OT: Norlund double-bit belt axe

I have bid on about 10 of those but they seem to keep selling in the 175 to 200 range, which at that price makes them more expensive than Lee Reeves' custom made models.
 
Why should they be that expensive? They don't LOOK a lot different from a TrueTemper that I got at a garage sale. Chops just fine. This is not disrespect, merely ignorance seeking enlightenment.
 
ole Norlund hatchets are more than steel. They are a tradition of long-lasting quality.

The blade is very well designed and executed.

I've been trying to get one at a good price for sometime....like you, HD, I lament the inflated prices....but that's because the demand really is quite high.

Double-bits are not as common too.

I put this one on my watch list....we'll see how it does.




Thanks, Bill - for posting the link.
 
Nice axe. Thanks, now I'm looking for an old yankee screwdriver on ebay :)
aka a ratchet/spiral screwdriver ...
 
Pen,

The head is a bit smaller and the whole thing lighter, but short of finding the Norlund at a decent price, or buying one of Lee Reeves' the "Fort Meigs Nessmuk" axe sold by www.ragweedforge.com is a very nice, and cheap substitute.

It is a cast head though. He offers them in 410 steel the whole head hardened, and 6150 with he zone hardens. The cutting edge is like 2 1/8 " versus like 2 3/4 for the Norlund I think. I haven't done a tremendous amount of cutting with mine yet, but the edge seems to be very durable on both models and not just shaving sharp but razor sharp! So sharp in fact it's a little dangerous. ;)

He does up the bits like Nessmuk, one thin and one thicker, but both are wicked sharp. The whole thing is 14" long and 15oz. The handle is I think going into the head, maybe 1/2" but it is wide and the handle is good quality.

I chopped like a 7 or 8" really tough elm log and a few passes on the strop and it was shaving again.

I'm taking mine on a 4 day backpacking trip this weekend, for firewood and to cut fuel for the new Sierra Zip Stove I bought, so I'll let you know how it performs but it's a good alternative!
 
Mr.BadExample said:
Nice axe. Thanks, now I'm looking for an old yankee screwdriver on ebay :)
aka a ratchet/spiral screwdriver ...
Did you see the one the same seller has listed under the axe at the bottom of the page? I didn't click on it but it appeared to be a fairly decent model.:)
 
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