An Axe is a Hatchet unless it's 32" handle lenght (at least for me).

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
930
Hi all,

I realize I am an Axe "newbie" but, I think I'm "getting the hang" (hey, I made a funny) of it quickly! Today, I visited a local Hardware Store to see what they carry in the way of Axes/Hatchets. I handled a 28" Boys Axe (for feel) and YIKES! I'm so glad that I haven't yet ordered an Axe on line (sight unseen). No doubt one's physical height/size/build/weight/age/etc. plays a VERY important role for a proper Axe length fit. I am 6'3" tall, 265 lbs. and even a 28" Boys Axe felt.....smallish in my hands.....it felt waaay too short. Now, this is not to say that I could not use a shorter Axe/Hatchet but, as far as TWO handed Axes are concerned, I don't think I can any longer consider anything that has less than a 32" length handle. Heck, I even liked the feel of the 36" length Axe. I find a 20" handle is a nice feeling (one handed) HATCHET length for me. I'm just so glad that I checked first before I buy.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
I am 6'2" and the shortest I would consider a two handed axe is 25", but it takes technique and mobility to use it. The longest I would consider a true hatchet is 16-17", any longer and the handle gets in the way. Everything in between are highly specialized tools with a very narrow scope of work, imo.
 
Last edited:
KingKoma said:
I am 6'2" and the shortest I would consider a two handed axe is 25", but it takes technique and mobility to use it. The longest I would consider a true hatchet is 16-17", any longer and the handle gets in the way. Everything in between are highly specialized tools with a very narrow scope of work, imo.
Click to expand...

This makes sense. You know what handle length you want for an ax. Figure out what handle length works for a hatchet and disregard everything in between.
 
Hi guys,

KK and Bo, thanks for responding to my thread. I guess I was just surprised at how.....well....short a 28" handle felt once I held it in my hands. No doubt you are correct that it takes much skill and technique (neither of which I've yet acquired) to use the shorter Axe. BoT, yep, I agree with your statement, I kinda figured out yesterday that 32" handle length is what I'll look for when buying and/or rehanging a (two handed) Axe. I hope I did not give the impression that I don't like or appreciate Hatchets. In fact, I have been buying all types of smaller Hatchet/Axe heads lately. Thanks for your help guys.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Yeah 28-30" is the optimal length for me, with 24" being the minimum length for a proper two handed swing. But that's probably because I'm 5'4. I actually just recently hung a 4lb Kelly Perfect Jersey on a 35" handle and while it isn't quite unwieldy, I'd probably opt for one of my shorter axes for most tasks. It bites deep and really throws huge chips, but I feel like I could have gotten 2 more accurate strikes with a 28-30" in the time it took to lift and swing the 35". In all honesty, I'll probably only reach for it if I need to down a 12"+ tree (unlikely) or do some splitting.

That said, 32" seems to be the sweet spot for the majority of axe users. If you've watched any axe competitions, there are never handles longer than that, despite some of the competitors standing 6'2+
 
I can't do anything longer than 32", except a couple around 34" or so for splitting. A 3 1/2 pound axe on a 31" handle or something thereabouts is just way more spry and wieldy than one on a 34"+. But my favorite all around working axes, in conjunction with a crosscut saw, is something between 3 and 3 1/4 pounds with a 30 or 31" handle. Sometimes as short as 29", depending on the head.
 
I tend to lean more towards the weight of the head rather than the length of handle to determine if I think it's more axe than hatchet. Though they both come into play. I'm on the taller side and I really like 30-32" handles for full size heads. I love swinging a boy's axe too.
 
It's funny the different takes on it. To me a hatchet is just a small axe, and anything over 18" is just an axe. I tend to like shorter than average handles on full size axes and longer handles than average handles on hatchets and small axes. For instance, I really like 1+ pound heads on a 23 or 24" handle, and a 3.5 pound head on a 32" handle. Heck, I like my 5 pounder on 32"!
 
My take on it is if it is meant to be used with one hand it a hatchet, two hands its a axe. Nothing I own or recall seeing off the top of my head is made to be used either way.
 
garry3 said:
My take on it is if it is meant to be used with one hand it a hatchet, two hands its a axe. Nothing I own or recall seeing off the top of my head is made to be used either way.
Click to expand...

If you eat ya wheaties, ain't no problem using a "boy's axe" one handed for carving. Hell, I've even used some of my bigger axes, at 3 or so pounds, with one hand to carve wedges for sawyer stuff in the woods.
 
G-pig said:
If you eat ya wheaties, ain't no problem using a "boy's axe" one handed for carving. Hell, I've even used some of my bigger axes, at 3 or so pounds, with one hand to carve wedges for sawyer stuff in the woods.
Click to expand...

Both the boys axe and the larger axe you refer to are clearly designed to be used with both hands making them axes. This is just my opinion and it can be changed but there are no axes or hatchets that I know of that really straddle the fence.
 
garry3 said:
Both the boys axe and the larger axe you refer to are clearly designed to be used with both hands making them axes. This is just my opinion and it can be changed but there are no axes or hatchets that I know of that really straddle the fence.
Click to expand...

No contesting that-- just muddying the water for folks. (Ain't no hatchet, by the way, that works good as a big axe ;D )
 
G-pig said:
No contesting that-- just muddying the water for folks. (Ain't no hatchet, by the way, that works good as a big axe ;D )
Click to expand...

Its good to stir the water a little. Even works sometimes when the fish ain't biting.
 
I'm 6'0" and I like a full length 36" haft for felling and splitting. For bucking I like hafts in the 32" to 34" range. My current overall favorite axe is a 34". I have a 33" that I really like, too. But the one I keep in my work truck is a 28" boys axe. A 30" haft on a 3-1/2 pound axe just seems too short for me. 30" on a 3-pounder is OK.
 
M3mphis said:
It's funny the different takes on it. To me a hatchet is just a small axe, and anything over 18" is just an axe. I tend to like shorter than average handles on full size axes and longer handles than average handles on hatchets and small axes. For instance, I really like 1+ pound heads on a 23 or 24" handle, and a 3.5 pound head on a 32" handle. Heck, I like my 5 pounder on 32"!
Click to expand...

M3mpis, A 23" or 24" handle is kind of unusual. Are you making your own handles?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top