Bear the Dog=Does Not Own a Hatchet!

Bear- I'm as anxious for you to get your Fiskars almost as much as you are. I just bought mine a few weeks ago, and so far it's worked real well on seasoned locust. I really want to see if, and how, it changes your views about machetes. I realize a machete may be more versatile, but for regular ol' chopping, I'm anxious to see which you prefer. I'm also looking forward to those pictures, I know you're sure to include. (hint, hint) :)
 
In contrast, I really need to try doing batoning and splitting with my Tram. This is something I've always either used a fixed blade or the Fiskars for. Should be fun!
 
My hatchet is a Knives Of Alaska hatchet, which is patterned after the good ol boyscout hatchet. It does a wounderful job, I am very impressed with how well it works for such a small hatchet.
 
IF you need such a tool, my prejudices are as follows.

I would not carry into the outback an axe of any size that I could not rehandle in the field. That rules out plastic handled-axes. I own some, but they are for car-camping.

I don't like Estwing axes of any size. I find them relatively heavy and significantly softer than the competition. I don't like the balance (They seem "dead" in my hand) and are not comfortable to choke up on to use as a backup knifey thingee. Can't break 'em, but I have hammered the edges of a number back into shape (sorta) after the bent chopping (:eek:) wood. I suspect even a Boy Scout could not break one outright.

If you want an all-steel axe, get an old Boy Scout Bridgeport off ebay - not the one with wooden handles but one with the rubber handles - red or yellow paint jobs. They are, IMO, far superior to Estwings. Under $50 delivered.

GB makes top notch tools. One they make is an excellent splitting axe, described as such. The SFA, Hunter's Axe and smaller axes are optimized for cutting softwood, not splitting hardwood. That's what is being worked on in Sweden. We have more hardwood. They do not present a smooth "V" looked at from the top. I cut to length ("buck") with a saw, so an axe that will not split is not for me.

There are mixed reports in BF on Snow & Nealy products. Some apparently come with terrible handles and uneven bevels. Some make the owner's happy. Who knows? I'd want a chance to pick mine.

I got an Hults Bruks and a Wetterlings for cheap that are quite good. Others have complained of having to remove lots of metal to get a good profile. Ragnar sells the Wetterlings and suspect he'd pick one out if you ask nicely.

I have a number of (75 or so) pre-WWII Plumb, Collins, Bridgeport, Vaughn & Bushnell, Kelly, and Keen Kutter hatchets. They come from an age when lots of pople knew what a good axe looked like (wood stives still beign quite common in rural areas) and quality was required to compete. They cut and split just fine. They all have handles with the grain running in the right way.

The modern hardware store axe made by "CHINA," has a softwood handle, and has a head of badly cast steel.

The best small axe I have is only marked "HANDMADE." I can't find that company with Google. :D
 
For small hand axes, I still have my old Boy Scout one from the early 60s. It's a Plumb. Still has the original handle. Do they still make Plumbs? They are small and easy to carry, but my combo sheath rotted away years ago. It used to hold a small Western fixed blade, too.

Job001.jpg
 
ive heard others say they want to be able to rehandle their axes in the woods. has anyone ever done or heard of this being done? my limited experience with wood handles when i was younger involved loose heads, flying heads and beating heads back on. a real pita. i went with a fiskars because i dont ever want to deal with a loose head or replacing a handle again, even though they arent as pretty as the wooden handle types. i also swear by my estwing hammers, they are bomb proof and ive used my brothers estwing axe and i like it though not as much as my fiskars. i dont think anyone could go wrong with either of these.
jd
 
Horn Dog said:
For small hand axes, I still have my old Boy Scout one from the early 60s. It's a Plumb. Still has the original handle. Do they still make Plumbs? They are small and easy to carry, but my combo sheath rotted away years ago. It used to hold a small Western fixed blade, too.
Click to expand...


You have the Plumb B.S.A. "Pack Axe," a nice tool. The axe/knife combo was the "Kit Karson Kit." (It had a belt loop but, I never figured out where to carry such a thing on the belt, even before pack hip belts. Behind the hip gets in the way of the pack. In front of the hip . . . . no way!)

Per a Google search, Plumb axes are still being made, including a 1.25 lb. "Hunter's Axe," but I have no idea where they are made or what the quality is. The pictures do not show the refined lines of the old Plumbs. I have certainly not seen them in stores around here.

Replacing handles in the field from available materials? I have helped others do it twice that I can recall. They seriously misshit just under the head and shattered the handles. It was time-consuming, but they parted company with us carrying functioning axes.

If you assume that such an accident cannot happen with a plastic axe, you have yet to acknowledge the power of the Dread God Murphy. But remove the rest of the plastic, wrap it in a neckerchief so the sharp edges don't mess up your hand, and you have a "hand axe" for real. :D

Estwing makes very good hammers.
 
Too many pretty hatchets posted here.

For those that appreciate ugly, my used, and abused Fiskars.
Fiskars002.jpg


Chris
 
Rupestris said:
Too many pretty hatchets posted here.

For those that appreciate ugly, my used, and abused Fiskars.
Fiskars002.jpg


Chris
Click to expand...

I want that one! I love the sight of other peoples used knives. That will most likely be it. Anyone got any other ideas please share.
 
bearthedog said:
I want that one! I love the sight of other peoples used knives. That will most likely be it. Anyone got any other ideas please share.
Click to expand...


Thanks Bear, SP,

I actually cleaned that one up before its photo shoot. It had a little surface rust on it after spending a Michigan winter in the garage.

Fiskars001.jpg


It's probably eight years old and has served very well as my only axe/hatchet. From the backyard fire pit to camping trips in NY, WVA, and GA, its been as reliable as the sun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top