-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Fiskars 14" Hatchet
- Thread starter Morablades
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2007
- Messages
- 945
I don't have any worrys about breaking mine in normal use, but I do think I remember someone saying they had broken one a while back. The memory is pretty foggy, but I think they might have been using it in really cold temps.
I've been tempted to drop another 20 bucks for a second one to abuse as much as I possibly could and then eventually cut the head off and see exactly how much plastic there is holding it on. I'll be sure to post pics if I ever decide that it's worth 20 bucks to satisfy my curiosity.
I've been tempted to drop another 20 bucks for a second one to abuse as much as I possibly could and then eventually cut the head off and see exactly how much plastic there is holding it on. I'll be sure to post pics if I ever decide that it's worth 20 bucks to satisfy my curiosity.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2005
- Messages
- 7,499
I saw a bit on Fiskars on the show Modern Marvels the other day. They ran over a full size axe handle with a huge tractor and the handle just bent and then slowly relaxed back into shape. Tough!
I used mine and beat the living crap out of it on the last camping trip I did. I used 2 way to split bigger logs.
If you have to split bigger pieces of wood. Just make a wedge out a branch make sure it's strong. So when the hatchet gets stuck by being wedged in. You take that wedge you made and baton it behind the hatchet to loosen it. Take out the hatchet and use the hammer side of hatchet to finish splitting the wood with the wedge. It a lot safer and it won't break your handle.
If you have to split bigger pieces of wood. Just make a wedge out a branch make sure it's strong. So when the hatchet gets stuck by being wedged in. You take that wedge you made and baton it behind the hatchet to loosen it. Take out the hatchet and use the hammer side of hatchet to finish splitting the wood with the wedge. It a lot safer and it won't break your handle.
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2002
- Messages
- 3,291
The handle is a tough plastic. I have one and like it a lot, but it's not a good chopping tool as compared to my SA Wetterling 19" large hunters axe. It's OK for lite weight chopping and splitting, as well as it's intended purpose, garden work. Wrap something around the handle to improve grip.
I think you are referring to a forumite that broke the handle on a Chinese import brand knockoff clone, it was not a Fiskars brand. If i remember correctly the guy broke it like ten years ago back when he was teenager.
At least thats the only story i've seen here referring to breaking a polymer hollow handled axe.
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 6,105
I think you are referring to a forumite that broke the handle on a Chinese import brand knockoff clone, it was not a Fiskars brand. If i remember correctly the guy broke it like ten years ago back when he was teenager.
At least thats the only story i've seen here referring to breaking a polymer hollow handled axe.
I actually broke a polymer hatchet handle in half on its first use. It was a 'Colt' hatchet with the knife that fit inside the handle. On its very first strike the handle shattered, and the knife flew out with it. I was a wee bit irate about potential dangers to say the least, and very scarred on having polymer materials on something that takes impact. It was a big leap of faith for me to try out the Fiskars, but I'm glad I did.
The polymer the Fiskars uses and the plastic on that Colt (and similar types of hatchets) are light-years apart.
Howdy,
First post been lurking for awhile, thought that I could actually contribute to this thread.
I have a 14" Fiskars hatchet that I have modified into a left handed broad-axe for woodcarving. Pretty hard to find one those even on ebay. I have a Gransfors Burks mini-hatchet that is oh so sweet, but I wanted something at about the same size, but with a broad-axe style head. The one I purchased from a local hardware for about $22, so it was not too expensive an experiment to try.
I have a Tormek slow speed grinder that I used to flatten the right hand bevel, so that I now effectively had a chisel grind. I also reground the remaining bevel so that it was a little less steep. Finally I shortened the handle to make it easier and safer to use as a carving hatchet.
The result works great. I can choke up and use it like a large carving knife, or swing it like you would normally use a hatchet. I have used it so far on 2 walking sticks that I carved out of a Ash "basball bat" blanks I got from Woodcraft. Ash is pretty tough wood, maybe not as tough as hickory, and I have not had any problems like chipping from the blade modifications.
In fact the only problem was that now I wanted a right handed one!
Searching around on ebay I found a 8" Fiskars hatchet that means I won't have to "mode" the handle that I won for $10 less shipping.
