Incredibly basic question I know but I'm a UK hiker so have never started a fire in my life. And I've ended up in Wales staying weekends at a mountain hut with a wood burning stove. There are logs to fuel it but I have absolutely no idea what is the best way to cut them up. Axe? saw? hatchet? will the wire saw in my possibles kit work?
I suppose a packet of fire starters will light them, or do I need paper as well? Or will making those feather sticks replace the paper?
qjs

I use all the tools mentioned.

An axe and hatchet are heavy and require some skill.

I'd use a saw while learning to use the axe/hatchet. You could use a baton and heavy fixed blade knife to split the wood.

Blake

www.outdoorquest.blogspot.com

I have no experience but this is what Doug Ritter has written on wire saws: “While much lighter in weight and much less bulky, wire saws, often referred to as "commando" or "SAS" saws, are poor tools that are only better than nothing at all. Fine if you want to include them in a pocket kit, but aside from that, a poor idea. They require more energy to use since they cut so inefficiently and are difficult to use, especially so with cold hands or with heavy gloves. Larger "survival" chain style saws work well on larger logs, but are useless on smaller limbs and quite heavy.”

This is what Doug includes in his Aviator Survival Pack:

http://www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Gear/Exchange-a-blade-Saw_46036

Jeanette Isabelle

Are you splitting the wood? Cutting sections? Are you hiking in with your tools?

I would not recommend the wire saw for a large quantity of cutting. If weight is not a problem, an axe would be fastest. If the weight is an issue, a hatchet or folding saw would work. The survival chain saws work well if you can hold the wood still, better for large limbs and such if you are alone. This one works very well Unbelievable Chain Saw .

Fox Knives Roman Style Hunter's Axe is the hatchet I carry. Very light, aggressive cutter, easy to keep sharp, comfortable handle.

Ditto what Jeanette said. The typical folding saw you can find in most garden shops is much better than any wire/chain hand saw.

Also, don't forget the saw that you get with the large format (Rucksack/Trekker/Soldier) size Swiss Army Knives.

As for chopping, the Gransfors Bruks Mini-Hatchet is a very nice tool in a small (but pricey) package. Their slightly larger Wildlife Hatchet is also a good choice, but much more care is required when swinging anything sharp.

Thanks folks. Sounds like a folding saw is what I want. Using a hatchet or axe for the first time, when alone in a place with no phone reception, looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Now I remember why Doug doesn't discuss them in his gear guide. And the wire saws and survival chain saws seem to have limitations.
qjs

Regarding the second part of my question. Will firelighters be enough to get a log burning?
qjs

Rather depends on how you need to cut the logs.

Across the grain, a saw (preferably some kind of bowsaw) is always going to be easier.

With the grain, ie splitting, and being in the UK, you could look at a Morris Riving Iron, a traditional tool for splitting smaller wood. Can be had for less than £20.

I find that with a MoD4 Survival Knife with a Fallkneven DC4 + Bacho Laplander + half a dozen Fatwood Sticks it doesn't present too much of a problem getting a fire started when processing 6-8 inch logs.

If using a wood burning stove you may need to quarter or greater the logs if more than 3-4 inch diameter especially if the logs haven't been dried out. Sawing logs generally require less energy than using an Axe. The saw will generally be lighter. The axe will both cut and split logs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W6r5U7yBE

A 24 inch Bacho Force Bow saw will easily deal with the larger logs and is still somewhat portable weighing 720 gms.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-BAH102423-10-24-23-Bowsaw-24In/dp/B0001IX7TC/ref=pd_sim_diy_6

A major reason to have a saw rather than an axe is in case your dominant hand is unusable due to injury.

A right handed person using an axe or hatchet left handed is an invitation to a disaster. Using a saw left handed could be slow and engender some bad language but it won't cause damage to you and yours.