Helko Classic Pathfinder hatchet v. Ochsenkopf OX 235 hatchet

[waughstreet]

Sorry in advance for not posting pictures.

I'm hot for a good hatchet and have narrowed the field to two

1) The Helko Classic Pathfinder hatchet (helkonorthamerica.com), about $65. All purpose.

2) Ochsenkopf (Ox head), OX235. Comes in 600, 800, 1000 gram heads, about $60 (atgstores.com, ochsenkopf.com). A cutter, not so much a splitter.

I have done a lot on online looking and am satisfied that for a lot more money, a Gransfors or Wetterling or Hultafors might be better, or not. Also there is Council Tool, Mueller, Husqvarna, Condor/Marbles.

Of course both! But can anyone see a distinction that separates the two?

 

[Liberatus1]

The Ochsenkopf is the second-highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge with a height of 1,024 metres. On its summit is an observation tower and a transmission tower for VHF and TV programmes by Bayerischer Rundfunk. Just sayin'.

But seriously, this is the Helko.

The OX

To get photos right click on an image and then choose "copy image url" then past it into the dialog box that is in the tool bar (the one that looks like a little tree).

 

[Liberatus1]

Using some economics shorthand I would suspect that they are going for different market segments. At this pricepoint that Helko is awful pretty. So that means there's probably a utility advantage for the OX for it to look a good bit uglier. So the variables are probably in the steel and form factor. With the butt being narrower on the OX and the bit being wider I would suspect that choking up on the OX would provide a bit more control. Have you looked at the hardness specs? The Helko is C45 vs the OX being C65 steel. The C65 is higher carbon steel, I just looked all this up and I'm kind of proud of myself here because I'm using things I learned on BF, and it looks like it would hold a much finer edge than the C45, it is basically 1065 vs 1045 which I think brings us to the OX being the better tool. So circling back around with the Helko you pay for pretty and the OX you get a better tool.

I will of course defer to the wisdom of the more knowledgeable people here who have taught me well.

 

[300Six]

I suspect that the ox head has way more blade then n. Americans are used to, and comfortable with. On the other hand if you're a novice with these implements then go for whatever turns your crank. I have a 1950s-vintage ox head forest axe with a similar oversized and thin blade and it is not a favourite of mine at all.

Shown are an OxHead forest axe (similar to the profile you're looking at buying) beside a conventional Iltis OxHead Canadian. Both are in the category of 'boy's axes' but that huge thin Euro blade never did anything for me.

 

[waughstreet]

Using some economics shorthand I would suspect that they are going for different market segments. At this pricepoint that Helko is awful pretty. So that means there's probably a utility advantage for the OX for it to look a good bit uglier. So the variables are probably in the steel and form factor. With the butt being narrower on the OX and the bit being wider I would suspect that choking up on the OX would provide a bit more control. Have you looked at the hardness specs? The Helko is C45 vs the OX being C65 steel. The C65 is higher carbon steel, I just looked all this up and I'm kind of proud of myself here because I'm using things I learned on BF, and it looks like it would hold a much finer edge than the C45, it is basically 1065 vs 1045 which I think brings us to the OX being the better tool. So circling back around with the Helko you pay for pretty and the OX you get a better tool.

I will of course defer to the wisdom of the more knowledgeable people here who have taught me well.

I kind of got here myself, but with nowhere near your clarity of thinking. Helko also has the "Specialty - Outdoor/Camper hatchet that seems a lot like the Pathfinder, a little smaller and $49. I looked at most of Helko's axes and details aside, they see all alike - same steel, treatment, hardening.

There is a review of the camper on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_vgI2mk2DQ'

The reviewer likes it a lot!

But I'm leaning toward the Ochsenkopf first, then maybe the Helko - one or the other.

Thank you both for making it a pleasure for a newbie to post here!

 

[Liberatus1]

You know what I would do. Buy the OX and cut down the head so it looked like a Hudson Bay. If his hardness number for the Helko is right I suspect there isn't anything wrong with it, That seems like a pretty big number, 53-56, for something with that carbon content, great if he's right. I should qualify that I know just enough to get myself in trouble. That Helko in the video look really cool. I want to buy both. Cheers. I'll say this though, with all of the options out there why anyone would pay double for a Gransfors is anyones guess.