When it comes to bushcraft equipment, edged tools are some of the most essential items you carry with you. With a decent knife, axe and saw you can light a fire, cut and split firewood, build a shelter, source food, make implements and generally live in comfort. The only item that comes close to these three tools is a sturdy pot. Both cutting implements and cooking containers are items of equipment that are the hardest to reproduce out in the wilds, requiring the right resources, knowledge and time to create. If you are familiar with Dave Canterbury’s 5 ‘C’s of survival you will recognise these items as Cutting and Container, essential items along with Cordage, Combustion and Cover. However, if pushed, most bushcrafters would agree that edged tools sit head and shoulders above the others in terms of versatility and efficiency.
Over the years that I have been practising bushcraft, I have gradually settled on a set of tools that are my go-to items for most expeditions and travel with me whenever I deliver sessions or practice my skills. These have been thoroughly tested and have proven themselves strong, reliable and efficient for the tasks that I need them to perform. If I lived in a different country or climate I may well choose different items but the tools I have chosen suit the temperate deciduous woodlands I find myself in most often and work well for my build and the tasks I undertake. So without further preamble, here are my personal top 3 bushcraft tools.
Helle Temagami Knife
Like many other bushcrafters, the knife I originally started out with was a Mora Companion which was cheap with a good edge and passable ergonomics. I still recommend Mora knives to most people starting out as they work just fine for most tasks and when you are beginning to learn how to sharpen and use a knife effectively you most often do not want to be practising on a £200 knife. However, after I had been in the space for a while, I found myself looking for something a bit more robust and a better fit for my large hands.
The Helle Temagami ticked all of the boxes for me as it wasn’t too pricey, came in a stainless steel blade (good for damp climates) and had a sturdy construction (half full-tang and 3mm blade). Though I would be lying if I told you the stunning curly birch handle didn’t factor heavily in my decision. After using the Temagami for close to three years, I am still extremely happy with it, the blade keeps an edge well and has stood up to all sorts of tasks from batoning to heavy carving and the rounded handle fits perfectly in my hands. The only issue I have with the knife is the rounded spine on the back of the knife blade which makes it difficult to strike a firesteel, however, other than that I can see myself using it happily for many years to come.
Silky Pocketboy Outback Folding Saw
Alongside my knife the tool I use most often is a saw, because of this, I like to carry both on my person whenever I am at work in the woods. Folding pruning saws are very handy in this respect as they fold into a small footprint that can easily be stashed in a pocket or sheath on your belt. If you are looking for a small folding saw for bushcraft use, you typically have brand options; Bahco or Silky. The Bahco Laplander is a good budget saw, decently sharp and forgiving to misuse, however, in my opinion, Silky saws are in a completely different class. Made of Japanese steel, Silky saws have a well-earned reputation for being something akin to a manual chain saw. I have been using Silky saws for conservation and forestry work for a number of years and they cut beautifully and efficiently through everything but the densest and knottiest woods.
While any of Silky’s folding saw range will do the job, their Outback line is specifically designed for bushcraft with a grippy composite handle and coated blade for durability. I personally prefer the Outback Pocketboy as it is small enough to fit into the multitool pocket on a pair of Vidda Pro trousers or a Laplander leather sheath but big enough to handle most jobs when out and about. The only small grumble I have with the Outback Pocketboy (besides the terrible plastic sheath that it comes with) is that unless you hold the saw far enough back you can often click the blade upwards into a weird cutting angle. Nonetheless, if you are in the market for a durable and highly efficient folding saw, I thoroughly recommend checking out the Silky saw range.
Husqvarna Camping Axe
The Husqvarna Camping Axe is the very first axe I bought, yet despite my growing collection of axes, it remains my go-to axe. There are no doubt better quality axes out there, as well as axes that are better at felling, splitting and carving, however, the size and weight of this axe is perfect for the majority of what I do. As mentioned previously, I spend most of my time on day outings in temperate woodland in relatively urban settings, this means that a hatchet-sized axe I can safely stow inside a day bag and can use for basic camp tasks such as splitting and carving is ideal. When I am out on longer overnight camps or working on larger projects I tend to pack a longer-handled camp axe for efficient felling and splitting, but if I am just out for the day and only need to carve some stakes or split some firewood then a smaller axe can easily do the job. As an axe for those just starting out or without readily available cash for one of the better quality brands Husqvarna makes some perfectly serviceable axes and with a drop of linseed oil and a bit of sharpening a pretty effective camp tool.
As I said in the introduction, my choice of tools is very much shaped by the activities that I undertake. On a longer car-based camp I am quite happy to pack a full-sized splitting axe and bowsaw and on my self-supported Scotland trips, I have usually gone for a combination of a mid-sized axe and folding bucksaw. However, day to day, whether in the local woodland or further afield the three tools above make a handy, efficient and lightweight package for 90% of the tasks I want to do.
I hope you enjoyed this mini-review of some of my favourite tools, if you have a classic go-to tool of your own or would like to see full reviews or buying guides on what I have talked about, let me know. Otherwise, until next time, stay sharp!