- Joined
- Jan 20, 1999
- Messages
- 738
Last Thursday, I was ecstatic to receive my Busse Paul Hatchet. 
It makes good company for my Paul knife by Gerber, even though they are different Pauls.
Considering that the very battered box was open at both ends.
I am glad it did not manage to slip out past the reinforcement tape. I even emailed Busse to alert them to the openings, just to make sure there was not supposed to be anything else in the box. After reading various posts I think I will be waiting a while longer for my Zero Tolerance set, so I guess the openings were not a problem. The hatchet and sheath, true to their Busse heritage survived the battering in pristine condition.
It is a great design and comfortable in the hand. I think it would be ideal as a hatchet to carry when one intends on low impact camping/hiking. It does not weigh too much to take along, but if necessity arises it would be a great tool. Further, it would be good for pounding in those tent stakes, much safer and more elegant than a rock. I do note that when using it in a hammer position that the pommel beak does press into ones hand, but I do not see that as a problem. It is unlikely that one would use it for extended periods in that grip and the edges have been relieved.
It is apparent the care that has gone into its design, to make it multi-functional. It would also be ideal for use and carry around persons who might be uncomfortable around a large knife.
Further, it would be less likely to subject the possessor to unwelcome or uncomfortable scrutiny. It is shorter and weighs less than a Busse Natural Outlaw.
Unfortunately, unlike some that others have commented on, it came dull. It is the dullest cutting implement that I have received in recent memory. The edge grind was even, but possibly the sharpening step was missed. Since others have received their hatchet sharp, I do not believe it is by design, and from past good experience with infi steel, it is not by necessity. The infi steel can handle a much sharper edge, even in a chopper. I previously had a Busse Battle Hatchet and it came hair shaving sharp. It came with sharpening instructions from a Busse Basic, but the Hatchet edge appears symmetrical to me. If it is supposed to be asymmetrical please tell me quickly!
After some time spent sharpening, it is now capable of scraping off the odd hair or two and slicing paper with the grain. Hopefully, Ill be able to get it as sharp as my previous Battle Hatchet and my Battle Mistress.
I have not had time or occasion to really use it. I did split a scrap of wood I had laying around, but that would not have been much challenge, even for my Paul knife. I recently had to have a brittle tree removed in which the top had succumbed to a wind storm. A reasonable blow to the middle of the stump top....a bare mark....that wood is hard. A few blows to the outside edge of the stump took out a reasonable chunk of wood...success.
It came in a nice black Cordura Plus nylon sheath with a hard plastic liner for the hatchet head. (My guess on the material.) It has two retention straps with snaps to secure the handle. It has a generous belt loop and the handle would be carried upright. The hatchet and sheath make a svelte package. I like it.
It makes good company for my Paul knife by Gerber, even though they are different Pauls. Considering that the very battered box was open at both ends.
I am glad it did not manage to slip out past the reinforcement tape. I even emailed Busse to alert them to the openings, just to make sure there was not supposed to be anything else in the box. After reading various posts I think I will be waiting a while longer for my Zero Tolerance set, so I guess the openings were not a problem. The hatchet and sheath, true to their Busse heritage survived the battering in pristine condition.It is a great design and comfortable in the hand. I think it would be ideal as a hatchet to carry when one intends on low impact camping/hiking. It does not weigh too much to take along, but if necessity arises it would be a great tool. Further, it would be good for pounding in those tent stakes, much safer and more elegant than a rock. I do note that when using it in a hammer position that the pommel beak does press into ones hand, but I do not see that as a problem. It is unlikely that one would use it for extended periods in that grip and the edges have been relieved.
It is apparent the care that has gone into its design, to make it multi-functional. It would also be ideal for use and carry around persons who might be uncomfortable around a large knife.
Further, it would be less likely to subject the possessor to unwelcome or uncomfortable scrutiny. It is shorter and weighs less than a Busse Natural Outlaw. Unfortunately, unlike some that others have commented on, it came dull. It is the dullest cutting implement that I have received in recent memory. The edge grind was even, but possibly the sharpening step was missed. Since others have received their hatchet sharp, I do not believe it is by design, and from past good experience with infi steel, it is not by necessity. The infi steel can handle a much sharper edge, even in a chopper. I previously had a Busse Battle Hatchet and it came hair shaving sharp. It came with sharpening instructions from a Busse Basic, but the Hatchet edge appears symmetrical to me. If it is supposed to be asymmetrical please tell me quickly!
After some time spent sharpening, it is now capable of scraping off the odd hair or two and slicing paper with the grain. Hopefully, Ill be able to get it as sharp as my previous Battle Hatchet and my Battle Mistress.
I have not had time or occasion to really use it. I did split a scrap of wood I had laying around, but that would not have been much challenge, even for my Paul knife. I recently had to have a brittle tree removed in which the top had succumbed to a wind storm. A reasonable blow to the middle of the stump top....a bare mark....that wood is hard. A few blows to the outside edge of the stump took out a reasonable chunk of wood...success.
It came in a nice black Cordura Plus nylon sheath with a hard plastic liner for the hatchet head. (My guess on the material.) It has two retention straps with snaps to secure the handle. It has a generous belt loop and the handle would be carried upright. The hatchet and sheath make a svelte package. I like it.