Re-haft a Wetterlings - going shorter?

[trick420]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Wetterlings Scandinavian Forest Axe (SAW26H). It needs to be re-hafted as the handle is damaged near the head from missing splits (Long story... Uneducated axe user trying to split logs with a felling axe).

Anyway, I love this axe, but I really wish I had a shorter axe - like the #118 Outdoor Axe or the #178 Bushman - something that will pack better and is more friendly to one handed use. So I'm thinking about re-hafting it with a shorter handle. My question is, should I do this, or just re-haft it with a 26" handle and offer it for trade for a shorter axe/hatchet? What are your opinions about it? It looks like the #118 is the same head more or less.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[Chignecto Woodsman]

Definitely not. 18-24" is the worst length for a handle unless it's a dedicated carpenter's axe. It is poor in both one hand and two hands, and the most dangerous length, while the 25-26" handles are decent in two hands, perfect for limbing, and manageable for one-handed carpentry tasks. You can also do more work with the longer handle.

Don't sacrifice use for packability. If it's only a backup tool and you don't use it a lot, maybe shorten it, but consider the shortcomings.