Hiking with an axe

Obviously, weight is a huge issue, since axes are inherently heavy.

• @Outdoors_on_the_Cheap believes the best option is a light axe head with a long handle. He prefers an axe weighing 1.0-1.5 lbs, and a handle length closer to 20-24 inches.
  • I don't think this combination exists from manufacturers, and indeed, he says he just replaces the handle with a longer one on his chosen axe head.
  • Somebody else in the comments says they think an axe head that weighs 1.5-2.0 lbs is better. *shrug*

I've heard suggestions that you use a machete to baton, since machetes are more versatile than batoning with a knife, and machetes weigh less than an axe. [2]

• There are some machetes that are both short and have a thick blade: [1] [2] [3] [4] These are sometimes known as a bolo knife.