Survival knives are popular because they have a lot of uses. They can be used to cut rope, slice through branches, skin an animal for food, and many other functions. The downside is that survival knives are not very good at chopping wood for fuel or splitting logs in half which makes them less than ideal in wilderness areas where firewood is scarce.
Hatchets on the other hand excel at these tasks and make excellent choices in backwoods settings where you need tools to help you collect food and build a shelter.
Read on to find out more about the differences between a survival knife vs hatchet.
Survival Knife vs Hatchet Differences
Durability
The durability of a survival knife is the first thing that you should consider when looking at pieces of equipment like these. Survival knives are frequently used to make shelter, slice through branches, and even fight off predators which means they must be made from very tough materials.
Steel is the traditional material for survival knives but newer models come with blades made from titanium which is even tougher. No matter what steel is used, you can be sure that it will last a lifetime if you take care of your survival knife
Hatchets are not nearly as fragile as knives because they are designed to be used for chopping wood rather than anything else. Even with regular use hatchets can last years without showing any wear and tear. If you are in need of a tool for chopping wood, then there is no better choice than a hatchet.
If you plan to use your survival knife or hatchet in any harsh conditions that require long-term exposure then it makes sense to invest in the most durable blade that you can afford.
Sharpening Ability
The materials used to make survival knives and hatchets are extremely hard which makes them difficult to sharpen. It is true that you can purchase sharpening devices for both these tools but they will not last as long as the blades on your knives or hatchets.
Sharpening a survival knife or hatchet requires more than just running it across a sharpening stone. Instead, you must use fine sandpaper to wear away the blade until it is flat again. This process can take much longer than normal knife or hatchet sharpening.
If you are in need of items that do not require regular sharpening then choosing between these two tools will be easy because survival knives and hatchets both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Chopping Wood
Chopping wood is a task that you will be doing quite often if you are in the wilderness with nothing but a survival knife or hatchet to work with. A hatchet can chop through logs much more effectively than a survival knife because of its thicker head.
This means that it is much easier to cut through branches using a hatchet. You can chop wood with both tools, but one will be much faster than the other.
Versatility
A survival knife is useful for more than just chopping wood or cutting branches. In fact, a sharp knife can be used for many other tasks such as making a hunt, slicing food, and spearing fish which makes it an excellent choice for people who are going camping in the wilderness.
Hatchets on the other hand do not lend themselves to these tasks because they are too difficult to use in such a way. If you plan on hunting then a survival knife is always going to be your best choice, but if you need something for chopping wood and cutting branches then it makes sense to go with a hatchet.
Choosing between these two tools will ultimately depend on which one is the most convenient for you to carry and use. Survival knives can be tucked away in rucksacks, but hatchets will always take up space in your bag because they cannot be easily disassembled like a knife.
FAQ
What is a good material for knives and hatchets?
Survival knives and hatchets are made from very tough materials such as steel, titanium, and even wood. Hunting for the most durable blade that you can find will ensure it stays sharp for many years to come.
Is it possible to sharpen knives and hatchets?
Survival knives and hatchets will always be difficult to sharpen because of their materials, but there are some techniques that you can use to keep them sharp. You can find these on the internet or even buy devices that help you do this. There are many ways to sharpen your knife or hatchet, but it always takes longer than normal.
Is a hatchet easier to use than a knife?
A survival knife is much easier to use for cutting meat and spearing fish, but a hatchet will be faster at chopping wood. If you plan on making campfires every night then having a hatchet with you is a good idea because it can chop wood much more effectively.
What is more useful between a hatchet and an axe?
Axes are more powerful than both survival knives and hatchets, but they cannot be sharpened in the same way. If you have a lot of chopping to do then an axe is going to be your best bet because it will get the job done a lot faster than a knife or hatchet.
Conclusion
Survival knives and hatchets are both important tools to have when you are in the wilderness. They can be used for chopping wood, hunting, spearing fish, and making campfires so it is impractical to choose between them.
You should carry both of these tools because they serve different purposes. If you plan on camping every weekend then having both to hand is sensible, but if you just go camping occasionally then having a survival knife or hatchet with you should suffice.