im wanting to buy 1 fixed blade knife ,i axe .what would yall recamend? id want to be able to count on them when needed .last a LIFE TIME ?
talk to our local blademan. Valk. His blades are possibly the prettiest and most durable hunks of metal I have ever used. As for an axe I would go ask the local ranger post what they use for axes. up here I would ask a bush Fire fighter. depends on if the axe is gonna be for hiking or long term use.
I use an ax for serious cutting, although I do have a small trail/camp ax that stays with my truck. I prefer a double-bit with a hickory handle because I am somewhat of a traditionalist and the one I have, I don't have a clue who made it (it used to belong to my grandfather) but I still use it and my son will use it when I die. One knife? Don made me a pair of beautiful little skinners that are really handy but I think something with a bit more blade would serve general purposes better; I carry a Benchmade nimvarius most of the time.
One of my favorites is a Bush Camp knife from Knives of Alaska (6", D2 steel). I gave that one to my first son-in-law, and now I just use a Buck Vanguard for general purpose. http://knivesofalaska.com/catalog/prod_display.aspx?from=Fixed%20Blade%20Knives&cat=Bush%20Camp My favorite hatchet is an all stainless steel Estwing http://estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1600 My favorite full size axe is the double bit (USA made) axes I used in the US Forest Service. They sharpened well and kept an edge. You can easily chop down a 2-3 ft. diameter tree with one of these well sharpened axes. We just used a flat file in the field to keep them sharp. My favorite used to be sold by National Fire equipment but their web page no longer shows it. Here might be a similar one, but usually a premium quality US made axe with US hickory handle will be $60 or more. Don't waste money on the cheap-ass Chinese made axes at Home Depot or Lowes. Horrible steel and blade geometry. http://www.cascadefire.com/fire-axes-cutters-michigan-double-bit-axe-c-17_66_300.html
I'm having another group buy on Fighters so you might consider those and read what monkeyman has put his through. $235 gets you a 154CM knife, black Kydex w/Tek-lok and you'll be set!
A Martindale from their extensive lineup... (I know its a machete but if I could only have one tool... that's my choice... the price is right to have several in the trunks, go bags etcs) check here http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/martindale_machetes.html A Gransfor Bruks... last one you'll buy.... unless you lose it :0) http://www.gransfors.us/axes.html
