Knives, axes and saws are essential tools for preparing firewood around camp. It is vital for a Scout to know how to take care of these tools and how to use them safely and correctly.
There are many different types of axe and they each tend to be suitable for a limited range of work. In Scouting this does not present too much of a problem as we tend not to use the more 'specialist' types of axes.
A knife is perhaps one of the most useful tools you could have at camp. Given enough time, patience and ingenuity most problems can be solved with the safe use of the correct knife and its application.