One of the items I seem to have neglected to include on my necessary equipment list in the By Ourselves, For Ourselves series was something large and with a sharp edge.
I’m talking about axes.
I was reminded of this reading one of Steve H’s post over at Hog On Ice.
While an excellent weapon, they are also one of the best utility tools ever invented. They come in many designs and configurations and even colors, for those who are picky about things like that.
But just like anything else, you get what you pay for when it comes to axes. Don’t be a cheapskate.
My favorite is the Pulaski, used by forest firefighters around the globe. Double edged and can do anything just about anything you want it to.
But you can never go wrong with a good carpenter’s axe or forest axe.
Another good tool to have around is a stout wrecking bar. I have one of those guys’ 25 inch bars and I trust it to work on anything. If I had one of their 36 inch bars and a maul, I don’t think that there is a damn thing on this planet I couldn’t tear down short of the great pyramids (but I’d give that one hell of a shot too).
If money hadn’t been so short around the time of Boomershoot 2005, the son and heir du Toit would have probably gone home with one of these because I love mine so much and every boy needs a good throwing axe.
Well, take a look around these sites and maybe some others. There a number of good small companies that make some excellent equipment out there. If you do decide to snatch up one of these tools don’t forget to grab yourself a couple good hatchets as well.
Stay sharp.
The hatchet makes an excellent close-in weapon. It has great terror potential, like a 12-guage, it appears much more fierce than it is.
My weapon of choice to defend the cab of my truck is not my pistol, it is a hatchet carried in the door pocket.
With the hand axe, I can put a vehicle invader’s arm out of action with one short stroke, and in a fighting stance, can subdivide a cranium with a slightly more forceful stroke.
If I wish to deliver a less-lethal blow, I merely have to turn the edge of the hatchet away and strike with the flat of the blade.
Yep, give me a hatchet over a fighting knife any day.
Woohoo! The sign-in thingy finally works for me! I cleared out my temporary internet files, and I guess that solved the problem.
I have a Fiskars axe with a plastic handle. They make the best scissors, so I thought what the heck. The handle is very light but strong and makes the ax very easy to handle. It just makes me want to go out and chop up a tree.