Axe or Log splitter

Hi Stuart,

I used to carry a long handled axe when I started 4x4-ing some years ago. After a while I got rid of it as I never used it. Met a bloke on the road once who carried both long handled and shorthandled axes PLUS two chainsaws. Crikey, the things people carry with them.

I only light small fires when allowed to using dead branches of trees which have fallen down.

I find no use for an axe in the bush.

It reminds me of the blokes who carry a knife on their belt. Surest way to cut your finger!!

Keep it simple and carry less. Happy travels.Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment

I always carry an axe as part of my recovery gear and many times it has saved me when a tree has fallen over a track, just notch the tree and tow it out the way with a winch extension strap. It is illegal to use a chain saw in National Parks. Cheers RobCairns Offroad Training & Tours

A log splitter is fine if you are splitting wood for a camp fire but it won't cut anything. I never leave home without my axe, it has lived behind the seat for ever and has had a lot of use especially in the victorian bush but like everything else can be dangerous in unsure hands. If you do get one get a cover as well.
The ghost

axe forshore spent a bit of time growing up on a farm the only time we needed a log spliter was for real tight iron bark but youd need a chain saw to get it to that size so for a little camp fire youd get away with cutting light wood and a log splitter aint no good for that.

Splitter will do just that. Split, but unless you have a few months to spare, go an axe.

even better go a chainsaw, but as Rod pointed out its illegal in some parks, even to have them in pieces in your car... Christ knows why.(hope the church dont get their legal beaks onto that one!)

Stuart just as the wife what one she would rather use .
All the best
EricCape York Connections

As others have said, an axe is versatile, you'll eventually come across a perfectly good track blocked by a single fallen tree.

A block splitter won't help here.

I have neither an axe or a splitter but i never leave without the MATTOCK !! splits wood, (sharpen the right end ! ) usefull as a hammer .. the head at the shaft, and used also to dig a hole for the obvious !! Works in all weather and all ground conditions..

Well I carry an axe, a splitter, a mattock and a bow saw. I am seriously thinking of not taking the old axe any more though, as I find the others far more usefull. I find that the bowsaw, although quite slow will get me out of most situations an axe would have and, apart from it being legal in the parks, between the saw and the splitter, I have never had any trouble with firewood. On most trips up the donga, we take our own firewood and anywhere near the old Ghan track, there are plenty of old sleepers that can be cut to size with the splitter.

Happy trails, Mike.

I love my axe! It has been in the family for years and has never given us any trouble.
I think from memory we have only had to buy 2 new heads, and 6 new handles for it since we've had it!!! :-)

A block splitter is great if you're chain sawing firewood for your home fireplace and then splitting it, otherwise useless. Get an axe, especially one of the new cordless models
Allan

Thanks all for your comments. I have bought a long handled axe (cordless).

It has a bright yellow fibreglass handle; you've been warned.Cheers,
Stuart
- To err is human, to moo bovine -