B.O.B. Hatchet?

I love the carpenter"s axe. I love the Wetterlings and have used the Vaughn. I have arthritis and have to consider the effect of shock and vibration on my joints, especially when the use of those joints may impact my survivability. I agree with Mattyak, even though I no longer live in AK, that I can re-haft with available wood in case of a broken handle.
 
HandAxeProMan said:
The one disadvantage of Estwings not mentioned by any of you is the wear and tear on your elbows and shoulders. They do not absorb shock like a wood handle will. All of the carpenters I know use the Estwings for some tasks that generally result in a broken handle, but not for the majority of their task to save their elbows and shoulders. You have to weigh the long term survivability of the axe versus the possibility of disabling you during a survival situation. I have never used one for extended periods, but my son-in-law, a journey man union carpenter, has and will not use one except for certain task.
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That's absolutely right. If I'm using a hammer all day it is probably a Vaughan with a wood handle. My 20 oz. Estwing straight claw is for utility work, concrete forms and such. I frame with a 24 oz. Vaughan and finish with a 16 oz. Vaughan. Both with straight claws and wood handles.
 
Gransfor Bruks

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I don't think anyone makes lighter hatchet than the Firestone pocket axe. And it doubles as a Ulu.
 
Tiguy7, you have indeed mentioned another of the multipurpose tools. You can use it as an axe, knife, skinner, and ulu. Almost the Swiss Army Knife of axes.
 
tiguy7 said:
I don't think anyone makes lighter hatchet than the Firestone pocket axe. And it doubles as a Ulu.
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I can't find the pocket axe, but what is the difference between Firestone's belt axe on the one hand, and the utility or the carver on the other, that the belt axe should cost 2/3 more than the others?
 
Does the estwing riggers hatchet really weigh 1.25 pounds? My estwing camping hatchet weighs 1.5 pounds.
 
It's a little over 2 lbs IIRC. Are you thinking of the Carpenter's Hatchet? If so, yes. It's very small. If it had an edge cover it would be pocketable.
 
There are basically 4 Firestone axes. The biggest 2 have forged heads and plywood handles. The more expensive model has a polished stainless steel head. I think they are USA made. The larger of the imports has a blanked head and a molded plastic handle. Ditto for the smaller import. All of these models have a big belly with a large notch behind the cutting edge (next to the handle) so you can choke up on the handle and more closely control the cutting action (ulu). Searching google should turn up a pocket axe. Firestone may have a website.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
It's a little over 2 lbs IIRC. Are you thinking of the Carpenter's Hatchet? If so, yes. It's very small. If it had an edge cover it would be pocketable.
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yep, I was looking at your site http://www.baryonyxknife.com/caha.html I've never seen one in person. Surprised on the weight, and the big poll; from the looks of it it should have more mechanical advantage for splitting then the camping hatchets.
 
tiguy7 said:
There are basically 4 Firestone axes. The biggest 2 have forged heads and plywood handles. The more expensive model has a polished stainless steel head. I think they are USA made. The larger of the imports has a blanked head and a molded plastic handle. Ditto for the smaller import. All of these models have a big belly with a large notch behind the cutting edge (next to the handle) so you can choke up on the handle and more closely control the cutting action (ulu). Searching google should turn up a pocket axe. Firestone may have a website.
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Thanks. I finally found what looks like the whole line by googling mcgowan firestone axe.
 
Don't know if this is a concern where you are but I'm leary of having a wooden handled axe in my car. There's humidity and big swings in temperature. I can't see that being good on a wooden haft.
 
There shouldn't be any problems storing a wood handle in the car. I store a couple of wood handled tools in my car and truck with no problem.
 
spike116 said:
I store a couple of wood handled tools in my car and truck with no problem.
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Me, too. And I'm in the Great Northwet like Shotgun is. I have a wood handled saw in my truck now that's been there for 2-1/2 years. Still looks the same as the day I put it in there except for a few work scars.
 
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