Axe\machete\khukri

[AlisAtAn]

I`m from Norway, so please excuse any ignorant\retarded questions...

I`m planning a backpacking trip trough Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and possibly New Zealand.

Now, I`m not planning on going on some suicidal walkabout into the bush my myself, but I will probably go camping with a friend of mine who lives on a giant ranch... Somewhere in Australia (I know, its a big place with varying climate, but he`s unreachable at the moment, so...). I`m going to camp alot while in Aussieland, to save money. Also, I might be inclined to take some sort of Wilderness Survival Course in Thailand, and maybe go island jumping with a kayak afterwards.

Which brings me to my question! I`ve been searching these boards, but I cant seem to find any discussions regarding big cutting tools... What is the general consensus regarding Axe`s, machete`s, and kukri`s in the thai and aussie bush? Which do you prefer? I`m inclined to bring a Small Forest Axe, but I`m also considering a Khukri, or possibly a machete. The axe is the go-to tool in the norwegian wilds, but I have no experience with the nature and needs "Down Under". Any help appreciated!

[Dale]

This is certainly an interesting question and I must admit to this day I still have difficulty figuring out which tool to take into the bush. Generally it's a toss up between a chain saw, bansaw or flame thrower. Lately i have been toying with napalm but can't find a reliable supplier...

Now seriously. Some people take a small axe into the bush for the purposes of chopping wood for fires, but in general we frown on the slashing of our National Parks. There are plenty of tracks to walk on and if you need to go off track then we push through the scrub, we don't cut it down. That's my experience anyway.

[cams]

Yeah. Pretty sure it is illegal to use a machete in Queensland National Parks.

Doesn't stop some people from evidence I've seen though. Usually leaves nice and lethal angle cut trunks sticking up out of the ground.

[Franco]

Never taken any of the above in the Aussie bush, but I don't do (like most...) survival type stuff.
Having used a khukri , that is what I would take if I had to.


Or maybe a Mora will do.

On a serious note, I am getting sick of going to bed at 2AM after having watched another Norwegian win a stage at the Tour.
Why don't you all go back home and let a local (like Cadel) win for a change...
Come to think of it, why are you not in France, like all the rest of Norway, right now?
Or better still get them all over here, we can do with some more tourists.
Franco

[Jellybean]

On a serious note, I am getting sick of going to bed at 2AM after having watched another Norwegian win a stage at the Tour.
Why don't you all go back home and let a local (like Cadel) win for a change...

Cadel is exactly were he needs to be right now (winning the Tour is way more important than winning a stage!). Having said that, maintaining or gaining a little on his current position today and tomorrow and a win in the TT on Saturday might be nice!

[kymboy]

Mmm, just wondering how you would go getting a blade like that kukri through Customs when you arrive in Oz? I guess as long as it didn't look too much like a Viking battle axe you should be okay.
Anyone know what restrictions they have on importing "weapons"?

[Moondog55]

For some reason customs do not have a problem with Khukris, but they do have to be declared. The khukri is my choice in a blade from 12 to 15 inches in length, for the Thai forest I cannot say, look at what the locals use and buy one of them in country.

A machete will not cut the wood down South, for that you need a good saw and a full sized axe 41/2 lb or bigger, I use a five and a quarter pound Plumb Tasmanian

[pazzar]

If I had a choice for cutting through Tassie scrub, I'd take a dozer

It really depends on what environment you are planning on going to. Definately it is illegal to cut your own track through national parks. I only ever carry a small axe in my car just in case a tree falls across the road while I am out.

[tsangpo]

Anyone know what restrictions they have on importing "weapons"?

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4660.asp

You should be right with utilitarian blades that aren't designed to kill/harm humans or animals.

The bladed weapons factsheet:
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resou ... eapons.pdf

[AlisAtAn]

Well, I guess that answers my question. I`ll mix my own napalm, and I`m good to go! Now if only I could find a way to get it trough customs...

So a serious chopping tool just isnt as vital for camping in Australia as it is other places in the world? I`ll just bring a good knife and leatherman, then.

