Mini-Hatchet, advice wanted

HoB

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May 12, 2004
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I have been looking hard at mini-Hatchets lately (in particular the GB mini-hatchet) and I am currently reading Kephart again. Many people like mini-hatchets and Kephart's take on them is quite clear, however, I don't seem to see their advantage and want to be convinced.

What is the advantage of a mini-hatchet over a decent fixed blade. When I did the calculations for the chopping physics, I convinced myself that a hatchet will always outchop (on hard targets) a knife of same length and size. However, I also convinced myself that a longer knife can outchop a hatchet. Now the mini-hatchet is only 10", that is shorter than a 7" knife, while it is about as heavy. So chopping ability can not be better than a 7" to 8" fixed blade. So the hatchet doesn't really have a weight advantage. Durability is not an issue these days anymore. I trust a decent fixed blade just as I would the GB. On the down side, it has a much shorter bladelength and even though they might be equally sharp and accute at and near the edge, for though cuts the hatched flares out at the eye to a width that would make through cuts difficult. And batoning is much more difficult if not impossible. The hatchet is easier to choke up, but I am doubtful it will actually handle better.

So why do so many experienced woodcrafters prefer a mini-hatchet over a 7-8" (always bladelength) fixed blade?
 
My opinion of GB axes is that you can be convinced. If you're a knife guy you'll love every one you own.

I've done a good bit of chopping with my smaller GB's vs my khukuris (bunch) and the hatchets win. There is no fixed blade, IMO, that compares to the chopping power of a khukuri.
 
I think its preferred because its more accurate, if its small enough. I have a mini hatchet that My Grand Father gave to me a long time ago. And oldly enough after I bought a becker bk7 I found my self wondering wich I would take For that in between the small knife and axe tool. I like the thought of a small hatchet if im not in a heavly wooded area. And if I am, as in thick brush I will end up taking the becker, I think for walking and clearing a small trail, obvioiusly the knife will win out, I wouldn't want to be clearing trails with a mini hatchet. But around camp, or in an area with little undergrouth, a mini hatchet would be my choice.

Ill post a pic of the mini hatchet from my grand father when I find it
 
In my opinion the GB hatchet is one of the handiest tools I have for camping.
I have filleted walleye with one , chopped and split firewood , made and hammered in tent pegs,used the hatchet as a anchor for my canoe and to chop potatoes for homefrys. Man your imagination is the limit.
 
So here it is, sorry for the pics, there some what old. And like I said I like the smaller hatchet for when Im not walking. If im going on a hike ill take the becker. Around camp the mini hachet is indespensable

pc080048ca6.jpg
 
Yeah I also thought a knife would out chop a mini hatchet before i used one, but if you do use one you will probably be surprised how well they chop. But i would still never carry one if i could carry a big knife instead.
 
So here it is, sorry for the pics, there some what old. And like I said I like the smaller hatchet for when Im not walking. If im going on a hike ill take the becker. Around camp the mini hachet is indespensable

pc080048ca6.jpg

I LOVE that one! What a beautiful design!! Are there any mfg markings on it?

What is the weight on it?
 
Actually hollowdweller, If im not mistaken my grand father made it. He was kinda a mysterious man and never gave me a straight anwsure on it, or anything for that matter, but im not sure on the weight, I know it weighs less than the becker, and the becker weighs 12.9 ounces, so id say it weighs about 10-11 ounces, mabye a bit less. But i have to admit it chops fairly well for what it intended too, which is small chopping needs, like a little sappling or something like that.
 
I was (and still am) drooling over the GB mini-hatchet. But it is a little pricey, so I settled for a S. A. Wetterlings - Large Hunters Axe. Very nice axe, especially for the money!

Wetterling does have a smaller, Hunter's axes at about 13" overall length but I went with the slightly larger one. Both were each under $40.

IMO, an Axe will always out-chop a knife. I had a HI 18" AK and prefered my Wetterling Axe.
 
Well, thanks everyone. I guess I have to mull things over. Another one of those cases that I guess I simply have to try for myself. I wanted to try the GB hunters hatchet first, but I guess I start with the mini-hatchet. Pricy, yes, but still cheaper than most fixed blades.
 
I have played with three small axes.

1) The GB mini-Hatchet
2) The Vaughan sounding hatchet (even smaller) reprofiled by me.
3) The reground Vaughan as done by Mike Stewart's shop.

They are very cute but the larger hatchets can do much more work...and have the mass to really cut. My favourite size is the GB Hunters Hatchet, or the similar small forest axe. Still easy to cary.

The mini hatchets simply don't work well enough for me to bother with any more.
 
What is the advantage of a mini-hatchet over a decent fixed blade.

The penetration depth of the hatchet doesn't decrease as the wood exceeds the bit width and thus they can more easily clear chips from larger wood. However, this isn't really a practical reason to carry such a tiny hatchet because either blade or hatchet would be very inefficient on larger woods. The main advantage would be as a way to introduce someone to axes who was not able to use a full size hatchet. I have noticed many times that the Bruks Wildlife is very awkward in the hands of a your teen, it is basically the same as asking an adult to work with a hatchet which has a head weight of several lbs.

-Cliff
 
The only mini hatchet I have is the little Vaughan, and I don't think it chops any better than a 12 oz fixed blade does. However, I carry it in a bag with a Frosts knife, so I don't have to use a 12 oz fixed blade.:)
 
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