From: decypher.signature@sig.line   
      
   On Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:54:04 -0500, "deowll"  wrote:   
      
   >We had a discussion some time back about what to use to cut up dead wood on   
   >a camping trip. I started off suggest a hawk or hatchet. People seemed to   
   >get turned off by the very idea of an ax of any size for fear of hurting   
   >themselves which may be valid. I think they went with a fold up saw which is   
   >great for cutting across but kind of limited for splitting.   
   >   
   >Has anyone played around  with the short machetes from cold steel and   
   >others? Cold steel makes an 18 inch and a 12 inch blade.   
   >   
   >Ontario makes a nice one though the handle on it is not as comfortable as   
   >the one on the regular machete. Why they changed the shape I don't know.  I   
   >certainly don't consider it to be an improvement.   
      
   It seems to me that the solution is to learn how to use an axe, or   
   hatchet, as it is far superior for cutting firewood. Frankly, unless   
   you are talking about cutting small limbs, or something similar, you   
   will expend substantially more energy cutting and splitting firewood   
   with a 12 - 18 inch machete then with an axe.   
      
   And, if you are spending more then a few hours in the woods carrying   
   an axe is no problem. Just lash it to your pack or stuff it in the   
   pack basket. On the other hand, if you are just out for a day a pocket   
   knife will suffice, something to whittle some shavings to start the   
   fire you use to boil the coffee and toast your sandwiches.   
      
   cheers,   
      
   Schweik   
   (goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)   
      
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