ​trees​ ​that​ ​have​ ​already​ ​fallen.​ ​Start​ ​at​ ​the​ ​base​ ​of​ ​tree​ ​working​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​top,​ ​striking the​ ​limbs​ ​parallel​ ​to​ ​the​ ​trunk. The​ ​US​ ​Forestry​ ​Service​ ​has​ ​a​ ​great​ ​guide​​ ​covering​ ​everything​ ​you​ ​could​ ​want​ ​to​ ​know​ ​about cutting​ ​with​ ​axes.

Splitting Axes​ ​with​ ​a​ ​short​ ​blade​ ​that​ ​are​ ​more​ ​wedge-like​ ​will​ ​split​ ​wood​ ​better​ ​than​ ​those​ ​that​ ​have​ ​a​ ​longer blade.​ ​Splitting​ ​will​ ​make​ ​getting​ ​a​ ​fire​ ​going​ ​much​ ​easier. Firemaking This​ ​video​ ​by​ ​IA​ ​Woodsman​ ​does​ ​a​ ​great​ ​job​ ​of​ ​demonstrating​ ​one​ ​way​ ​to​ ​process​ ​wood​ ​and​ ​get​ ​a fire​ ​going​ ​using​ ​a​ ​hatchet​ ​and​ ​ferrocerium​ ​rod.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​a​ ​ton​ ​of​ ​different​ ​methods​ ​for​ ​fire​ ​making out​ ​there​ ​but​ ​this​ ​video​ ​gives​ ​a​ ​great​ ​overview​ ​of​ ​the​ ​basic​ ​concept. Defense Any​ ​axe​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​capable​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​devastating​ ​wounds​ ​if​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​use​ ​it​ ​as​ ​a​ ​weapon.​ ​A firearm​ ​should​ ​be​ ​your​ ​primary​ ​means​ ​of​ ​defense​ ​unless​ ​you​ ​live​ ​in​ ​a​ ​country​ ​that​ ​doesn’t​ ​allow​ ​you to​ ​own​ ​one. If​ ​defense​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​roles​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​with​ ​your​ ​axe,​ ​then​ ​a​ ​tomahawk​ ​will​ ​slightly​ ​edge​ ​out other​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​axes. Prying Prying​ ​isn’t​ ​something​ ​that​ ​most​ ​survival​ ​axes​ ​are​ ​designed​ ​for,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​doesn’t​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​you​ ​may not​ ​want​ ​to​ ​use​ ​it​ ​as​ ​a​ ​prying​ ​device.​ ​For​ ​urban​ ​environments,​ ​this​ ​will​ ​probably​ ​be​ ​more​ ​of​ ​an advantage​ ​than​ ​in​ ​rural​ ​environments. Choosing​ ​an​ ​axe​ ​with​ ​a​ ​metal​ ​handle​ ​will​ ​make​ ​it​ ​so​ ​you’re​ ​less​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​damage​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​if​ ​prying​ ​is something​ ​you​ ​intend​ ​to​ ​use​ ​it​ ​for. If​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​use​ ​your​ ​axe​ ​as​ ​a​ ​rescue​ ​tool​ ​in​ ​case​ ​of​ ​an​ ​emergency,​ ​like​ ​a​ ​flood​,​ ​then​ ​prioritizing​ ​its prying​ ​abilities​ ​makes​ ​sense.

