Short Axe Test

JK Knives

JK Knives

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Mar 6, 2001
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First off I make no claim to being an expert with an axe. I wanted to see how the axe I made compared to some other well known models. Here are the three test axes.

Wetterlings, JK, and Fiskars

vy451j.jpg


Specs
Wetterlings - 1 lb, 15 oz, 13" handle, 3 1/4" cutting edge
JK - 1 lb, 6 oz, 8" handle, 3 1/2" cutting edge
Fiskars - 1 lb, 3 oz, 12" handle, 2 3/4" cutting edge

First test was how deep they would chop into a 1" thick piece of pine board, in 12 chops. I was using moderate force, chopping against the grain, concentrating on good hits.

Wetterlings - 7/8"
JK - 5/8"
Fiskars - 1/2"

Next was to see how many chops it would take to split an old 4" diameter treated landscaping timber 7" long.

Wetterlings - 1 chop
JK - 1 chop
Fiskars - 2 chops

Next was to check penetration in 1 chop on a stump. Please note it poured rain all day yesterday, so the stump was soaked.

All three penetrated about 1/4"

Last I tried making fuzzies. From left to right - Wetterlings, JK, Fiskars.

vmw1mg.jpg


All in all, probably not the best review or tests, but I had fun comparing my axe to the others. Overall I am pleased with the results.

Shot of JK.

2cyhams.jpg
 
You forgot to add looks to the catagories, your's wins. That's a good looking hatchet, I really like the handles.

David
 
Hi all,

John I think you are right on target there. I like the way you shortened the face up some. That is what I did on mine and think that made all the difference for use in a smaller hatchet/axe. I have used all kinds of hatchets over the years and they were all about the same from customs to productions. But untill I made my own I and made the handle the way I wanted thicker and more hand filling. I also shorted up the face length from edge to pole. I really liked that to.
I started with a straight handle like you did but by the third one put some curve in the handle and that made it have more ergonomics like in this pic

101_1029.jpg


From left to right is the first one I made. Then the middle one I put a bigger cutting edge on and then the (Third times the charm LOL )I put come curve in the handle and made it a little wider in the handle length. Now that thing chops and slices great. Again these are not full size axes and all but for smaller jobs they really work great.




In this pic you can see the size comparions with my gb mini. I had not made up my third one yet with the curve in the handle.

101_0997.jpg


I took several things that I liked about some different hatchets and put them to gether and finally made up the one that I carry on a daily basis.


John I think you are on the right track for a small hand axe. Having a all stee handle to makes for a great area to batton on when you hit the poll area into the log and can not hit it any more. then go the the steel handle and a way you go, batton that little hatchet through. It works great like that.

Did you convex the edge?

On the next one you make put some curve in the handle and then do some choping and I think you will feel the chopping difference. I could sure tell the way it performed when chopping when I did that.

I for one am a real fan of the hatchets.

Great job John,

Bryan
 
Thanks Bryan. Ever since I saw your post a while back, I`ve wanted to make one. It does have a convex edge.
 
Stomper, how thick is it? 1/4, 3/8. 5/16?


One 3/8ths could have some good "heft" to it for what it is meant to do

Pat
 
That is really sweet John. Works well and looks great. I'm a fabricator at a sheetmetal shop. We have cad guys that could draw up something sweet like that, and I could have it cut out on the laser. I just gotta learn how to do the rest. :D

If you want to send me a drawing of anything, I can see what I can do about getting it cut be the laser. We have mostly stainless stock, but I think we have some tool steel. I will call tomorrow and ask the guys in the shop.

Scott

I know we don't have any of those fine steels, though.
 
Ah.. the famous Stomper stump :)

Thanks for the review and that is a great looking peice of steel you've got there.
 
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