lazy otter
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So I also figure this will be great for my ultra light fishing trips....more uses than many may think!
-
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HAX - Chopping and making wood curls
- Thread starter halzucati
- Start date
LizaMari
Gold Member
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- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 913
Halzucati, I can't thank you enough for letting me play with this Hax you made. It was rainy and crappy yesterday so I couldn't try it out then. I had some fun with this little badass today and the only con I can see is that the pretty, clean, neon pink paracord wrap it was dressed in when it showed up is now dirty dirty.
I used the Hax to prune some of the lower limbs on an apple tree, to chop the blackberry brambles away from the deck and for fun it was thrown a few times at a wooden crate target. It digs in and hold well. It was also found to be very useful for lopping heads off of brook trout! No photos this time (battery was dead, dammit!), but I promise some later this week.
Most interesting use I'm looking forward to: a relative who handled it today suggested using later this week to decapitate a couple of roosters destined for the freezer. I think it will be perfect for the not so pleasant task.
I love the way this feels in my hand, it is like an extension of my arm. The single width paracord wrap is a perfect fit for the size of my hand, but I think many men would probably want to wrap the handle a couple more times to make it a bit thicker. Maybe not, though. This Hax is very sharp and one good whack was all it took most of the time to cut through 1/2 inch branches. Brook trout heads were easy to chop off and the blade worked well to slice their bellies open, too. So far this has been a handy, fun and well balanced tool and I think this would be a great asset on a camping trip. Later on this week I'll use it to cut some kindling for a small fire outside, cut and sharpen a marshmallow roasting stick and to behead a rooster.
Oh, it also slices pizza quite well.
I used the Hax to prune some of the lower limbs on an apple tree, to chop the blackberry brambles away from the deck and for fun it was thrown a few times at a wooden crate target. It digs in and hold well. It was also found to be very useful for lopping heads off of brook trout! No photos this time (battery was dead, dammit!), but I promise some later this week.
Most interesting use I'm looking forward to: a relative who handled it today suggested using later this week to decapitate a couple of roosters destined for the freezer. I think it will be perfect for the not so pleasant task.
I love the way this feels in my hand, it is like an extension of my arm. The single width paracord wrap is a perfect fit for the size of my hand, but I think many men would probably want to wrap the handle a couple more times to make it a bit thicker. Maybe not, though. This Hax is very sharp and one good whack was all it took most of the time to cut through 1/2 inch branches. Brook trout heads were easy to chop off and the blade worked well to slice their bellies open, too. So far this has been a handy, fun and well balanced tool and I think this would be a great asset on a camping trip. Later on this week I'll use it to cut some kindling for a small fire outside, cut and sharpen a marshmallow roasting stick and to behead a rooster.
Oh, it also slices pizza quite well.
Last edited:
halzucati
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Messages
- 254
Halzucati, I can't thank you enough for letting me play with this Hax you made. It was rainy and crappy yesterday so I couldn't try it out then. I had some fun with this little badass today and the only con I can see is that the pretty, clean, neon pink paracord wrap it was dressed in when it showed up is now dirty dirty.
I used the Hax to prune some of the lower limbs on an apple tree, to chop the blackberry brambles away from the deck and for fun it was thrown a few times at a wooden crate target. It digs in and hold well. It was also found to be very useful for lopping heads off of brook trout! No photos this time (battery was dead, dammit!), but I promise some later this week.
Most interesting use I'm looking forward to: a relative who handled it today suggested using later this week to decapitate a couple of roosters destined for the freezer. I think it will be perfect for the not so pleasant task.
I love the way this feels in my hand, it is like an extension of my arm. The single width paracord wrap is a perfect fit for the size of my hand, but I think many men would probably want to wrap the handle a couple more times to make it a bit thicker. Maybe not, though. This Hax is very sharp and one good whack was all it took most of the time to cut through 1/2 inch branches. Brook trout heads were easy to chop off and the blade worked well to slice their bellies open, too. So far this has been a handy, fun and well balanced tool and I think this would be a great asset on a camping trip. Later on this week I'll use it to cut some kindling for a small fire outside, cut and sharpen a marshmallow roasting stick and to behead a rooster.