Choosing​ ​a​ ​Survival​ ​Axe​ ​That’s​ ​Right​ ​for​ ​You

http://readylifestyle.com Everything​ ​really​ ​comes​ ​down​ ​to​ ​selecting​ ​the​ ​axe​ ​that​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​work​ ​best​ ​for​ ​you​ ​in​ ​your​ ​particular situation.​ ​You​ ​have​ ​to​ ​weigh​ ​the​ ​pros​ ​and​ ​cons​ ​of​ ​each​ ​and​ ​decide​ ​what​ ​makes​ ​the​ ​most​ ​sense​ ​for you. Axe A​ ​full-size​ ​axe​ ​gives​ ​you​ ​the​ ​most​ ​chopping​ ​power​ ​that​ ​you’re​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​situation.​ ​If you​ ​plan​ ​on​ ​processing​ ​thick​ ​trees​ ​at​ ​some​ ​point​ ​then​ ​you​ ​may​ ​want​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​a​ ​full​ ​sized​ ​axe. In​ ​an​ ​urban​ ​environment,​ ​selecting​ ​a​ ​multi-use​ ​full-size​ ​axe​ ​could​ ​be​ ​a​ ​good​ ​idea.​ ​Having​ ​a​ ​large prybar​ ​and​ ​rescue​ ​tool​ ​as​ ​an​ ​integral​ ​part​ ​of​ ​your​ ​axe​ ​could​ ​actually​ ​save​ ​you​ ​some​ ​weight​ ​in​ ​the long​ ​run​ ​if​ ​you​ ​were​ ​thinking​ ​about​ ​added​ ​all​ ​of​ ​them​ ​to​ ​your​ ​bug​ ​out​ ​bag. A​ ​full-size​ ​axe​ ​has​ ​two​ ​distinct​ ​disadvantages​ ​when​ ​used​ ​in​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​situation.​ ​They​ ​weigh​ ​more and​ ​take​ ​up​ ​more​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​they’re​ ​not​ ​really​ ​suited​ ​to​ ​finer​ ​work​ ​that​ ​you​ ​would​ ​normally​ ​associate with​ ​fire​ ​building​ ​and​ ​carving​ ​tasks. Hatchet If​ ​you’re​ ​worried​ ​about​ ​size​ ​and​ ​weight,​ ​and​ ​you’re​ ​not​ ​planning​ ​on​ ​chopping​ ​down​ ​full-size​ ​trees, then​ ​the​ ​hatchet​ ​probably​ ​fits​ ​what​ ​you’re​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​in​ ​an​ ​axe. Hatchets​ ​are​ ​uniquely​ ​suited​ ​to​ ​chopping​ ​small​ ​dead​ ​standing​ ​trees,​ ​limbing​ ​trees​ ​and​ ​preparing​ ​a fire.​ ​They​ ​also​ ​make​ ​splitting​ ​wood​ ​much​ ​easier​ ​than​ ​if​ ​you​ ​were​ ​stuck​ ​batoning​ ​with​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​knife. The​ ​main​ ​disadvantage​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​cannot​ ​easily​ ​chop​ ​down​ ​large​ ​trees​ ​or​ ​process​ ​large​ ​logs​ ​for​ ​a fire. If​ ​you’re​ ​building​ ​a​ ​bug​ ​out​ ​bag​ ​for​ ​a​ ​wooded​ ​environment​ ​then​ ​I​ ​would​ ​strongly​ ​consider​ ​the​ ​hatchet as​ ​your​ ​axe​ ​of​ ​choice. Tomahawk The​ ​tomahawk​ ​has​ ​the​ ​same​ ​size​ ​and​ ​weight​ ​advantages​ ​that​ ​the​ ​hatchet​ ​possesses. Many​ ​tomahawks​ ​have​ ​straight​ ​cutting​ ​edges​ ​which​ ​allow​ ​them​ ​to​ ​carve​ ​easier​ ​than​ ​rounded​ ​blades. The​ ​traditional​ ​hammer​ ​or​ ​spiked​ ​end​ ​opposite​ ​of​ ​the​ ​blade​ ​makes​ ​them​ ​a​ ​fearsome​ ​weapon​ ​and sometimes​ ​give​ ​them​ ​added​ ​utility​ ​over​ ​an​ ​axe​ ​or​ ​hatchet. The​ ​disadvantages​ ​of​ ​the​ ​hatchet​ ​are​ ​magnified​ ​in​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​tomahawk​ ​blade​ ​designs. In​ ​my​ ​mind,​ ​a​ ​tomahawk​ ​really​ ​shines​ ​in​ ​an​ ​urban​ ​environment.​ ​The​ ​added​ ​utility​ ​of​ ​a​ ​spike​ ​for prying​ ​open​ ​doors​ ​or​ ​other​ ​objects​ ​immediately​ ​stands​ ​out​ ​to​ ​me.

