Custom survival hatchet

[STAGE 2]

As much as I hate to admit it, those cheap chinese survival hatchets with the hammer prybar and nail puller are incredibly useful. I love mine and use it constantly.

After using it today it got me to thinking. Since these are essentially really crappy castings with horrible grinds (if you can call them that) I wondered how much more effective/useful this tool would be if I had one made by a custom maker.

What do you folks think would be the best steel for this setup and is it even feasible.

 

[Lorien]

5160? It's cheap and tough. I'd think a knifemaker would be into making something like that.

 

[STAGE 2]

Anybody know any makers that do custom jobs like this. Preferably guys who make hatchets?

 

[samhain73]

Justin Gingrich would. (Ranger knives) And he already makes one, the entry tool is pretty much what your describing if I understand you correctly. S7 steel though!
http://www.rangerknives.com/
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=RAENTRY

 

[STAGE 2]

I've seen that one, but its too long and doesn't have the other two features that I'm looking for. Honestly I'm just looking to have an identical copy of the cheapo one that I have with maybe some nice micarta handles or something.