Oh, it also slices pizza quite well.
LizaMari, that's great!
I look forward to the pictures!
- Hal Zucati
The Zieg
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2002
- Messages
- 4,950
Hal,
The HAX arrived safe and sound in its cardboard box with useful pamphlets and a heavy butcher-paper wrap. Shaving sharp and ready for action. I'm looking forward to putting it to as many tests as come my way and will keep everyone informed. In the meantime, here's my post on the EDC thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1278508-EDC-V-Which-knife-or-knives-are-you-carrying-today?p=14717899#post14717899
Zieg
The HAX arrived safe and sound in its cardboard box with useful pamphlets and a heavy butcher-paper wrap. Shaving sharp and ready for action. I'm looking forward to putting it to as many tests as come my way and will keep everyone informed. In the meantime, here's my post on the EDC thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1278508-EDC-V-Which-knife-or-knives-are-you-carrying-today?p=14717899#post14717899
Zieg
halzucati
Gold Member
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- Oct 19, 2010
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- 254
Brian,
I'm sorry but I've sent out all the HAX I can. You're welcome to purchase one but all the evaluation ones are gone.
Thanks for your interest.
lazy otter
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I will say I do wish it had a sheath. It would help in carrying it around not to mention the safety side of things....but I'm still playing with it and it's really a useful little guy can't wait till summers here to give it a good work over .
lazy otter
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Well I'm now awaiting a sheath for my HAX and CAMP II (G)s! Hal has been great to deal with and the HAX is honestly just fun to use. Now I have the red handled HAX you see in all the vids and pics and its razor sharp and I don't think is was sharpened before it got to me. Still after all it's been through it shows little wear. 1 inch branches are no issue and all the weight is in the head. It works! Yes a single bit would be a nice option and a longer bit too...but Hal was going in a different direction. I have the Busse and swamp rats he referd to in a previous post and a blackjack/Brkt lite hawk too compare it too and each has pros and cons but Hal has something new and different and once the sheath shows up it will tag along a lot more with me. You really gotta get one in hand to appriciate it. I'll get pics up when I can.
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- 1,479
Saw this one for sale.....
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1291323-libra-knives-mini-camp-axe
libra knives mini camp axe
Hello gentlemen I have a Libra knives mini camp HAX for sale. I got this is trade and know nothing about the tool or company. it is advertised for 200 on libras site. The one I have for sale has been used very lightly and is in great shape, still sporting the factory edge. I am asking 125 for this HAX, I will cover shipping, CONUS sales only. You pay the 3.5% PayPal fees. No reasonable offers will be refused.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1291323-libra-knives-mini-camp-axe
libra knives mini camp axe
Hello gentlemen I have a Libra knives mini camp HAX for sale. I got this is trade and know nothing about the tool or company. it is advertised for 200 on libras site. The one I have for sale has been used very lightly and is in great shape, still sporting the factory edge. I am asking 125 for this HAX, I will cover shipping, CONUS sales only. You pay the 3.5% PayPal fees. No reasonable offers will be refused.
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2013
- Messages
- 233
Hal,
I apologize that i havent posted a review yet. As i have been spending a lot of time out and about. This means bush time. The hax has accompanied me along these adventures and thus far been a handy companion. I do agree with the sheath required. This little guy was extremely sharp out of the box.
Chopping
I tested the hax out on a 4" piece of deadwood poplar. I wanted to see how much effort it took to chop through a chunk of wood that i would throw on the fire. While im sure this is not the main task, it did well enough that if a person needed to it could be done. The edge retention was fantastic. This being the first test, i wanted to see if the edge would give way but it didnt. It took off pieces of the log big enough that i collected them to help start the fire the log eventually became a part of.
I also chopped up some smaller branches and the like. Most branches smaller than 1" or so fell in a single swing if i managed to connect solidly. I even made a few hot dog sticks without unsheathing my knife to do the finer work. The hax did it all and performed well.
