Nowadays folks like to leave the ax at home and use their knife to split
wood by batoning. I frown on this practice as I believe it places your
knife at risk. One misstep could break the blade. I'd like to share
this with you that I learned many moons ago:
Page 151, chapter 8, "Complete Book of Camping," by Leonard Miracle with Maurice Decker. (Outdoor Life, 1961)
"If you were all alone in the woods with only one tool, what tool would
you select?To this question the wise woodsman would answer an ax-for the
ax is the basic wilderness tool.
"With only an ax a skillful woodsman can build a sturdy shelter--a
permanent cabin if need be. The steel head of the ax will spark a flint
to light a fire. An ax will cut materials to build traps for fish and
game. A man with an ax can build a raft, a dugout, or a canoe. The
cutting edge of an ax can be used to butcher a moose that weighs half a
ton or to clean a one pound fish.
"An ax is a formidable weapon in itself, and it will shape the materials needed for a spear or a bow and arrows. A rifle
is just an elaborate club when a vital spring breaks or it's cartridges
are gone. Although ax handles break, the steel head can be used to cut
and shape a new handle, and the head will last indefinitely.
"Although modern campers head for the fringes of civilization to have
fun, not to struggle for survival, the ax is still a vital camping tool.
In choosing an ax for your particular camping needs, you will be
fairly well guided by this rule: The wilder the country and the longer
your trip, the bigger your ax should be."
From me ... A huge thank you from Sarge 47 ( not here - another blog ) for finding this treasure from the past... its telling. What do you think?
wood by batoning. I frown on this practice as I believe it places your
knife at risk. One misstep could break the blade. I'd like to share
this with you that I learned many moons ago:
Page 151, chapter 8, "Complete Book of Camping," by Leonard Miracle with Maurice Decker. (Outdoor Life, 1961)
"If you were all alone in the woods with only one tool, what tool would
you select?To this question the wise woodsman would answer an ax-for the
ax is the basic wilderness tool.
"With only an ax a skillful woodsman can build a sturdy shelter--a
permanent cabin if need be. The steel head of the ax will spark a flint
to light a fire. An ax will cut materials to build traps for fish and
game. A man with an ax can build a raft, a dugout, or a canoe. The
cutting edge of an ax can be used to butcher a moose that weighs half a
ton or to clean a one pound fish.
"An ax is a formidable weapon in itself, and it will shape the materials needed for a spear or a bow and arrows. A rifle
is just an elaborate club when a vital spring breaks or it's cartridges
are gone. Although ax handles break, the steel head can be used to cut
and shape a new handle, and the head will last indefinitely.
"Although modern campers head for the fringes of civilization to have
fun, not to struggle for survival, the ax is still a vital camping tool.
In choosing an ax for your particular camping needs, you will be
fairly well guided by this rule: The wilder the country and the longer
your trip, the bigger your ax should be."
From me ... A huge thank you from Sarge 47 ( not here - another blog ) for finding this treasure from the past... its telling. What do you think?
Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you!