Granfors Bruk small hatchet or hand hatchet?

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DocT

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Mar 25, 2012
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For back packing, setting up camp, and etc., which do you all think would be the best: The Small/Mini Hatchet 410 or the Hand Hatchet 413?
The idea is for a small, but capable hatchet that will not weigh a person down unnecessarily, that can still chop a small tree or firewood, build shelters, etc.
 
DocT said:
For back packing, setting up camp, and etc., which do you all think would be the best: The Small/Mini Hatchet 410 or the Hand Hatchet 413?
The idea is for a small, but capable hatchet that will not weigh a person down unnecessarily, that can still chop a small tree or firewood, build shelters, etc.
Click to expand...
I guess it depends how small you want it. You’re not looking at the 415? The 9.5” handle of the 413 is very small, looks like you could put a little more behind one with a 13.5” handle.
 
I probably recommend the Vaughan sub zero instead, they need a little work but it's worth it.

The profile on the little GB hatchets doesn't seem very optimal to me, but if I was to get one I'd get the longer of the two .
 
Neither. The hand hatchet is only useful inside the house next to the fire place for very small kindling jobs. It is even far from ideal for carving as one will often bark their knuckles due to its shortness. The mini hatchet is only an inch longer and the head is even smaller then the hand hatchet. Do I need to say more about that one? You need the Wildlife hatchet 415. Same head has the hand hatchet but on a 13.5inch stick. Honestly don't go smaller then that. You would be surprised by how light and compact even that is.
 
You might want to look at the Fiskars/Gerber Back-Paxe as well.
I have one and I am happy with it.
 
DocT said:
For back packing, setting up camp, and etc., which do you all think would be the best: The Small/Mini Hatchet 410 or the Hand Hatchet 413?
The idea is for a small, but capable hatchet that will not weigh a person down unnecessarily, that can still chop a small tree or firewood, build shelters, etc.
Click to expand...
DocT said:
Thanks everyone. Weight is always an issue and I am not much in favor of batoning with a knife.
Click to expand...
I agree that weight is a big issue when backpacking. A folding saw and the 410 would be a great combination for fire preparation.
 
Ya the Fiskars hatchet. I have a bunch of axes and hatchets, so I've used them many times. They are small, light, inexpensive and tough. Doesn't mean that it's my favorite, but it meets your parameters, and it's a useful tool.
 
You can always choke up on a longer handle, but you can't get more length on a short one. My recommendation is to always go with the longest handle you feel that you can reasonably manage. For me, I don't like anything on a handle less than 19 inches, and my ideal would be closer to 21 or 22. From this you can probably infer that I simply don't have much use for most hatchets and you would be right.
 
Almost any 1.25lb x 14" or so hardware store hatchet will do a good job if you thin the bit down with a file or belt grinder. Depends on how much work you're willing to do. Many of the more expensive hatchets work a lot better thinned down as well, so you aren't necessarily saving time by spending more although you might get better grain orientation on the handle.

Anything smaller, shorter, lighter than that begins to seriously limit its utility and ability to tackle a wider variety of potential firewood. Adler has something they call a "canoe axe" that might be an option. I have a 1.7lb Mann head hung on a 24" boy's axe handle and to me it is well worth the slight increase in length and weight over my 14" hatchets. That said, I have done many hikes and processed some pretty big downfall with nothing fancier than a well tuned 1.25 hardware store hatchet like a True Temper or Garant.
 
I own 4 types:

410 small hatchet (“The Mini”)
415 wildlife hatchet
420 small forest axe
425 outdoor axe

All 4 are definitely capable of felling a small tree (albeit with more effort) or limbing branches. Question really comes down to, handle length that you’re comfortable with and how much energy do you want to use?

The 410 is very light and good for fine work. Can it take down a small tree? Probably, but I’m not doing it. The head weight is pretty darn light, and you’ll be swinging with more force and definitely more often.

Of those 4, I generally reach for the 425.
Why?
Because the handle is a bit more protected, the head is more compact than the 415 & 420.
Honestly, they’re all good.
But I’d go larger and see what size handle your limit is at. Some comparison photos (1st photo. Left to Right - 420 / 415 / 425 / 410) . I’m sure it’ll help someone else decide.

Oh, and remember, keep that sucker sharp.
A sharp axe is a safe axe.


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