Axe:
Whether you are fuelling a wood-burning stove or making a long-log fire, the ability to process dead, standing timber into firewood is very important. A good axe is an essential tool, more important than a knife in this environment. If you have your clothes, an axe and a means of making fire, then you can survive. An axe, however, is a dangerous tool. More so in an environment where you will be wearing gloves, standing on soft snow and quite possibly wearing snowshoes or skis underneath your feet. The boreal forest in winter is not an environment for a novice to get to grips with an axe. It is much better to learn to use your axe confidently and safely in the easier, warmer summer months then carefully transfer your skills to a winter environment, bearing in mind the additional awkwardness and associated risk factors.
Saw:
In addition to an axe, a full-sized buck-saw or bow-saw makes the job of processing firewood both more safe and more efficient. The combination of axe and saw makes a very powerful combination. For small jobs each member of the group can also carry a fixed-blade knife and a folding saw on their person.
Shovel:
A much under-rated tool of the north is a snow-shovel. There are many occasions when the ability to move snow quickly and efficiently is desirable. A good quality snow shovel makes all the difference. Moving powdery or granular snow requires more of a sweeping motion than a digging action. An extendable handle helps achieve this motion while avoiding back strain. A D-shaped handle allows you to grip it even when wearing mittens. When working in confined spaces such as hollowing-out a quinzee, the handle can be reduced to its minimum length. A metal blade that is shaped to cut into hard snow will make relatively easy work or carving away compacted snow when hollowing-out a shelter. Finally, customise your shovel by adding hockey-tape to the metal shaft to reduce the conductive heat loss from your hands when using the shovel.
Brush:
A small stiff-bristled brush is useful for removing snow from clothing and equipment. The removal of snow is important because otherwise as you enter the warm environment of a heated tent or cabin, the snow begins to melt and moisture is introduced to your clothing, boots, etc., as well as the warm, dry space itself. Much better to brush all the snow off your boots, including the soles, before you hang them up to dry than to have them dripping on you and your kit in the tent. I use a 99 pence wooden-handled potato-scrubbing brush. It is only a little bigger than a nail brush and I keep it in a pocket of my smock.
Whether you are fuelling a wood-burning stove or making a long-log fire, the ability to process dead, standing timber into firewood is very important. A good axe is an essential tool, more important than a knife in this environment. If you have your clothes, an axe and a means of making fire, then you can survive. An axe, however, is a dangerous tool. More so in an environment where you will be wearing gloves, standing on soft snow and quite possibly wearing snowshoes or skis underneath your feet. The boreal forest in winter is not an environment for a novice to get to grips with an axe. It is much better to learn to use your axe confidently and safely in the easier, warmer summer months then carefully transfer your skills to a winter environment, bearing in mind the additional awkwardness and associated risk factors.
Saw:
In addition to an axe, a full-sized buck-saw or bow-saw makes the job of processing firewood both more safe and more efficient. The combination of axe and saw makes a very powerful combination. For small jobs each member of the group can also carry a fixed-blade knife and a folding saw on their person.
Shovel:
A much under-rated tool of the north is a snow-shovel. There are many occasions when the ability to move snow quickly and efficiently is desirable. A good quality snow shovel makes all the difference. Moving powdery or granular snow requires more of a sweeping motion than a digging action. An extendable handle helps achieve this motion while avoiding back strain. A D-shaped handle allows you to grip it even when wearing mittens. When working in confined spaces such as hollowing-out a quinzee, the handle can be reduced to its minimum length. A metal blade that is shaped to cut into hard snow will make relatively easy work or carving away compacted snow when hollowing-out a shelter. Finally, customise your shovel by adding hockey-tape to the metal shaft to reduce the conductive heat loss from your hands when using the shovel.
Brush:
A small stiff-bristled brush is useful for removing snow from clothing and equipment. The removal of snow is important because otherwise as you enter the warm environment of a heated tent or cabin, the snow begins to melt and moisture is introduced to your clothing, boots, etc., as well as the warm, dry space itself. Much better to brush all the snow off your boots, including the soles, before you hang them up to dry than to have them dripping on you and your kit in the tent. I use a 99 pence wooden-handled potato-scrubbing brush. It is only a little bigger than a nail brush and I keep it in a pocket of my smock.
Source...