Using your axe on the trail

First let me preface this by saying I’m fairly new to off-roading.
I see a lot of guys mount an axe to their rigs, and other than looking badass, and being an easy accessory to add, how many of you actually NEED and USE your axe, and how have you used it strictly in off-roaring scenarios.

I’m just wondering if it’s something I should be considering for my Tacoma. I can see it coming in handy camping.

 

Expo points

 

It’s for the Instagram. That and the $100 shovel for full overland points

 

Pack a hatchet in bag with some recovery straps an a e tool call it a day.

 

While I dont have a full sized axe, i do carry a fiskers hatchet. I can see the need for one for camping, i have taken one when i was doing more than 3 nights. But an electric or gas chansaw is better in my opinion than an axe. Out in VA, there are many members (looking at @EatSleepTacos) that deal with down trees. But im pretty sure he uses a chainsaw/ winch.

 

Beat me to it.

Op have you ever been camping ?

 

Also, what type of axe? I have not seen 1 person with a proper splitting axe, or a chisel and sledge. Just saying, most probably have it just in case, kinda like high lift jacks.

Edited to add: If you are offroading to the camp site, and you happen to come along a felled tree, or any type of timber that will be dry enough to burn, what do you use to cut it? I dont know of many people that have actually used axes while clearing a trail, because like i said earlier, they usually use winches and chainsaws. If you think it looks cool, get it. Its eaier to keep an axe than to keep a well maintained, clean, dry chainsaw in your truck. Also, its cheaper to lose an axe from theft than a chainsaw. So, if you want one, get it.

 

I carry an axe, but only when planning on camping. There is different times of axe’s some for cutting and others for splitting (what I have). I’ve found its a lot easier and nicer to carry full logs and split them at camp each night. Depending on the environment your going into a chain saw is helpful, usually at least on in the group.

 

I carry a hatchet. Yeah, no broverlander #gram points, because it fits in a cargo box.

It's nice to have is there's a decent branch in the trail, or I need to throw it at a bear or something.

If you're going to be trail clearing on the first run of the season, bring a damn chainsaw.

 

Dang that thing is gnarly!

 

I use mine all the time!

 

I bought Fiskars x15 axe and a shovel (not a murder spork) when I used to religiously follow 3rd Gen forum. Also bought a hatched for camping/whatever. I never had a chance to you to use a shovel oh, so it's sits looking pretty on my rack, are used an ax once to clear some branches so I could drive under a downed tree. And of course I used a hatched a plenty of times. Sometimes it would be good to have a splitting maul but it is what it is.
If you planning on traveling by yourself, or often in the woods, I do believe it's a good idea to get an electric chainsaw over an ax.

 

fiskars x27 splitting axe only when camping.

 

In some places some firefighting equipment can be mandatory and an axe is usually on the list. A pulaski looks way more bad as a d is an excellent digging tool.
As others have said most axe use is probably for camping. I keep an axe in all my trucks but that's just me.

 

I carry an axe when camping. I mostly use a hatchet and small folding saw for firewood, but sometimes use the axe.
I use it often for digging. Can make quick work of hard soil and roots. Digging fire pits, but mostly poop holes.
Also have used it as a sledge for driving in stakes and pounding a steel rim back to shape.

 

Along with an axe I carry one of these in the truck. Good to have if you need to hack something up.

 

One good windstorm after you get back into the middle of nowhere on a dead end seldom used forest road may make you glad you had an axe. I also carry a couple of shovels, tho I don't plan to get stuck. Have been, and dug my way out.

Forest service doesn't give a rip about clearing downed trees from isolated dirt roads around here. That costs money, which they haven't got.

Just another basic rescue tool, you hope to not need.

 

Shovel, axe, winch. I use all three on my yearly Vermont Overland trips because we routinely come across downed trees.

 

I've used a chainsaw once, deadfall around here can be pretty gnarly to be caught with just a little axe, most of the shit we just drive over or winch out of the way though. axes do look pretty sweet hanging off the side of your bed rack I must say.