hatchet

C

cwdotson

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Jun 8, 2006
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Thinking about getting one of the Busse hatchets, either used or if more come out. Would use for light cutting--small wood cutting and splitting for fires, possibly a light overnight shelter, occasionaly help in field-dressing a turkey or deer--do these things actually work well for campfire work?
 
For very light work yes. For all around camp work, no. They were originally designed as a garden/pruning tool for Jerry's father, and they work brilliantly in that capacity. In an emergency, yes, they will cut anything that needs to be cut, but they are not optimum for wood over 1", unless perhaps you are using a baton. Adding a Paul's Hatchet to your camping lineup would give you a nice additional capability though. For example, you could do all your heavy cutting with a FSH, and do your finer whittling and kindling with the PH.

A PH would make a nice skinning implement, but you may find that you need to thin the edge out a bit for that.


Given the new lineup and what's likely available in the Exchange, I'd recommend the SFNO, FSH or even the massive FBM if all you're looking for is chopping capability. Take a look at SRKW offerings as well, the Battle Rat, Rat Mastiff and others would do very well. If you can find an old SH-Ergo you'll be set for life.
 
I don't think we will see more.

The last batch was sold with para cord wrapped handles because they lost the CNC files for the slabs.

If they had plans to make more, they probably would have made a new CNC file instead of using para cord.
 
There was a TAC handled version that premiered at Blade the same year as the Fusion Line and other handle styles, so I am sure we will see them again, with a better handle, IMHO.
 
How do you folks think the SRKW Crash Axe compares to Paul's Hatchet, in terms of intended use and also in terms of camp use?

edit: It's "crash axe" not "crash rat".
 
mikeymoto said:
How do you folks think the SRKW Crash Rat compares to Paul's Hatchet, in terms of intended use and also in terms of camp use?
Click to expand...

the pauls hatchet is a small hatchet, and the crash axe is an axe. The weight difference is huge, and the handle of the crash ax is longer and intended to be able to chop with, where as the 3rd gen handle of the pauls hatchet was more intended to be used in a wrist swing or knife like capacity. I couldn't personally persuade myself to keep the pauls hatchet over a 7" fixed blade, like the basic 7.
 
is the SRKW Crash Axe still being made ? what are they worth approximately ?
 
As mentioned above, I couldn't really justify keeping the PH over any large fixed blade. I felt that it needed to be just a bit bigger. Keep in mind that my primary purpose for it was chopping. I'd try to handle one before you buy or at least get some comparison pics. It was way smaller than I thought it would be.

GregB
 
I also was surprised by how small the Ratchet was when I got it. Agree it is not good for medium to large chopping jobs. The benefit to its size though is that I've got it stored in a BOB. Figured it would be good for a small urban bug out bag.
 
Here's some perspective.
Ratchet, Paul's hatchet, Ranger Knives RD hawk, Crash Axe, GB Wildlife, RMJ Forge Eagle Talon.
IMG_1802.jpg
 
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