In response to Wiz's reply: I have a Walther PPK .380 which I carry daily because it is compact and lighter than my Kimber Pro-Carry .45 or my S&W .44 Magnum revolver or my Ruger Beasley single action .45. So, after all this explaining the selection to choose from, for hiking and defense purpos...

axe....hatchet......whatever....
have you, or anyone else, considered a nice Boker fixed blade knife with a double saw-tooth edge on top of the blade?
....I have one is why I am asking....am not a serious hiker (yet).