GB Mini for rough tasks

S

spahn ranch

Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
5
Users of the GB Mini,

Will this tool withstand tasks such as hammering, batoning; and with its fine edge, what about chopping through ice?

Thomas
 
Batoning no problem. I don't think they reccomend any of their hatchets for hammering.

I did break a mini once chopping very hard oak I broke off part of the beard. But they are guaranteed so I sent it back and they sent me a new one. Never had any problem with this one but never have run into any oak that dry and hard since. It was a super dry chestnut oak on North Fk Mt.
 
The axe in question is small and somewhat fragile compared to other designs. Ice is ok, but I would not use the tool as a hammer. Better get a more solidly built Fiskars with a thicker edge profile for the abusive stuff, or for that matter, a larger GB. And yes, they are guaranteed.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
In regards to hammer, is the problem with the handle breaking?

-Cliff
Click to expand...
I'm stuck on this too. I intend to go downtown and pick one up on monday, read the axe book and then call GB with this among perhaps other questions.

P.s. I didn't realize ice wasn't hard on the edge, but thinking about it, I suppose it makes sense. It melts as we skate on it, so surely a hatchet blow will tame it too.

Thomas
 
as to ice it depends on the location of the ice, i.e. whether there could be impurities in it that will ding the edge. Rural ice vs ice in a city/industrial location. Not a huge issue but still potential.
 
Fishface- an astute observation- there are inclusions in many ice formations. These can damage an edge badly (i.e. impact off rocks).

Also, the very fine edge on a Mini could be damaged from lateral stress across the edge on impact, same as with chopping wood. That is more skill level dependent. . .
 
Generally this is more for hammering on rather than with. The eye would need to be really thin for that to be a problem. It would really surprise me especially on a axe of that size. Has this ever been reported?

-Cliff
 
Just back off the phone with a GB info-person. She'd only go as far as to agree with pounding tent stakes; no tougher hammering than that.

What's a blade thread without a pic? Size comparison shot of my new Mini. It is cutish-small, but the feeling of balance and heft I've read about is certainly present.

Thomas


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Hopefully you don't mind pics. I'm one who'll collect all the reviews and pics I can find of an item when thinknig about a purchase.

Combo-shot here of Standard (91mm folded length) and Large (111mm) Victorinox. Does anyone else here use a Hatchet + pocket knife combo? I'll be teaming up a Small Vic (84mm low 50's grams Sportsman) and alternately a Mini Vic (58mm 24g Classic SD) with the GB Mini for the outdoors; the 111mm (Nomad) alone when going lightweight not far out of town.

Thomas


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"Does anyone else here use a Hatchet + pocket knife combo?"

for messing around in the woods or doing rudimentary wood work in the back yard, i often wear a 1.5# head collins hatchet on my belt. i have my case trapper in my pocket. i have never felt like i needed something else.

i also wear the hatchet when cutting down larger trees, as it is alot easier to use once the tree is down and it is time to take off all of the limbs. i prefer to use a small hatchet, held about half way down the handle, to get in among the branches and pop them off along the trunk. much easier than wrestling my big 3.5# axe in there.

i think that overall, the geometry of the GB mini hatchet is better than that of my hatchet, and i think i will buy one soon.
 
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