Tag: axe

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11 Do’s and Do Not of Campsite Set Up

This image depicts campers doing crafts at Ventura KOA

When you Arrive at the Campground

You have searched out the best place to take your family for your weekend adventure, you arrive at the campground, now you need to layout your camp site. You maybe saying to yourself that it isn’t a big deal, just set up your tent and your good to go. Yet there are 11 do’s and don’t considerations that must be planned out as you are setting up. You should survey whether you are camped on flat land or a mountainside. What direction is the wind blowing? Where are the restrooms? Is there a water source nearby? Are there trees in the campsite?

If you are camping in a campground that has a table and fire pit, you likely will not have full control of how the campsite is laid out. But if you are camping on BLM land, disperse camping, or on vacant land that you own, there will be considerations that you must plan out for your safety and enjoyment. The best way to explain how to plan your campsite set up to put the Do’s and Do Nots in list form.

The Do’s and Do Nots of campsite set up

                Do set your tent up on high ground away from any gullies. Make sure fire pit smoke will not blow toward your tent.

                Do pile your firewood no less than ten feet from your camp-fire location.

                Do set your kitchen and clean up area well away from firepit and tent site.

                Do use wide web straps if you plan to hang a hammock on a tree, ropes will damage the bark.

                Do store axes and hatchets safely in their sheathes and away from any walking path

                Do make sure your latrine is set up well away from your main campsite, check for poisonous plants and water sources. You do not want to pollute a river, stream, or lake with sewage.

Do not set up a campfire on the ground unless you have cleared the ground ten feet around the camp-fire location and made sure that you are not under a tree or low hanging branches.

                Do not hang any ropes from trees in your chosen camp site area

                Do not put nails in trees to hang anything, learn how to lash a hanger with rope to the tree.

                Do not ever have a gas or propane lantern hanging against a tree, the tree may start on fire.

                Do not have any wood hanging out of a fire pit, ever.

                Do not use freshly cut wood in a fire pit, it will produce flying embers and excessive smoke.

When you are breaking down camp

When you are getting ready to leave a camp site, make sure that you Leave No Trace of your being there. Clean all trash that may have fallen, clean up cigarette butts, and bottle caps, if you made a fire ring then clean up the ashes and distribute the rocks, if you dug trenches around your tent then rake them out, and definitely do not leave a camp fire burning unattended at any time during your adventure.

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The History and Use of a Hatchet


Brief history of the campground axe or hatchet

The campground axe or hatchet that we use today, came along way through humankind’s history. It appears that stone age man had an implement that they used that consisted of a sharp rock that was lashed by vines to a branch. Not sure how effective this implement was in cutting wood into firewood, possibly worked for small branches, but it likely worked for hunting. In the iron age with the invention of the forge or furnace, steel could be manipulated into a sharp metal shape with a hole for the haft or handle to be attached so the axe would be more balanced. In the iron age the axe was used by woodsmen, carpenters, and as an implement of war.

Types of Axes

When you go to your local hardware store to purchase an axe, it is important to know that there are many different

types of axes that are made for specific purposes. Let’s examine a short list of these axes.

Felling axe- This axe is made for cutting down medium to large trees, it has a long handle and often has two edges or cutting surfaces. It’s stainless steel cutting head helps to prevent corrosion.

Splitting axe- This axe is often called a maul, it is heavy and looks like a sledgehammer, it is used to split medium to large trees into useable firewood.

Hewing axe- This axe is used with a carving axe by woodworkers who carve statues like a bear. They are made so the woodworker has control and a good grip for safety.

Throwing axe- this axe is often referred to as a tomahawk, known for use by the American Indians. This axe has a light balanced handle or haft. There are many sports leagues throughout the world that have axe throwing competitions.

The campground axes

The campground axe or hatchet was left out of the above list because it is the subject of this discussion. This axe or hatchet is used to cut branches up to 4” in diameter, you can cut slightly larger material, but it will take a lot of effort. A bowsaw or a long-handled axe would work better on larger material in a campground. A hatchet has a small contoured handle or haft for ease of use. Keep the axe in its sheath when not in use. Never strike a live tree in a campground with an axe. As with any tool, safety is a must.

The safe way to use an axe

When you walk with a hatchet, keep  the blade next to your leg but pointed away from your body. If you pass the tool to another person, make sure they have possession of the tool before you release your grip. It is best to have the person you passing the hatchet to, say’ thank you’, before you release your grip. Keep the axe in its sheath when not in use. Never strike a live tree in a campground with an axe.

The safe way to use an axe. 1) Make sure there is no one within five feet of where you are cutting with the axe, 2) Grip the haft or handle firmly, 3) Make accurate controlled swings with the axe, 4) Stand over the wood while chopping 5) Use a 45% cutting swing from left to right until the wood is cut.

The campground axe or hatchet is an invaluable tool when you are camping. As was pointed out, the axe has a long history behind it, there are many different types of axes, and there are valid reasons for owning each type of axe. Make sure that you have the correct axe with you in camp, the campground axe.