- Joined
- Feb 28, 2007
- Messages
- 9,786
I keep seeing the Fisker's hatchet popping up through the threads in this forum and I am a little interested to know why they are so popular. They sell them at the local hardware store here and I keep grabbing one off the shelf for feel. But frankly it feels really awkward. I hate the feel of the composite handle and the fact that the handle is hollow really turns me off. All the weight is in the head and I doesn't seem like the handle gives much control in the swing (of course it is hard to fully judge this in the store). I also really hate that plastic bracket thing they sell with it as a 'mounting sheath'. It is admittedly very light and sharpened with a keen edge, much more tapered that I am use to for a hatchet. I would go as far to say that the edge looks too tapered to me (for an axe) and vulnerable to chipping on knots.
I've always used a no-name hatchet with the caveat that it always has a hickory handle. The one I use now has been a lucky one and I've had for about 15 years. It was getting a bit loose in the handle so I soaked it in linseed oil for 3 days and then pounded the wedge a bit further to tighten it. I keep the edge sharp enough to shear through cardboard but not but not as sharp as my knife. I simply use the course stone from my Lansky rod set to tune the edge after camping trips. Someday I'd like to get a Gransfors Bruks but spending $130 on a hatchet isn't in the cards yet. There is a certain feel about the swing of a wooden handled axe and hatchets. There is enough weight in the head but a secure feeling on the weight of the handle.
As much as I dislike the lightness of some of the composites, I also don't like the heaviness of all metal axes/hatchets either I used thus far. I've used an Eastwing axe for some chopping and sort of liked it, but not as much as the equivalent sized hickory handled one.
What are other's feelings on the feel of a handle for a good hatchet?
I've always used a no-name hatchet with the caveat that it always has a hickory handle. The one I use now has been a lucky one and I've had for about 15 years. It was getting a bit loose in the handle so I soaked it in linseed oil for 3 days and then pounded the wedge a bit further to tighten it. I keep the edge sharp enough to shear through cardboard but not but not as sharp as my knife. I simply use the course stone from my Lansky rod set to tune the edge after camping trips. Someday I'd like to get a Gransfors Bruks but spending $130 on a hatchet isn't in the cards yet. There is a certain feel about the swing of a wooden handled axe and hatchets. There is enough weight in the head but a secure feeling on the weight of the handle.
As much as I dislike the lightness of some of the composites, I also don't like the heaviness of all metal axes/hatchets either I used thus far. I've used an Eastwing axe for some chopping and sort of liked it, but not as much as the equivalent sized hickory handled one.
What are other's feelings on the feel of a handle for a good hatchet?