[cams]

When you say it is vital for camping in your part of the world what do you actually use it for? I'm just interested. I suppose I've just never really thought of bringing one. If the bush is thick you just deal with it. It all adds to the challenge of being somewhere wild.

[Nuts]

I feel oddly inadequate franco ( )

[AlisAtAn]

Well, Norway is pretty cold at times, and its not like there`s a shortage of trees around, so a campsite, whether a family on a day-hike, or someone on a longer fishing\hunting trip, usually has a campfire. Getting enough firewood to last through the night using only a 3inch knife can be a pretty miserable experience.

Other than that, general camp chores like knocking down poles, chopping up the dogfood (big, frozen chunks of meat) and clearing a site for the camp. Most experienced woodsmen in Norway would never go on any multiple day hike without a good axe. When I was in the Norwegian boyscouts, the first thing you learned was how to handle a knife, and when you were old enough (Say 10) you learnt the axe. We used it for everything from chopping firewood to making wooden snowshoes from the environment.

When I was in the army, every field vehicle had an axe, and if lacking one, it could be deemed "Unfit to drive" during an inspection...

[Jellybean]

I feel oddly inadequate franco ( )

DSCN0078.jpg

You call that a knife!!?? ( )

[Dale]

Well, Norway is pretty cold at times, and its not like there`s a shortage of trees around, so a campsite, whether a family on a day-hike, or someone on a longer fishing\hunting trip, usually has a campfire. Getting enough firewood to last through the night using only a 3inch knife can be a pretty miserable experience.

Other than that, general camp chores like knocking down poles, chopping up the dogfood (big, frozen chunks of meat) and clearing a site for the camp. Most experienced woodsmen in Norway would never go on any multiple day hike without a good axe. When I was in the Norwegian boyscouts, the first thing you learned was how to handle a knife, and when you were old enough (Say 10) you learnt the axe. We used it for everything from chopping firewood to making wooden snowshoes from the environment.

When I was in the army, every field vehicle had an axe, and if lacking one, it could be deemed "Unfit to drive" during an inspection...

That's pretty interesting hearing about life in your part of the world.

What time of the year are you planning to be in Aus ?

[dannnnn]

Well, Norway is pretty cold at times, and its not like there`s a shortage of trees around, so a campsite, whether a family on a day-hike, or someone on a longer fishing\hunting trip, usually has a campfire. Getting enough firewood to last through the night using only a 3inch knife can be a pretty miserable experience.

Other than that, general camp chores like knocking down poles, chopping up the dogfood (big, frozen chunks of meat) and clearing a site for the camp. Most experienced woodsmen in Norway would never go on any multiple day hike without a good axe. When I was in the Norwegian boyscouts, the first thing you learned was how to handle a knife, and when you were old enough (Say 10) you learnt the axe. We used it for everything from chopping firewood to making wooden snowshoes from the environment.

When I was in the army, every field vehicle had an axe, and if lacking one, it could be deemed "Unfit to drive" during an inspection...

yeah mate, we are a bit different to the rest of the world!!

the forest (we call it bush) must take longer to grow in australia because the scars of chopping down a tree or whatever seem to take longer to heal. plus a lot of the bush gets very dry and campfires have a good risk of starting a big ugly fire. so everyone is encouraged to take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.

thankfully it's not uncomfortably cold most of the time in most of the country...!

[mattmacman]

LNT (leave no trace) as stated above by most other members is getting really big in australia, just look it up on the internet and theres sure to be lots of info !

[Moondog55]

Carrying an axe was standard practice here until about 30 years ago, but only one per party.

Any body else remember the "Mountain Mule" great ruck for carrying an axe ( or a 20liter jerrycan of petrol)

[AlisAtAn]

What time of the year are you planning to be in Aus ?

Well, I leave Norway around October 1, and then I`m doing Thailand and Indonesia first, so probably not until January\February at the earliest...

Yeah, I found alot of into about "Leave no trace" when I searched for it, I guess that explains why googling "australia axe" and "australia bush axe" didnt give me any worthwhile results...

