An Axe - Seriously?

[BIGdaddy]

Rakes are really sweet for preparing the ground before you lay your tent down. (not RTTs!)

excellent! Didn't even think of that.

We have one of those rakes with the ability to adjust the width or "splay" of the metal tines.

Very, very useful around our property to rake all sorts of different materials.

I'm thinking it's going to come out with us next time..haha!

 

[mogwildRW1]

I have one of these!!! While reading this thread I was trying to think of what sort of mounts it would take to conspicuously carry it on my roof rack or trailer! :victory:

Mount er right across the front or side, good for zombies as well :Wow1:

 

[teotwaki]

Let's see:

Overland Trailer Checklist

Chainsaw CHECK!
Rake CHECK!
2-Man Saw CHECK!
Axe CHECK!
Hatchet CHECK!
Shovel CHECK!

City Gardener's License Check!

 

[shovelbill]

Let's see:

Overland Trailer Checklist

Chainsaw CHECK!
Rake CHECK!
2-Man Saw CHECK!
Axe CHECK!
Hatchet CHECK!
Shovel CHECK!

City Gardener's License Check!

that's just plain funny.

 

[Corey]

Anyone who has seen how much crap I can cram in my FJ Cruiser for a trip knows that I can haul all of that without the trailer

Actually I have cut way back on gear, some of it was repetitive with a mix of old/new, I am going a lot lighter this year.

 

[htek]

Just as I expected, I started a poo-storm with my comment.

With a few exceptions, everyone seems to favor an Axe... but I'm not convinced yet.

Everyone's primary argument seems to be they are the best tool (excluding a Chainsaw) for doing firewood collection. Second would be for clearing trail obstructions. Third would be that they double as a hammer. Fourth would be for dispatching Zombies.

As for firewood, I think I addressed that on page 1... For me and where I frequently travel, I don't spend much time collecting/splitting large amounts of wood in camp. I don't even think I have ever broke out the hatchet here. For clearing trail obstructions; yes an axe is slightly more versatile than a bow saw. As a hammer, I can't use it to pound out the TRE on my pitman arm (or other tight location) so I carry a hammer anyway. While handy, I don't think this eliminates the need for a hammer in the toolkit. As for Zombies, I can honestly say this is where I would use my axe the most.

To be honest, I came into this question thinking that most everyone who carried an axe did it for the "look at me" factor. I think my position has changed slightly... I'm not going to go out and buy and axe and strap it to my truck this weekend. But if I found one on sale - i might be inclined to buy it for those cases where I would expect to do a bit of firewood collection (and for the Zombies of course).

I guess in the end, I am still not seeing an axe as mandatory overland kit. Whereas a shovel, jack (hi-lift or otherwise), spare tire, plug kit, air compressor, etc, etc, certainly are farther up on my list.

-JM

 

[thedjjack]

The back side of the axe = BFH

Now a BFH (BIG F^%ing Hammer) is important for finding electrical work:

"if you cannot fix it with a hammer it must be an electrical problem"


Therefore an axe is an important electrical diagnostic tool.

 

[teotwaki]

--->SNIP<----
I guess in the end, I am still not seeing an axe as mandatory overland kit. Whereas a shovel, jack (hi-lift or otherwise), spare tire, plug kit, air compressor, etc, etc, certainly are farther up on my list.

-JM

So I have a really nice tire plug kit and in 6 years have used it twice. I could have just swapped in the spare tire at either incident. So should I dump the tire plug kit to make room for the saw? :ylsmoke:

 

[jcbrandon]

...I guess in the end, I am still not seeing an axe as mandatory overland kit. Whereas a shovel, jack (hi-lift or otherwise), spare tire, plug kit, air compressor, etc, etc, certainly are farther up on my list...

This is a wise perspective. Truthfully, nothing is a mandatory bit of kit. Everything you decide to take involves some compromises, and comes with some sort of cost or penalty. Your individual experiences will help you decide what to carry and what to leave at home. Or better yet, at the store. And as your needs change, so will your kit. Figuring it all out is a fun and useful way to fill the time in between trips. It's not about the equipment; it's about the experience.

 

[TwinCruiser]

Hi all...

I like to be prepared for all eventualities. I do most of my wheeling/camping by myself or with my twins. Granted, the axe and shovel has not seen much use but I carry them anyway...for all the reasons already mentioned.

I also have on board a Gerber camp axe, a bow saw and a machete.

For zombies, in this pic I'm carrying my faithful Glock 19...with two 15 round magazines in the "mag" pocket of my "uber taticool" pants....I live in South FL...lots of "zombies" here.

FL is a gun friendly state and concealed carry is allowed in Federal and State parks...as long as you have your CCW license, that is. Open carry is not allowed except during hunting season.

This pic was taken in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, abutting Everglades National Park (can't wheel in the National Park). We were on our way to do some primitive camping.

You can see the axe head protruding under the shovel.

No super-cool ARB axe/shovel mount for me...I used 2 stainless U-Bolts with wing nuts. Total cost: $8.

BTW, pic was taken Jan. of this year...It was a super cold 68 degrees!

 

[YukonRob]

What did you rake in baja? leaves? pine needles?

In this instance it was cobbles mostly - they seemed to have an annoying habit of growing wherever people want to place their mats down for the night. Also used it to clear some chollia(sp? nasty alien cactus from space). Mine is a run of the mill bow rake. Awkward to pack, but useful.

 

[craig333]

Am I the only one who carries a Mcleod? Much more useful for firefighting and does double duty as a rake too.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

So I have a really nice tire plug kit and in 6 years have used it twice. I could have just swapped in the spare tire at either incident. So should I dump the tire plug kit to make room for the saw? :ylsmoke:

And on the other hand on a recent trip the tire plug kits got used more than our sleeping bags My point being everyone has different needs and experiences and blanket 'checklists' are often counter-productive particularly when the list turns into a 'what not to pack'. Pack what you need, not what you read on a forum :sombrero:

 

[alexrex20]

What if the tree is between you and home? It's like the argument against snorkels "I just don't drive through rivers." Then you get out there, a storm comes in, flash flood, now there's a river where you crossed a dry bed on the way in.

I can clearly see that this tree is blocking your route. There is absolutely no way around it. Or were you just showing off?

 

[alexrex20]

No & Yes. My comment was not aimed to demean Texas, its people nor its terrain... just aimed at you and your "LOL" at people that consider a chainsaw regular equipment for a camping trip. Different regions will dictate different needs.

Truth is I would love to see more of Texas and have some good friends there that keep inviting me down with the caveat 'its not Utah' . Too much to see, too little time to see it.

I didn't mean to imply that you should never carry a chainsaw. I actually bring my chainsaw when space allows; when it's more convenient that bringing a load of firewood. But for it be an absolute necessity (for some people) is just a bit funny to me... Even if I lived in a boreal forest.

Next thing you know, people will be keeping parkas in their Roadside Emergency Kit just in case the planet throws a curve ball and there's a blizzard in southern Louisiana. Hey, just in case!