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New design: Marbles Double Bit Hatchet
- Thread starter Steve Tall
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2014
- Messages
- 1,638
I think the Nessmuk love affair among Bushcrafters gave this thing a market but 1lb overall just seems real close to useless, especially as a DB.
I thought this thread gave some interesting examples of how to use such a hand axe.
It's no secret that I'm a fan of lightweight hatchets a few of mine being well under a pound with the sheath included. Still I agree I perfer a single bit. The ability to drive the head in like a wedge, and use it for driving in tent pegs, and wedges not to mention the idea of having a razor sharp axe bit looking you in the face. Then again it's really no different than when using any axe to drive a wedge or similar. Part of me wants to pick one of these up still if for no other reason than they are fairly unique.
It's no secret that I'm a fan of lightweight hatchets a few of mine being well under a pound with the sheath included. Still I agree I perfer a single bit. The ability to drive the head in like a wedge, and use it for driving in tent pegs, and wedges not to mention the idea of having a razor sharp axe bit looking you in the face. Then again it's really no different than when using any axe to drive a wedge or similar. Part of me wants to pick one of these up still if for no other reason than they are fairly unique.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
- Messages
- 5,431
I was quite excited at getting hold of my first double bit axe years ago but, just like you, it was spooky having a sharp blade coming back/facing me with every stroke. Perhaps you can get accustomed to this but that never happened to me.
The short handle on a DB hatchet makes it seem more hazardous than swinging a full-size DB axe, especially during the backswing (cross-body) toward my left shoulder. I soon switched to using my less-accurate left hand for the left side of notches.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
- Messages
- 5,431
... 1lb overall just seems real close to useless, especially as a DB.
I haven't found a good use for it yet (that I can't accomplish in better ways).
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2002
- Messages
- 2,959
I have read these fears many times, about having a sharp edge facing you in use. Folks say the same thing about using a carpenter's hatchet as a hammer, etc. Why don't you guys just use a bit/edge cover type sheath to cover the side facing you? In this case, you'd need a pair of edge covers instead of a one piece sheath. Does it interfere too much when chopping with the other edge? I'd think it would be less problem when using the hammer poll of a regular hatchet though.