Tourist axes: purpose and tips for choosing

The ax is a very useful tool that most home and professional craftsmen have in their arsenal. It allows you to quickly and smoothly cope with many jobs. There are several varieties of this popular tool. Let's take a closer look at one of them - a tourist ax.

An ax is an indispensable tool needed in any toolbox. Today, you can find many different options for such tools on sale. These can be simple "hard workers" or decorative models, decorated with painting or carved patterns. Today, special tourist hatchets are very popular, presented in a wide range.

A tourist who has such a useful and practical tool in stock may consider himself well prepared for outdoor recreation or long-distance hikes. A quality tourist ax is aimed at solving a number of important tasks.

• Using such a tool, you can cut and sharpen the tent stakes.

• With the same hatchet, the pegs are driven into the ground (the hammer is not always at hand).

• Brushwood and dry branches can be obtained using such a special hatchet. And without them, you will not be able to kindle a good fire, so necessary in the campaign.

• Many tourists were faced with the problem of a dense forest thicket, where nothing is visible, including the road, along which it is impossible to move further. Here, a special hatchet can also be an excellent helper. Using it, it will be easy to clear a path in the thicket.

• If tourists are faced with a problem in the form of a lack of a water crossing, then it is possible to get out of the situation if there is a tourist ax in the arsenal. With such a tool, it will be possible to build a small bridge or even an impromptu raft.

• It takes a lot of poles to build a good hut. It will be possible to cut them out only with the use of a tourist hatchet.

• Of course, such situations do not happen so often, but it so happens that tourists come across dangerous wild animals that are clearly unfriendly. At such moments, a hatchet can be an excellent means of protecting a person.

• If during the hike there is a need to cut a massive block, then wedges made of wood may come in handy. They can also be made using a tourist hatchet.

Of course, such functionality of a tourist hatchet does not mean at all that you will encounter all of the above problems on a hike. And not every time this tool can come in handy. For example, in the conditions of forests located in the middle lane, tourist hatchets are not needed at all, they can not be taken. If we are talking about a cold winter forest, then there is no way to do without a lot of firewood. Here it is better not to leave the hatchet at home, but to take it with you.

The set of tasks assigned determines the main characteristics of modern tourist hatchets.It is not often that high performance or the ability to deliver fairly powerful hits is required from these devices. This tool should have other more important characteristics. Let's see a small list of them.

• A good touring ax doesn't have to be heavy. Such tools should be lightweight. This is due to the fact that you will have to carry them with you on a hike all the time. If the ax is too heavy, it will become a burden, not an assistant.

• This tool must be quite durable so that you will not be left without it at the right time.
• A tourist hatchet must be well protected. He should not damage or tear either the backpack or the clothes of the tourist himself. Needless to say, an ax should not injure a person in the event of an accidental fall.

• In a camping trip, you need to have a device in stock that is suitable for solving certain tasks. It is pointless to carry a heavy object with you if you are going to chop only brushwood. And with a small and short hatchet, you are unlikely to be able to build a good raft. Consider these characteristics.
• This tool must be handy. Moreover, he must remain so in any circumstances - in the rain, and in the slush, and in the snow.
• The touring ax should be made of moderately hard metal. In this case, you can avoid the risk of breakage of the blade itself or crumbling of the facade with a not very accurate impact. Note that harder steel always shows itself to be more brittle.

There are several types of axes (besides the tourist one) that can be useful in the forest or on a hike. Let's get to know them.

This is an unusual type of ax that is used for the purpose of splitting firewood in rural areas. To chop wood for space heating, such a hatchet is ideal. These tools are made with a fairly long handle (about 1.5 m) so that sweeping blows can be easily applied. Provided in such devices and a powerful ax, perfect for chopping wood.

Such axes are used when it comes to the production of various pieces of furniture or other wood products. Carpentry tools are equipped with a short handle and a modest hatchet.

In the forest, such a hatchet will come in handy. Its name says a lot. Such tools are distinguished by a rather high cost, but at the same time, in their capabilities, they are inferior to carpentry specimens or devices for splitting firewood. However, as a tourist assistant, this model is quite good.

A kitchen or butcher's ax is used for cutting carcasses, chopping meat and bones. In such tools, the cutting element must necessarily be made of stainless steel, because this part is constantly in contact with food products that can be poisoned due to oxidation.

