If you spend any amount of time in the outdoors, you know that there are certain tools you must carry with you at all times. One of the most important tools you can have in your pack is something with a sharp blade. Some people swear by a survival hatchet, while others say a good knife is best.
So, which is the best choice, especially if you are only able to carry one of these tools with you?
Today we are going to take a look at the various reasons why you would need a survival hatchet vs knife, and which tool is best for each purpose. This should help you to be able to make the right decision about which tool you should always have with you when you are in the wilderness.
Necessary Qualities
First, let’s talk about the qualities that a knife or a survival hatchet should have. Obviously, durability is important, so no matter which one you choose, make sure it is made of quality materials that will hold up to the jobs the tool is intended for.
It might be a bit more expensive to get a quality tool, but it will be well worth it in the long run. Other qualities to look for include:
- Sharpening – If you are going to be using a knife or a hatchet, you are going to need to sharpen it many times throughout its life. No matter how good a blade is, it will need to be sharpened after being used a lot. A good quality knife or hatchet can be sharpened to a fine edge over and over again. This can’t be said for lesser-quality products.
- Versatility – Whichever tool you choose, it needs to be versatile, meaning that it can do many jobs. There are many knives and hatchets that are made for specific purposes. While these are great for those purposes, it is best to choose a tool that is designed to handle many different tasks.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Survival Hatchets and Knives
Now we are going to look at the various situations that require a sharp blade, and which type of tool is best for each situation.
Chopping Wood
Even if you don’t plan on camping out overnight, there could be times when you are going to need to build a fire and/or a shelter. In order to do this, you will need a tool that can be used to chop wood, cut tree limbs, etc.
Both a hatchet and a knife can be used for this purpose, but a hatchet is obviously the better choice in this case. This is because the blade is larger and heavier, so it cuts wood better, and the handle gives you more leverage than a knife handle.
A hatchet will make chopping wood relatively easy, but a knife won’t cut through large tree limbs, and it can’t be used to easily split wood.
Starting a Fire
If you are an experienced hiker or camper, it is pretty likely that you carry some sort of fire starter with you, such as a magnesium rod. In order to start a fire, you will need to make shavings from the fire starter tools. Yes, you can use a hatchet for this, but a knife would make the work much easier to accomplish.
A knife is also to use for striking a fire starter, because it is lightweight and you can make repeated movements quickly. This can be much more difficult with a hatchet, and it is more dangerous.
Carving
It is unlikely that you will be carving figurines while out in the wilderness, but this doesn’t mean that you don’t need a good knife for carving. For instance, if you are creating your own bow and spindle, you need to be able to carve a notch into the bow.
If you are creating a shelter, you may need to carve joints in the wood you are using. In either case, a knife is the best tool for the job. It is easier to wield, and you can hold the knife close to the blade in order to work with the fine edge of the knife.
Skinning Game
In a survival situation, you will need to hunt for your food. Once you catch and kill an animal, it needs to be skinned and dressed before it can be consumed. Both tools have their advantages and disadvantages in this type of situation.
For instance, if you are quartering large game, such as deer or moose, a hatchet is going to make the job a whole lot faster and easier than it would be with a knife. Then again, a Bowie knife can be more precise, and move easier through tendons.
Skinning is much easier with a knife than with a hatchet, because it is a smaller tool that allows for greater precision. You can use a hatchet for this purpose, but you will need to continuously sharpen the blade in order for it to be razor shop throughout the entire skinning process. For smaller game such as rabbit, fish, and fowl, a knife is the better option.
Self-Defense
One of the most important things to think about when out in the wilderness, or any type of survival situation, is self-defense. You need a weapon that you can use while being able to stay out of reach of whatever you are fighting off. In this case, a hatchet is the best option.
While it may not be as sharp as a knife, it does offer a longer reach, which will give you an advantage over your opponent. A hatchet can be thrown (this will require practice in order to ensure that the blade hits its intended target), and it can even be used as a hook.
So, if you are in a situation where you are defending yourself against a person with a weapon, the hatchet could hook onto that weapon and pull it out of their hands.
Hammering
If you are setting up a tent, you need to hammer the stakes into the ground. This will not be easily accomplished using a knife. Most high quality hatchets have a hammer on the rear side of the blade, and you can use this to pound tent stakes into the ground.
A hatchet will offer much more heft and leverage, so you can get the job done faster than you could if you were using the handle of a knife.
First Aid
If you need first aid, a knife is a better tool to use than a hatchet. A small blade is ideal for cutting a piece of clothing into makeshift bandages. It can also be used to poke blisters, cut twine if you need to make your own stitches for a cut, etc. A small knife will offer much more precision for the jobs that require it.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages of both survival hatchets and knives. Ideally, you will be carrying both tools with you while in the wilderness. If weight and portability are issues, a knife may be the best option, but keep in mind that it is not going to be the best tool for bigger jobs.
On the other hand, a hatchet isn’t the best tool for precision jobs.