Axes and shovels

[the x kid]

For your backwoods expeditions what size shovel are you guy's carrying. Length,etc.. Also saw a double sided axe today,is that a good thing or just use a regular one so you could use the flat part for pounding things? Zombie's,etc.

[Nismojunky]

chainsaw is much better and faster then a axe

[the x kid]

Yes but,if it stopped working,then uh oh,no axe.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I've got just a small shovel from Princess auto, hangs from my shelf, but really, I don't think you need anything fancy for a shovel, I just got one with the pointed tip. We used just a regular bowsaw in the field last weekend, it's not quick, but definitely did the job. I'd like a chainsaw, but they're not really portable, and I wouldn't want have gas fumes in the cabin, but what I might go is (eventually) add to my Dewalt collection and get their cordless reciprocating saw, should be a decent compromise; best of both worlds

[the x kid]

Cordless reciprocating saw..genius,unless it,s a 1ft. plus tree down.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Not really, as long as the tree is no thicker in radius than the length of the blade, you just start from the other side, lol. A bowsaw would encounter the same problem.

There's a point too, you cut the tree, or you do the v-pattern like with an axe to get deeper in the tree. Still, it's not as good as a chainsaw, but it's definitely better than a manual saw, and portable.

[Snafu]

If you have to cut a tree down then you are on the wrong path...lol

For carrying around I have an axe and a bow saw. Deal with most stuff you may encounter. Even Jas sectioned a fallen tree with an axe.

I think a double headed axe is just asking for trouble.

As for shovels I love my little foldable army knock off. Works great. In the winter though I prefer a larger plastic shovel to move snow if you get jammed up. They are light an easily move snow out from underneath.

[X-Treme]

For a shovel, a garden spade with a D-handle is the perfect compromise between size and capability. It's small enough to easily carry but large enough to do just about anything you need to do out on the trail or at the camp site.


As for axes, I would recommend just a small hand axe for use around the camp fire.


To do any other kind of cutting I would get a bow saw. Great for cutting wood for the fire or cutting downed trees laying across the trail.


If you have the room a chainsaw is even better but in addition to carrying the saw you also need to carry fuel and chain oil as well.

[Snafu]

^^and a major first aid kit (just in case)

[Bow_Tied]

Ron may have been joking, but really that is the first thing to pack. I carry a little FA kit all the time, but I really should augment it with some better provisions.

[the x kid]

^^and a major first aid kit (just in case)

Thats a good one.

[Scotto]

Axes I find are useless. When I first started camping some 35 years ago, we all had little axes. Somewhere along the line I decided to take a saw. Lighter. Faster. And will work on anything you come across. The axe is heavy and good for nothing but showing off. Take a saw. (Really - axes are for splitting wood if you have a wood-burning stove, not for fixing a problem on the trail.) Chainsaws are fine, if you have the chain on in the correct direction...

For a shovel - take one with a slight taper to the edge. Like the one you use to sharpen the edge of your garden. The lighter the better. And sharpen the edge with a grinder.

[ironman]

nothing wrong with chain saws I plan to make my tire carrier with room for the extra gas and saw for when it's still hot. The point of having the chain saw is so you can get out of the situation if weather is bad and or wind is up enough to blow down bad trees you dont want to spend too much time in a bad spot.

[Nismojunky]

or one of these folding up saws (because everyone forgot a saw that day). look in my mouth



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[Pezzy]

I was amazed how well that fold up saw worked, it's a Gerber, I picked up @ LeBaron.

[Snafu]

It was sort of in jest but in all seriousness if you bring a chainsaw you should bring more than just the regular first aid kit. If you are out in the bush you are far from any help aside from your buddies. I bet Patrick has seen or knows stories.

[Fyrtowr]

Pfft... rookies!

I used to use an axe but I bought a chainsaw. I sold my previous axe to this guy. He was a nice guy and I snapped this picture as he was walking away.



This is the chainsaw that replaced that axe I had shown above. It is pretty handy. It stores on the bumper on a hinge bracket and I just swing it over the top of the Xterra, put on my safety goggles, start it up and drive towards the obstructing tree.



We thought long and hard about it and just recently sold that chainsaw for something more portable. Seeing that It only worked on our vehicle and if there were several people we were wheeling with on a tight trail, what good would it be if we were stuck in the middle of the pack? With that said we then purchased this chainsaw which is much more portable.

Yes but,if it stopped working,then uh oh,no axe.

Then I would just back up. BUT! What if a tree fell in front of our Xterra AND behind our Xterra!?!? Well, firstly, I would take that as being an act of God and he is telling me something. LOL! Secondly, I'd pull out this bad boy! We don't use it all that often though and we might be selling it as well.



This is the shovel I use. I slightly modified it to be able to mount to our Xterra.



WINTERTIME:

Now for some winter wheeling adventures - which only happens when the ground is frozen solid thereby reducing our footprint on the trails - we USED to have this mounted onto the front of our Xterra. I picked it up at a sale at CN Rail. I keep it about 6" up off the trail so I don't slice any tree roots. You may be asking yourselves "But how can he see where he is going!?!?" I have a camera with an indash screen so I can see what is in front of me.



Sadly though, that snow blower was a HUGE strain on the engine so we sold it and purchased this.

[dududuckling]

Good one, Jon, hahahhaa

[Snafu]

I would love to see that creeper/crawler thing in action! A crew is out in the hydro field clearing it for another set of towers. They don't have one of those but the equipment they do have is making the work go fairly quickly.

[SkinnyPedal]

Uh, cool. A good start at least!