Bill,

Becker BK2 not for rough use or splitting wood?? Man, you should see on the beckerforum what kind of abuse these knives take and then ask for more....
(check this out! Putting the BK2 to the test, so you don't have to...)
A quarter inch thick piece of 1095CrVan steel should take a lot of abuse really well, I reckon..

And my Gränfors axe is a preferred axe of many bushcrafters, including Ray Mears...

I think you are underestimating the BK2. (I did do some research before I bought it)

Good tip on the 914 transmissioncap!


Jim,

My axe is a 420 small forest axe. (cost me about 75 euro/55usd)
already following MCQ, he makes good videos.
I'm still looking for a good machete, preferably a Kabar becker BK6. (Hard to find)

Not sure why you would need these tools for a weekend campout in Belgium. The forests in the areas that I have visited there had little need for either s machete or axe...unless you plan on building a more permanent shelter.

Not buying these things for only one weekend, I plan to do more trips, not limited to belgium

My idea of roughing it is a hotel room without a hot tub.

Used to do camping via horseback. Above looks a lot like the Hudson Bay Ax that we used to like so much.

The booshcraft thread
 

I don't bushcraft. I figured it's just the UK version of learning survival skills?

The 420 is the small forest axe right? I have one. It blows doors on any mass produced Estwing.
I wiped the handle down with a homemade beeswax and mineral oil paste. Darkened it. Blood rinsed off easy. The axe barely dulls. I picked up a Wetterlings small hatchet as well. Fits in my hunt pack better.

My next knife will be custom scandi.

Not knocking the BK2, it is a great knife. Think of the Cheaper than dirt rough use knife as a sacrificial anode.

I always stay at hotels with WIFI.
I presume bushcraft would be an hotel with no internet or no hi-def TV?
Yuck.

Next you are going to say something horrible like no central heat or air conditioning. The horrors!

What about itchy low thread count sheets?

I went hiking this weekend with just my leatherman and a CRKT folding knife.... Didn't even need the leatherman!

Seriously, all these big blades are not required to enjoy wilderness, and anything you do with that hatchet is going to alter the wilderness in some way, which is a big no-no for good leave no trace camping practices.

I merged the threads - evidently the parf algorithms thought this was a political post.

Oh the the huge manatee!

Or no refrigerator in the room!

From what i've read, a knife and an axe are essential tools.
We're just a group of guys camping in the woods, we're not loggers so no trees will be harmed....;)
To split logs for a campfire a leatherman isn't going to make it...

I get your point but a bk2 doesn't require pampering.
And it is not too expensive to replace if needed

My BK2 has cleared US customs and is on its way! Big thanks to SloDave!!!!
(now it just needs to pass Belgian customs... :rolleyes:)

kabar awesomness!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412664133.jpg

In most of the western US campfires are a no go, and have been for a while due to drought conditions! ;). But I've built a lot of campfires in my day, and if you do it right you don't need to split no stinking wood. ;)

Do what you want G, but you don't need to spend tons do money on fancy blades to survive in the woods. That's one of my pet peeves right now, all these "survival" shows showing these idiots going out and hacking everything in sight making people think that is acceptable, and that everyone needs to know how to do all of that. Better bet is to poney up for a nice pack(if hiking) and a good tent and sleeping bag. Those items will make your life less miserable, and a good tent and sleeping bag will save your life in the colder months.

I didn't spend tons of money, Sid.
55 bucks on an axe and 80 or so on the BK2.

People don't need spoons to survive either, still you 'mericans can't get enough of them...SmileWavy

The chainsaw often comes out for weekend trips. The ironbark and mulga take too long to cut with an axe (then the beer gets warm).

it's an "interest" or hobby. i know a fool that loves learning about knots. he memorizes them, and can whip up some crazy ass ****. i bet i can get 99% of my loads tied down with a couple of square knots...some guys just have interest.

bushcrafting. (call it survival skills, whatever) is anything from learning how to keep a tool sharp, and using it..starting fires.. nobody advocates chopping down trees and stuff..more about how not to put a short axe into your thigh. some stuff i dont understand..like making those feather sticks...sure,whatever.

but watching a few videos, have been pretty fun. i've passed on a few axe tips that have saved a few injuries with my knucklehead friends. i have a friend on 200 acres up north..he wants to let me drop a tree "old school" axe work. he says he does it everyonce in a while and it is a rush..nerve racking. i'm not so sure of this..this guys mantra is "safety third".

but OP..you stole that axe. that small forest axe is $150 here, if you can even get it.

oh..i am digging my MORA knife. i'd put it up against any better blade. it is truly my most sharp knife. it is like a scalpel. it would shave my leg hairs. i cut a rib cage out of a deer with it. just pushed it thru the soft part where they connect. zip zip zip. it stayed sharp the entire beast. i brought it home, and put the edge back and beyond factory. the scandi grind is really the best grind to get sharp for the knife sharpening challenged. (me)

i love it so much, i havent pulled the trigger on a custom scandi grind knife. there are some amazing ones out there. LOVE THE SCANDI!