Many times, old timer advise is welcome. However from experience in the mountaineering community (and others), I know that a lot of the old time advise will get you killed, or worse, maimed enough that you wish you were dead.

The world of survival and bushcraft has changed over the years and what may of been sound advise from 39 years ago does not neccessarily mean that it is good advise today.

An ax or hatchet is a very capable tool in the right hands and when used with care. If you do not pay attention or use either tool in a manner it was not meant to be used, bad things will happen very fast.

Personally I prefer to carry a small hatchet when out backpacking and am well aware of it's limitations. In camp, an ax has it's better purpose over a hatchet, however each tool in the right hands is very capable of doing whatever I need.