Americn Tomahawk Double Bit Nessmuk - Should I?

[charlesbjr]

Ok, I am really thinking about getting the American Tomahawk Double Bit Nessmuk.......

Anyone have any experience with it? Any pros or cons?

Thanks!

 

[Square_peg]

Why duplicate one tool when you could have another tool where the 2nd bit is?

 

[Bo T]

I agree with Square_peg. Would a hardened poll serve a better purpose than another ax? Also, for close work that sharpened bit on the back side is dangerous.

 

[dogstar]

With a double bit axe, each blade can be profiled differently, e.g. one for cutting performance and another for splitting performance.

 

[M3mphis]

Personally, I think those are a frickin joke. Ymmv...or whatever.

 

[hughd]

Personally, I think those are a frickin joke. Ymmv...or whatever.

Great point...

 

[WJC01]

I agree with Square_peg. Would a hardened poll serve a better purpose than another ax? Also, for close work that sharpened bit on the back side is dangerous.

I don't care for a double bit myself but I don't see a valid argument on the dangerous backside. If you have any backside tool and do use both sides you will have a hammer poll, spike or blade on the reverse coming at you. You have to use caution and chop,hammer,dig whatever on an angle.

 

[Bo T]

I don't care for a double bit myself but I don't see a valid argument on the dangerous backside. If you have any backside tool and do use both sides you will have a hammer poll, spike or blade on the reverse coming at you. You have to use caution and chop,hammer,dig whatever on an angle.

I have an edge protector that leaves the hammer poll free for use and protects the user from the sharp edge. A person could put an edge protector on the side not being used with a double bit but I have yet to see that happen.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Small double bits are no more a joke then large ones, not sure why the hate.

 

[Bo T]

Small double bits are no more a joke then large ones, not sure why the hate.

No hate. Just letting the OP know about alternatives and note that double bits are more dangerous than single bits.

 

[Mossyhorn]

The double bit Fehrman designed American Tomahawk Nessmuk has a blade ground for chopping on one side and the other side is ground for fine work like skinning and other chores.

 

[Square_peg]

Small double bits are no more a joke then large ones, not sure why the hate.

Large double bits were developed for men who built skid roads in the logging industry. By nature this work involves a lot of grubbing out of low lying wood, roots, deadfall, etc. And at the same time large live trees needed to be cleared. A full sized double bit can do this. That type of work is rarely done by hatchet wielders.

Not to say that a 2nd sharp bit on a hatchet wouldn't be handy at times. It would be - especially if you don't get around to sharpening your axe very often. But I would personally find more use in a poll or spike.

 

[charlesbjr]

Thanks guys. A lot of good points. I am going to shy away from this, a lot of doe for a double bit.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Any links or pics? I can't find anything.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Large double bits were developed for men who built skid roads in the logging industry. By nature this work involves a lot of grubbing out of low lying wood, roots, deadfall, etc. And at the same time large live trees needed to be cleared. A full sized double bit can do this. That type of work is rarely done by hatchet wielders.

Not to say that a 2nd sharp bit on a hatchet wouldn't be handy at times. It would be - especially if you don't get around to sharpening your axe very often. But I would personally find more use in a poll or spike.

Double bits are still quite popular today, not many used to build skid roads, I can imagine. A double bit hatchet makes just as much sense, in that case.
I like double bits for the balance, and like you say, two different edges.

 

[Mossyhorn]

Any links or pics? I can't find anything.

I had one and wish I would've kept it.

 

[M3mphis]

We are talking about the Fehrman, right?

I can see a few (maybe only one, actually) reason to get a double bit hatchet. However, saying they make as much sense as a full size or cruiser double bit axe...I can't get there. I think the cons far and away outweigh the pros.

 

[Mossyhorn]

^ Yes it's the right one.

 

[300LW]

Double bit axe, yes. Double bit hatchet, seems pretty useless to me. I've always used a hatchet as a hammer as much as a cutting tool. If I wanted to cut wood it would be with an axe (or chainsaw).

I grew up using my grandfather's double bit axe. It's all he ever used and now it's mine. He used it to cut the virgin forest along the Tombigbee River in N.E. MS along with a crosscut saw during the late teens-mid 20's and made his own handles every few years out of split white oak sapwood. That's something I don't have the patience for, though. RIP Grandad. 1901-1986.