How to choose a tourist ax for trekking: recommendations and reviews

Go camping without an ax, and it knows any experienced hiker, the idea is fundamentally wrong. Quality and reliable tools always come in handy in the campaign. A considerable amount of work will help to fulfill the tourist ax, since firewood for the campfire and ending scaring away wild animals.

For the case selection and purchase of a hatchet for tourism should be approached very thoroughly, thoroughly examining all the nuances and pitfalls. It should be noted all the points: ax weight, its configuration, sharpness, quality. It should be both comfortable, easy (to you to carry it in a backpack, perhaps more than one day) and strong (works for the instrument to be a lot).

"Soviet" Option

During Soviet times, this type of recreation, like hiking, was very popular. The trips go families with children, university students, and students and even pensioners, in order to maintain morale and their own health. Any tourist, hunter or fisherman in those days, was carrying a travel set (ax, a saw, a knife). The only minus axes at the time - a decent weight, which is not associated with hand luggage that must drag myself for a long time.

Supreme chic while - Tourist ax "Pathfinder", lightweight and easy to use. But if at the present time there are many options for axes sheath, then it simply improvised rag wrapped and stacked neatly in a backpack.

Cons in this ax was enough. Firstly, there was no special sheath, they were simply not provided by design. This is a significant drawback. Second, the blade retention on the handle left much to be desired. Perhaps many remember as inciting wedges, so that no metal part fell off from his rightful place and not flown someone in the forehead. Third, the handle was so smooth and slippery that the work of, say, wet hands hatchet so it was very difficult and even traumatic.

FISKARS

FISKARS ax tourist firm, founded in 1649, is one of the most frequently purchased and popular. Forged ax tomahawk - is a compact instrument with a very sharp blade. The design of such hatchets can use them for firewood and for throwing.

The weight of such a tourist has a small ax, an average of about one kilogram. Stick length - about thirty-two, thirty-five centimeters. The handle has performed no slippery of wood, as in "Soviet" embodiment, and from sinking-fiberglass composite. Hand tool with prolonged use is not tired, pleasant hold, and non-slip does not take off.

Very sound and design tool. Tourist ax this company usually has a fairly bright handle. It is orange or lime color. Remember how many times lost in the foliage of the axes or the grass? With such a bright pen it will not be a problem for tourists.

And the most important difference - it is the sharpness of the blade. They can be, in the opinion of experienced travelers, even to shave if necessary. Often this replaces the ax blade. No pegs, no departures blade, no injury is not in use.

Compact versions

Ultra-compact forged ax handle with a total length of up to 24 centimeters, easy and convenient - that's the dream of every tourist. Small Ax is easy to use. It is very compact, it fits even in a small backpack camp. As a rule, such hatchets included are special cases that protect the backpack from the slot, and a man - from injury. The only negative - the ax, because of its lightness, not as energetic in working with large thick logs. Small chips chop campfire - easy, but to cut a massive tree - is problematic.

There hatchets market that are sold without any handle. That is, you buy some kind of workpiece tourism ax. Having found in woods of any suitable stick anchoring therein via parachute cord ax, ax and ready for operation.

What does it do?

Before you go to the store in order to buy a new tourist hatchet, should be defined with some moments. You must know exactly what works for you will most often use this tool. This will help you make the right choice and do it right.

• Production of small pegs used in the installation of tourist tents.
• driven into the ground most of these pegs.
• have cut branches.
• wormed several logs.
• Prick several small thin twigs for an awning or tent.
• Fend off wild animals.
• Open tin can or to cut a loaf of bread.
• And maybe cook porridge?

How to choose?

By answering these questions, you decide for themselves how to choose the ax for tourism. Experts advise to prefer options quite heavy but compact in size. Weight ax should vary from 600 to 900 grams. Length ax, as recommended experienced tourists, should be from 60 to 85 centimeters. The strength of the blade tips on the basis of not even being discussed. Quality steel - a very important point that should always be checked before purchasing an ax. How to do it? density of the metal can be checked by clicking the conventional blade. Try to do it as much as possible. If when you click you hear a dull, languid, deep and prolonged "ding" in front of you is strong enough and high-quality metal. If the ax blade when you will whistle, whistling furiously and "wriggle", say experts, the move away from this counter and go to another tool. By purchasing low-quality ax, you do not get the guarantee that after the first attack on the small twigs on the blade will not appear furrows, bulges, and even holes.

Hiking is better to choose one-piece forged axes. The handle has to be rubber-coated. They are compact and easy to use. If we pick ax with a wooden handle, then preference should be given the highest grade birch. Carefully inspect the handle on it should not be chipping and knots. The only disadvantage of wooden sticks - is that in time they can crack from dryness, which will never happen with rubber and plastic.

blade

It is important to pay attention to the flat surface of the blade. Often sold axes Finnish production, which have slightly revised the blade. In this work it is convenient only for those who are able to adjust to it. The blade should be positioned correctly. If it is fed forward, while the possibility of a strong rebound in the arm. And it hurts.

Hole into which is inserted an ax handle, must necessarily be large in size and taper. Round holes get any frequent departures and therefore injuries. Groove inside holes should be long. This ensures the correct distribution of force in the shearing movements.

Handle

Ax handle is bound to be comfortable. Shape - straight, slightly thickened. Thickening must be in the place where you grab his hand. If all the parameters, except for the handle, you are satisfied with the ax, just its Wrap electrical tape for greater work comfort. It's a small little thing that is easily corrected.

Sharpening

And, of course, sharpening. High-strength stainless steel and even is more expensive but lasts longer and never fails. Experts say that a good tourist ax with the correct sharpening can easily hack metal nails. And your ax could it? If not, then rush to the store for a new one.