Mini Hatchet opinions

jeremy1517

jeremy1517

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Sep 11, 2012
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I have been very intrigued with the idea of the mini hatchet. I've looked at the mini GB but could never pull the trigger because of the price. I didn't want to spend that much money on a potential novelty item. I've wondered how a mini hatchet would compare to a knife. Long story short, I never purchased the GB but I did find a pre-1920's AmericanAxe mini hatchet head. It weighs 3/4 pound, tiny, and I have a custom 11 1/4 handle on it.

axe_zps1dd2813a.jpg



Review: I took the hatchet out to my land to get my tree stands set and the land prepared for hunting. I found the axe very light and comfortable. I had it hanging from a belt hook. Because of the length it never got in the way or was caught up on anything. It easily chopped through small branches/twigs. I used it to drive stakes, easily done. It was not good for cutting branches larger than 4", too light, handle was to short, didn't feel like I could get a good swing.

Opinion: Very glad I put the work into it. I found it useful and like it better than a large knife. With that being said, a slightly heavier head with a 14-16" handle would perform cutting tasks more efficiently but I think thats obvious. I actually think I can do very fine work with it. The blade is easy to manage when I choke up. I'm actually going to use it to field dress a deer and I'll tell you how it goes.


What do you all think about mini hatchets? Novelty or useful? Efficient enough? What are your thoughts??
 
I have a Gerber (fiskars) mini hatchet. I keep it and a beat up mora classic together.

My thoughts: well, as it came it wasn't great. The sheath was just not useful, it was a display really. I made a little kydex cover with an elastic band to hold it on. It really adds to it because now I can strap it to my belt so the carry ability is not lost. The edge was really obtuse for a hatchet so I convexed it. Now I'm pretty sure I could do an ok field dress if I didn't have a knife. So I guess I'd say if you get a good one or fix one up (as it looks like you have done a great job of) it can be a useful tool. I think I would put it in the same utility category as a real real big fixed blade (not machete/kukri style) (10+ inches). It can be very useful if its the only thing you have, but it sacrifices some of its ability to do its main function by accommodating for other functions.

I have used mine for some simple wood work, camping stuff, and messing around. I also have a Wetterlings forest axe which is a similar size head (a little bigger) but with a longer shaft (21") that I really like.
 
I love my GB Mini.

It is so handy for what I do that to not bring it along seems silly.

I am not one to proceess a lot of firewood when out and about. If I planned on a long sustained fire, or major shelter building, I would pack accordingly. But for how how woods trek, the GB Mini has become my constant companion!


Great job on the work that you did!
 
I have the GB Mini. It's too small for any practical use that I have, but I stiil enjoy owning and (now and then) carrying it.
I have a Sears (from the 50s) that's even smaller and just as sharp.
I have a modern version of the old Marble's Safety Hatchet from Smokey Mtn Knife Works. It was only $20 (in 2007 at the store) and is pretty good quality.
Around here, we often carry one of these minis on our ATVs. Handy at times.
 
There's a thread a year or more old about these; I think you'd find it if you searched "mini-axe". Lots of pictures of more of the little guys than I knew existed. Also Old Jimbo extensively tested the the 8-oz Vaughan for his blog.
Horace Kephart never went anywhere without his tiny 8-oz Colclesser, and claimed to use it more than his jackknife.
I have a couple. They do more work than a much heavier knife, and they look like toys so they don't scare people.
 
scrteened porch said:
There's a thread a year or more old about these; I think you'd find it if you searched "mini-axe". Lots of pictures of more of the little guys than I knew existed. Also Old Jimbo extensively tested the the 8-oz Vaughan for his blog.
Horace Kephart never went anywhere without his tiny 8-oz Colclesser, and claimed to use it more than his jackknife.
I have a couple. They do more work than a much heavier knife, and they look like toys so they don't scare people.
Click to expand...

Here's a pick from Jimbo's site of the Vaughn with a longish handle. He's the man.
14splittoend.jpg


I personally feel that the mini axe is one of the finest "you can carry just one" tools out there. It's lighter then a knife of equivalent chopping power and they're easier to carry then a long machete. Tuck it under your belt and you hardly notice it. I've been known to carry it in my back pocket as well. I had a GB and it did everything from lighting a campfire to cutting up food for a fajita dinner. Choking up gives you a lot more control for detail cuts then a long 1/4" thick knife IME. Carving a figure 4 is no problem. It's the only tool I regret selling.

On a side note, I find it funny how the mini axe has been rediscovered every 100 years or so. GB started making their "new design" not too long ago. Kepahart used one 100 years ago. Nessmuk used one 150+ years ago and looking at an old book on tomahawks they had what looked like an exact copy of the GB mini that was dug up from the mid 1700's. This "toy" as some like to call it has been doing very real work longer then large chopper knives.
 
I've been known to edc a mini hatchet bit. Awesome little piece of steel that can pretty much always be with you because it's the size of a cell phone.
 
untamed, thanks for the excellent video by MrBushTramp.
He has another relevant vid on YouTube called "Batoning with a Hatchet" using the GB Mini.
 
Looks handy. I have the GB Kubben and it is a great little package. Not as small as the mini but is still nice when you want some chopping ability with out a large package.
 
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