Supper
I decided to use the hax to prepare my meals over a period of a few days. This means cutting bread, meat, cheese and anything else. Its a good thing i had squeeze bottle mustard on hand, the axe would have made a mess of any normal container. The hax performed well here too.
Playtime
I used the hax to wittle and throw and general play time activities. It managed to wittle well enough that it felt almost knife like but still carried the weight in the head for small chops that were needed to work my way through knots in the wood with relative ease. Throwing isnt a strong talent of mine but i did have some success with the hax. In one camp i visited a gentleman was an experienced thrower and dazzled me by throwing the hax several times landing it everytime. He called it a thrower. "Yup its a good thrower, id say"
Conclusion
All in all i am not sure the intended purpose of this little tool, but i can tell you that it faired well on all the tasks put forth. To date the hax has not lost, curled or otherwise received any damage to either edge despite my efforts. The corrosion resistance has proven to be decent as well. While it will never replace a true axe or knife, i did find it a fun and useful tool to be used and great to astonish the gigglers and nay-sayers. The only thing that i could find to complain about is the lack of sheath. I wanted to hang this off a carabeaner for quick access but refrained from doing so in fear of one or several hospital visits. If youre looking for a great all around quick handy tool that a guy can use and access quickly this would be a fine choice.
Thank you hal for sending me a fine tool. It has been added to my hiking pack. Im sure it will be a long while before it is replaced, if ever.
P.s. i apologize for no pictures. I do have a bunch but alas no computer rig up to properly format this quick review
P.p.s. if anyone has questions or wants me to test it out in another fashion please let me know by pm. Ill be happy to put the hax through more paces.
I apologize that i havent posted a review yet. As i have been spending a lot of time out and about. This means bush time. The hax has accompanied me along these adventures and thus far been a handy companion. I do agree with the sheath required. This little guy was extremely sharp out of the box.
Chopping
I tested the hax out on a 4" piece of deadwood poplar. I wanted to see how much effort it took to chop through a chunk of wood that i would throw on the fire. While im sure this is not the main task, it did well enough that if a person needed to it could be done. The edge retention was fantastic. This being the first test, i wanted to see if the edge would give way but it didnt. It took off pieces of the log big enough that i collected them to help start the fire the log eventually became a part of.
I also chopped up some smaller branches and the like. Most branches smaller than 1" or so fell in a single swing if i managed to connect solidly. I even made a few hot dog sticks without unsheathing my knife to do the finer work. The hax did it all and performed well.
Supper
I decided to use the hax to prepare my meals over a period of a few days. This means cutting bread, meat, cheese and anything else. Its a good thing i had squeeze bottle mustard on hand, the axe would have made a mess of any normal container. The hax performed well here too.
Playtime
I used the hax to wittle and throw and general play time activities. It managed to wittle well enough that it felt almost knife like but still carried the weight in the head for small chops that were needed to work my way through knots in the wood with relative ease. Throwing isnt a strong talent of mine but i did have some success with the hax. In one camp i visited a gentleman was an experienced thrower and dazzled me by throwing the hax several times landing it everytime. He called it a thrower. "Yup its a good thrower, id say"
Conclusion
All in all i am not sure the intended purpose of this little tool, but i can tell you that it faired well on all the tasks put forth. To date the hax has not lost, curled or otherwise received any damage to either edge despite my efforts. The corrosion resistance has proven to be decent as well. While it will never replace a true axe or knife, i did find it a fun and useful tool to be used and great to astonish the gigglers and nay-sayers. The only thing that i could find to complain about is the lack of sheath. I wanted to hang this off a carabeaner for quick access but refrained from doing so in fear of one or several hospital visits. If youre looking for a great all around quick handy tool that a guy can use and access quickly this would be a fine choice.
Thank you hal for sending me a fine tool. It has been added to my hiking pack. Im sure it will be a long while before it is replaced, if ever.
P.s. i apologize for no pictures. I do have a bunch but alas no computer rig up to properly format this quick review
P.p.s. if anyone has questions or wants me to test it out in another fashion please let me know by pm. Ill be happy to put the hax through more paces.