[cdg]

If camping i take an axe, if hiking i take a machete. I have an ex-adf machete which i keep in a sheath in the pack. i use it mainly for camp duties, and apart from hacking some blackberries away when walking along a river, ive not had to hack my way through the bush with it. ive never hiked in tropical areas, so maybe it would be used more in that type of vegetation.

a small axe is very useful, as an axe and a hammer.

[Dale]

Well, I leave Norway around October 1, and then I`m doing Thailand and Indonesia first, so probably not until January\February at the earliest...

Yeah, I found alot of into about "Leave no trace" when I searched for it, I guess that explains why googling "australia axe" and "australia bush axe" didnt give me any worthwhile results...

The good news is hypothermia shouldn't be too much of an issue in Oz during Feb - Mar... you'll be more concerned about being comfortable hiking in the heat. Then again a few months wandering aorund Indonesia and Thai jungles should acclimate you

Key things to keep in mind are making sure you have water sources, or are carrying enough, snakes - they generally don't bother you but try not to step on them. This is a good thread to check out for an intro to local conditions:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6590

When you know more about where you'll be hiking post it and I'm sure you'll get plenty of info on the local area.

[AlisAtAn]

The good news is hypothermia shouldn't be too much of an issue in Oz during Feb - Mar... you'll be more concerned about being comfortable hiking in the heat. Then again a few months wandering aorund Indonesia and Thai jungles should acclimate you ¨

Trust me, after 3-4months training MMA & Muay Thai in Thailand for 6hours a day, cruising around the bush with a 10liters of water in my pack will be a breeze.

Key things to keep in mind are making sure you have water sources, or are carrying enough, snakes - they generally don't bother you but try not to step on them. This is a good thread to check out for an intro to local conditions:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6590

Looks good, I`ll give it a more thorough read later... Thanks!

When you know more about where you'll be hiking post it and I'm sure you'll get plenty of info on the local area.

I`ll do that.

[sailfish]

Well, Norway is pretty cold at times, and its not like there`s a shortage of trees around, so a campsite, whether a family on a day-hike, or someone on a longer fishing\hunting trip, usually has a campfire. Getting enough firewood to last through the night using only a 3inch knife can be a pretty miserable experience.

Other than that, general camp chores like knocking down poles, chopping up the dogfood (big, frozen chunks of meat) and clearing a site for the camp. Most experienced woodsmen in Norway would never go on any multiple day hike without a good axe. When I was in the Norwegian boyscouts, the first thing you learned was how to handle a knife, and when you were old enough (Say 10) you learnt the axe. We used it for everything from chopping firewood to making wooden snowshoes from the environment.

When I was in the army, every field vehicle had an axe, and if lacking one, it could be deemed "Unfit to drive" during an inspection...

An axe is good for whipping up the odd Lang Skip too. You never know when you may feel the need for one of those, I know I do.

The SAS handbook suggests a parang has been found the most versatile survival bush knife. The shape protects the hand. I don’t own one though a weighty blade can be a useful thing sometimes for say sharpening a digging stick quickly, I’ll leave that to imagination… Keeps annoying people away as well!

Ken

[mattmacman]

Maybe for use in thailand indonesia and australia considering youve come from Norway it would be appropriate to buy a hammock instead ?

[kymboy]

Hey AlisAtAn
Just heard the terrible news about the shootings and bombing in Oslo. All our thoughts are with you guys.
kym

[ringeroo]

A neat little knife nuts, obviously light weight and utilitarian? Please post brand etc.
Phil.

[Nuts]

Yes, what a tragedy, no sense can be made and no words can comfort the sorrow for those caught up is such madness.


Its a Boker ringeroo, A Germany company recently having a range made in China... Much cheaper (but still very good steel) That one is the Gnome, nice and light to carry, but this Rhino is probably more useful (for everyday stuff):

[AlisAtAn]

Thanks for your support guys, it really means alot.

Its a Boker ringeroo, A Germany company recently having a range made in China... Much cheaper (but still very good steel) That one is the Gnome, nice and light to carry, but this Rhino is probably more useful (for everyday stuff):

Design reminds me of the Himalayan Imports Farm Knife, which I`ve always had a weak spot for. No, I dont own one. Yet...

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