double bit hatchet.

savagesicslayer

savagesicslayer

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May 24, 2005
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I'm in the hunt for a double bit hatchet.I freely admit it is for my Nessmuk trio.However,All the axes I've found were either stainless steel or really $$$.
Would a stainless steel double bit hold up to woods work?There's a condor that looks the part.I've found a cheaper throwing hatchet that Looks good but again it's stainless.
Here's the 2 I'm talking about....

http://images.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/condor/images/CN4024S.jpg

http://cdn3.ioffer.com/img/item/791/798/31/184311179_tp.jpg

I did however in looking for the second pic found this.Anybody have any experience with them?

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/popup_image.php?pID=1483

I'm open to suggestions.I'm trying to keep it sub 100$
 
But the reeves is the best one.

reevesy.jpg
 
The Marbles off shore made is around $35.00, I just ordered one. The offshore made Marbles knives seem pretty good. I, like you, just wanted to finish off my nessmuk trio. It's 15 inches long I believe. If you want to search It's the Marbles Number 9 double bit belt axe.

Regards

Robin
 
I have a Marbles and it is terrible. The handle head fit is one of the worst I have seen. The head is loose. The entire head is convex in shape making it a rotten chopper. The handle tapers downwards with a minimal swell at the end. It fatigues your hand quickly due to the tight grip you must maintain in order to keep from launching out of your hand. The Reeves is fantastic, but will not fit your price range. Also, mine took closer to 16 months instead of the estimated year. With Reeves, you have a choice of the grind. I went with the traditional dual Sears grind and like it. I would skip the others and order a Reeves.
 
jw2n said:
I have a Marbles and it is terrible. The handle head fit is one of the worst I have seen. The head is loose. The entire head is convex in shape making it a rotten chopper. The handle tapers downwards with a minimal swell at the end. It fatigues your hand quickly due to the tight grip you must maintain in order to keep from launching out of your hand. The Reeves is fantastic, but will not fit your price range. Also, mine took closer to 16 months instead of the estimated year. With Reeves, you have a choice of the grind. I went with the traditional dual Sears grind and like it. I would skip the others and order a Reeves.
Click to expand...

Same problem I had. Head flew off while using it. Called Marbles and they did send me a knife. It looks nice, but I was afraid the handle would break in two since it is so thin. The eye is an odd shape if you were going to replace the handle. Don't waste your money.
 
Pipeman said:
The Marbles off shore made is around $35.00, I just ordered one.
Click to expand...
I've got a chinese-made Marbles Safety Axe, and its a real POS. I got it new out of the box so dull it would need to be totally re-profiled to be usable, so rusty it still has stains on it after extensive cleaning and polishing, and with a wooden haft so poor I'm afraid to use it.

I consider it an excellent example of why you should buy american. :rolleyes:
 
lurk on E~bae under axe or hatchet and look for a Norlund or Collins or Queen Cutlery never now what you may find. every now and then there will be an old Case or even a Reeve's. A lot of other folks do this, but lately I have seen a Norlund or two go for under a $100. They are nice little axes. I got a Norlund a few years back in the $70 range. It would look the part of a traditional Nessmuk. Where a Condor is a nice tool, it may be modern looks for you, but if you are gonna beat the snot out of it, why ruin a collector's item.

The nicer ones may go over $200 and some Case collectors have givden over $400. but if not in a hurry, just keep eyeing your prey.

good luck, hope you find a beauty.

Pat
 
Find an old Norlund double bit head on ebay, they are awesome!
Lots of complaints here about the Marbles double bit, i must have bought the only good one.
Mine was sharp and a good little chopper out of the box.
However after two summers use the handle did start to work loose.
I removed the full width metal wedge and put in a wooden one, then put in two small metal wedges.
Seems solid now, however i might drill a hole in the side of the head and hammer in a steel or brass pin so it will never come off on its own.
The norlund is a better axe-head and chopper but the head is wider, heavier and the cutting edge is thinner than the Marbles.
If the newest Marbles are that bad i'd just try to get one as cheap as possible and treat it as a kit axe to be moded.
Or just get the Stainless Condor, Condor make good gear i'll probably eventually get one of their double-bits myself.
 
I have the Marbles "made in China" double bit. It ain't too bad, after I reground the profile on both sides. It is very very thick, therefore it doesen't penetrate the wood at all. After reprofiling, sanding to mate finish and sharpinging, I have no real complaints. I use it around the yard all the time and cut up small branches for a fire on a regular basis.
I will go to Dixie Gunworks and take a look at the small double bit they have there and let ya know what I think of it. DGW is just down the road from here! If you ever pass through stop in and take a look, it's an interesting place.
 
I just returned from DGW and the small double bit isn't much. It says "made in india" on the handle. It also looks like the handle is epoxied into the head! I also be the steel is questionable. DGW has some good stuff, but I think I would steer well clear of this one! Looks more like a wall decoration, than a working axe.
 
The marbles has no taper on the inside eye, it could be ground down somehow on the inside top of the eye and a new handle fit in, it seemed like it was good steel but a bit thick at the edge.
What I want is a good medium size double bit cruiser, it is easy enough to find the full size ones but medium ones are tough.
 
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