Axe​ ​Maintenance Keeping​ ​your​ ​survival​ ​axe​ ​well​ ​maintained​ ​will​ ​make​ ​it​ ​last​ ​much​ ​longer.​ ​Make​ ​sure​ ​it’s​ ​dry​ ​and​ ​oiled before​ ​putting​ ​it​ ​away​ ​to​ ​prevent​ ​rusting​ ​and​ ​always​ ​keep​ ​your​ ​blade​ ​sharp​ ​if​ ​at​ ​all​ ​possible.​ ​In

http://readylifestyle.com survival​ ​situations,​ ​maintenance​ ​of​ ​tools​ ​may​ ​seem​ ​like​ ​an​ ​afterthought,​ ​but​ ​these​ ​tools​ ​may​ ​be​ ​all that​ ​are​ ​keeping​ ​you​ ​alive.​ ​Treat​ ​them​ ​accordingly. Schrade​ ​has​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​good​ ​video​​ ​showing​ ​how​ ​to​ ​use​ ​an​ ​axe​ ​stone​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​the​ ​cutting​ ​edge​ ​of​ ​the blade​ ​nice​ ​and​ ​sharp.

Conclusion Hatchets​ ​and​ ​tomahawks​ ​will​ ​probably​ ​provide​ ​you​ ​the​ ​most​ ​versatility​ ​in​ ​a​ ​survival​ ​situation.​ ​We prefer​ ​the​ ​Gransfors​ ​Bruks​ ​Wildlife​ ​Hatchet​,​ ​but​ ​in​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​your​ ​individual​ ​needs​ ​will​ ​drive​ ​the survival​ ​axe​ ​that​ ​you​ ​end​ ​up​ ​buying. If​ ​you’re​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​discovering​ ​40​ ​great​ ​prepping​ ​tips​,​ ​check​ ​out​ ​this​ ​article. Please​ ​leave​ ​a​ ​comment​ ​if​ ​you​ ​found​ ​this​ ​helpful​ ​and​ ​check​ ​out​ ​our​ ​other​ ​preparedness​​ ​articles.

Contact​ ​Us! Web​ ​Site:​ ​http://readylifestyle.com Twitter:​ ​https://twitter.com/ReadyLifestyle Google​ ​Site:​ ​https://sites.google.com/view/readylifestyle/home Pinterest:​ ​https://www.pinterest.com/readylifestyle/ Google​ ​+:​ ​https://plus.google.com/+ReadyLifestyle Tumblr:​ ​https://readylifesytle.tumblr.com/ Related​ ​Information: Best​ ​Bug​ ​Out​ ​Bag​ ​List Best​ ​SHTF​ ​Vehicle Bug​ ​In​ ​or​ ​Bug​ ​Out How​ ​to​ ​Survive​ ​a​ ​Nuclear​ ​Attack Prepare​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Flood Survival​ ​Axe SHTF​ ​and​ ​Prepping Emergency​ ​Food Survival​ ​Gear Survival​ ​Guide Emergency​ ​Supplies Prepper​ ​Supplies Emergency​ ​Kit Survival​ ​Tools Doomsday​ ​Preppers Survival​ ​Backpack

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Survival Backpack Axe.pdf

Axe handles these days are normally made of metal, wood or synthetic materials. Metal handled axes are obviously the strongest of the three. An axe with this type of handle is best. suited for heavy work like demolition and rescue work. You won't normally want a metal handled axe. in a bug out bag, but I could see it being ...

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