- Joined
- Apr 5, 2000
- Messages
- 2,018
I've really taken a liking to hatchets 
. This is the second GB product I have purchased, and I must say that I am, once again, very impressed.
The hatchet came with a very nice edge, shaving sharp out of the box. The forging is very well done. The handle is just about perfect; great grain, feel, and finish. The handle swell is hand filling and makes the hatchet very comfortable even though extended use. The thong hole is also very nice, I plan on putting a lanyard on this.
The chopping performance is really amazing; the edge sinks in deep yet doesn't get stuck. I should say that I am taking a 1/3 swing most of the time, and the performance is still excellent. With a full swing the hatchet really sings, but it's a little too much effort and my hand tired after a few swings. My friend, Tom O'Brien, pointed out that I am used to swinging a 2000 gram hammer for hours on end. That makes a big difference. It might be hard using the hatchet over an extended period of time; the hatchet is quite heavy...I don't have a scale so I can't post weight. If I had to guess I would say the hatchet weighs about 1.5 lbs.
Despite the thick(er) edge the hatchet cuts reasonably well. It will make fuzz sticks, slice paper, and whittle. The hatchet can do these jobs if it has to, but it certainly does not excell at them. The hatchet is fairly comfortable to choke up on, although the dropped eye is a little cumbersome. Through extended use I can see choking up being unpleasant
. A leather wrap would eliminate that problem though.
I'll type it again: GB products are fantastic. This is really a great hatchet, and for $60 it's really hard to beat.
The negatives...
I would like a higher finish on the edge bevel and on the poll. The poll has some forging marks in it. The bevel is probably a 120 grit finish. That is an aesthetics complaint only, I really don't think those issues effect performance.
The sheath is poor. As far as I can tell, the sheaths are stamped out. So the form made sheath is not going to fit a hand made hatchet every time. I have to say the sheath does it's job though; it protects the edge...and hands. I'll be making a sheath for this anyway.
If I didn't have a shop full of equipment I would leave the edge and poll alone. The lower finish really does not subtract from the overall performance or looks. It's mostly a personal preference.
Overall the hatchet is a great value and I highly recommend it.
My personal preference is the GB mini though. But only becuase it's so portable. The Wildlife greatly out chops the mini, and Wildlife's slicing ability is very close.
I'll post some more on this in a bit...
Here are a few pics.
Matt
. This is the second GB product I have purchased, and I must say that I am, once again, very impressed.The hatchet came with a very nice edge, shaving sharp out of the box. The forging is very well done. The handle is just about perfect; great grain, feel, and finish. The handle swell is hand filling and makes the hatchet very comfortable even though extended use. The thong hole is also very nice, I plan on putting a lanyard on this.
The chopping performance is really amazing; the edge sinks in deep yet doesn't get stuck. I should say that I am taking a 1/3 swing most of the time, and the performance is still excellent. With a full swing the hatchet really sings, but it's a little too much effort and my hand tired after a few swings. My friend, Tom O'Brien, pointed out that I am used to swinging a 2000 gram hammer for hours on end. That makes a big difference. It might be hard using the hatchet over an extended period of time; the hatchet is quite heavy...I don't have a scale so I can't post weight. If I had to guess I would say the hatchet weighs about 1.5 lbs.
Despite the thick(er) edge the hatchet cuts reasonably well. It will make fuzz sticks, slice paper, and whittle. The hatchet can do these jobs if it has to, but it certainly does not excell at them. The hatchet is fairly comfortable to choke up on, although the dropped eye is a little cumbersome. Through extended use I can see choking up being unpleasant
. A leather wrap would eliminate that problem though. I'll type it again: GB products are fantastic. This is really a great hatchet, and for $60 it's really hard to beat.
The negatives...
I would like a higher finish on the edge bevel and on the poll. The poll has some forging marks in it. The bevel is probably a 120 grit finish. That is an aesthetics complaint only, I really don't think those issues effect performance.
The sheath is poor. As far as I can tell, the sheaths are stamped out. So the form made sheath is not going to fit a hand made hatchet every time. I have to say the sheath does it's job though; it protects the edge...and hands. I'll be making a sheath for this anyway
.If I didn't have a shop full of equipment I would leave the edge and poll alone. The lower finish really does not subtract from the overall performance or looks. It's mostly a personal preference
.Overall the hatchet is a great value and I highly recommend it.
My personal preference is the GB mini though. But only becuase it's so portable. The Wildlife greatly out chops the mini, and Wildlife's slicing ability is very close.
I'll post some more on this in a bit...
Here are a few pics
.Matt
