- Joined
- Apr 5, 2000
- Messages
- 2,018
I picked up a GB mini recently, I wanted to post my initial thoughts and thoughts after carry and use...
I was expecting something much smaller . I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality. The handle is very well done, both in grain flow and in the fit. The forging is excellent, as is the forged finish. The out of the box edge was very good, it did a very good job shaving hair, slicing paper, leather, and chopping. I was most impressed with how well it chops. It easily matches a large camp knife, in a much smaller package.
The negatives I can see are: the edge is not as polished as I would prefer, I will be putting a full mirror hand rubbed finish on the blade, the poll has some forge marks left in it, and the swell on the handle could be larger (in a gloved hand I can see the hatchet slipping). The hatchet is a chopper, definitely not a slicer. While it slices well for what it is, a good knife performs much better.
I have already touched the edge up and put a nice mirror finish on it. I am VERY impressed with how easily the hatchet sharpens. It will now split a hair. The sheath it came with is fair. I will be making another one from 12oz leather. I might replace the handle, the back ground in the photo is a massive block of osage orange I bought for hatchet and tomahawk handles.
Overall I am blown away by the quality; great bang for the buck. Treeman knives also deserves a nod; fantastic job.
The bowies in the shot should give you an idea of the size...
Here's the second half after considerable use/carry;
I just got back from building a fire. I used the hatchet VERY hard; chopped frozen hard woods, light splitting, cutting some tall grasses, and making some fuzz sticks. After heavy use the blade is still shaving sharp. I am truly blown away by the quality of the hatchet. The size is perfect for pocket carry too. I'll post a write up of the Wilderness hatchet soon.
My only complaint is the handle, my hand tired after some extended chopping. I would really prefer a handle with a little more swell. I'll probably be making another one from osage or hickory.
The sheath actually performed well. I plan on making a much heavier duty version with a pouch to store a small knife. By the way, I am working on very small integral fixed blades, specifically for a hatchet sheath. While the hatchet does cut and slice well, a good thin knife out performs it. I was impressed with how much pressure I was able to exert during cutting, actually more than a hunter sized knife.
The edge had somewhat dulled. The hatchet would still shave hair, but not cut paper as cleanly as I like. I gave the hatchet a few passes on a loaded strop and it was back to hair popping. I think GB follows my belief in knife making; hair popping edges, good edge holding, easy sharpening.
I've been doing some snow shoveling with the GB in my back pocket, I really forgot it was there. Once I make a sheath for it, the hatchet will probably not leave my belt
I'll type it once more; the quality of GB products blows me away.
Matt
I was expecting something much smaller . I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality. The handle is very well done, both in grain flow and in the fit. The forging is excellent, as is the forged finish. The out of the box edge was very good, it did a very good job shaving hair, slicing paper, leather, and chopping. I was most impressed with how well it chops. It easily matches a large camp knife, in a much smaller package.
The negatives I can see are: the edge is not as polished as I would prefer, I will be putting a full mirror hand rubbed finish on the blade, the poll has some forge marks left in it, and the swell on the handle could be larger (in a gloved hand I can see the hatchet slipping). The hatchet is a chopper, definitely not a slicer. While it slices well for what it is, a good knife performs much better.
I have already touched the edge up and put a nice mirror finish on it. I am VERY impressed with how easily the hatchet sharpens. It will now split a hair. The sheath it came with is fair. I will be making another one from 12oz leather. I might replace the handle, the back ground in the photo is a massive block of osage orange I bought for hatchet and tomahawk handles.
Overall I am blown away by the quality; great bang for the buck. Treeman knives also deserves a nod; fantastic job.
The bowies in the shot should give you an idea of the size...
Here's the second half after considerable use/carry;
I just got back from building a fire. I used the hatchet VERY hard; chopped frozen hard woods, light splitting, cutting some tall grasses, and making some fuzz sticks. After heavy use the blade is still shaving sharp. I am truly blown away by the quality of the hatchet. The size is perfect for pocket carry too. I'll post a write up of the Wilderness hatchet soon.
My only complaint is the handle, my hand tired after some extended chopping. I would really prefer a handle with a little more swell. I'll probably be making another one from osage or hickory.
The sheath actually performed well. I plan on making a much heavier duty version with a pouch to store a small knife. By the way, I am working on very small integral fixed blades, specifically for a hatchet sheath. While the hatchet does cut and slice well, a good thin knife out performs it. I was impressed with how much pressure I was able to exert during cutting, actually more than a hunter sized knife.
The edge had somewhat dulled. The hatchet would still shave hair, but not cut paper as cleanly as I like. I gave the hatchet a few passes on a loaded strop and it was back to hair popping. I think GB follows my belief in knife making; hair popping edges, good edge holding, easy sharpening.
I've been doing some snow shoveling with the GB in my back pocket, I really forgot it was there. Once I make a sheath for it, the hatchet will probably not leave my belt
I'll type it once more; the quality of GB products blows me away.
Matt
