Estwing won me over when I was a truss builder. No questions asked warranty came in handy when hammers were turned into horseshoes by the press table. Aside from all that mechanical pressure you can't hurt an Estwing without trying awful hard to intentionally damage one.
I think I see the issue: Are we talking about a tool used for camping / surviving in the woods or a weapon. While duel purposes are nice, a best tool for one purpose is not necessarily a best tool for the other one. Personally I would be heading toward a cache to obtain a better weapon were I suspecting a fight vs just camping out. I do not consider my edged tools to be weapons. I do own several knives that could be pressed into service for emergency defense, but I make it a habit to carry a handgun of some type with me at all times, and usually also carry my ruger GSR in .308 everywhere I woods loaf. Combat without a firearm, give me a quarterstaff / walking stick about 6 feet long if I lack a firearm while I work my way to a replacement. for sentry removal and such that is a horse of a different color also. To be honest I prefer the stay hidden philosophy, Fighting a war without a military logistical train supporting you is a loosing proposition for a survivalist. Militia is also a horse of a different color and not something that fits with this thread i believe.
Our ancestors who carried a firearm, knife and hatchet would be prone to disagree. I live adjoining game lands, parks and I enjoy nature so I go hiking. Typically, I carry a firearm, knife, kukuri/long handle hatchet, and a walking stick. Also an 88 pound blue Pitt. To me, defense is similar to the layers of an onion. I prep for Mother Nature's educational experiences. Others prep for a much longer duration. Those who are preparing for a loss of civil obedience need to plan for their onion also. True, OTOH for hundreds of years the very best whack and dismember weapons were based on agricultural implements. Unless you have distance; very few can pull a firearm before getting stabbed. From 21' you get about 1.5 seconds. See Tueller Drill Tueller Drill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Because it adds to the chance being discovered?
Axe or Blade? Which is "best?" What an unusual question? Are you planning to carve a turkey or cut down a large tree? Can I ask a question? Would you prefer a finger-nail file or a lawn mower? How about a pickle...or a goldfish? I probably should not share a social pipe with Thursday...
If you've been asked to cut down the mightiest tree in the forest I suggest going with a herring. Methinks the goldfish ain't going to cut it.
The Cold Steel Spetsnaz shovel is much more practical and durable and you can do everything with it too, from cutting down a tree to throwing at an adversary, then cleaning him,chopping him up, pan frying him on it, and burying the rest.
I want one... either a cold steel or Chinese shovel. I guess it will probably be the CS because I'm not giving my CC information to anyone Chinese. Is that one ^ better than this one: Chinese shovel-who needs swiss army knife - YouTube
go to wally world and get a disposable credit card... and use that... limited value (what ever yuo put on it) and no personal information on the card....
The problem that most are having with the folding maddock function is that the hinge is the weak point and often breaks or gets fouled by corrosion and dirt and becomes less functional. That is why I prefer the non=folding type.
I will take both thanks. Just like I want my rifle and my pistol. One will work but the other is typically much better than the other for big jobs. Two is one and one is none.
I want both... more for the cool "swiss army" factor. Also because I like anything folding. Folding shotguns, rifle, shovels, knives.... folding stuff tickles me.
A nice Gransfor Bruks Hatchet and a simple knife of your choosing would do everything. I choose to take my axe when I may need to chop and or hammer, other than that I usually grab my opinel #7 stainless neck knife, my Bahco Laplander, and my Mora Companion carbon steel or Kellam Puukko. With that set up there's almost nothing I cant accomplish!
Plenty of those to be found on Ebay,that you use Paypal to make the purchase. They can also be found marked up@the flea markets,pawn shops,A/N surplus,gun shops,Cabelas/GanderMt/BassPro,and even a few truck stops($19.99@Dade Corners Pilot T/C in SW Miami for one). Matt
I personally believe in using the propper tool to fit the terrain your likely to encounter in your area.What might work well in in one persons area might not work worth a f#@k in anothers. One tool that I've not heard mentioned is a hawk billed brush axe: Though a little large it's the only tool I know of that fits the bill as a full multi purpose bush blade. I preffer mine with about half the handle cut off, cord wrapped,and a sharpened edge on both sides of the blade.It also doubles as one hell of a devastating edged weapon. Matt
Ok, I think my choice has been made. I took my 4 little ones camping last weekend where the wolves and hungry bears live and took the following compliment with me..for fun, and for protection. When it came time to pile the wood by the fire pit I dug with my folding shovel (which I love!), I tried my zombie chopper (18x2x.25" 154cm steel wrapped with paracord) which worked great for lopping branches. But when the big logs were in need of cutting, the new gerber axe was the tool. For poking holes in trees or a bear in the night, the 12 gauge. For the rowdy drunks a mile down the road camping, the AR or glock. Great thread and ideas, mostly. Thanks folks.