An ax for a hunter will be very useful in a hike and in the forest. A similar tool, like a hunting knife, belongs to a completely different category of devices than the above specimens. With this type of ax, you can:

• to carry out splitting of chips to kindle a fire;
• engage in cutting down the legs of trees in order to arrange a night for yourself;
• chop stakes for organizing a tent or a place suitable for an overnight stay;
• butcher skins and carcasses of wild animals.

Kurchanov's instrument was recognized as truly amazing. It is distinguished by the unusual shape of both the hatchet and the cutting part with a rather wide cutting line.A practical tool of such a non-standard design is chosen by many hunters, refusing to buy newfangled and advertised devices with many additional functions.

Kurchanov's ax can last from 7 to 10 years with a competent attitude towards it. Factory sharpening will make it possible to freely chop branches, dead wood, prepare tent stakes and perform many other necessary actions.

These devices are not only highly effective in performing basic tasks. They can be safely considered a real work of art, since every single model is made by hand and is a collector's item.

Today the assortment of tourist axes pleases with its diversity. Buyers can choose from a lot of different models from different manufacturers (such as "Zubr", "Pathfinder", Sevlae and many others). Among them there are both very famous and still "young" firms, whose products have recently burst into the market. Let's take a closer look at some of the popular travel axes from different brands.

High-quality products of this domestic manufacturer are included in more than one rating of the best models of axes. All products of the company are made of modern plastic or classic wood. The blades are made of the highest grade Russian stainless steel. Zubr axes are durable.

Tourist axes "Pathfinder" are in great demand today. They come with a handy carry case. All models feature excellent strength characteristics and a comfortable rubber grip. The blade is made of high-strength steel that is not prone to breakage. Pathfinder Hatchets can be purchased as auxiliary tools. They won't take up a lot of extra space.

Stayer is distinguished by a huge assortment of tools. The brand's arsenal includes a huge number of hammers, electric, painting and measuring tools, as well as various axes. Separately, it is worth highlighting the Professional line. It includes high quality tools. For example, axes characterized by maximum durability and ease of use. They are equipped with a forged, hardened head made of special tool steel. The handles are made of sturdy fiberglass with rubber inserts for a more comfortable and secure grip.

The choice of a good tourist ax should be taken very seriously, since the quality of the hike or hunting will depend on the quality of this device. Let us consider in detail what parameters of such hatchets should be paid attention in the first place, so as not to be mistaken in choosing the ideal option.

• The first step is to make sure of the decent quality of materials, namely metal. Its hardening is also important. An overheated instrument can simply crumble with a strong impact, and an under-hot instrument will crumple regularly.

• Pay attention to the overall quality of the instrument. It should be comfortable and conscientious. The blade should not be crooked or wobbly. The device must be reliable and sturdy.
• The weight of a tourist ax should be no more than 800 g. Of course, every person is comfortable with an instrument of a certain weight, but it must be taken into account that the tourist options should not be too heavy.

• Do not buy axes with metal or slippery handles. It will be very difficult to work with them, especially when it comes to a long work process. High impact plastic is also not the best solution for the handle. Such options are quite durable, but in the event of a breakdown in the forest, it will be impossible to fix them.
• It is advisable to buy wider touring hatchets.
• Don't buy Chinese fixtures. You can't rely on them. Give preference to European and domestic manufacturers offering more reliable and durable tools of high quality. Such products will not let you down at the right moment.

It is not enough to buy a good ax. He needs to provide proper care and proper storage. Do not use it to chop off parts such as nails. Store the tool exclusively in a dry and inaccessible place. Remember to sharpen the blade regularly.

When operating the hiking ax in perceptibly low temperatures and frost, you should exercise the utmost care. This is due to the fact that in such situations, the metal is often subjected to cracking and may even begin to crumble. Certain models of Finnish production cannot withstand when their butts are exploited as hammers. The Soviet versions of such work are not afraid at all.

It is very helpful to pay due attention to adjusting the force of the impact you are delivering. Remember: modern tourist types of axes "do not like" very much when they are subjected to excessive loads. If you want your tool to last as long as possible and not undergo deformation / destruction, then you should follow all the above rules, be sure to take into account the nuances of the operation of such products. Treat the camping hatchet with care, do not expose it to unnecessary stress, store it correctly.

How to choose the right tourist ax, you will learn from the video below.