Last edited:
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- Jun 7, 2013
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- 233
Ok i just read through the entire thread and feel the need to address.
Price
The price point id say is in the ballpark. These days people pay well for a good product. More than ever. But the heart lays in the service. To me thats where it counts. Now that said, im not sure ill ever need service as the hax seems to be a very hearty tool. But its there and seems to me it will always be there as long as it bears hals name. If you havent bought from hal or had the opportunity to deal with him, i implore you to try one of his tools out...maybe cheaper just so you can see what im talking about. Then go buy one of your off the shelf tools and beat it the same as hals tool. See which one breaks first and better yet which company steps up without complaint and quicker than you finish reading this post.
Usefulness
Everybody has a place in this world. Every tool made was made with a purpose in mind and thus a place in this world. If you cant see it then its not for you. Move on. Let the people that see its potential usefulness make use of the tool (in this case the hax) and comment about it. If you havent had one in your hand i dont think your comments should hold any water.
Hal
Good job with the hax. I loved using it and loved showing other campers what it could do. If you want this one back id would send it back to you to have someone else test it...but you would have to fight me for it.
Price
The price point id say is in the ballpark. These days people pay well for a good product. More than ever. But the heart lays in the service. To me thats where it counts. Now that said, im not sure ill ever need service as the hax seems to be a very hearty tool. But its there and seems to me it will always be there as long as it bears hals name. If you havent bought from hal or had the opportunity to deal with him, i implore you to try one of his tools out...maybe cheaper just so you can see what im talking about. Then go buy one of your off the shelf tools and beat it the same as hals tool. See which one breaks first and better yet which company steps up without complaint and quicker than you finish reading this post.
Usefulness
Everybody has a place in this world. Every tool made was made with a purpose in mind and thus a place in this world. If you cant see it then its not for you. Move on. Let the people that see its potential usefulness make use of the tool (in this case the hax) and comment about it. If you havent had one in your hand i dont think your comments should hold any water.
Hal
Good job with the hax. I loved using it and loved showing other campers what it could do. If you want this one back id would send it back to you to have someone else test it...but you would have to fight me for it.
halzucati
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Messages
- 254
Busse007,
Thank you very much for taking the time to use and test the HAX.
I appreciate your feedback and agree with your assessment.
The sheath is one of the first things I saw that needed to be made, and hopefully the ones that have been made will arrive soon. If you'd like I can send you one.
The HAX was and is intended to be yours, regardless of your findings or actual delivery of any feedback or review, I'm just glad that you like it!
The HAX does indeed come with the same standard warranty that everything I make comes with. 100% satisfaction or your money back, lifetime repairs, touch-ups and spa service.
I'm so happy that you've been able to use and enjoy the HAX in a way that I intended as it confirms my original design decisions to make something in a micro-size.
Use it in good health and let me know if you'd like a sheath.
- Hal Zucati
Thank you very much for taking the time to use and test the HAX.
I appreciate your feedback and agree with your assessment.
The sheath is one of the first things I saw that needed to be made, and hopefully the ones that have been made will arrive soon. If you'd like I can send you one.
The HAX was and is intended to be yours, regardless of your findings or actual delivery of any feedback or review, I'm just glad that you like it!
The HAX does indeed come with the same standard warranty that everything I make comes with. 100% satisfaction or your money back, lifetime repairs, touch-ups and spa service.
I'm so happy that you've been able to use and enjoy the HAX in a way that I intended as it confirms my original design decisions to make something in a micro-size.
Use it in good health and let me know if you'd like a sheath.
- Hal Zucati
halzucati
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Messages
- 254
For anyone who's currently got a HAX.
I've got custom Kydex Sheaths with Tech-Lock clips for $25 available now.
You've said you wanted one, now you can have one.
PM or mail me direct to get yours now.
halzucati@comcast.net
I've got custom Kydex Sheaths with Tech-Lock clips for $25 available now.
You've said you wanted one, now you can have one.
PM or mail me direct to get yours now.
halzucati@comcast.net