From: deowll@gmail.com   
      
   "Good Soldier Schweik"  wrote in message   
   news:njpgd5l5q94a9p9bpj9rg6br3ju8b3ae40@4ax.com...   
   > 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)   
      
   I was afraid of that very logical response.   
      
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