First post been lurking for awhile, thought that I could actually contribute to this thread.
I have a 14" Fiskars hatchet that I have modified into a left handed broad-axe for woodcarving. Pretty hard to find one those even on ebay. I have a Gransfors Burks mini-hatchet that is oh so sweet, but I wanted something at about the same size, but with a broad-axe style head. The one I purchased from a local hardware for about $22, so it was not too expensive an experiment to try.
I have a Tormek slow speed grinder that I used to flatten the right hand bevel, so that I now effectively had a chisel grind. I also reground the remaining bevel so that it was a little less steep. Finally I shortened the handle to make it easier and safer to use as a carving hatchet.
The result works great. I can choke up and use it like a large carving knife, or swing it like you would normally use a hatchet. I have used it so far on 2 walking sticks that I carved out of a Ash "basball bat" blanks I got from Woodcraft. Ash is pretty tough wood, maybe not as tough as hickory, and I have not had any problems like chipping from the blade modifications.
In fact the only problem was that now I wanted a right handed one!
Searching around on ebay I found a 8" Fiskars hatchet that means I won't have to "mode" the handle that I won for $10 less shipping.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,188
how much do they cost? i got mine for 4 bucks at home depot cause they didnt have them in the computer and it was the only one and had no tag. I love it took it to shaving sharp with spyderco sharpmaker and keep it there with a few strokes after each use. ive never been worried about the handle breaking. love it.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2006
- Messages
- 20,776
First off, welcome to the forums. Don't be too shy to post due to lack of contribution. I post plenty, and have only rarely contributed.
Second, got any pics? I've got an old broad hatchet that's been beveled on both sides that I've been meaning to rechiselfy, but I do dig my Fiskars, and this sounds like a cool mod.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2006
- Messages
- 20,776
I got mine for about $23.00 shipped, and that was the cheapest I could find them online. $4 is a really good deal. I love when my local Ace leaves price tags off of stuff. I got a Stanley Yankee push drill for $5 because the manager didn't know what it was or how it got there, and 10 4" Nicholson files for 25 cents each because he didn't feel like putting price tags on them.
Kaihs,
No, I don't have any pictures. Until I found this forum, I did not know of anyone else who would be interested. I did just got a digital camera for Christmas. I will see if I can take some pictures and try my hand at posting them tomorrow.
I really like my Fiskars hatchet too. I must admit at first I was put off with the synthetic handle and all ( I like traditional tools and materials ), but I have used it for several hours to rough out 2 ash walking sticks and very happy with the experience. Feels good in the hand, does the job, very good price, whats not to like?
No, I don't have any pictures. Until I found this forum, I did not know of anyone else who would be interested. I did just got a digital camera for Christmas. I will see if I can take some pictures and try my hand at posting them tomorrow.
I really like my Fiskars hatchet too. I must admit at first I was put off with the synthetic handle and all ( I like traditional tools and materials ), but I have used it for several hours to rough out 2 ash walking sticks and very happy with the experience. Feels good in the hand, does the job, very good price, whats not to like?
I believe that I bought mine a Lowes. However, my local Sears has them at about the $23 dallar range if I am remembering correctly. OTHO, there's ebay:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=fiskars+hatchet&category0=
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=fiskars+hatchet&category0=
Mee too... That would even look good for some knife handles! Keep in mind that I never had to make any handles.. maybe that wood is not suitable for handles and I just said the most stupid thing ever!
Mikel
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 2,194
I have one and it is a good tool. I was going to get one of the Paxe-sized shorter ones, but if you do the math, the 14" is just a couple ounces more and a far more effective chopping tool. The hollow handle just begs for a PSK kit and I'm surprised I haven't seen more traffic on that. You could get a lot of stuff in there and all you need to do to secure it is tie a lanyard through the bottom hole.
These ALICE style sheaths fit the Fiskars just fine. If you have yours shaving sharp, a little duct tape or plastic milk jug section can help reinforce it inside.
These ALICE style sheaths fit the Fiskars just fine. If you have yours shaving sharp, a little duct tape or plastic milk jug section can help reinforce it inside.